[CColtManM]

I bought a projector (8350 Epson), and will be projecting on a wall, giving me 124" or so. But now I need a surround sound system. I have a good size family room, and want to put a 7.1 surround sound in. The speakers will be hanging in from the ceiling, and i got a family friend coming to help with the wiring. But i need to pick the system.


Here is where you guys come in, help me find a great 7.1 system for under $500. My goal is getting that price with an above average system AND a receiver. Basically, the whole audio package.


If there is one place that can help me find a deal, it's here!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...1&d=1312436636

 

[crazyrob425]

Onkyo HT-S5400, $400
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...D54S60NT30JNS8


Onkyo HT-S6300, $550
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S6300.../dp/B003IT49LG

 

[audiophile15]

i was going to say sony 7.2 or 7.4 but when you said "above average" i decided to shoosh

 

[flickhtguru]

Honestly you need to spend more for audio. You have a 124" screen and you want a $500 sound system?


The absolute cheapest thing I would buy for your room would be an Onkyo HT-S9400 THX. newegg.com has them for $750. Any less money than that I would say forget 7.1 and start of with 2.0 to 3.1 and add surrounds later.

 

[CColtManM]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyrob425 /forum/post/20777801


Onkyo HT-S5400, $400
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...D54S60NT30JNS8


Onkyo HT-S6300, $550
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S6300.../dp/B003IT49LG

Both of those look really respectable. The 6300 is supposed to be better, but the 5400 is newer, tough to see the difference in specs, their website sucks for comparison.

Quote:
Originally Posted by flickhtguru /forum/post/20778998


Honestly you need to spend more for audio. You have a 124" screen and you want a $500 sound system?


The absolute cheapest thing I would buy for your room would be an Onkyo HT-S9400 THX. newegg.com has them for $750. Any less money than that I would say forget 7.1 and start of with 2.0 to 3.1 and add surrounds later.

I know, but money is tight. I'm going to work with a family friend to get the room wired in the next month. I'll probably wait on buying anything until then, and do more saving, but right now that is the budget. Once it's all wired, I can go ahead with anything I want.


What gauge should I install to be future proof?


I'll watch that S9400, but right now way too high.

 

[samsurd2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by CColtManM /forum/post/20790398


What gauge should I install to be future proof?

Measure the length of your runs and use this as a guide for wire gauge.
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable

 

[toofarzong]



Quote:
Originally Posted by flickhtguru /forum/post/0


Honestly you need to spend more for audio. You have a 124" screen and you want a $500 sound system?

I agree. If you're tight in money just continue to save until you have enough to purchase a better system, because down the road you will want a better system. So in the long run you are saving money. HTIB are for people who have an average tv, so they buy average sound. You have a big tv, so you really should have an audio system to match. IMO.

 

[skally]

I would reccomend a good 14ga wire given the layout in the photo. You may be able to get 16ga as well but the safe bet would be the 14ga. ( 12ga would be "overkill" IMO ... but if you want, thats a choice too.)

Anyhow, given the situation I do understand your point. You want something to "surfice" for now until you can upgrade down the road later, "been there .. done that".


Here is what I would reccomend...
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...od-Dock/1.html


The 6300 is a Onkyo Factory Reconditioned unit but it holds the warranty. Its very good decent system that sould satisfy for awhile until you can take your time to figure out what type of set up you want. Not to mention, when you do deceide to sell the set up down the road you wont take such a hit as you can recoupe your loss much better.


Good luck! nice HT room btw

 

[flickhtguru]

A lot of ppl say that audio is 50% of your tv/movie experience and that you should spend at least the same amount of money on your audio as you did the video. Personally I will probably do a 60/40 spit and the 60 being audio.


Unfortunately this forum is going to recommend that you spend more money on a better setup. Honestly this is a good thing because its cheaper to buy good stuff up front rather than buying cheap stuff and deciding later that you want better and then end up buying what everyone recommended to begin with. I started out modest and hopefully will soon have the system I want but now I wish I would've never bought what I have now and saved the money.

 

[iowa-sd]

I bought yamaha yht 895 and it is awesome system in a HTIB package

 

[I-C-Blue]

I really want to upgrade to 7.1, considering how I currently own a standard 5.1 that doesn't even output 5.1 (its got Pro logic decoder, not DPLII). I mean I might as well go 7.1 and jump in the bandwagon right? Most blu-rays out there are getting this soundmix and I can see it quickly becoming a standard. But it's soooo expensive, which leads me to just wanting a HD 5.1 surround upgrade ... a little impatient too.