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building a home theater suggestions

1K views 34 replies 10 participants last post by  eaamon 
#1 · (Edited)
I've been reading for a few days and I keep seeing posts about high end stuff and articles about cheap stuff. I think I need something in between. I've found the projector I want but audio has always been my bane. I've never invested well in it and I always end up with bad systems.

Right now I have a budget close to $1200 for audio.

I assume buying reciever and speakers separate is the best. I don't know what good speakers are or what to look for in speakers. general advice would be very helpful.


I do like onkyo but my only experience is with cheap HTiB builds. the room i'm using is 10x20 with over 100" screen. i want an experience that will look and sound like a real theater. I'm sure $1200 won't get me there but with the right setup and design i can create a mini director's suite.
 
#2 ·
Onkyo is known for making good electronics, but not so much speakers.
With a 1200 dollar budget, I would spend NO MORE than 300 on a decent, budget AVR, 300 on a sub and most of the remaining budget on your front three...and then cheap surrounds.
 
#4 ·
Very good subwoofer for $300: http://www.amazon.com/NXG-Technology-NX-BAS-500-500-watt-Subwoofer/dp/B008FSTU4G

For speakers, get these CBM-170 SEs for the left and right:
Then this for the center: http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340c/cmt340c.html
http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

You could start with that and wait on the surrounds a little. Then, if you decide you like what you hear but want more, move the CBM-170 SEs to the rear and get the CMT-340 SEs for the front: http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html
 
#5 · (Edited)
Denon E400
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...00&sprefix=denon+e4,aps&rh=i:aps,k:denon e400

HSU STF-2 subwoofer
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

Look at starting with 3 speakers for the front channels

WaveCrest Audio
http://www.wavecrestaudio.com/

HTD Level Two - bookshelf and center
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers

Definitive SM-350 > Buy 2 pair, and use 1 as a center channel - and have a spare
The price is worth it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882325059
 
#6 ·
#10 ·
thank you everyone that has replied. I asked this on my work laptop and didn't get a chance to check it this weekend. I read everything now.

ziegl, were you saying 3 of the wavecrest speakers and using one as a center channel? I've never bought speakers individually and i have always bought the big CE brands that don't perform well. I do like Denon receivers.

Cel, did you have a receiver recommendation? if not i like that denon. my dad uses denon and his setup is good.
 
#14 ·
ziegl, were you saying 3 of the wavecrest speakers and using one as a center channel? I've never bought speakers individually and i have always bought the big CE brands that don't perform well. I do like Denon receivers.
Yes, 1 could be used as a center channel - that is why I suggested them - designed by
the same person who owns Ascend.
 
#11 ·
At that price, those Def tech SM350 are great. I was able to get my SM450 for that price, about 1.5 yrs ago.
IMHO, and I own the SM450 and have heard the Ascend Acoust 340, the AA CMT340 is a much better speaker in almost all respects and I trust that the 170s, the 340 mini me, is pretty damn good as well (same woofer and tweeter, just one less woofer)!
 
#12 ·
so are we looking at this

AVR
Denon E400 $350
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...3Adenon e400

Center CMT 340C $300
http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340c/cmt340c.html

Sub NXG $270
http://www.amazon.com/NXG-Technology-NX-BAS-500-500-watt-Subwoofer/dp/B008FSTU4G?tag=viglink20246-20

Fronts CMT 340 SE $570
http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

Rears def tech sm350 $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...y-_-N82E16882325059&scpid=7&scid=scsho5462016

$1670 or $1790 if i want CBM-170 instead of def tech.
what is the consensus on def tech vs cbm 170?


what if i wanted to make this 7.1 or use "zone 2"?
 
#13 ·
#16 ·
If that is the case, then I would strongly recommend putting that towards the sub. Something like SVS PB-1000 or Rythmik LV12R would be a big upgrade and in my opinion no other change to that setup would make more of an improvement in sound quality (within your budget).
 
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#18 ·
A majority of the sound content in movies is going to come from the front three speakers. I think the Polks would do fine as surrounds if you wanted to scale back some. If you listen to multi-channel music like SACD/DVDA/Blu Ray Audio, then having a more capable speaker that is timbre matched would be beneficial. However, if going with the Polks means you can upgrade your sub instead, then I take that option everyday. The better sub will make a much bigger improvement in sound quality than a slightly better surround speaker will.
 
#21 ·
I would take a look at one of the HSU packages.

Hybrid 2 or 3, 3.1 systems and then add some less expensive speakers for the surrounds.

The VTF2 and 3 are both a step up on the SVS PB1000 and Rythmik LVR-12 and by all accounts the HSU speakers sound terrific.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hybrid2pkg.html
 
#22 ·
Are the VTF2 and 3 supposed to be better than the LVR12? I keep reading that the LVR12 is the best $600 sub. The packages do look nice but at $1659 i can build a set for less. Will the HSU package sound as good as what has been mentioned?

lvr12 sub
def tech sm350 rears
AA center
AA fronts
 
#24 ·
I'm not sure the HSU VTF2.4 is outright better than the LV12R, I would say they are pretty similar. Now the VTF3.4 is a step up and will have more output and extension, and be more accurate, but you obviously pay more.

I think you would really enjoy the Ascend speakers, and the Rythmik sub is very good. Also you get a discount for buying a Rythmik sub with Ascend speakers, so you can save a little cash that way. If you are considering the SM350 for surrounds, I would just go with the CBM-170 instead. This way you have a matching setup and those DefTechs would be difficult to mount because they are pretty heavy IIRC.
 
#25 ·
Agreed. The CBM-170 SEs will be a very close timbre match. So doesn't make sense to go with the DefTechs unless there is some other very good reason to.
 
#32 ·
For home theater speakers on a strict budget I always recommend Polk (RTi series - check prices at Newegg), Infinity (Primus - check Amazon), and the new Pioneer line designed by Andrew Jones are very good for the price. Def Tech are very nice speakers with high sensitivity so they don't require a lot of power but are on the expensive side - I love mine - they sound amazing for small speakers.

One point - budget as much as possible for your center channel speaker - it is the heart of your home theater sound.

You are smart to consider most of your budget on the center / fronts / sub and just get some cheaper surrounds that you can re-purpose in the future. You might plan on some smaller L/R fronts that can be moved to the rear when you add some new matching L/R front towers as your first upgrade. AVRs are going to get upgraded every few years as new technology comes out so keep that budget as small as possible, but if you really like your speakers they can serve you for 10+ years.
 
#35 · (Edited)
though not the best, in wall or in ceiling speakers are a option, for neatness.
also if you have time on your hands and can build things you could go to the DIY pages and build
your own awesome speakers/subs.
my favorite build is the 18" sub built into a leather covered ottoman.....it is hidden.
just some thoughts.....
a 15" http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1444027-ottoman-subwoofer.html
a 21" build http://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1340095-maelstrom-21-ottoman-build.html
 
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