Alright guys, some of you may have seen pictures of my new house... but if not, Here's a link. About 4 or 5 pictures in are pictures of my living room, which is where the sound system is going.
The Living room area is 18.1' X 13.7', and it has vaulted ceilings.
My best friend is quite the audiophile, so he'll be helping me find and set up my system, but I wanted the advice of some of you guys as well.
Y'all talk a lot about SVS, so I'm at their website right now. Here's a link to what I'm looking at: SVS Setup. Do you guys recommend SVS speakers too? Or just the subs?
Bookshelf speakers are ok, but I've always wanted floorstanding tower speakers. I want a sub that sounds great, but puts out a high quality sound. I hate it when things rattle. Rattling is BAAAAD.
I'll be willing to put some money into the receiver.
I don't have a set budget, and I know my wife isn't terribly excited about spending bookoos of money on a sound system, but if I can be directed to the right sound system that will last a lifetime, I'm pretty sure I can convince her it's worth every penny. That being said, I don't want to set a limit (because then I'm tempted to go right up to the limit), but I'd like to stay well under 2 grand if possible. The lower the cost, the more likely I won't get too much protest from my wife.
I don't have a blu-ray player yet, but I don't want to have to upgrade anything when I decide to buy one.
So there it is. Post away and tell me what y'all think.
It's all very much appreciated.
Last edited by Causedawg 83; 02-28-2008 at 05:36 PM..
Reason: fixed living room area specs
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"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short."
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Per my friends recommendation, he suggested I find a nice deal on the front and center speaker, save my money on the rear speakers (I'm not fond of the idea of running speaker wire anyway), and put that extra money towards a badass receiver and SVS sub.
I've also been looking at Klipsch speakers for the front and center channel.
Thoughts on Klipsch as well?
__________________
"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short."
-Adam Hochschild
Cause - your friend has pretty good advice. The receiver, center and sub are going to make the biggest difference in your sound system. The receiver because that's the heart of your system in terms of power, switching, etc. The center will be where the majority of your sound comes from - and all speaking in movies. The sub is where you get the kick-in-your-pants out of any movie and SVS subs will definitely give that to you!
Unlike most people here I am still running the same receiver I bought for my first system. It's a Yamaha RXV-995 (or something like that). It was about $1000 when I bought it back in 1996/7/8 (can't remember exactly when). I also bought a nice little system with Paradigm speakers all the way around. Since that time I've upgraded the center, front speakers and sub and used my old speakers for an alternate system in my office.
If you are going to be listening to lots of music, you'll want kick ass front right and left speakers. If you are going to be using the speakers for mainly movies, then huge arse front speakers aren't as much of a necessity. The rear speakers are for ambient sounds mostly (and some directional every once in a while), so those aren't as important.
Ultimately when it comes right down to it you will have to listen to the speaker and receiver/amp combo you are interested in. Klipsch have horn tweeters and to some have a "harsh" sound (very high highs b/c of the horn tweeter). Paradigms have a more laid back sound (hard to describe unless you hear them A-B). The receiver/amp also makes a difference in how the speakers will sound. Certain amps will deliver a certain style of sound and others a different style. Listening to the combinations will give you the best idea of what you like. Once you find something that sounds good to you, go with it!
By the way that Klipsch you linked to looks very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy those. As soon as I can sell my Polks I'm getting some gear from these guys. Store - Award Winning Speakers - Aperion Audio
My wife wasn't really too excited about the money I was spending on the sound for our home theatre. Once I got the 6.1 hooked up and we sat down to watch a movie, she loved it. She thinks it was worth it.
She hasn't been as impressed with the 1080p tv, which I just don't get. The picture is just beautiful. I guess she just doesn't see the difference in the definition.
I for one would really encourage the rear speakers. Also, that rear center speaker really fills in the room nice. I use my system for tv, movies, and gaming, not for music. I have a Yamaha RX-V1200 receiver and Infinity Entra for speakers.
As far as future proofing, maybe make sure your receiver has decoding for the HD sound formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. You will not be dead in the water if you don't have them, but you may be thankful later if you do. Also, the more HDMI and component inputs the better. I don't know how many different pieces of equipment you have, but I ran out of inputs a couple years ago.
No set budget makes it hard as there is always something better, just ask Jon Also, I would avoid paying retail, you should be able to find deals from places like audiogon.com friends from PGL (somebody is selling a sweet SVS sub), etc.
I've never listened to SVS speakers but the subs are supposed to be fantastic.
I'm also looking for a new sub. Originally I was looking at either HSU's (ugly cabinet's but very musical) and SVS's (gorgeous finishes and serious pound) but then I've come to learn about av123. Many are now raving about av123's MFW-15's subwoofer as being one of the best bang for buck subs out there.
The speakers themselves are really hard because it comes down to personal preference, subs due to but the main speakers really have quite different characterics. Not sure what kind of access you have but try listening to a lot of different setups. Never pay retail, for example I've found some great deals at audioadvisor.com and bought some Energy RC-30's for $400 (retail was $1,000).
Receivers I really like Denon and Onkyo but other brands are very good as well like Pioneer and Yamaha. Onkyo generally give you more features per dollar than Denon but I love the sound of both. If you are anal on sound characteristics of receivers this is area where you really need to listen to the SAME set of speakers with the SAME material and switch between receivers. Also, I had the 605 before the 805, and while it sound good for 2 channel it could keep with surround sound (speakers sounded thinner, not as rich), so there is definitely some truth to having more power for better sound on the speakers, dependant on the speaker requirements. If you are going blu-ray in the future you will really want to do it right the first time in terms of buying one that can handle the next gen audio codecs.
