Hi!

I just got a Samsung LN-T5271 and now I want to set-up my audio.

I don't have any idea where to start. I am new to this entire home theater thing.

I first thought of getting a BOSE system but there seems to be a lot of threads here that claim the BOSE to be overpriced.

So I checked out the Onkyo S990THX ... again, I read somewhere in the threads that for the $$$ I'd be shelling out for the Onkyo, I'd be able to setup something better with "separates"

Please help me ... I'd appreciate detailed info posted in the replies, but links to good threads on the topic would be helpful too.

Thanks in advance.

You're right, the general consensus is that you can get something a lot better than Bose for the same price. Bose speakers are certainly unobtrusive, but unfortunately, the laws of physics dictate that if you use a small driver, you are going to be limited in how well it can produce a broad spectrum of sound. I'm not sure exactly what your budget is, but probably your best bet is to get a receiver (two popular ones are the Onkyo 605 and Yamaha RX-V661--these run around $400), a sub (several popular ones (SVS, HSU, Elemental Designs, AV123, Bic) depending on how much you want to spend--decent ones start at around $200). Then, there's speakers. There are a ton of different options for speakers. You can probably put together an ok set for under $500, but as you spend more, you'll get more (as a general rule, there are certainly exceptions, e.g. Bose). Anyway, I realize I'm just kind of giving generalities, but I hope that maybe it gives you some direction of what to look for. If I can do more to help, let me know!

There are some questions you need to ask first. The answers will help determine what to buy.

How will you use your audio set up? Mostly to watch movies and TV? Or, for music, too? Music requires better speakers, in my opinion.

What DVD player(s) are you going to get? If you're getting an HD-DVD player or Blu-ray (or both!), you'll need a receiver that can process audio over HDMI in order to extract the full resolution out of the new audio formats. If you're going to run several devices (HD-DVD, Blu-Ray, game consoles, an SACD/DVD-Audio player), you may need three or four HDMI inputs.

The amps/receiver and speaker areas of this forum have lots of good advice on equipment at various price points. And, if you have any actual audio/video stores in your area, the best thing you can do is to visit them and listen. Bring along sample discs - regular DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-ray, and some music. Good stores will demo various combinations of receivers and speakers.

In the end, your ears will tell you what works for you.