[imsatasia]

Hi All,

I have ONKYO HTiB THX9400 7.1 and now, I'm looking forward to build my full blown HT in range of $1000-$1500 (may be little more ).

I have 42 inch LG LED TV, BenQ HT-series HT1075 Projector, XBox One, Google ChromeCast.

I will be using this system for:
- Movie - 40%
- Gaming - 20%
- Music - 30%
- Other - 10%

I live in apartment and this system will be part of my living room for atleast a year (next year I'm planning to buy a house and I would like to use this system).

Before I start buying, I would like to get suggestions from members of this forum:

Receiver (1): Denon X3100 - $500-$600 (I can get this on deal for around $600) - open for suggestions
Front (2): $300 - no idea what to buy
Center (1):$200 - no idea what to buy
Sub (1 or 2): $400-$500 - no idea what to buy

Surround (2 or 4): I can wait and add max $1000 budget for this speakers next year.

Looking forward for some great suggestions

Thanks in advance!

 

[UGAd13]

I live in apartment and this system will be part of my living room for atleast a year (next year I'm planning to buy a house and I would like to use this system).

Save your $$$ and buy the house first. Owning a home is way more expensive than you'd think.

 

[kraze98nyc]

Sounds like you have a decent setup right now!

I don't think you are going to see huge improvements in the $1500 range for a complete setup over your ONKYO HTiB THX9400. If you truely are going to buy a house, I would save the money for the house AND save up a bigger budget for the home theater.

 

[darthray]

Hi All,

I have ONKYO HTiB THX9400 7.1 and now, I'm looking forward to build my full blown HT in range of $1000-$1500 (may be little more ).

I have 42 inch LG LED TV, BenQ HT-series HT1075 Projector, XBox One, Google ChromeCast.

I will be using this system for:
- Movie - 40%
- Gaming - 20%
- Music - 30%
- Other - 10%

I live in apartment and this system will be part of my living room for atleast a year (next year I'm planning to buy a house and I would like to use this system).

Before I start buying, I would like to get suggestions from members of this forum:

Receiver (1): Denon X3100 - $500-$600 (I can get this on deal for around $600) - open for suggestions
Front (2): $300 - no idea what to buy
Center (1):$200 - no idea what to buy
Sub (1 or 2): $400-$500 - no idea what to buy

Surround (2 or 4): I can wait and add max $1000 budget for this speakers next year.

Looking forward for some great suggestions

Thanks in advance!

Here's some suggestion if you do your surrounds later.


For the main
http://emptek.com/r5bi.php
Center
http://emptek.com/r5ci.php
Sub
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000
or
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html
or
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html


Later for your surrounds, you can go the same as the main or if budget is tight, their little brother
http://emptek.com/e3b.php


I have not heard any of these, but they got good review and good following on these forums
Good luck in your search.


Ray

 

[imsatasia]

Thank you all for quick reply

Save your $$$ and buy the house first. Owning a home is way more expensive than you'd think.

I know, right

Sounds like you have a decent setup right now!

I don't think you are going to see huge improvements in the $1500 range for a complete setup over your ONKYO HTiB THX9400. If you truely are going to buy a house, I would save the money for the house AND save up a bigger budget for the home theater.

My budget for building HT System is around $2500 by next year. What do you recommend?

Here's some suggestion if you do your surrounds later.

For the main
http://emptek.com/r5bi.php
Center
http://emptek.com/r5ci.php
Sub
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000
or
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html
or
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html

Later for your surrounds, you can go the same as the main or if budget is tight, their little brother
http://emptek.com/e3b.php

I have not heard any of these, but they got good review and good following on these forums
Good luck in your search.


Ray

Looks good to me, any other suggestions? I can setup 3.1 right now and add few speakers later too

How is "Yamaha RX-V677" compare to Denon X3100W? Its on sale for $379 right now on Amazon.com.

 

[dsrussell]

I think starting with a 3.1 system first is wise. Look for the best subwoofer you can afford.

I agree with darthray’s recommendation. I own the R5Bi’s and can highly recommend them. However, they have been out of stock since December, so check to see when they will be available.

