[deleon]

Hi -

My father's setting up a home theater with an X1 projector. He's trying to decide on the best audio to use for his price range... sub-1000.


This is the list he gave me:

• Denon DHT-684DVD
• Denon DHT-700DV
• Onkyo LS-V950
• Onkyo HT-S777C
• Yamaha YHT-740

Does anyone here have experience with these? I couldn't find much searching the forum... And if anyone has better suggestions, especially in the lower price range, that'd be fantastic.


Thanks!

 

[deleon]

anyone?

 

[JasonColeman]

Deleon-


Are these models HTIB's (Home Theater in a Box)? If so, I'd recommend getting a decent receiver instead and building a speaker system to complement the theater. If he's got a dedicated theater room with a PJ, I think he may want to re-think his budget. I don't believe that many HTIB's would do any dedicated room justice (I may be wrong...that's not my bag baby!).


Jason

 

[deleon]

Thanks for the reply

yeah, they're HTIB. What receiver would you recommend in a similar price range, then? He already has a pretty decent set of surround sound speakers for his stereo system and could probably run the audio through that, though it'd only be 4, not 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 etc.. and can always add new speakers later on.

 

[JasonColeman]

Deleon-


That's definitely what I'd recommend for now. If he can't swing a bigger budget, it makes much more sense to buy something that can be used with a growing setup instead of getting an all-in-one that he outgrows in a few months and has to replace altogether.


If he's got some speakers he can already use, I'd recommend getting a decent AVR (Denon 2805, Yamaha 1400, Onkyo if he's partial to that brand, etc) and start building a nice setup around it. Get an AVR with a lot of flexibility and connectivity that suits his needs and budget. There's a flock of nice ones in the $500-600 range that could fit the bill. For now I'd focus on the AVR and a nice pair of front-channel speakers. He could get a decent pair of bookshelf speakers to use as front channels right now and when his budget permits, maybe replace them with floorstanding fronts and let the bookshelf speakers become surrounds. Paradigm makes some pretty affordable speakers like the Titans (which I believe msrp at $380/pair). They are a good looking and good performing speaker that can easily take care of the front end in an inexpensive setup and eventually become surrounds when new fronts are introduced.


I think that the key is being purposeful and to prioritize. Start with the AVR, then add the fronts (and a center if he can swing it), then a sub, etc. With a decent AVR and some fronts, 2-channel music is very enjoyable. With the existing speakers as surrounds, he can add a center and maybe a sub and voila! you've got 5.1 HT!


Jason

 

[Q of BanditZ]

You might want to go the Harman Kardon refurb route. Hit Ebay, look for seller Harman Audio, and be prepared to win something awesome for a song. HK 230,430, 630, 7200. That's HK themselves. They'll handle it like a new product, warranty and all.

 

[JasonColeman]

Q-


I'd love to know the specs on the HK you won. I'd also love to know how you decided to hook up the speaker wires (twist, banana, quick-connect, etc.) after reading through your thread. Also, what speakers are you using?


Jason

 

[DMF]

Check out the latest AVGuide Monthly.

http://www.avguide.com/AVG_monthly/issue5_hispeed.pdf

 

[Q of BanditZ]

Quote:

Originally posted by JasonColeman Q- I'd love to know the specs on the HK you won. I'd also love to know how you decided to hook up the speaker wires (twist, banana, quick-connect, etc.) after reading through your thread. Also, what speakers are you using? Jason

I am on a speaker hunt as we speak. The HK 630 is going into a 20 foot by 12 foot room. This is my first true HT. I am graduating from a 4 year old Sony 5500HD HTIB.

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...%20630&stype=S


There's all the info on the HK 630.


The Ebay auctions HK are running really have some steals going.


I am just praying that, after 7 days on the road total, my unit is ok when I get it on Monday.

 

[Q of BanditZ]

Quote:

Originally posted by DMF Check out the latest AVGuide Monthly. http://www.avguide.com/AVG_monthly/issue5_hispeed.pdf

Thanks for this. I am trying to read it but, damn, that font is small...

 

[Dennis Gardner]

deleon,


I would spend $400-$500 on a receiver, use your current surround speakers (set to small to remove low bass), and get a good $400-$500

sub.


This type of setup will get you the power you need to match the size of screen the X1 can project to.


If the speakers can be matched, I would try to get a center speaker or move all the current speakers that he owns to surround and rear duty and get a great set of mains and matching center if there is room for 7.1.


HK isn't the only good receiver out there, but I do use a HK 7200 with Polk Audio speakers with my X1 projecting 92 inches wide.

 

[deleon]

Thank you all for your advice!


He's made his purchases, based in part on the advice provided here.


He's ordered the following:

• Harman Kardon DPR 1001 7.1 Receiver
• Harman Kardon HK B 6 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers x2
• Harman Kardon HK B 4 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers x4
• Harman Kardon Home Theater Center Channel Speaker
• Harman Kardon Home Theater Center Channel Speaker
• JBL E150P 10" 250 Watt Home Theater Powered Sub

A bit more than he'd originally planned to spend, but he got the whole lot of it for about $800 + shipping


Any feedback on these choices?

 

[Enigma]

Quote:

Originally posted by deleon Thank you all for your advice! He's made his purchases, based in part on the advice provided here. He's ordered the following: Harman Kardon DPR 1001 7.1 Receiver Harman Kardon HK B 6 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers x2 Harman Kardon HK B 4 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers x4 Harman Kardon Home Theater Center Channel Speaker Harman Kardon Home Theater Center Channel Speaker JBL E150P 10" 250 Watt Home Theater Powered Sub A bit more than he'd originally planned to spend, but he got the whole lot of it for about $800 + shipping Any feedback on these choices?

I'm not familar with (haven't heard) the HK speakers, but that list looks like a huge step up from a HTiB that you originally looked at. Appears to be a great value if you like the sound of the speakers.

 

[Dennis Gardner]

The DPR1001 will be a great receiver to grow with, since if you ever need more power than the digital amps deliver, you can add amps on every channel if you wish.


Congrats on getting way more value than the HTIB that you first looked at. Your father should have more than enough for his X-1 setup.


Enjoy,


Dennis

 

[catapult]

I haven't heard the HK speakers either but I'd be very surprised if they aren't a great bang for the buck. HK has easy access to the research of its sister companies Revel, Infinity and JBL, all of which build good speakers.