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First HT setup using some speakers I have

post #1 of 24
8/18/11 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all,

I'm new to home theater but not audio. I was considering a htib setup but I developed expensive ears back in the days before I had a family and realized I probably would not be happy with that setup.

I have a set of Paradigm bookshelf speakers that I would like to use for my fronts for now. My plan is to buy a receiver and either a center channel speaker or sub for my budget of $500. What would be the best way for me to go? I'm concerned that a center channel speaker may not balance well with the Paradigms. Should I be concerned or do I need to start fresh?

GR
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post #2 of 24
8/18/11 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 
I forgot to mention that I eventually want a 5.1 setup in my 12'x15' family room. I bought a 47" HDTV a few days ago and some of the DVD's I have are so quiet I have to turn on the subtitles to understand the dialogue.
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post #3 of 24
8/18/11 at 2:53pm
Welcome to AVS.

If you're happy with the Paradigms I would probably keep them and find a matching center. Do you have an existing receiver you can use? If not, $500 won't go far if you need a receiver, center, and sub.
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post #4 of 24
8/18/11 at 3:08pm
What model Paradigm speakers do you have? Shouldn't be too hard to find a matching center for them.

You might be able to get a receiver and center for $500, but a receiver, center and subwoofer will probably be pretty tough unless we find a great deal on a used matching center.
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post #5 of 24
8/18/11 at 3:10pm
The best solution would be to use another of the Paradigm book shelfs in the front. Wall mount your TV put the speaker on a short stand right underneath it.

And as mentioned $500 will get you one of what you want- AVR, CC, or sub. :-(
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post #6 of 24
8/18/11 at 3:16pm
Well he didn't say he needed a "new" receiver, cause I didn't see "it needs to be 3D ready" anywhere.

Are you comfortable buying a used receiver? If so, you can go as far back as the TX SR605(Denon, Yamaha and everybody else made receivers just as capable, just on the used market, Onkyo is the most plentiful, and easiest to figure out) and the only thing you really miss are 3D and "more than" 2 HDMI.

So, what do you "need"?

Your $500 can get a sub, receiver and center(and more than likely rears as well) if you can purchase used.
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post #7 of 24
8/18/11 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry about the confusion, I was hoping to get a receiver and then either a center channel speaker or a sub. I realize I'm stretching it but to good sound I can be patient and get one thing at a time.

The Paradigm's I have are the Titan's. Is there a center channel speaker that might compliment those? My original question was which receiver and if there is money left over should I go with a sub or center channel speaker.

GR
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post #8 of 24
8/18/11 at 4:49pm
Thread Starter 
I'm not opposed to buying used but I checked craigslist in my area and didn't find anything useful. Most of the stuff was very old but I guess a little patience might pay off. I'ts just hard listening to the sound coming out of those sad speakers in the TV
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post #9 of 24
8/18/11 at 4:58pm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR6...#ht_500wt_1361
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR6...#ht_506wt_1344


Either one leaves room for a Paradigm center.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Paradigm-CC-...#ht_500wt_1156 (there are several)
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post #10 of 24
8/18/11 at 5:30pm
Since the dialogue is an issue, I'd go with a used paradigm center channel and a surround sound receiver that can decode the the new blu-ray disc formats with HDMI.

I'd get this receiver from amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-82...3713525&sr=8-4

I'd go with this center channel from audiogon.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....Center-Speaker

This should get you a decent 3.0 to build upon. Save up another $500 for a subwoofer and you'll have a nice 3.1 setup and surrounds you could do pretty cheap to fill out a 5.1 setup.
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post #11 of 24
8/18/11 at 6:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies. I typed in the wrong search words on craigslist, turns out there is a lot available.

How does this one look?
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/2548199804.html

This is the complete list.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/search/...xAsk=&hasPic=1
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post #12 of 24
8/18/11 at 6:59pm
Thread Starter 
I wonder if this would work well with my Paradigm Titans?
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/2483571208.html
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post #13 of 24
8/18/11 at 8:57pm
The 674 doesn't decode the lossless audio. If your BD player does it, then no problem. (it doesn't make ANY DIFFERENCE if the player or the receiver do it...lossless, however, can only leave the BD player via HDMI or 6/8 channel output)

The CC50 would, in a pinch. That one is not great...but that is like saying the new BMW 1 series "isn't the best BMW".

