home theater systems selection

[JackpipE]

I would like to get new home theater systems (AV receiver + speakers)
for my living room. I already have Samsung 40" HDTV and not HD DVD
which I'm not planning to replace yet. I would like to add sound to my
existing system.
Every store I walk into recommends different brand, model, etc...
depending on the current "deal/sale" they are running. So I would like
to get your opinion guys on the following questions:
- which receiver and speakers I should get. I would like to get combo
(receiver and speakers together in one box if it makes sense)
- 5.1 vs 7.1, I currently don't need and don't have enough room for
7.1 but I was thinking about getting 7.1 receiver with 5.1 speakers
- should I limit my search to only few brands? If yes what are they.
Again every store carries different brands and recommends their own.
- how important is the watt per channel? My current living room size
is 11x22 but it will soon change to something like 20x30.
My budget is $1000. I was considering the following models:
Denon DHT-588BA - 7.1 with 5.1 Boston Acoustics MCS130 speakers - $999
Denon DHT-488BA - 5.1 with 5.1 Boston Acoustics MCS100 speakers - $699
The Electronic Expo store sales guy told me that the 488BA is 7.1 with
5.1 speaker system. The specs on the Denon's site are:
488BA: Identical quality and power for all 7 channels, 75W x 5ch
588BA: Identical quality and power for all 7 channels, 75W x 7ch
Is the 488BA model really 7.1 system?

Another brand that I was considering was Onkyo but people were
complaining about the sound quality.

Any input from you guys will be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
JP

[bassett[_2_]]

"MiNe 109" > wrote in message
...
> In article
> >,
> JackpipE > wrote:
>
>> I would like to get new home theater systems (AV receiver + speakers)
>> for my living room. I already have Samsung 40" HDTV and not HD DVD
>> which I'm not planning to replace yet. I would like to add sound to my
>> existing system.
>> Every store I walk into recommends different brand, model, etc...
>> depending on the current "deal/sale" they are running. So I would like
>> to get your opinion guys on the following questions:
>> - which receiver and speakers I should get. I would like to get combo
>> (receiver and speakers together in one box if it makes sense)
>> - 5.1 vs 7.1, I currently don't need and don't have enough room for
>> 7.1 but I was thinking about getting 7.1 receiver with 5.1 speakers
>> - should I limit my search to only few brands? If yes what are they.
>> Again every store carries different brands and recommends their own.
>> - how important is the watt per channel? My current living room size
>> is 11x22 but it will soon change to something like 20x30.
>> My budget is $1000. I was considering the following models:
>> Denon DHT-588BA - 7.1 with 5.1 Boston Acoustics MCS130 speakers - $999
>> Denon DHT-488BA - 5.1 with 5.1 Boston Acoustics MCS100 speakers - $699
>> The Electronic Expo store sales guy told me that the 488BA is 7.1 with
>> 5.1 speaker system. The specs on the Denon's site are:
>> 488BA: Identical quality and power for all 7 channels, 75W x 5ch
>> 588BA: Identical quality and power for all 7 channels, 75W x 7ch
>> Is the 488BA model really 7.1 system?
>>
>> Another brand that I was considering was Onkyo but people were
>> complaining about the sound quality.
>>
>> Any input from you guys will be highly appreciated.
>

Really you could write a book on the subject of what to buy, and still
not cover it all. but at the end of the day, none of it means Jack,
without knowing your music or movie tastes and the size of your
room.

Then you say your considering 7.1 or 5.1 and your budget is only
1000 dollars. It's hardly realistic, if you consider what you expect
in the way of performance..
The reality is for that sort of spare cash, your going to get a
tinny little amp, and a few plastic cased
excuses for speakers. Sure it might have Denon on the outside of the
box, but the guts of the thing will be a cheap Chinese copy. And if
you turn the volume up by more then 25%, the thing will **** itself
big time.

Sorry just read your post again and you say your room size is 11
x 22. presumable that's feet, but it will soon be 20 x 30 That's
around 60 square feet, And you expect a set of plastic box's will
fill that sort of area with music. Good luck

Save your money, and wait until you can afford something that comes
close to your room requirements.
The way your going, your heading for a big disappointment.

bassett

[JackpipE]

Thank you for all your feedback. As I was getting deeper and deeper
into the topic I kept changing my mind and most likely I'll end up
with Denon AVR-2308CI. I was actually looking for the Denon AVR-888
model at 6-ave but they don't carry this model and offered me Denon
AVR-2308CI for the price of the 888 - $749. I'm also willing to spend
another $700 on speakers and now need your help to guide me into the
right direction with selecting speakers. Can I get decent speakers for
$700 that will be good fit for the Denon AVR-2308CI receiver ?

Thanks,
Jack

[JackpipE]

The sales rep at 6ave suggested to get Definitive Technology Pro
Cinema 600 Home Theater Speaker System for the receiver (on sale for
$799) and at Circuit City they wanted me to go with Boston Acoustics
Horizon MCS130 Surround Sound System (MCS130MDNT) for $799.

Any suggestions here? Are any of them worth $800 or should I go with
something totally different?

JP

[JackpipE]

Stephen,
Thank you for your recommendations. What do you think about the
following config:
Infinity - Primus C350 - $200
Infinity Primus P152 - $50/each
Infinity - PS212 - $250

The 160 model is not wall mount. In my current space wall mount
speakers are the only option.

JP

[JackpipE]

After visiting all the big stores and listen to many different
speakers (brands, models) I end up buying Boston Acoustics set:
Boston Acoustics HS 460MDNT - front
Boston Acoustics HS 60MDNT - rear
Boston Acoustics HS 225MDNT - center
Boston Acoustics HPS 12HO MDNT - sub

paid $1550 for the entire set ($1849 regular price)

receiver Denon AVR-2308CI for $749 ($849 regular price)

Please let me know your opinion on the Boston Acoustics speakers. I
also liked Klipsch speakers from Best Buy that I could get for about
the same price. The Boston Acoustics are not made out of wood but some
kind of a plastic?
Let me know your thoughts as they are still in a box and can return
them tomorrow.

[Bill Riel]

In article <f1d4797b-13b2-4420-b1f8-
>, says...

> Please let me know your opinion on the Boston Acoustics speakers. I
> also liked Klipsch speakers from Best Buy that I could get for about
> the same price. The Boston Acoustics are not made out of wood but some
> kind of a plastic?
> Let me know your thoughts as they are still in a box and can return
> them tomorrow.

I haven't heard the specific models you've got, but Boston make some
fine speakers. I own a pair of their small CR67s and I find the quality
remarkable for the price.

I also have a friend who installed a home theatre using Boston Bravo IIs
and it's a very nice sounding system.

I think you'll be quite pleased with the system - as Stephen said, it is
a very big step up from a HTIB.

--
Bill