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will this be a good setup for me?

post #1 of 12
6/2/12 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all, I've been lurking for a long time but recently decided that it's time to upgrade. Current system is an HTPC with Logitech X-230 2.1 speakers (better than the tv speakers, but that's about it). I'm looking to get a receiver and 3.1 system.

Using in a top floor apartment living room (12x11x7.5), for 90% movies/tv (bluray/iTunes mostly), sourced from the HTPC (hdmi). I don't tend to crank the volume, mostly just want clear voices and clean sound. Budget is ~$1,000.

Here's what I've come up - does it look like a good selection?

$220 - Denon 1612 Receiver - Crutchfield
$210 - Infinity P163 (x2) Bookshelf Speakers - Amazon
$150 - Infinity PC350 Center Speaker - Crutchfield
$220 - Energy S10.3 Subwoofer - Newegg
$ 50 - SubDude Isolation Riser - Amazon
$ 51 - Center Mounting Bracket - Amazon
--
$901 = TOTAL

Still need stands for the bookshelf's, which I'll put the remaining $100 towards. In a few years when I hopefully buy a house with a bigger room, I'd upgrade the sub and get new fronts, moving the p163's to surround.

appreciate all thoughts!
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post #2 of 12
6/2/12 at 9:12pm
it should do fine..... enjoy.
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post #3 of 12
6/2/12 at 9:19pm
Why not, it looks good.
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post #4 of 12
6/2/12 at 9:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dagatech View Post

Hi all, I've been lurking for a long time but recently decided that it's time to upgrade. Current system is an HTPC with Logitech X-230 2.1 speakers (better than the tv speakers, but that's about it). I'm looking to get a receiver and 3.1 system.

Using in a top floor apartment living room (12x11x7.5), for 90% movies/tv (bluray/iTunes mostly), sourced from the HTPC (hdmi). I don't tend to crank the volume, mostly just want clear voices and clean sound. Budget is ~$1,000.

Here's what I've come up - does it look like a good selection?

$220 - Denon 1612 Receiver - Crutchfield
$210 - Infinity P163 (x2) Bookshelf Speakers - Amazon
$150 - Infinity PC350 Center Speaker - Crutchfield
$220 - Energy S10.3 Subwoofer - Newegg
$ 50 - SubDude Isolation Riser - Amazon
$ 51 - Center Mounting Bracket - Amazon
--
$901 = TOTAL

Still need stands for the bookshelf's, which I'll put the remaining $100 towards. In a few years when I hopefully buy a house with a bigger room, I'd upgrade the sub and get new fronts, moving the p163's to surround.

appreciate all thoughts!

Seems pretty reasonable to me too. One thing I would change, if you can: Try to find a Denon AVR-1712 instead of the 1612. It has a better version of Audyssey. You might call some of the authorized online Denon dealers and find it for just a little more than that price for the 1612 (<$50 more).
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post #5 of 12
6/4/12 at 7:17am
Thread Starter 
Thanks all! It's a good thing I decided to sleep on it...overnight the price dropped on the speakers, saving me $40. I took that and upgraded the stands to metal ones (VTI DF24). Plus a $20 coupon for Crutchfield, the speaker wire and other misc stuff, total comes to just over $1000.

I did some calling around on the 1712, most places didn't have it in stock. I'll keep an eye out over the next week or so, if I find it for the right price I might exchange for that.
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post #6 of 12
6/4/12 at 7:23am
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html
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post #7 of 12
6/4/12 at 8:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 View Post

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

wow, that's definitely a good price. Am I reasonably safe buying a refurb?
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post #8 of 12
6/4/12 at 8:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dagatech View Post

wow, that's definitely a good price. Am I reasonably safe buying a refurb?

All receivers I've ever owned were refurbs....... Never had any trouble with any of them. Got rid of them just to upgrade. My father inlaw still has my old 5.1 Onkyo refurb receiver and works like a champ. My buddy has my old 7.1 Onkyo receiver (pre HDMI and TruHD and DTS HD MA), still works fine.
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post #9 of 12
6/4/12 at 8:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dagatech View Post

wow, that's definitely a good price. Am I reasonably safe buying a refurb?

Accessories4less is a good vendor (I have used them). And you get a 1 year factory warranty from Denon. I'd go for it

I like the rest of your setup, too. Good choices for your budget
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post #10 of 12
6/4/12 at 8:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by flickhtguru View Post

All receivers I've ever owned were refurbs....... Never had any trouble with any of them. Got rid of them just to upgrade. My father inlaw still has my old 5.1 Onkyo refurb receiver and works like a champ. My buddy has my old 7.1 Onkyo receiver (pre HDMI and TruHD and DTS HD MA), still works fine.

Thanks, good to know. I've had some bad experiences with refurbed appliances that make me hesitate generally, but electronics are a completely different game.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Accessories4less is a good vendor (I have used them). And you get a 1 year factory warranty from Denon. I'd go for it

I like the rest of your setup, too. Good choices for your budget

Thanks for the vendor rec, always helpful. And I did a bunch of reading around on here before settling on this. Hardest choice was between the Infinity speakers or the HSU HB-1 MK2; I finally just had to make a decision. Wasn't quite a coin toss, but close!
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post #11 of 12
6/4/12 at 9:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dagatech View Post

Hardest choice was between the Infinity speakers or the HSU HB-1 MK2; I finally just had to make a decision. Wasn't quite a coin toss, but close!

Definitely don't stress about it. Those are close enough in price/performance class that personal listening preference and how they perform in a specific room/placement are more of a determining factor than anything you have read. The only way to know for sure would be to buy your sub and receiver, and then order a pair of each, audition them in home for a week, and then send the pair back you like the least (then order the center channel).

BTW: That is fun to do if you don't mind the $40 it'll cost you to return ship a pair. And it does give you piece of mind of knowing you got the best speakers for you. Many of us on AVS have done it.
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post #12 of 12
6/4/12 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

Definitely don't stress about it. Those are close enough in price/performance class that personal listening preference and how they perform in a specific room/placement are more of a determining factor than anything you have read. The only way to know for sure would be to buy your sub and receiver, and then order a pair of each, audition them in home for a week, and then send the pair back you like the least (then order the center channel).

BTW: That is fun to do if you don't mind the $40 it'll cost you to return ship a pair. And it does give you piece of mind of knowing you got the best speakers for you. Many of us on AVS have done it.

LOL, I definitely wouldn't want to deal with the return shipping costs. And I'm not stressing...I know I'll be happy with these speakers.

Something I've wondered about auditioning speakers; aren't you generally supposed to allow them burn-in time, like 40 hours or so? If so, how do you audition them properly?
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