I'm looking for some recommendations and help on how I can best set up a sound system. I want to take advantage of the high quality HDMI audio when watching Blu Ray and playing games both on PC and PS3. I have no idea where to start, from what audio system I need to how it should be placed for optimum sound experience. I have no clue when it comes to the different formats and jargon, like True HD ect.

So here is a bit of background. I have a PC with an Xfi sound card, a PS3, and a Viewsonic VX2435wm monitor with one HDMI input. Right now I am using an HDMI switch box between the PC and PS3 to connect to my single HDMI input on my monitor. My room is small and rectangular. My desk is placed in a corner, with its back facing the longer wall. The sound doesn't need to blast the walls out, it will most likely be set from low to meduim volume most of the time. My neighbors do not need to hear it, I just need enough sound to fill the room. Price is also a consideration as in lower is better obviously, but I don't want to cut corners on quality either. I also prefer a wireless solution if possible, I dont need wires all over the place.
My desk is also small, so size is also a consideration for me.

So I guess my first question is what systems I should look at? Is 5.1 or 7.1 right for me? I believe most Blu Ray and games audio is 5.1 as a standard right now. Will that change to 7.1 fairly quickly? I'm assuming there's a difference in sound quality and also a difference in price. But if 5.1 is going to be the standard for a while, maybe I am better off with a 5.1 system?

My second question is how should I set it up? My monitor only has one HDMI inpput and I have two devices, PS3 and PC that need to connect to it and I need the ability to switch between the two, quickly and easily. I need the sound to connect to both devices as well. I am really clueless in this area.

My third question is once I have that figured out, how do I place the speakers in my room for the optimum audio experience? I guess this would change depending on 5.1 vs 7.1. Assuming I go with 5.1 I have enough room on my desk to place the center speaker just in front of and below the monitor, and place the front right and left speaker on either side of the monitor. I can mount the rear speakers behind me on the wall. But where would I put the subwoofer? I don't have enough room to place it on my desk. I could place it under the desk against a corner, but would that affect or muffle the sound if its coming from under the desk? With 7.1 I have no clue.

So if anyone can assist me on my journey to quality sound please chime in! Thanks!

Read this for a good primer on 5.1, 7.1, and HDMI:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=738511

IMO, 7.1 is only worth it if you watch a lot of HD-DVDs or Blu-Rays with the back 2 surround channels. Not all Blurays have losslesss audio, I.E. DTS-HD MA or Dolby TrueHD, and not all of those are 7.1. Nearly all dvds and other dolby digital (non lossless) sources are either 2.0 or 5.1.

THX has a good placement guide for 5.1/7.1

http://www.thx.com/home/setup/speakers/index.html

I would strongly recommend you get a HDMI 1.3 capable receiver and connect all your devices to it and power your speakers from that. You will be future proof and can add a dozen more sources to it if you like. Good brands to look at are Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon, Harman-Kardon. Expect to spend around $300-500 for this. Also, forget wireless. It degrades your signal and there are no standards for the technology. Learn to hide wires.

Also, you need to set a budget. Are you looking to spend $500 or $5000?

Thanks for the links Kip,

My budget is more along the $500 range. Anything $300-$500 will work best for me, but I cannot really go higher than $500. I would be happy to pay closer to $500 if the quality is much, much higher compared to something closer to $300. If there's not much difference in quality for those price ranges I'd rather go lower.

I think by budget alone this may put me out of the 7.1 game. Also all the movies I watch these days are almost exclusively Blu Ray for most of the time. Will I be missing out big time by not having 7.1? I am also thinking 7.1 may be awkward for my room?, the right center speaker would have be placed on a wall across the room, and the left center speaker would be next to my ear.

Also for further clarification this is for a desktop setup. If I go 5.1, I could get a set up very close to what is shown on the THX link.

So from what I am gathering I should expect to pay $300-$500 alone for just the reciever, and then I would need to spend additional on the speakers? And it also sounds like for most recieviers I shouldn't have a problem connecting my PS3 and PC to it, and then to my monitor? Would I have to connect it like this? PS3/PC to my HDMI switchbox > switchbox to recievier > reciever to monitor? That way I can switch the input with the HDMI switchbox?

Thanks for the links Kip,

My budget is more along the $500 range. Anything $300-$500 will work best for me, but I cannot really go higher than $500. I would be happy to pay closer to $500 if the quality is much, much higher compared to something closer to $300. If there's not much difference in quality for those price ranges I'd rather go lower.

I think by budget alone this may put me out of the 7.1 game. Also all the movies I watch these days are almost exclusively Blu Ray for most of the time. Will I be missing out big time by not having 7.1? I am also thinking 7.1 may be awkward for my room?, the right center speaker would have be placed on a wall across the room, and the left center speaker would be next to my ear.

Also for further clarification this is for a desktop setup. If I go 5.1, I could get a set up very close to what is shown on the THX link.

So from what I am gathering I should expect to pay $300-$500 alone for just the reciever, and then I would need to spend additional on the speakers? And it also sounds like for most recieviers I shouldn't have a problem connecting my PS3 and PC to it, and then to my monitor? Would I have to connect it like this? PS3/PC to my HDMI switchbox > switchbox to recievier > reciever to monitor? That way I can switch the input with the HDMI switchbox?

