I'm brand new to HT and a bit intimidated posting here. My Toshiba Regza 46HL167 LCD is coming today. I've got a Motorola DCH3416 DVR box, Panasonic DMR-EZ27K DVD today. I'll probably add a NAS/Media Server (ie HP MV2010) and Blu-Ray / HD-DVD combo down the road. My townhome living room is 11' wide by 18' long by 9' high. The main viewing point (couch) for movies is 10 ft from the front wall (ie one end of the 18ft dimension). I'll be watching HD content (time warner), movies (1080p up converted) and listening to music probably 35/15/50 time split. Music ranges from Jazz to Metal to Rap.

My thought was $300-$400 for the AV Receiver and $1000 for speakers - 5.1.

Based on other postings I'm considering a Pioneer Elite AVR, SVS SBS-01, SCS-01 and HSU STF-2
Any recommendation? I assume cables will be a separate cost from receiver/speakers.

Thanks in advance!

Pottenge, welcome to the forum--don't be intimidated in asking questions, most of us don't bite :) I think you are on the right track for getting equipment. Depending on what you're looking for in a receiver, $300-400 sounds all right. If you aren't looking for specific features, you can probably get an adequate one for a little less, but I think your price range is good. If you let us know what features you're looking for (HDMI or other features), we might be able to give you a good recommendation.

With about $1000 for your speakers, it's a tough question. I think the possibilities you mention are ok, based on what I've heard from others--I haven't heard them personally, but they are well-regarded on the forums. Ideally, you'd be able to listen to the speakers before buying them, but with Internet-direct vendors (probably the cheapest route) you really can't do that. If you are looking for some specific recommendations, you could probably post over in the receivers forum and in the speakers forum with your intended use and budget, and they might be able to help guide you too. Hope that helps, I think you're on the right track, so good luck and happy shopping!

I'm brand new to HT and a bit intimidated posting here. My Toshiba Regza 46HL167 LCD is coming today. I've got a Motorola DCH3416 DVR box, Panasonic DMR-EZ27K DVD today. I'll probably add a NAS/Media Server (ie HP MV2010) and Blu-Ray / HD-DVD combo down the road. My townhome living room is 11' wide by 18' long by 9' high. The main viewing point (couch) for movies is 10 ft from the front wall (ie one end of the 18ft dimension). I'll be watching HD content (time warner), movies (1080p up converted) and listening to music probably 35/15/50 time split. Music ranges from Jazz to Metal to Rap.

My thought was $300-$400 for the AV Receiver and $1000 for speakers - 5.1.

Based on other postings I'm considering a Pioneer Elite AVR, SVS SBS-01, SCS-01 and HSU STF-2
Any recommendation? I assume cables will be a separate cost from receiver/speakers.

Thanks in advance!


Subject to opinion, I just upgraded my AV Receiver to the Sony STR-DG910 (About $350) and it is currently the most bang for the buck((Compared to Onkyo 605).

For me, the selling features are 3 HDMI ins, 7.1 (100Watts per channel), and the ability to convert Component video ins to HDMI output. I wanted HDMI in so I could accept the Dolby True HD stream, as well as simplfy cabling inputs(I have one HDMI going to my plasma with no need to switch TV inputs anymore.

The menus are a bit tricky on setup, but once you get it configured your all set. I know there are better receivers out there, but not at that price point.

drrick and guitar1969 - thanks for the feedback! :)

For the receiver - i looked at Onkyo first only b/c a bunch of people in the forum spoke highly of it. I intend to narrow it down to 2 or 3 and then go listen - since like my mesa boogie rig - sound is definitely subjective. i was hoping to get a unit with HDMI switching - enough HDMI in/out to support the intended long term use for my setup (listed in the post). I agree with you guitar 1969 - i definitely don't want to switch cables manually. Sounds like the Sony might be a good setup. 5.1 will probably suit my needs (since I'm going from nothing but a CRT TV to a complete setup) - but I'm not a big fan of shopping overall - so I'd like to make on big purchase and plan for the future re: decoder support. Also, it sounds like 7.1 is pretty much what everything above $200 has these days. Is a futureproof avr out of my price range?:confused:

For the speakers - I'm planning to go listen to HSU (I live in Orange County) but not sure how they're going to do with music which I'll probably be using the setup for half the time. I'm hoping to get 2 front standing speakers that are good for music. Problem is I only have about 10" width available for each - and it'd be just to the side of the TV so I'm not sure how that'll work for HT imaging. Also, again - not sure if getting two front standing speakers (maybe the polks at Frys right now?) will stay w/in my overall budget.

A side note - If anyone has something thats slightly more expensive (ie couple 100$) my budget is not 100% locked in stone. This is a target after spending $1600 on a TV and $1000+ on a recent move.

Does that help direct things at all?