[chucky2]

I have a friend who's a single mom (no husband to run this stuff down) so I've volunteered to help her as the HTIB options in CC didn't really look that appealing.


I know about enough to come here and do research on what you pro's think, and then make an informed buying decision. I don't know if it's all just information overload between a receiver and then speakers, but, I am just not getting all this info that you all seem to just know (now I know what it's like when I help people with their PC decisions).


She's looking to buy as soon as possible, and her total audio budget is loosely around $1000.


About as much as I know is that she just bought a 50" plasma from CC, and already has a DVD player.


I've started reading the HDMI thread (yeesh, it's long!), so I'd say the receiver having at least a couple of HDMI inputs and an HDMI output would be a good idea....and that's about where my brain fizzles out.

Does anyone have any like board recommended options or just suggestions of their own?


And Yes, I've Searched...I have like 45345 shortcuts on my desktop....it's just an insane amount of info to understand for those that are just getting into this...


...Help!!!


Chuck

 

[JOHNnDENVER]

$1000 and she needs an AVR, Sub, and speakers?


Does she want ultra small speakers? For many women I find this to be the most important aspect for them way more than maximizing audio performance. If she wants ultra small find out what the maximum acceptabel physical size would be and then we can get started.



This is definetly do-able for you.

 

[MichaelJHuman]

For speakers, something like:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-...oductDetail.do

Look at something like this: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....prd61200050018


I have been happy with both Polk and Klipsch.


For a receiver, you can look at the newer Panasonics running class D (so called "digital") amps:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1149206402596


It's hard to get a good set of speakers and an good HDMI receiver for $1000 or less. Hopefully other people will have more ideas.

 

[axs]



Quote:
Originally Posted by chucky2 /forum/post/0


She's looking to buy as soon as possible, and her total audio budget is loosely around $1000.


...


I've started reading the HDMI thread (yeesh, it's long!), so I'd say the receiver having at least a couple of HDMI inputs and an HDMI output would be a good idea....and that's about where my brain fizzles out.

You have undertaken a tough project. It will be hard to find a receiver with 2 HDMI in and 1 out for less than $400, which will leave you with about $600 for a 5.1 speaker set (it can be done though)


For receivers:


Check out Onkyo SR604 or Pioneer vsx-1016txv. Panasonic SA-XR57 is another option, but has only one HDMI input.


Speakers:


2 pairs of Infinity Primus 150, 1 x C25 and a BIC H-100 subwoofer should be in this range


2 pairs of Athena AS-B1.2 and 1 x AS-C1.2 with a BIC H-100 also will be in the range.


This package from Hsu is another option
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance2.html


If you can put another $200 towards speakers, x-ls from ********** is another option.

 

[chucky2]

All, Thanks for the support and help!

JOHNnDENVER- She's actually a pretty realistic person, so having something that's "cute" would not be a requirement for her. Of course, she's not going to want some massive metal monstrousity speakers hanging off her walls, but, probably just a normal setup.


She does have an entertainment type cabinet already, and I think she was looking to get a new one anyways. I've left her a VM on what type of speakers she was looking to get, and also if she had a link to the type of A/V furniture she's thinking about getting, haven't heard back from her yet though. At some point she mentioned running speaker wire into the attic or something like that...so her envisionment for the rears would probably either be ceiling mounted or floor stand types. I think the fronts though would probably be just on the cabinet somewhere...that's usually how it's done right?

MichaelJHuman- Thanks for the links, I'll put them as potentials in my Excel spreadsheet. Her budget is loosely around $1000 though...if it's necessary or highly desirable, I'm sure she can go past that. She's not going to drop $3000 though, so it's got to be somewhere in the realm of $1000.

axs- I was just myself thinking it'd be smart to go with a receiver that had at least 2 HDMI inputs, as it seems everything is going that way now. TV box from the cable company, PS3, DVD players, etc. If price wasn't an option it seems like getting 3 or more HDMI inputs is the best long term bet, however from the very limited amount I've been able to glean, those receivers are more than $1000 alone...and I don't think that'd be really worth it to her.


Like I just posted back to MichaelJHumanp, this can go above $1000 if need be...it can't just start going crazy.


Thanks again everyone for your help, I really do appreciate it!!!