I didn't realize you could save so much online. Baller.
Two channel it was the same, but with all four speakers going the 605 didn't drive them as well (even at low levels). Of course it is a combo of the speakers and how efficient they are as well.
I got mine from Jon Liu a while back but since then Circuit City and other places have had them for as low as $699 I think.
Last edited by GoatMother; 02-28-2008 at 10:56 PM..
I've got a big ol SVS sub; might even be a little bigger than Jon's, LOL. Great deal for the money. And last I remember, they have thirty day buyer's remorse policy. I don't recall if there was a restocking fee, but you do have pay for shipping back (I think).
I have a set of Aperion Audio speakers. Nice quality, and build for price. Plus, unless they change their policy, the have a great buyer's remorse policy, thirty day trial, and free shipping to and from Aperion (I"m sure it's build into the cost of the speakers). I don't think they have a restocking fee either. I did a thread of the pics I took when I got mine: PGL thread linky. I was happy with the customer service as well. Some of the speakers I order weren't ready because they didn't have the stock build for demand, so they offer me the previous model and nice discount.
I have klipsch speakers. Nice stuff as well. Can be kind of pricey when paying retail; I got mine as cost since a friend worked a Goodguys, so I was able to use his discount. I have legend series tower and center, and reference series surrounds and sub (15"). I liked the sub, but I hated the paper cone for the speaker; I like the polyurithane materials since it tends not to dry out and tear; it's no SVS PB ultra/2 though, LOL.
Really, if you want a good home theater, and try to go budget conscience, I would expect you to pay anywhere from $1500 to $3000 just on speakers if you do the whole 7.1 setup. The receiver, I would assume you're going to pay somewhere in the $750 to $1500 range. Plus you still need to get speaker wire, interconnects, and (possibly) connectors; I recommend banana clips, it makes wiring easy, clean and fast. Not including the 55" HDTV, I've spent about somewhere $5K to $6K for receiver and speakers.
If I was in your boat, start with the basics and expand later when the wife and budget permits. I would get a good receiver, front and center speakers. If you don't get tower speakers, and get book shelf, then you'll probably want to get sub too. Later you can get surround speakers (I recommend dipolar since it helps dispense sound more broadly rather than mono directional). Wiring surround speakers can suck, but just snake the through the wall if that's where they'll stay pretty much forever. If not, they're are tricks to hiding it some.
And Goat, if you're even in the Napa area, let me know. I'll let you hear my SVS sub.
Sweet, thanks botmann. Dam I miss the good guys. I had fat hook up since I used to work for them and still had friends before CompUSA f'd everything up
Agreed on the wiring, do it nice and clean and you'll never think about it again.
Hmm, now I want think of how much I paid for all my gear.
Receiver: Onkyo TSXR-805 either $700 or $750 from Jon
Front's: Energy RC-30's I think about $550 used in mint condition (2nd pair that's upstairs quite a bit later from audioadvisor for $470 shipped)
Rears's: Energy RC-10's $400-450
Display: 60A3000 (60" 120hz SXRD) $1500 from Fry's
Sub: na, old sub was a HSU STF-2 (10" driver) $300, didn't go low enough for me.
Ok, so a lot of that sounded like jibberish to me. (could be because it's late, I'm tired, and I don't know that much about home theater stuff)
As for my friend who said I might pass on the rears for now, he just meant that I do that until budget permits me to get it later, as botmann suggested.
Peench, that was awesome advice. You really have a way of putting it in lamens terms. Thanks!
Thanks of course to everyone else as well, and please keep it coming. It's all been very helpful.
Further:
I've looked at a Pioneer Elite receiver for 700. I'd rather not spend more than that on a receiver if possible, because as technology is always changing, I expect to have to change it out in 5-10 years. Good bang for my buck?
I had a chance to listen to the two floorstanding Klipsch speakers in a speaker store today, and they blew me away. I absolutely loved them. I'm having a hard time keeping myself from jumping on that Klipsch RF-35 set. Really the only thing keeping me from it is wife approval, the fact that I'm considering an SVS sub, and Peench's comment about them having very high highs. I dropped a good sum of money on my stereo system in my truck and got four Alpine Type-S's with it, and I wasn't that happy with it because it always seemed like it had very high high's to me. I don't want to experience that with my HT setup. I didn't notice that with the Klipsch towers, but I didn't have an opportunity to listen to a center klipsch speaker... and that may have been where I would have noticed it (voice).
Last edited by Causedawg 83; 02-28-2008 at 11:34 PM..
__________________
"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And time is short."
-Adam Hochschild
Try out some Rock like Metalica's black album if you want to see how the high's are. Really though bring a wide range of music you and your wife like and take some time listening to those Klipsch's and others you have access to.
I don't want to generalize Klipch's as it has been a long time since I've auditioned them in the store (7+ years ago) but back in the day they were too bright/harsh on the upper frequency's for my taste. Could be the horn tweeter's characeristics that I didn't like. They were very efficient speakers, which means less power to get more umph. Bottom line though, if you loved though speakers and the wife does why not go for them.
$700 budge on the receiver gives you plenty of options for many fairly future proofed receivers. I don't imagine any newer codecs coming out that blu-ray's don't offer right now, well I sure as hell hope not as we already have 3 different lossless codecs.
Also, I would avoid paying retail, you should be able to find deals from places like audiogon.com friends from PGL (somebody is selling a sweet SVS sub), etc. 
(could be because it's late, I'm tired, and I don't know that much about home theater stuff)
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