Andrew Robinson's video review:

Other speakers worth looking at:

$318 / pair to $378 / pair ($50 shipping) Hsu HB-1 Mk2 bookshelf speaker: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html I did audition these and thought they were a solid speaker

$319 - $349 / pair (check on shipping) HTD Level THREE bookshelf speaker: http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers I have not auditioned these, but have heard good things about them

 

[zieglj01]

Looks good to me, any other suggestions? I can setup 3.1 right now and add few speakers later too

How is "Yamaha RX-V677" compare to Denon X3100W? Its on sale for $379 right now on Amazon.com.

The JBL Studio 2 series is on sale >

Studio 230 bookshelf
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio-23...99269&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+studio+230+speakers

Studio 235 center
http://www.amazon.com/JBL-Studio-23...99603&sr=8-1&keywords=jbl+studio+235+speakers

With Yamaha, I would buy from the 10XX up
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A10...id=1430099028&sr=8-7&keywords=yamaha+receiver

However, for a tight budget - most people would spend under $500 on a receiver.

 

[imsatasia]

I'm really liked:

For the main
http://emptek.com/r5bi.php
Center
http://emptek.com/r5ci.php
Sub
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000​

But, now I'm confused in which receiver to buy?

 

[darthray]

I'm really liked:

For the main
http://emptek.com/r5bi.php
Center
http://emptek.com/r5ci.php
Sub
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000
​

But, now I'm confused in which receiver to buy?

Good solid choices for your budget


Unfortunately, I cannot make a recommendation since I have been out of the receiver game for such a long time.


However I do have a few tip on how to choose one.
Stay within your budget, look for sale (last year model can save you lots of money), one with the least bell and whistle since in theory it should get you more power.


Hopefully other members with more current knowledge about receiver will chime-in.


Ray

 

[dsrussell]

I'm really liked:

For the main
http://emptek.com/r5bi.php
Center
http://emptek.com/r5ci.php
Sub
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/pb-1000​

But, now I'm confused in which receiver to buy?

For AVRs, take a look at the following website: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak.../receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html These are factory refurbished models which can save you quite a bit of money. Just look at the models that have the features you’re looking for.

 

[burnsniper]

Start with a Denon e300 or e400 form Accessories4Less plus SVS PB 1000. This should leave $800-900 for speakers,

For Speakers I would suggest 3.1 or 4.1 (phantom center):

Option 1 (3.1):
2 x Klipsch Rb61 ii = $350
1 x Kiplisch Rc62 ii = $350
Utilize left over funds for stands

Option 2 (3.1):
2 x Klipsch Rf62 ii = $600
1 x Kiplisch Rc62 ii = $350
$50 over budget

Option 3 (4.1):
4 x Klipsch Rb61 ii = $700
Utilize left over funds on stands or try to pick up a single Rb61 ii for 5.1

Option 4 (4.1):
Open Box KEF Q300 x 4: $940
$40 over budget

Note the Klipsch speakers are in clearance several places including Amazon and th KEF are available on Accessories4Less. Also, the KEG likely have better imaging for use as a Phantom Center due to their design.

 

[imsatasia]

I finally got my new Denon X3100w for $499 from Frys

I really liked EMPTek R5Bi.

But, I noticed that SVS have Prime Satellite 5.1 system for $999.99 including SB1000 (AVS Review).

Any senior member here recommend getting 5.1 from SVS (I can ask SVS if they can swap SB1000 with PB1000)?

or

Get EMPTek R5Bi and R5Ci with SVS PB1000?


Thank you!

 

[dsrussell]

I finally got my new Denon X3100w for $499 from Frys

I really liked EMPTek R5Bi.

But, I noticed that SVS have Prime Satellite 5.1 system for $999.99 including SB1000 (AVS Review).

Any senior member here recommend getting 5.1 from SVS (I can ask SVS if they can swap SB1000 with PB1000)?

or

Get EMPTek R5Bi and R5Ci with SVS PB1000?


Thank you!

Don't get confused on the $999 system. These are 5 satellite speakers and a sub. The Prime satellites have 4-1/2" drivers and are not the Prime bookshelf speakers with 6-1/2" drivers. Of course, it's your choice to make, but the R5Bi would probably be superior to the SVS bookshelf speakers, and certainly superior to the satellites. That's my best guess (I haven't auditioned the SVS Primes).

