The Ars (PC electronics) forums create periodic "Budget/Hot Rod/God-Box" builds of what parts they would put in three custom-built PCs at any given time, based on bang-for-the-buck performance and product availability. They update their suggested builds a couple times a year.
For example, April 2009 is at: http://arstechnica.com/hardware/guid...09-edition.ars
Does anyone do this for a speaker setup?
After much research, I'm getting ready to buy a new HDTV setup (currently have nothing). Unfortunately, my brain is full after figuring out the TV, internet streaming, PC, and other stuff, and I haven't gotten to speakers yet.
Upon advice from a friend, ($TV) == ($speakers), so we're looking at about $2K for a speaker setup.
I keep reading the best bang-for-the-buck is *not* in the HTIB, and I don't mind buying parts from a list, so an Ars-type guide would be great. Does this exist?
I understand there are probably *far more* issues with speakers than with PCs (if you can believe that), because we're talking about size, type of room, type of listening, and even personal preference. (Amazingly, PC parts are probably more objective.) However, not being a "true" audiophile (but I *can* hear the difference between a $500 and $1500 setup), goals are roughly:
People in the LCD forums seem to really like the Onkyo receivers, and I'll need an HDMI switch, so I'll probably go with one of those. Because my brain is full, my "fallback" option is to just get a HTIB that's better than the typical $500 box like:
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S9100...719588&sr=8-11
...However, I understand the merits to buying individual components based on their individual merits-to-price; I just don't know enough here.
Can my needs be described as a mid-level speaker (and receiver) package? What do you recommend?
For example, April 2009 is at: http://arstechnica.com/hardware/guid...09-edition.ars
Does anyone do this for a speaker setup?
After much research, I'm getting ready to buy a new HDTV setup (currently have nothing). Unfortunately, my brain is full after figuring out the TV, internet streaming, PC, and other stuff, and I haven't gotten to speakers yet.
Upon advice from a friend, ($TV) == ($speakers), so we're looking at about $2K for a speaker setup.
I keep reading the best bang-for-the-buck is *not* in the HTIB, and I don't mind buying parts from a list, so an Ars-type guide would be great. Does this exist?
I understand there are probably *far more* issues with speakers than with PCs (if you can believe that), because we're talking about size, type of room, type of listening, and even personal preference. (Amazingly, PC parts are probably more objective.) However, not being a "true" audiophile (but I *can* hear the difference between a $500 and $1500 setup), goals are roughly:
- $2K or so (with wiggle room up-and-down)
- Bookshelf speakers (could do not-huge floor mounts, wall mounts also OK)
- Mostly home theater usage (some music and radio, but we're not hard-core audiophiles)
- All new equipment, so would be happy with all-digital interface, don't care much about "backward compatibility" for component
- Room is 13'x20', mostly enclosed with 8' ceilings, TV at end on 13' wide wall (door at opposite end, windows to side)
- Willing to buy all the other stuff (speaker cable, etc.) as needed
- Willing to trust audiophile opinions regarding bang-for-buck (so I accept responsibility for not doing my on subjective due-diligence for "preference" of one sound style over another)
People in the LCD forums seem to really like the Onkyo receivers, and I'll need an HDMI switch, so I'll probably go with one of those. Because my brain is full, my "fallback" option is to just get a HTIB that's better than the typical $500 box like:
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S9100...719588&sr=8-11
...However, I understand the merits to buying individual components based on their individual merits-to-price; I just don't know enough here.
Can my needs be described as a mid-level speaker (and receiver) package? What do you recommend?
