What would you buy if you were me? (New audio system - please help!)

aase · 09-21-07, 12:57 AM

Hi all –

I’m in need of some advice from somebody who knows more about audio equipment than I do.

So here’s the story … I’m entering my senior year of college at Stanford, and I want to reward myself by upgrading my home theater system to something truly party worthy. At the moment, I have a Vizio 32” LCD HDTV (model VX32L), a Sony DAV-FX10 5.1 home theater in a box, and two Theater Research TR1611 tower speakers to replace the two front channel speakers from the Sony system. I use the system mostly for music, but I watch movies pretty often, and I also use the system when playing videogames. I’m very happy with the TV, as well as the overall the simplicity of the system, but the sound quality at high volume is lacking. Also, the floor speakers are too big for my small room (some shelf speakers might be better). I live in a pretty rowdy frat house, and want to have the right audio system in place for any dance parties in need of seriously loud (but good quality) sound. I’d also like to have something that will last me a while, and will work well in an apartment or house in the future. Also, money is a bit of an issue – I can sell what I have maybe for around $400, and I would probably be willing to spend another $600 for a total of about $1000 for the entire new system. Used equipment is totally fine also – I’m a big fan of eBay and craigslist.

One of my buddies has a simple setup that sounds pretty great in my opinion … he’s using a Harmon Kardon receiver (not sure what type) with 120W per channel and .07% THD, and just running it to a 2.1 system of two JBL shelf speakers and a Cerwin sub. I think I’d like to do something similar, but I’m not sure.

So, if you were in my position, what would you buy? What makes a good receiver? What am I looking for in good speakers? Links to websites of specific products and retailers would also be helpful so I can read up on this stuff.

Please let me know, and thanks in advance for the advice –

greg_mitch · 09-21-07, 08:55 AM

If you want lots of volume with little distortion check out the horn products from Klipsch.

If you want a beautiful cabinet to show off to all over your other Stanford buddies give a look at the classified section over at: http://av123forum.com/

Are you sure that Harmon Receiver your buddy has is 120W per channel? Sounds high for Harmon.

Jithtproject · 09-22-07, 01:03 PM

Try Audio area here at AVS.

McCall · 09-23-07, 09:19 AM

Go to the audio area, and post in Speakers and in recievers, you might read those areas first to get a feel as these questions are frequently asked and you may gleen some info.

Stew4msu · 09-25-07, 09:38 PM

I'd use what you have for 1 more year, then when you graduate and get a good job, get something that will last you for a long time.

09-21-07, 12:57 AM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
aase New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 7	What would you buy if you were me? (New audio system - please help!) Hi all – I’m in need of some advice from somebody who knows more about audio equipment than I do. So here’s the story … I’m entering my senior year of college at Stanford, and I want to reward myself by upgrading my home theater system to something truly party worthy. At the moment, I have a Vizio 32” LCD HDTV (model VX32L), a Sony DAV-FX10 5.1 home theater in a box, and two Theater Research TR1611 tower speakers to replace the two front channel speakers from the Sony system. I use the system mostly for music, but I watch movies pretty often, and I also use the system when playing videogames. I’m very happy with the TV, as well as the overall the simplicity of the system, but the sound quality at high volume is lacking. Also, the floor speakers are too big for my small room (some shelf speakers might be better). I live in a pretty rowdy frat house, and want to have the right audio system in place for any dance parties in need of seriously loud (but good quality) sound. I’d also like to have something that will last me a while, and will work well in an apartment or house in the future. Also, money is a bit of an issue – I can sell what I have maybe for around $400, and I would probably be willing to spend another $600 for a total of about $1000 for the entire new system. Used equipment is totally fine also – I’m a big fan of eBay and craigslist. One of my buddies has a simple setup that sounds pretty great in my opinion … he’s using a Harmon Kardon receiver (not sure what type) with 120W per channel and .07% THD, and just running it to a 2.1 system of two JBL shelf speakers and a Cerwin sub. I think I’d like to do something similar, but I’m not sure. So, if you were in my position, what would you buy? What makes a good receiver? What am I looking for in good speakers? Links to websites of specific products and retailers would also be helpful so I can read up on this stuff. Please let me know, and thanks in advance for the advice –

09-21-07, 08:55 AM	#2 \| Link
greg_mitch AVS Special Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: IA/IL Posts: 1,183 Classified Rating: 100% (5)	If you want lots of volume with little distortion check out the horn products from Klipsch. If you want a beautiful cabinet to show off to all over your other Stanford buddies give a look at the classified section over at: http://av123forum.com/ Are you sure that Harmon Receiver your buddy has is 120W per channel? Sounds high for Harmon. __________________ greg My HT Construction Thread

09-22-07, 01:03 PM	#3 \| Link
Jithtproject Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central NJ Posts: 396	Try Audio area here at AVS. __________________ JHT

09-23-07, 09:19 AM	#4 \| Link
McCall Proud Grandmother AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,084	Go to the audio area, and post in Speakers and in recievers, you might read those areas first to get a feel as these questions are frequently asked and you may gleen some info. __________________ McCall ----------------------------------------------------------------- Yup that really IS me in the avatar. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...he+Mickelodeon

09-25-07, 09:38 PM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
Stew4msu AVS Special Member AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wylie, Texas, USA Posts: 5,196 Classified Rating: 100% (1)	I'd use what you have for 1 more year, then when you graduate and get a good job, get something that will last you for a long time. __________________ "The dream never dies, just the dreamer."