Audio Guys: Seeking Input
 

So I need to get a nice audio setup for my new apartment. I'm leaning towards piecing together my own system as opposed to the all in one box deal, unless someone here can persuade me otherwise. My total budget should really be under $750-800 for a receiver, sub, and two speakers front and rear.

I would like the reciever to have at least 3 HDMI inputs and an iPod hookup would be nice. Size of speakers is of no consideration, this is a bachelor pad.

Thanks gentlemen

Double your budget.

All-in-one solutions are convenient but that is about it. Way better quality if you piece it together.

If you want 3 HDMI that handle both audio and video, expect to pay a fair amount. Many "HDMI receivers" only switch video - you have to run the audio separately. Not the end of the world, but one more thing to sort out.

You mention HDMI inputs. I can assume that this is an audio/video system. If yes, then you want a 5.1 speaker setup with a 5.1 capable receiver. At that price, go to the box stores & buy what you like.

Ian

I'll offer a counterpoint - I presently have a 2.0 system (sold off the rear/center and sub). I use it for both music and home "theater", but I'd rather have two very good main speakers than 5 marginal speakers. But it depends on where your preferences lean. If you want the back channel immersion, then 5.1 is the only way to get it. But don't underestimate the power of a *good* set of main speakers to image sound.

Triple your budget :D

I like my Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH 7.1-channel receiver... has the HDMI and is in your budget.

Do a web search, I got mine off evilbay... normally I wouldn't recommend them (ebay) but it was a dealer, NIB, best price.

I have been running it for a few months and no problems.

YMMV

Edit, the receiver is around $600... you will have to spend that much again for decent speakers.

And the above reciever does 5.1

I can't argue with you Todd, because you have the right idea. But many people want it all now & are willing to make huge compromises to get it. Realistically, I would expect to spend $2500 - $3K for a 'pretty decent' 5.1 AV system but than I am not everybody . . .

Ian

Quadruple you budget, Garrett. Take that, nostatic! :p

Ageed, I could drop $5K - $20K on a home theater system.

Well, I am in the middle of shipping $146K worth of speakers only - no sub no electronics - to an industry contact in NC for a home theater . . .

For his 2 channel system the speakers alone are $90K per pair . . .

Ian

There certainly is a law of diminishing returns. I think that for $800-1.5K you can get a great pair of speakers.

I have a pair of Dana 930s (fairly obscure but great sounding). These guys make some solid speakers:

Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio

Speakers are *highly* individual though, and they can sound very different.

I had good service from these guys:

Audio Advisor

I like the Cambridge Audio receivers, as well as NAD.

So brief research into prices is telling me that you guys are probably right. I think I will probably start off with a 5.1 receiver, and two decent mains and save up to build out the rest of the system. At 22, "great" isn't in my budget, but I hope that "decent" and LOUD are.

So to refocus, any recommendations on what products to spend $700-800 on for a receiver and 2 mains?

Buy used. Research here:

AVS Forum

Buy here:

http://www.audiogon.com/

Have fun as you slide down the slippery slope...

If you are getting a 5.1 system, then either get all the speakers for it or use the 'B' switch (typically for 'stereo' speakers - no surround) for your stereo speakers. You don't want to overload the circuits in the receiver without the speakers connected,

Lots of recievers are HDMI 'pass-through' and not true HDMI capable. Not the end of the world -- it allow you to connect all of your components to the receiver and use the receiver to switch between cable box, BD, and AUX video. However, if the receiver only has "HDMI pass-through," you will need to have a separate connection for audio, as stated above. Fiber optics is the best way to connect the componets for audio, IMHO. Keep in mind that you may need to syncronize your audio and video -- all good receivers have that functionality (look for "changing the microsecond delay" in the manual.)

These days, 7.1 is the latest and greated in terms of surround sound. But not too many BD's and music take advantage of the extra two channels vs. 5.1. I have a 7.1 system, and when watching TV appreciate the fact that I can hear the audio clearly without having to crank up the volume, due to the extra speakers.

You can always start with a Home Theature in a box, and replace the speakers with better ones as you grow your system, and then move the original speakers into other rooms. (I am in the process of wiring my whole house for sound, including speakers for the deck. Yes - it is easy to get carried away!)

-Z-man.

When I was ~22 I bought a mid range setup from Cambridge Sounworks. Still have it. Sure, there are a lot better systems out there, but it fit the budget and sounds pretty good.

Do yourself a favor, dont listen to the spendy stuff, you'll never be satisfied with less again.

Start by shopping for the speakers. Each brand and/model will have a different sound. Once you've found the sound you want then look for an amp, receiver and sub that will support the wattage you need.
I started with Cerwin Vega 12's and went from there.
On a side note, I still use an EQ in my component system (I'm really old school). Does anyone out there still use them?

I thought you needed another input....LOL....

When I got my big tv, I did a lot of research, decided I like the sound of the older Polk RT55i speakers, so I based my system on a pair of those.
Shopping on ebay and cragislist, I put together a 5.1 system that uses
RT55i main speakers
RT35i surrounds
CS245i center
PSW350 sub
(I know there are plenty of Polk haters on this board, but so what? These sound great. To me.

The total for all the speakers, (used, but all were in great shape, just getting broken in), was about 450 bucks.

Power is a vintage Pioneer Elite VSX-39TX, 5.1, paid 200 for, it has PLENTY of oomph for my needs (120wpc x 5) This tuner weighs almost 40 pounds. And it sounds absolutely good enough for me.

It doesn't have HDMI, but that is not a dealbreaker for me. (It was for the guy that was selling it.)

My DVD player is a Pioneer Elite DV-38A. IIRC, it, too was about 200 bucks, used. It is the weak link in the system, but to me, that is totally relative. This system sounds good as a 5.1 home theater, or a 2 channel music system.

Plus, it looks really nice.



This system is all I need. New, these components would have cost a lot more that 850 bucks, and they still work great, sound good together and are plenty adjustable for my room.

(I probably have another 200 in new cables)

You should easily be able to find quality stuff at Costco prices; it will take a while, but if you stick to a plan, components will become available.

My advice is to piece it together over time and only as funds become available sock a twenty away a couple of times a month then add those nice gift checks to it (Birthday, Christmas), unless there is a killer sale. Add a nice new component every year. As long as you aren't married your system will come along before you know it.

If you buy a system out of a box, your ears will become used to it and you'll think it sounds good, but it isn't. So, go listen to several systems and get lots of advice. If I were going to be choosy on any one component it would be the front left/right and center speakers.

The space you put these in is not to be overlooked. I'm talking room dimension, acoustics and getting those front left and rights away from the walls.

Room Acoustics



Start with a decent receiver, set it to stereo (two spkrs)
add two excellent bookshelf speakers (like Nostatics)
add a powered sub woofer
add a TV
add a center channel
add rear speakers

For an apartment:
 

LED/LCD 46" 240 hz, internet and game mode.
7.1 receiver with three or more HDMI and ipod input.
Bookshelves with a front firing powered sub.
Blu ray with BD live, Netflix, Pandora, etc.
Xbox360
GOOD cables, conditioner and protection.

Don't be afraid of buying used, especially speakers. Pre-wife I had a top line Sony 5.1 receiver, full Yamaha speakers, and a 15" powered sub. I spent a lot of time on setup, my apartment was the locale of choice for DVD watching. On my poor college student budget I bought multiple items used or from the scratch and dent section of stores. I think Crutchfield has a decent scratch and dent section on their website. It was by no means a professional system, but was plenty good for my purposes.