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Budget build for Home Theater use.

539 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by jdsmoothie, Jun 12, 2012

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2012

I've got a little over $300 in gift cards to newegg.com and am looking to throw in around $200-$300 more.

Somewhere in the $500-600 range.

I'm thinking I'll just stick with the front three and a receiver at that price and add to it later as the wife allows.

I'm thinking Polk Monitor 60s and a Polk CS1 for the center and that would leave me with around $280 for a receiver. I have no idea about receivers but I don't think the Denon AVR-1612 would be a wrong choice. Cheap enough that in a couple of years I can upgrade and not feel bad but still within budget. Any other suggestions?

The current room size is about 13' wide and 36' deep. Seating is about 11' from the screen. This is a temporary room until we buy a new house so I'm not too worried about how long the room is.

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

JOHNnDENVER

· #2 · Jun 11, 2012

I just looked at New Egg and did not see any Denon's let alone in your price range. Their products change often though.

I think I'd just do an Onkyo and try to get a complete system.

Jinjuku

· #3 · Jun 11, 2012

Three Martin Logan Motion 10's and 1312 or 1612 Denon receiver. The ML's are $119 with discount code till 6/14.

healthyscott

· #4 · Jun 11, 2012

Newegg shows the ML 10's at $199.00 each on sale until 6/14. Do you have a diff't discount code to get them at $119.00?

jdsmoothie

· #5 · Jun 11, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jinjuku /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use/0_50#post_22121531

Three Martin Logan Motion 10's and 1312 or 1612 Denon receiver. The ML's are $119 with discount code till 6/14.

It's important to note that ML speakers are 4ohm speakers and as such would not be compatible with either the 1312 or 1612 if played at other than average TV viewing levels (ie. no loud movie volumes).

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 11, 2012

Just wanted to let you guys know what I went with. I didn't give much time between posting this question and actual order time as it was kind of sudden. I got the gift card yesterday and there were quite a few sales expiring.

I almost ordered an Onkyo with the ML MLT-2 5.1 system but decided that I would rather go for some better 3.0 or 2.1 speakers and add to it as I have funds. I then looked at the ML 10s, they were apart of the same sale as the Polks, but I was concerned about not getting enough power to them due to being 4 ohm speakers. I ended up going with the Polks. I've heard quite a few good things about them and I'm going to give them a shot. Ordered the Monitor 60s with a CS1 center. This way I can purchase some surrounds and a sub in the coming months. The only problem I forsee with this is that I now need a new TV stand to house the huge center channel and receiver. Along with that, I have a Wii, Xbox 360, HTPC, router, and remote control charger. I'm thinking about an Ikea Tobo with a couple of modifications to include new feet (8 of them) to support the weight and some cable organization behind it.

Correct on Newegg not selling Denon stuff, but I found a Denon AVR-1712 refurbished from accessories4less.com. They are a Denon authorized refurbished seller, and Denon handles the ac4l warranty work directly. They also have a lot of good reviews here on AVS.

Quote:
Originally Posted by healthyscott /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use#post_22121878

Newegg shows the ML 10's at $199.00 each on sale until 6/14. Do you have a diff't discount code to get them at $119.00?

Right on the ML 10s page there is promo code: EMCNDNB46 for $80 off. Brings them to $120 each. I seriously considered these.

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jdsmoothie

· #7 · Jun 11, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by hockeyrcks9901 /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use/0_50#post_22122577

.... I have a Wii ....

You'll also need a Wii2HDMI as the 1712 doesn't do component ---> HDMI conversion.

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 11, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use#post_22122668

You'll also need a Wii2HDMI as the 1712 doesn't do component ---> HDMI conversion.

I'm not worried about piping the Wii through the speakers, we don't hardly play it and it's just not worth it for Wii sounds.

jdsmoothie

· #9 · Jun 11, 2012

^^

I wasn't referring to "audio" conversion, rather "video" conversion, unless you plan on connecting the 1712 to your TV with component video cables, then the Wii2HDMI is not required.

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 12, 2012

I knew what you meant. I was saying for as little as we use it, I have no problem switching the input on the TV from the hdmi to the component from the Wii. And I don't need the speakers from the receiver during playing it so I won't lose anything going that way. As it is now I have to switch inputs between the Wii, xbox, and HTPC. So just consolidating the xbox and HTPC is nice.

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 12, 2012

Now a question from a newbie. Do I bi-amp the Polks or not? Now, just remember that I will be running a 3.0 set-up until I can afford a sub and surround, probably at least 6 months away. I am paying for my wedding in October and will be pouring a lot of money into that. Got to make the wife happy first.

I'm thinking that it can't hurt to bi-amp them. I have 50' of 16 gauge speaker wire on the way so I might as well use it right?

Woops. I meant to edit my last post with this question, not double post.

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jdsmoothie

· #12 · Jun 12, 2012

^^

It likely won't provide any benefit, but if you have the extra speaker wire, knock yourself out.

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hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 12, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use#post_22123171

^^

It likely won't provide any benefit, but if you have the extra speaker wire, knock yourself out.

That's kind of what I was thinking...more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. But it certainly wouldn't hurt, unless I have a bad termination in one of the extra wires.

Now, how about Audyssey. Without a sub, should I allow Audyssey to set the towers to Large if it wants to? Or should I force them back to small. I know once I add a sub, I would want to set them to small, to allow the sub to handle all the

jdsmoothie

· #14 · Jun 12, 2012

Without a sub, the AVR will set the front main speakers to LARGE, you don't have a choice.

hockeyrcks9901

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 12, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie /t/1414792/budget-build-for-home-theater-use#post_22123261

Without a sub, the AVR will set the front main speakers to LARGE, you don't have a choice.

Okay. Thank you for answering all my questions. I'm sure I'll have more once I get the speakers in.

jdsmoothie

· #16 · Jun 12, 2012

Further questions on the 1712 should be posted in the Denon AVR-XX12 Owner's thread. Also while waiting on the AVR and speakers, spend some time reviewing the Audyssey 101 and Denon Guides linked in my sig.

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