Chuck

 

[Pagash]

There's always HTIB to consider, especially for ease of use. Onkyo has 2 major contenders in the price range:

HT-S990THX or

HT-S894

That will leave money for a DVD player and cables, etc.

http://www.shoponkyo.com/products.cf...subcat=Systems

 

[chucky2]

Pagash- We actually saw that CC had the HT-S894 HTIB at the store, but it just seemed for $870 (what it would have been out the door), building with seperate components ought to yield a better net setup for less - or not much more.


If I assumed wrong, and the HT-S894 is untouchable as far as value is concerned, then I don't she'll have a problem in buying it there at CC.


I just didn't want her to get it and have it be some junk or tradeoff type of thing that was convenient but not that great.


Chuck

 

[JOHNnDENVER]

As long as the HTIB comes with a full featured AVR without a DVD player integrated into it, I don't have any issues with them....



I think you can do better.


Book shelf speakers with 6" or even 8" woofs offer the best performance for the buck and they are still reasonably small. On the sub, look up Daytom audio subs at Parts Express and get at least their 12" if not even their 15".

You can start out with two pair of speakers if you want, as the center can be simulated with the two front L/R. Don't skimp on the sub to much. I like to get a 6.1 AVR and use 3 pair of such bookshelf speakers, generally yields wonderfull results for the money spent. I really like using hte same exact speaker in ever location.

 

[chucky2]

Update:


She picked the furniture out of a magazine, so she's going to see if she can find a link. Just had surgery though, so I don't know how up to it she'll be...might take a day or two.


She also updated me on the price: $1500 max, but she'd really prefer to be in the $1200 area. I think maybe at this point I'd almost be willing to subsidize a couple hundred $$$'s just so by brain doesn't meltdown...

Given that (I was honestly starting to get that hopeless feeling), I'm going to start into this againx10 and see what I can come up with.

JOHNnDENVER- Do you think that Dayton sub is a better deal than the BIC H-100 that axs suggested?


As far as fronts, center, and surrounds, did you have any other ideas there?


After looking around a bit, the Onyko 604 that axs suggested seems to be a very strong candidate...but I do have a question: Say HDMI wasn't a consideration, or, just 1 HDMI was needed....would there be better receivers then in terms of audio quality than the 604?


Sorry for all the questions, in addition to this, I was up all night with a production problem at work...when it rains it pours!!! Haha!

Thanks again All!


Chuck

 

[Jakeman02]

I would stay away from the dayton subs, I've tried the 12" version and was everything but impressed. The Bic H100 is a much better product for not much more $$.


I've tried the 604 and was very impressed with the sq although I don't think that's going to change with an onkyo version that doesn't have hdmi. You could check out the Onkyo 504 or 574 if you wanted to save a little $$ and still be within the same sound quality, you do loose alot of features though going from the 604, On screen menu is very nice once you get use to it. I didn't think I would care about it until I became use to seeing volume, channel, dsp mode come up on the tv, then I tried a receiver without OSD and was like (something is missing). It's not a big deal but you do get use to things like that. Also the 604 has auto setup and eq for speaker room correction, it's a little more tweakable through the settings as far as sound preference.

 

[MichaelJHuman]



The 10" works very well for a great price. But the one I am thinking of requires some assembly. I had to pound the bejesus out of the plate amp to get it to fit. I suspect sanding or a dremel would have been a better idea though

 

[aus]

I just saw a Denon HTIB at Circuit City just 2 hrs ago on special for $699. It had a reciever, 5 speakers and I believe a sub. You'll at least get a decent reciever.

 

[cherry ghost]

chucky2


How many HDMI inputs does her TV have? If it has enough for her needs, you won't need any on the receiver.

 

[mbrandt]

Here's a possible option for you/her:


********** x-ls bookshelf speaker $220 pr (x2)
http://www.**********/products_produc...s&product=82.1


********** x-ls center speaker $140 each
http://www.**********/products_produc...s&product=91.1


********** Rocket ULW-10 subwoofer $500
http://www.**********/products_produc...rs&product=6.1


Panasonic SA-XR57K $280
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...ed.PAN+SAXR57K

- I'm not completely sold on this receiver but it's a start


You're at $1360+shipping for a sweet setup. If that's too much - hold off on the sub and buy one a few months down the road - only $860.


Don't forget that you'll need stands, mounts and/or cabling.


Good luck -


- Mark

 

[DblHelix]

How about the following:


Receiver: JVC RXD411

Speaker: Infinity Primus Theater Pack II

Sub: JBL Sub12


Bear in mind that I have not heard any of these components, but they sound like they have pretty much everything you are looking for and just over $1200. All of them are by well known and respected companies. Someone else could probably tell you from personal experience if they like them or not.

