Hi everyone. I'm new to being a member here, but after being referred over, I've been reading for quite a while. I'm in the process of putting together my first modest a/v set-up. Being budget minded (and quite budget restricted:rolleyes:) I'm trying to get some decent bang for my buck. Here's where I am so far:

New stuff:
Samsung PN50A450
Samsung BD-P1500
Motorola DCT6200
Nintendo WII

Old stuff being replaced asap:
Sony DAV-S500 surround system

Next will be my first real AVR. I've got my Klipsch speakers picked out, but am not yet sure which AVR it will be. Tooooo many options!

I hope to update soon with my completed set-up. Any input would be great!

Klipsch speakers are moderately to very efficient, so essentially any decent receiver should be able to drive them to reference level and beyond, even if you only had 50 watts per channel available. I would shop for the receiver based on your desired features, number of inputs, reported issues, etc. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a great receiver these days, especially with efficient eight ohm speakers.

There are oodles of threads over in the Amps/Receivers forum regarding what's the best budget receiver. I'd do a search there.

Thanks Aaron. I finally decided on an Onkyo 606(unless a crazy deal on an 805 pops up). Should be perfect for my needs and sure fits the budget.

I'll have to post up a few pics soon!

The Onkyo 606 sounds like a good choice to me, it's recommended frequently. Had I not needed the extra features and power supply of the 805, I might have gone that way myself.

I'm getting anxious; but need to be patient on pulling the trigger. Maybe an 805 will be kind enough to show up at a great deal somewhere!?


btw - here's a mock-up of what my wall will hopefully look like when I'm done:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/ashlea30/HTWallpreview.jpg

If I'm seeing that correctly you have the RF-52 as you mains and a synergy center? If you can you should try to get the RC-52 or the RC-10 to stay timber matched. The 606 will drive the Klipsch reference series with no problem what so ever.

Thanks for the heads up on the RC. This was done before the spousal approval unit saw the price tag for all the Klipsch gear.:eek:

Now; I still want the RC-52s, but I am searching for a less wallet shocking alternative. Problem is; I only know just about enough to get hurt. It really seems that "affordable" speaker set-ups can really sacrifice quality sound. Until I find the right combo, I'm still going to use my old Sony DTS500 surrounds and sub. Sounds decent, but I need to step it up a notch after adding the new TV, blu-ray, HDTV, and Wii.

Thought about a nice HTIB, but surely I can piece together a much better sounding system for the same price or lower. Tine for the search and research to continue!:cool:

If you are looking for a great "bang for your buck" system, look at Polk Audio. Fry's (frys.com) is running the R50 towers for $60 a piece.

2 Polk R50 Towers $60 each
1 Polk CS20 Center $300
1 set Polk RTi Rears $340
1 ED A2-350 Sub $350
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Onkyo 606 $350 on amazon

Looking just shy of $1500

I'd get the Onkyo 805 for about $100 more... More power, better DACs, cleaner sound, better all around performer. IMHO totally worth the difference.

Wow! Those R50s are cheap! Thanks for the link!! You guys are the greatest!

I have to pick up the receiver first; then spring for the rest of the speakers. I really wanted a set of thin wall speakers for next to the tv, but nothing seems even close to within the spousal budget constraints. I don't think I can pass up the R50s at that price point though. Why so cheap? Hopefully just because there are too many new models available.

I can see that with my obsessive nature; this could get ugly really quick!:cool:

I'm getting anxious; but need to be patient on pulling the trigger.

Please. We, or at least I, will try to make the patience worth it.

btw - here's a mock-up of what my wall will hopefully look like when I'm done:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/ashlea30/HTWallpreview.jpg

Ok. If this is accurate, and the height of the display is fine for you, then there is absolutely no reason to not place an audio rack anywhere else but up front. Then you buy the identical speaker as your mains for the center. The side stepping of lobing inherent to horiz mtm, and increased power handling will make it very well worth it. You would also have all of the drivers on the same plane for excellent panning, you will be truly matched in timbre, and you won't have an enormous mass between your speakers that will most likely ruin imaging and cause unwanted reflections and/or diffractions.

The problem is that speaker companies only sell in pairs. However, there are still a lot of products that are sold individually.

I've never heard a Polk speaker that I cared for. This does not mean they are not good, I think I just must have had bad experiences. What I will say is that their bottom of the line are pretty bad IMO. I in fact prefer Onkyo HTIB speakers to Polk's bottom of the line.

For max bang for buck, I typically recommend studio monitors such as Behringer 2030p or KRK ST6. For more money, I find the Ascend brand to be a true value leader, and they're an ID brand. For in-store brands, again at a higher budget, I think I would consider NRC influenced value-rich companies like PSB, Paradigm, Energy, Infinity, etc. just my 2 cents.

Still... I think my best advice is to buy a modular rack, and put it ANYWHERE else but up front. Oh yeah, when you go to the movie theater, do you want a whole bunch of LEDs lit up everywhere on the front wall? A URC RF20 remote/blaster system is $80, and a Monoprice 35 ft HDMI cable is $43, IIRC. Studio Tech modular $199. A little over $300 to allow a truly ideal front stage, coupled with better video immersion. A setup that is hard to pull off, but is in fact the desired one.

