Folks-

I'm in the market for a new Home Theater System. I currently have a 6 year old HTIB made by Panasonic. It is complete junk.

The catch is that I am wanting to get it all for around $500.

I am looking a couple of things.

1. Harmon Kardon Reciever: http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20146&sType=C

2. Onkyo Home Theater System:
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S790&class=Systems&p=i


I am also looking for one with HDMI Inputs that work both Audio and Video. Seems like all Recievers do not do both. Does anyone have any advice for me?

I would also love some speaker suggestions also.

Thanks guys!

Laserjock gave me a ton of suggestions. I don't know if they do everything you may want but I was on a pretty tight budget.

For the receiver, I went with a Pioneer:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EYFGDI/sr=8-1/qid=1183818215/ref=dp_cp_ob_title_3/105-8780575-4993219?ie=UTF8&qid=1183818215&sr=8-1

One of the features for the Pioneer is that it has a lot of sound mixes built in and you can have them preset to change depending on use (games, TV, DVD, music.)

And for the speakers, PolkAudio:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-izUgJQrtGPp/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=107RM6880

Which I found for about half that for a used set on eBay.

The total was just over $500. I've been very pleased.

do not buy the Onkyo kit you linked - the speakers are junk

I just replaced a THX rated 5.1 Onkyo for a 7.1 Harman/Kardon (avr245)

the Onkyo was nice, but it sounds flat for my taste compared to the HK
another thing I liked about the HK was the DTS Pro and Neo and the Logic7 - it also has DolbyDigital-EX

I had given the Pioneer a look simply for the HDMI switching
but I wouldn't put to much stock in it
it doesn't support 1080p pass thru
most videophiles do not advise using an AV receiver to do the HDMI switching for the case of signal loss / manipulation. you are better off purchasing a stand alone HDMI switcher (make sure it's 1.3 compliant)


on to speakers
I fell in love with the Boston Acoustic VR-2's @ Circuit City. these are sick speakers, but they may be too big for some tastes - they are currently $250 (a piece) but they were $400 each when I was shopping
and after a week of diligent research I turned my attention to Kef
Kef makes absolutely incredible speakers
and I just got a Kef htib off ebay for $200 (Kef KHT-1005)
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/4196968TFFL._AA280_.jpg

I'm thrilled with my setup
the HK / Kef connection is awesome for games / movies / TV which is what I use this system for

other brands of receivers I'll suggest are Denon and NAD
I have yet to hear a better sounding receiver than NAD, but they're out of your budget. Don't skimp on your system, you'll end up replacing it in a few years if you do

doing some looking, I found a dandy of a system for you
it even includes a DVD player

http://www.amazon.com/CP-15-6-1-Channel-Complete-Theater/dp/B00065HLTW/ref=pd_bbs_10/102-3839680-9543349?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1183852860&sr=8-10
Harman Kardon CP 15 6.1-Channel Complete Home Theater System

the drawback is that it's a 6.1
but nothing is encoded in 7.1 (that I know of)
and there is some DTS 6.1 material out there
the DTS sounds better to me than DD-EX
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31H0K63WMBL._SS500_.jpg

again, do not use an AV receiver for HDMI switching
leave that to the TV
or buy a separate HDMI switcher

how many HDMI ports do you need anyway ?

HDMI switching is only reasonable on some current receivers as some now offer true 1080p pass-through, IF your TV can receive native 1080p. Some people do like using the receiver for video switching as well. Personally, I do not use it as I currently don't have the need.

You guys are great. Thanks for the tips.

I am very fuzzy on the whole HDMI issue. I was concerned about getting a reciever with HDMI Inputs to simply think ahead. I can't imagine needing more than 2 inputs. Buying a seperate switcher makes sense.

What about these Speakers? Found them on Audio Review and people are raving about them.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/home-theater-speaker-systems/fluance/PRD_125771_4282crx.aspx

Would that HK AVR-146 Reciever work with this Set Up?

hahahaa

interesting
I looked at all the Fluance speakers
many reviewers have nice things to say, but they could be plants

BEWARE all the speakers you find on eBay
claiming to be $1000 speakers for $200
alot of folks refer to them as "white van" speakers

speakers ARE NOT something you should buy without hearing them, as all speakers are not created equally

I can tell you this , the Kef's are some of the best HTIB you can buy
just call and ask any sales dept. about Kef

btw, this is Fluance's site

http://www.fluance.com/

Puck, you are the guru of all things sound. I need to buy you a beer.