 

[chucky2]

I have to travel to St. Louis in about 3 hours, so I'll try and post back tomorrow if I don't kill myself from lack of sleep on the drive down:

Jakeman02- Cool that mention that receiver, because it's one of the few that's on the list I've been able to churn up. So, Thanks for your feedback, it's very helpful!

aus- Depending on the Denon receiver it was, that's an interesting option. She could eBay the speakers if she needed to even...I'll have to check that out, Thanks!

cherry ghost- Her TV has 2 HDMI inputs on it, and I don't know how many component. The reason I was trying to get a receiver that did HDMI consolidation or at least had 1 in 1 out was that it seems everything is going HDMI now...spending a few hundred on a receiver that didn't have it seemed to be somewhat short sited. Although, as you point out, if she doesn't really have a need, it's not a necessity. If say there was a great acoustically receiver that didn't have HDMI vs. the Onkyo TX-SR604 and the Pioneer VSX-1016TXV's I've been comparing, then that'd definitely be an option I'd think.

mbrandt- Interesting you list all that, because that's one of the final speaker selections I've been drawing down to, with the exception of the sub, I was thinking the BIC H-100 pointed out earlier may be a better option (cheaper also).


Considering that Panasonic is about $100 less than the above two receivers, I'll put that on the list as well.


Thanks again All, I really do appreciate all the help and suggestions!


Chuck

 

[VTGOLFER]



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


Here's a possible option for you/her:


********** x-ls bookshelf speaker $220 pr (x2)
http://www.**********/products_produc...s&product=82.1


********** x-ls center speaker $140 each
http://www.**********/products_produc...s&product=91.1


********** Rocket ULW-10 subwoofer $500
http://www.**********/products_produc...rs&product=6.1


Panasonic SA-XR57K $280
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...ed.PAN+SAXR57K

- I'm not completely sold on this receiver but it's a start


You're at $1360+shipping for a sweet setup. If that's too much - hold off on the sub and buy one a few months down the road - only $860.


Don't forget that you'll need stands, mounts and/or cabling.


Good luck -


- Mark

Very well thought out and exactly what I would put together for the money. The receiver has plenty of power to drive the speakers, the speakers are highly rated for the money and she would have a very nice sounding easy to operate system for the money.

 

[JOHNnDENVER]

No substitue fro displacement on subs... I'd go for a Dayton 15" for $200 less on the sub. I can't imagine any 10" sub hitting reference levels anywhere but a closet on room size. Even the 12" is suspect, for most I suggest one 15" or two individual 12" subs.


The only 12" dayton installs I have been involved with they purchase two of them, and two of them seem to rock the world pretty darn well.

I always go for what will provide true sustained reference levels, which is really loud. To loud for most people even.

 

[mbrandt]

Thanks. Great minds think alike.


The sub is a bit of a concession to have something small but potent. Other contenders could be...


Outlaw LFM-1 $580
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1.html


HSU VTF-2 MK2 $400 (your best bang for your buck - IMO)
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2.html


HSU VTF-3 MK2 $560
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3.html


I'm a bit concerned with putting a rear ported speaker on any shelf or piece of furniture - but I'm no decorator. Here's another possible collection for about the same price point...


Aperion 532 bookshelf speaker $180 each (x4)
http://www.aperionaudio.com/products...erion+Speakers


Aperion 533 center speaker $280 each
http://www.aperionaudio.com/products...erion+Speakers


Pioneer VSX-816-K $240
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4078915

- Audio over HDMI has so many issues that it should be routed directly to the monitor anyway (atleast until things settle with HDMI 1.3).

- Read review: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pi...816_EPRINT.pdf


Total: $1240 + shipping. Buy a subwoofer a few months down the line after she gets her tax refund.


But here's the most important question - Is she going to invite you over to watch movies?


- Mark

 

[tundrSQ]

I may be the last person in america to feel this way..but with the "current" version of HDMI I do not feel it is "needed" on a receiver, especially in this case. You did not even say if her DVD player had hdmi outputs. And i am sure its not a HD-DVD. So what "exactly" does she NEED an HDMI reciever for? To be future proof? I don't see that as an issue with the newer version of HDMI coming out. I remeber before christmas my neighbor buying her first big screen tv....all she yacked about was HDMI...it MUST have lots of HDMI inputs...well she bought the tv and is using coax cables and rca cables.