I would recommend either a lightly used receiver or a Home theater in a box (HTIB) that's HDMI 1.3 capable if your budget is that low. Check out Onkyo. Don't get a HTIB with a built in DVD player. I would actually consider doing 2.0 and get 2 high quality fronts and add the rest on later. Look at it this way, you can afford 2 decent speakers, 5 bad speakers, or 7 terrible ones. You do not need a switchbox with a receiver. Most of them have 2-4 inputs and can switch between them and they can upconvert component/composite to HDMI. I have never personally listened to 7.1, but something like 50% of data goes to front 2, 30% goes to center channel, and the rest go to surrounds in most movie soundtracks. I have heard that 7.1 is "more enveloping" and a better surround experience. If you have fewer speakers then all the information goes to the speakers that you have.

I would recommend either a lightly used receiver or a Home theater in a box (HTIB) that's HDMI 1.3 capable if your budget is that low. Check out Onkyo. Don't get a HTIB with a built in DVD player. I would actually consider doing 2.0 and get 2 high quality fronts and add the rest on later. Look at it this way, you can afford 2 decent speakers, 5 bad speakers, or 7 terrible ones. You do not need a switchbox with a receiver. Most of them have 2-4 inputs and can switch between them and they can upconvert component/composite to HDMI. I have never personally listened to 7.1, but something like 50% of data goes to front 2, 30% goes to center channel, and the rest go to surrounds in most movie soundtracks. I have heard that 7.1 is "more enveloping" and a better surround experience. If you have fewer speakers then all the information goes to the speakers that you have.

Thank you Kip. I do value quality over quantity. I will look into getting a 1.3 reciever and 2 high quality front speakers. Actually... I could probably do two front speakers and a center speaker unless there's a reason I shouldn't. I guess I will still have the option of adding rear and side speakers for 7.1 later on if I really wanted to. Perhaps by then quality wirless rear speakers may be available.

Speaking of speakers, I'm really clueless here too. I don't know the difference between a high quality speaker vs a bad quality one. Any tips or things I should look out for?

Speaking of speakers, I'm really clueless here too. I don't know the difference between a high quality speaker vs a bad quality one. Any tips or things I should look out for?
Head over to the AVS Speakers forum and do some reading. There are lots of posts about speakers in various price ranges. Then go to a real AV shop (no big box stores) and do some listening. There's no other way to choose speakers.

Head over to the AVS Speakers forum and do some reading. There are lots of posts about speakers in various price ranges. Then go to a real AV shop (no big box stores) and do some listening. There's no other way to choose speakers.

Ok thanks. So far this is my master evil plan. I'm considering strongly to increase my budget.

1) Get a 1.3 reciever that is 7.1 capable. (I expect this will run me $400-$500.)

2) Get two front speakers, a center, and a sub. (Is the sub really necessary? I'm guesstimating I should expect to pay $200-$300 for all these items?) I may try putting these components on my holiday wish list.

3) Later on I will get rear speakers and or side speakers to upgrade to 5.1 or 7.1

Ok thanks. So far this is my master evil plan. I'm considering strongly to increase my budget.

1) Get a 1.3 reciever that is 7.1 capable. (I expect this will run me $400-$500.)

7.1

Do look at Onkyo sr 606. You may get it for 300 (or less) at Amz. Or refurbs at accessories4less.

Or refurbs at accessories4less.

I got a really nice Marantz refurb from them. No regrets, it's worked great. Perfect condition too. They also often has some discount cables you could grab at the same time. Look around monoprice, parts express, and newegg for cables too.

What is the difference between an Onkyo TX Sr706 and a 606? or a Marantz?
I've heard some recievers that are in the lower price bracket, basically under a 706 don't carry sound through HDMI? Is this true?

What is the difference between an Onkyo TX Sr706 and a 606? or a Marantz?
I've heard some recievers that are in the lower price bracket, basically under a 706 don't carry sound through HDMI? Is this true?Not true. The 606 is HDMI 1.3 with HD audio decoders. But, yes, many inexpensive AVRs do HDMI video switching, but not audio processing.

What is the difference between an Onkyo TX Sr706 and a 606? or a Marantz?
I've heard some recievers that are in the lower price bracket, basically under a 706 don't carry sound through HDMI? Is this true?

The Onkyo TX-SR576 and below don't do audio over HDMI. They may have HDMI for video switching, but they'll need additional audio cables. They're priced cheaper.

The TX-SR606 and above models do HDMI audio, and usually do Blu-Ray audio codecs. You pay more, though.

http://onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Receiver

There's a comparison feature on that page to see what features go with what receivers. A 706 will have a few more bells and whistles, such as outputs for an external amp and such. But I'd just get the cheapest receiver that has the features you want and not spend a penny more. A more expensive receiver with features you won't ever use IMO is wasted money, as they most likely won't sound any better, unless you really spend the dough.

Marantz is a whole company. What models did you have in mind? Comparing Marantz to a specific Onkyo is like comparing all of Nissan Motors to a Toyota Camry. ;) The Marantz SR5003 looks to be about comparable to an Onkyo TX-SR706, though from a quick glance.

http://us.marantz.com/Products/172.asp