In the Nashville/Franklin area, where are the places I can go to hear some decent speakers? I've been to Best Buy/Circuit City/ HH Gregg. Anywhere else?

Particularly, Where can I hear the Kef Speakers?

Try HI-FI Buys on Nolensville Road. Much more knowledgable. I have been looking for outdoor speakers and they had very good prices.

you can hear the newer version of the Kef HTIB @ Circuit City

HiFi Buys is on Nolensville Road about a block from the Zoo - however, unless you are looking for a Marantz / Mark Levinson $5000 system, you might wanna stay out of the store ... it's porno for audiophiles


and whatever you do NO BOSE
no highs , no lows ... must be Bose

Puck, you are the guru of all things sound. I need to buy you a beer.


I likes me some beer !
almost to a fault :grrhee:

Hi-Fi Buys has alot of high end stuff, but also lower end set ups. They have a number of entry level speaker systems from Boston Acoustic, Klipsh, etc. I went to look as some Klipsch Outdoor speakers and their price was basically $40-60 less per speaker than online. It was a sale of course, but shouldn't discount the place just because they sell high end stuff. I bought my Integra reciever and Boston Acoustic setup there about 5 years ago and it was very reasonable.

(Hey Puck...check out my latest post under "Outdoor Speakers"...)

You should weight the dollars you spend towards your speakers. Consider what you want them to do [audio only, mix of audio/video, primarily HT, etc] and then spend your money on good speakers. You will lose more by going cheap on the speakers than you will by spending less on an A/V receiver.

that's true LJ

you can spend thousands on receivers only to never hear the quality because you hooked them up to junk speakers

:truedat:

Heading to Hifi Buys this AM. Need to develop an ear and hear several before purchasing.

oh dear .....

there goes your $500 budget

however, a nice Denon receiver and a nice set of Boston Acoustic speakers and you're gonna be set.... double your restraint to $1000 and you'll be much happier - for longer

just don't pay sticker at HiFi Buys. They do negotiate.

Used to be they carried the good Sony stuff, never really go wrong with Sony ES equiptment. Might not be cutting edge but good bang for the $.

^ they do carry a high end Sony Receiver
complete with HDMI switching and such
he'd be happier with Harman/Kardon imo

OK, I'm back. Man, what a place. I listened to several things. I like these "entry level" Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 Series for $799.

http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/procinema/procinema_600.html#sub

Before I left, I got to hear the "Best thing in the House". The speakers were called Wilson Audio. The 2 front speakers were $55,000!! The speaker cable was $6,000 for 10ft! Needless to say, they sounded great. But for me, it was probally like having a taste of a $2,000 bottle of wine. I know it is better than what I'm used to, but have never experienced it before and therefore don't have a reference point. The total setup was over $150,000.

Puck, I put it on layaway.:ha:

http://www.wilsonaudio.com/product/maxx/specs.php

Don't let anyone sell you "esoteric" speaker cable....its a rip. You can get really nice low gauge speaker cable from places like Blue Jeans Cable for excellent prices http://www.bluejeanscable.com/. Same for HDMI cables...don't buy the hype of Monster Cable or other overpriced brands. You can get a really good HDMI cable at http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp for really good prices.

Def Tech makes some nice speakers, and they are good at both reproducing music and home theater. Don't forget to buy a good sub too, it will really make the difference in your home theater experience.

Totally agree with Laserjock about the cable. I used electrical wire until recently. Small gauge at a cheap price. Not that I recommend that, but cable is cable.


made a few orders from parts express myself. best thing they got going is an actual American who knows something about HiFi will actually answer their phones - amazing

http://www.parts-express.com/index.cfm?&raid=1&rak=parts-express

thanks for the Mono Price link Laserjock I'm gonna be using them as a price comparison for any future buys.

If you have to run speaker cable for a long distance, you need a lower gauge speaker cable, like 14 guage. But for inside, completely agree. Get thicker than the GE Speakerwire they sell at KMart, but certainly don't need to go with the monster cable super expensive stuff.