The last part, which is sort of a repeat, is by far the best advice that I have given you in my personal opinion.

Thanks for the really helpful reply JM. Some really good information that I would have not thought about.

Here's another question for you; that I was discussing with my wife:

If we are only planning on being in this house one more year at the most; would we be better off with a good 5.1 surround HTIB; saving the money now so we can plan the entire HT set-up from the onset in our new home? I realize good equipment will be good anywhere, but would it not be better to plan specific for a particular room.

Are there any HTIB that would not break the bank now, but still provide us with some quality experiences in the short term? In our next location; perhaps it could be something that could be relocated to our master bedroom.

As far as removing the cabinet; I can do that, but the wall would be pretty bare without something there. Can't be seating under the set; so I would be limited to what could be placed there. Below is a layout of the room I had in mind. I like the convenience of the cabinet(and i built it). The front panel can slide in either direction covering one stack of components and the remotes will work with them covered up. If I lose the floor speakers for now and go with wall hanging HTIB how would you suggest speaker set-up and settings? The flooring is thick carpet and the walls are all plaster except the media wall that I built in. It is sheetrock. Room dimensions are approximately 13' Wide and 16' Long. Ceiling height is 9'. There is an opening above and behind the sofa into the kitchen area as well.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/ashlea30/LRset-up.jpg

I appreciate all the input you can provide. I agree that patience and learning first is the key. I will try to heed the advice given the best I can; within our technical and financial abilities.

Thanks for the really helpful reply JM. Some really good information that I would have not thought about.

Here's another question for you; that I was discussing with my wife:

If we are only planning on being in this house one more year at the most; would we be better off with a good 5.1 surround HTIB; saving the money now so we can plan the entire HT set-up from the onset in our new home?

I wouldn't. That being said, believe it or not, I started all of this madness a little over two years ago with an Onkyo HTIB. It now resides happily at my brother's place. I think of them as the gateway drug. But, no, don't do it.

I realize good equipment will be good anywhere, but would it not be better to plan specific for a particular room.

'Tis true.

Are there any HTIB that would not break the bank now, but still provide us with some quality experiences in the short term?

You would be amazed at the improvements to clarity, dialogue intelligibility, dynamic capability, off axis performance, etc, when spending just a couple to few hundred more for "nice" speakers. No, for comparable price to an HTIB, you very well might forgo a subwoofer, or even the rears as well, but a nice 2.1 or 3.1 seems to be a very good "one year setup" with future flexibility. You get better quality, and you're not "stuck" so to speak. For instance, if you got some nice bookshelves, those can always become rear speakers in a large dedicated HT, and you can always buy new matching floorstanders for the fronts, for instance.

In our next location; perhaps it could be something that could be relocated to our master bedroom.

For sure, and what I said above becomes even more pertinent if there's a possibility it could become a BR setup. For maximum future-proofing, I would:

1) start listening to speakers, and choose your favorite pair of bookshelves.
2) add affordable receiver that has preamplifier outputs for the possibility of an outboard amp. Just in case.

(this is assuming the budget of an HTIB at this point). If you just HAVE to have the whole surround sound rig right NOW, be prepared to dump/sell the entire HTIB. Or do like me, and just give it to a relative.

As far as removing the cabinet; I can do that, but the wall would be pretty bare without something there. Can't be seating under the set; so I would be limited to what could be placed there.

Well, first of all, I think having three towers in the front looks cool. You can fill up space by putting a sub between two of them, or two subs, one in between each pair.

If that's a no go, I would consider some room treatments in that space. You can find something that is stylish, even with custom art, but that is typically more expensive. If you buy DIY type kits, and are planning on doing the art yourself, use dyes only, and not paint which is reflective.

Below is a layout of the room I had in mind. I like the convenience of the cabinet(and i built it). The front panel can slide in either direction covering one stack of components and the remotes will work with them covered up. If I lose the floor speakers for now and go with wall hanging HTIB how would you suggest speaker set-up and settings?

Speaker placement questions are very, very, very good questions. IDEAL = Ear level. Equidistant placements of speakers (extremely rare/difficult). Some distance away from boundaries is almost always a good thing (not shoved in corners, or even too close to the front wall). Side surround speakers to be at 110-150 degrees in a 5.1 setup. In a 7.1 setup, you can afford to have the sides closer to a right angle to viewer, as rears can fill that part of the listening area.

I appreciate all the input you can provide. I agree that patience and learning first is the key. I will try to heed the advice given the best I can; within our technical and financial abilities.

My pleasure. Just remember, I'm only one guy! There is a ton of stuff to be gleaned on these boards. I wish you luck, and these are very good questions you are asking. Regards.

Here's a pic of the cabinet I built(since have added the back and the shelving inside), and the HT wall in our living room. And also a room layout sketch. I'm about ready with the wiring layout and will have the TV mounted and all the wiring hid within the next couple of weeks. I'm pre-wiring to take care of the incoming receiver and a couple different wiring options for audio ins/outs.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/ashlea30/108_6191.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/ashlea30/LRset-up-1.jpg

Hey jostenmeat where are the pics of your setup?