I'd go look at the 674, take the 180 with you, but I'd really try to get it at $150. It is a good choice as long as you can handle the BD player doing the decoding.
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post #14 of 24
8/18/11 at 9:17pm
I'd rather have this...then try REALLY HARD to get the center you want for $150 and under...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2515399562.html

You might be able to get Onkyo to let you have the warranty on this one(check before you buy...his price is right though)
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2492806321.html

This is worth the money, same "issue" as the 674, I'd rather have this one...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/ele/2533183019.html

It would be worth researching the "lowest" online price for this and offering...he'll take it or he won't, basic...yet good...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2498395756.html

This would be worth living without a center for a while, I'd offer a bit less
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/2506706341.html

About right on the price
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/2545023787.html

Worth every penny
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2488255972.html

Man, Dallas is a friggin AV playground

Worth every penny
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2549434636.html

He's asking $50-$75 too much, but good choice
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/ele/2506268104.html

The best value in Dallas....as long as he still has the remote
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/ele/2539946552.html

great deal...
http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/ele/2536150421.html
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post #15 of 24
8/19/11 at 7:30am
Thread Starter 
Wow! This forum is great. You guys have been very helpful. schan1269, thanks for the time you put in to help me out, I'm contacting a few today that look real good. I hope to have something before the weekend is up.
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post #16 of 24
8/19/11 at 1:12pm
paradigm = epic win.
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post #17 of 24
8/19/11 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by goldrush View Post

Wow! This forum is great. You guys have been very helpful. schan1269, thanks for the time you put in to help me out, I'm contacting a few today that look real good. I hope to have something before the weekend is up.

I've got a Onkyo TX-SR875 for sale. Pm me if interested. Original box, remotes, manual, etc.
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post #18 of 24
8/19/11 at 6:11pm
You haven't sold that 875 yet?

Or is it you "really aren't trying" to sell it???

I got a good laugh for those interested. I hit the local pawn shops every once in a while. I found an Integra DTR 6.8 for $600(HAHAHAHAHA) missing the remote(even more...HAHAHAHAHA), but sitting next to it was the Denon DHT 591BA with the remote for $225. I almost picked it up.

Sad part was, I whipped out my credit card on the 6.8 and asked for $350(still too much) and the manager said I was being absurd...
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post #19 of 24
8/19/11 at 6:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Gooddoc but I bought one of the Denon receivers here locally. Thanks again for everyones help.

My main recreation is mountain biking and I know bikes backward and forwards. My bike cost $2500 and it's considered a mid level bike, you have to spend twice that much for a serious bike. I've helped many friends with small budgets get started in the sport by directing them to the best deals.

I knew I had a small budget and needed help that's why I turned to this forum since I'm a newbie. It's very helpful to have knowledgeable people such as in this forum to help steer someone who doesn't know yet what to look for in the right direction. Next month hopefully I will have enough to get a decent center channel speaker. I'll keep my eyes peeled on craigslist. But then again I might find a smoking hot deal for a set of carbon fiber handlebars.
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post #20 of 24
8/19/11 at 6:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by schan1269 View Post

You haven't sold that 875 yet?

Or is it you "really aren't trying" to sell it???

I got a good laugh for those interested. I hit the local pawn shops every once in a while. I found an Integra DTR 6.8 for $600(HAHAHAHAHA) missing the remote(even more...HAHAHAHAHA), but sitting next to it was the Denon DHT 591BA with the remote for $225. I almost picked it up.

Sad part was, I whipped out my credit card on the 6.8 and asked for $350(still too much) and the manager said I was being absurd...

Not really trying to sell it since it's probably worth keeping it for the lousy 3 or 4 hundred I'll get selling it. But every once in a while I decide I'm willing to part with it to a worthy forum member
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post #21 of 24
8/19/11 at 7:53pm
With that tight of a budget, I'd have to consider doing a phantom center so more was available to the subwoofer.
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post #22 of 24
8/19/11 at 8:17pm
Which receiver did you end up with?

Inquiring minds want to know...
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post #23 of 24
8/19/11 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
The Denon AVR-591. I talked the guy down to $280.... I think that's good considering it was never used.
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post #24 of 24
8/20/11 at 12:04am
To bad you don't live in Chicago...

The DHT 591BA I mention above...

Is the 591 with a "basic" set of 5.1...

If he still had the receipt you should try contacting Denon to get a warranty transfer(or at least offer to buy a 1 or two year extended from them....that usually works...)
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