Note: SVS has free shipping both ways, so it wouldn't cost you anything (after your rebate) to try them out. The R5Bi's cost $25 / pair for shipping to return them during their trial period.

 

[imsatasia]

Don't get confused on the $999 system. These are 5 satellite speakers and a sub. The Prime satellites have 4-1/2" drivers and are not the Prime bookshelf speakers with 6-1/2" drivers. Of course, it's your choice to make, but the R5Bi would probably be superior to the SVS bookshelf speakers, and certainly superior to the satellites. That's my best guess (I haven't auditioned the SVS Primes).

Note: SVS has free shipping both ways, so it wouldn't cost you anything (after your rebate) to try them out. The R5Bi's cost $25 / pair for shipping to return them during their trial period.

Thank you dsrussell for your input.

I think, I will stick with 4 * R5Bi.

Do you recommend 1 * R5Ci or 1* R56Ci ?

 

[dsrussell]

Thank you dsrussell for your input.

I think, I will stick with 4 * R5Bi.

Do you recommend 1 * R5Ci or 1* R56Ci ?

I prefer the R5Bi as a center channel (I prefer identical speaker all around). But the R5Ci is what is normal with the R5Bi's, while the R56Ci is normally purchased with the R55Ti towers. You'd be better off with the R5Ci or R5Bi because the drivers are identical (the R56Ci uses identical drivers as the R55Ti towers). But I would NOT order all at once. I would order just the R5Bi's (one pair) and try them out FIRST. If you don't love their sound, ship them back within 30 days. If you do want them, then get the rest of the speakers. The last thing I want is to have you order all those speakers, not like them, then pay all that shipping back (you'd be looking at around $75 to ship all 5 speakers back).

Now, with SVS you could order all of them since they pay the return shipping. The SVS Prime surrounds are smaller (as I stated), but that doesn't mean they won't sound good. SVS doesn't make speakers or subs that don't sound good .

 

[imsatasia]

I prefer the R5Bi as a center channel (I prefer identical speaker all around). But the R5Ci is what is normal with the R5Bi's, while the R56Ci is normally purchased with the R55Ti towers. You'd be better off with the R5Ci or R5Bi because the drivers are identical (the R56Ci uses identical drivers as the R55Ti towers). But I would NOT order all at once. I would order just the R5Bi's (one pair) and try them out FIRST. If you don't love their sound, ship them back within 30 days. If you do want them, then get the rest of the speakers. The last thing I want is to have you order all those speakers, not like them, then pay all that shipping back (you'd be looking at around $75 to ship all 5 speakers back).

Now, with SVS you could order all of them since they pay the return shipping. The SVS Prime surrounds are smaller (as I stated), but that doesn't mean they won't sound good. SVS doesn't make speakers or subs that don't sound good .

Thanks again to dsrussell and members of AVS forum.

Finally, I got all my speakers and I am happy with, what I was suggested by AVSForum members and what I got. Here is what I got for $1750

• Denon X3100w (New) - $550 with Tax
• SVS PB-2000 (outlet) - $650
• 4 * EMP R5Bi and 1 * EMP R5Ci (new) - $550

I can hear sound which I was not able to notice in my Onkyo HT-S9700THX HTiB.

 

[dsrussell]

Thanks again to dsrussell and members of AVS forum.

Finally, I got all my speakers and I am happy with, what I was suggested by AVSForum members and what I got. Here is what I got for $1750

• Denon X3100w (New) - $550 with Tax
• SVS PB-2000 (outlet) - $650
• 4 * EMP R5Bi and 1 * EMP R5Ci (new) - $550

I can hear sound which I was not able to notice in my Onkyo HT-S9700THX HTiB.

Congratulation on your choices! All solid performers. I wish you continued enjoyment for years to come .

 

[darthray]

Congratulation on your choices! All solid performers. I wish you continued enjoyment for years to come .

+1
I think you will enjoy this set-up for a long time


You came here to make an informed decision and ask solid question.
Then you check some info on line about the choices given to you.
Came back with more question and so on.


You have help yourself, and we the members like to help those who do a little checking.


Enjoy and come visit once in a while
But be careful, this hobby can become an addiction


Seriously, well done!!!


Ray