HDMI? Carries a digital signal. Whether you pay $125 for one or $5 for one, same result.

Well.... I finally bought a reciever and some speakers

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/quintet-ii.aspx

http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?cat=REC&prod=AVR%20146&sType=

I love it! It is perfect for what I want.

However, I need a subwoofer to go with this set. I am looking to spend around $300 for it. What are my options? Should I stick with Klipsch?

Any advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

On another note, I assume that I need to set my Reciever to Dolby Pro Logic II.....Is that the best for TV and movies?

Thanks again for the great advice. Looking forward to the game tomorrow.

HSU makes a highly respected sub with frequency down to a foundation-crumbling 15hz

http://www.hsuresearch.com/

av123 also makes a very popular sub
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1
the x-sub $199...and comes in fashionable finishes
av123 makes very good, very affordable speakers
i suggest stopping over at AVS forums and checking out feedback (no pun intended)


and Aperion Audio gets consistent high ratings on their speakers, they offer a 30 day "audition" with free shipping BOTH WAYS !
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/subwoofers,32.aspx

However, I need a subwoofer to go with this set. I am looking to spend around $300 for it. What are my options? Should I stick with Klipsch?

.

not necessarily, because you went with satelites
had you gone with floor standing towers ... maybe
timbre matching is more important with the array than it is the bass module

Klipsch is known more for their horn drivers

On another note, I assume that I need to set my Reciever to Dolby Pro Logic II.....Is that the best for TV and movies?


yes and no

Dolby Pro Logic IIx is great for movies
I like DTS (ex/neo) if the movie is coded with it
you may want to check out H/K's own Logic 7

Thanks! I will check those out.

or if you want , I have a nice MTX sub collecting dust since I installed my Kef system , it's PLENTY loud

HSU makes a highly respected sub with frequency down to a foundation-crumbling 15hz

http://www.hsuresearch.com/

av123 also makes a very popular sub
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1
the x-sub $199...and comes in fashionable finishes
av123 makes very good, very affordable speakers
i suggest stopping over at AVS forums and checking out feedback (no pun intended)


and Aperion Audio gets consistent high ratings on their speakers, they offer a 30 day "audition" with free shipping BOTH WAYS !
http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/subwoofers,32.aspx


And don't forget to look at the SVS subs. I purchased one of their cylinders back before they started making the standard box subs and I have never regretted it. A sub is good when you feel it....not when you hear it. It will turn the pictures on your wall :ha:

SVS Subwoofers (http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm)

And just for fun....check this out:

My Sub vs Your Sub (http://www.svsound.com/animation.cfm)

I'm thinking about this sub.

http://reviews.cnet.com/subwoofers/velodyne-vx-10-subwoofer/4505-11312_7-31096988.html

I've read lots of reviews. For the price, this one stands out.

Velodyne makes good subs. You can also go here and read additional user reviews, etc.

AVS Subwoofer Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=113)

Bought the Velodyne Sub.

Now I have a stupid question.....

The LFE cable that runs from the Receiver to the sub....is that just a digital coax? I need to buy one. Any advice on how pricey I should go and where to buy would be great.

Thanks for all the advice.

Yes, a subwoofer cable is basically the same as digital coax.

I would highly recommend Monoprice for your cable needs. They have amazing prices and the build quality of the cables are fantastic. I have bought all my HDMI cables from them and they are great.

Monoprice Subwoofer Cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236)

standard RCA singles will work for Sub (Pre-Out) to Sub (Line In)
I'm not sure it's necessity to use 'digital coax' cabling

Actually, the benefit that good, digital coax provides is in protection from EMI interference. Standard RCA cables are poorly insulated. A decent digital coax cable would have one to two dense braided shields that would prevent hum from nearby power cords or other 60 cycle sources. Unless you are pretty diligent in your cord management, most people have a hard time preventing longer runs like you can have for subwoofers from power cords leading from components, TVs or even your power strip or power center.

Monoprice sells really high quality cables for a fraction of what you will buy at any B&M store...and definitely cheaper than the rip off Monster cables.

yeah, good idea
60cycle hum sure would be noticeable in a sub .. :yes: