Suggestions for home theatre system

[Number 9]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a new home theatre system. My budget is limited to
$1000, so I'm thinking one of these "Home Theatre in a Box" is the
solution for me (am I wrong?). I have limited knowledge of audio/video
and what's good, but I have some "wants": I want it to be a 6.1 system,
that supports all these Dolby Digital, PRO Logic II and DTS
(ES)systems.
I like the PIONEER - HTZ-940DV Home Entertainment System, as well as
SAMSUNG HT-DS1000 Slim, Upscale Home Theater System (just 5.1 tho). And
right now I'm leaning towards the JVC QP-F30AL.

Is this the best I can get for my budget? The system will be used in
my living room with a Mitsubishi TV (55" Back projection), and I do
care some about how it looks. Like all the systems I mentioned above
have the tall slim speakers. I do not wish to hang any speakers on my
walls.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Tom

[Ian S]

"Number 9" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm looking to buy a new home theatre system. My budget is limited to
> $1000, so I'm thinking one of these "Home Theatre in a Box" is the
> solution for me (am I wrong?). I have limited knowledge of audio/video
> and what's good, but I have some "wants": I want it to be a 6.1 system,
> that supports all these Dolby Digital, PRO Logic II and DTS
> (ES)systems.
> I like the PIONEER - HTZ-940DV Home Entertainment System, as well as
> SAMSUNG HT-DS1000 Slim, Upscale Home Theater System (just 5.1 tho). And
> right now I'm leaning towards the JVC QP-F30AL.
>
> Is this the best I can get for my budget? The system will be used in
> my living room with a Mitsubishi TV (55" Back projection), and I do
> care some about how it looks. Like all the systems I mentioned above
> have the tall slim speakers. I do not wish to hang any speakers on my
> walls.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions?
> Thanks!
> Tom

I have heard that the tall thin speakers are sometimes vulnerable to
toppling over when challenged by pets or kids. While satellite systems often
are mounted on the wall, they don't have to be since there are now a good
selection of speaker stands designed for satellite speakers. These stands
which yield the tall thin look you want range from el cheapo Atlantic brand
at Walmart (surprisingly decent looking and stable) at <$30 a pair up to
fancier ones costing $100 or more a pair. Some HTIBs include a DVD player or
changer which you may not need. Consumer Reports gave top ratings to Yamaha
YHT-450 and YHT-750 systems.

With the amount you have to spend, I'd consider the following non-HTIB
setup: Hsu 6.1 speaker system including Ventriloquist center and satellites
with STF-2 powered sub for $600. Add an Onkyo SR-502 receiver for $250 from
an authorized dealer, three pairs of the Atlantic stands from Walmart for
$90 and you're in for less than a grand. If you need a player as well, there
are plenty of perfectly acceptable ones for around $100 including one like
the Toshiba SD-4960 that lets you play SACD and DVD-A discs if that appeals.
I believe the Onkyo has the separate channel inputs the latter requires but
you'd need to check. A little more money would get you a HK-AVR-135 receiver
or a little more yet would get you the THX-certified 7.1 channel Kenwood
8070 receiver.

[Joseph Oberlander]

> With the amount you have to spend, I'd consider the following non-HTIB
> setup: Hsu 6.1 speaker system including Ventriloquist center and satellites
> with STF-2 powered sub for $600. Add an Onkyo SR-502 receiver for $250 from
> an authorized dealer, three pairs of the Atlantic stands from Walmart for
> $90 and you're in for less than a grand. If you need a player as well, there
> are plenty of perfectly acceptable ones for around $100 including one like
> the Toshiba SD-4960 that lets you play SACD and DVD-A discs if that appeals.
> I believe the Onkyo has the separate channel inputs the latter requires but
> you'd need to check. A little more money would get you a HK-AVR-135 receiver
> or a little more yet would get you the THX-certified 7.1 channel Kenwood
> 8070 receiver.

Note - up the budget a bit and spend the $90 that would go for
stands on small tower speakers instead. The size will be about
the same, but you'll get much better sound.

I recommend Athena and Energy for low-end but acceptable
sound(ie - rubber surrounds and made to last a decade
or more). Either brand will crush a "HTIB" setup
twice over, yet cost maybe $600-$800.

Also, the difference between $1000 and $1200-1500 is
literally twice the quality sound-wise, so consider
$1000 for speakers and $400-$500 for the receiver and
DVD player if you can.

[Dimitrios Tzortzakakis]

Quote:"(surprisingly decent looking and stable)"
The good looks of someone/something cheat many people.
--
Tzortzakakis Dimitriïs
major in electrical engineering, freelance electrician
FH von Iraklion-Kreta, freiberuflicher Elektriker
dimtzort AT otenet DOT gr
Ï "Ian S" > Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
news:ZQKSd.113108$0u.19230@fed1read04...
> "Number 9" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm looking to buy a new home theatre system. My budget is limited to
> > $1000, so I'm thinking one of these "Home Theatre in a Box" is the
> > solution for me (am I wrong?). I have limited knowledge of audio/video
> > and what's good, but I have some "wants": I want it to be a 6.1 system,
> > that supports all these Dolby Digital, PRO Logic II and DTS
> > (ES)systems.
> > I like the PIONEER - HTZ-940DV Home Entertainment System, as well as
> > SAMSUNG HT-DS1000 Slim, Upscale Home Theater System (just 5.1 tho). And
> > right now I'm leaning towards the JVC QP-F30AL.
> >
> > Is this the best I can get for my budget? The system will be used in
> > my living room with a Mitsubishi TV (55" Back projection), and I do
> > care some about how it looks. Like all the systems I mentioned above
> > have the tall slim speakers. I do not wish to hang any speakers on my
> > walls.
> >
> > Does anyone have any suggestions?
> > Thanks!
> > Tom
>
> I have heard that the tall thin speakers are sometimes vulnerable to
> toppling over when challenged by pets or kids. While satellite systems
often
> are mounted on the wall, they don't have to be since there are now a good
> selection of speaker stands designed for satellite speakers. These stands
> which yield the tall thin look you want range from el cheapo Atlantic
brand
> at Walmart (surprisingly decent looking and stable) at <$30 a pair up to
> fancier ones costing $100 or more a pair. Some HTIBs include a DVD player
or
> changer which you may not need. Consumer Reports gave top ratings to
Yamaha
> YHT-450 and YHT-750 systems.
>
> With the amount you have to spend, I'd consider the following non-HTIB
> setup: Hsu 6.1 speaker system including Ventriloquist center and
satellites
> with STF-2 powered sub for $600. Add an Onkyo SR-502 receiver for $250
from
> an authorized dealer, three pairs of the Atlantic stands from Walmart for
> $90 and you're in for less than a grand. If you need a player as well,
there
> are plenty of perfectly acceptable ones for around $100 including one like
> the Toshiba SD-4960 that lets you play SACD and DVD-A discs if that
appeals.
> I believe the Onkyo has the separate channel inputs the latter requires
but
> you'd need to check. A little more money would get you a HK-AVR-135
receiver
> or a little more yet would get you the THX-certified 7.1 channel Kenwood
> 8070 receiver.
>
>

[Ian S]

"Joseph Oberlander" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> > With the amount you have to spend, I'd consider the following non-HTIB
> > setup: Hsu 6.1 speaker system including Ventriloquist center and
satellites
> > with STF-2 powered sub for $600. Add an Onkyo SR-502 receiver for $250
from
> > an authorized dealer, three pairs of the Atlantic stands from Walmart
for
> > $90 and you're in for less than a grand. If you need a player as well,
there
> > are plenty of perfectly acceptable ones for around $100 including one
like
> > the Toshiba SD-4960 that lets you play SACD and DVD-A discs if that
appeals.
> > I believe the Onkyo has the separate channel inputs the latter requires
but
> > you'd need to check. A little more money would get you a HK-AVR-135
receiver
> > or a little more yet would get you the THX-certified 7.1 channel Kenwood
> > 8070 receiver.
>
> Note - up the budget a bit and spend the $90 that would go for
> stands on small tower speakers instead. The size will be about
> the same, but you'll get much better sound.
>
> I recommend Athena and Energy for low-end but acceptable
> sound(ie - rubber surrounds and made to last a decade
> or more). Either brand will crush a "HTIB" setup
> twice over, yet cost maybe $600-$800.
>
> Also, the difference between $1000 and $1200-1500 is
> literally twice the quality sound-wise, so consider
> $1000 for speakers and $400-$500 for the receiver and
> DVD player if you can.

Your points are well taken. Still I think it would be tough to come in under
$1000 for a 6.1 system - as the O.P. wanted - with decent small tower
speakers (I assume just for the fronts) and well-matched suround, center and
back speakers. The surround and back speakers are still going to have to be
raised off the floor somehow so stands of some kind may still be required
since wall-mounting is out. That said, I think one thing that sets HT apart
is the need for great LFE which relies on the subwoofer and that's why I
recommended Hsu which is known for excellent value and great sub
performance.

Another point for the O.P.: the Consumer Reports test ranked the Pioneer
system you mentioned considerably below the Yamaha HTIBs I referred to.

[Ian S]

"Dimitrios Tzortzakakis" > wrote in message
...
> Quote:"(surprisingly decent looking and stable)"
> The good looks of someone/something cheat many people.

So, ugly unstable stands are better???

[Number 9]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have definitely moved away from the
HTIB systems, and I'm now looking to build my own. I just need to
convince my wife that we should spend a little more, and also go for
7.1.

Tom

[Joseph Oberlander]

Ian S wrote:

> Your points are well taken. Still I think it would be tough to come in under
> $1000 for a 6.1 system - as the O.P. wanted - with decent small tower
> speakers (I assume just for the fronts) and well-matched suround, center and
> back speakers. The surround and back speakers are still going to have to be
> raised off the floor somehow so stands of some kind may still be required
> since wall-mounting is out. That said, I think one thing that sets HT apart
> is the need for great LFE which relies on the subwoofer and that's why I
> recommended Hsu which is known for excellent value and great sub
> performance.

Tough, but not impossible. Athena is a good starting point, and
a little HSU sub - it will be close - maybe $1100 or so, but it is
possible.

> Another point for the O.P.: the Consumer Reports test ranked the Pioneer
> system you mentioned considerably below the Yamaha HTIBs I referred to.

Not me - I like Denon. A real seperate amplifier. Even their
little AVR-485S for $299 MSRP($250 is possible, *with a warranty*
if you shop around), and $100 for a good DVD multi-region player
that also plays AVI and DIVX files.

http://www.divx.com/hardware/detail.php?p=7
Great inexpensive player with a ton of features. 24/96 decoding
and MP3 CD playback as well.

That leaves about $650-700 for speakers, give or take. A HSU
STF-2 sub is $300, so 5 channels for $400. Tough, but doable.

$600, though($1200 total budget) would nearly double the sound
quality. $100 per speaker can get you quite decent sound and
good construction.

[Mark D. Zacharias]

The Philips player may be OK for a throwaway model. That's what Philips
always was anyway.

You can get a decent Pioneer for the same money.

Mark Z.


"Joseph Oberlander" > wrote in message
nk.net...
>
>
> Ian S wrote:
>
>> Your points are well taken. Still I think it would be tough to come in
>> under
>> $1000 for a 6.1 system - as the O.P. wanted - with decent small tower
>> speakers (I assume just for the fronts) and well-matched suround, center
>> and
>> back speakers. The surround and back speakers are still going to have to
>> be
>> raised off the floor somehow so stands of some kind may still be required
>> since wall-mounting is out. That said, I think one thing that sets HT
>> apart
>> is the need for great LFE which relies on the subwoofer and that's why I
>> recommended Hsu which is known for excellent value and great sub
>> performance.
>
> Tough, but not impossible. Athena is a good starting point, and
> a little HSU sub - it will be close - maybe $1100 or so, but it is
> possible.
>
>> Another point for the O.P.: the Consumer Reports test ranked the Pioneer
>> system you mentioned considerably below the Yamaha HTIBs I referred to.
>
> Not me - I like Denon. A real seperate amplifier. Even their
> little AVR-485S for $299 MSRP($250 is possible, *with a warranty*
> if you shop around), and $100 for a good DVD multi-region player
> that also plays AVI and DIVX files.
>
> http://www.divx.com/hardware/detail.php?p=7
> Great inexpensive player with a ton of features. 24/96 decoding
> and MP3 CD playback as well.
>
> That leaves about $650-700 for speakers, give or take. A HSU
> STF-2 sub is $300, so 5 channels for $400. Tough, but doable.
>
> $600, though($1200 total budget) would nearly double the sound
> quality. $100 per speaker can get you quite decent sound and
> good construction.
>

[Number 9]

Hi all,
This is what I got put together... Yes, I did not stick to my budget...
It got increased by $500.
Subwoofer: Infinity Primus PS-8 $249.99
Center Speaker: Infinity Primus C25 $179.99
Front and surround: Infinity Primus 150 $534.99 ($89.99x6)

Speaker total: $964.97

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V650: $334.99
DVD Player: Pioneer $198.99
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: $1498.95

Is this worth the price? I can't increase anymore, as these are prices
without postage as well, so...

Thanks everyone for their help!
Tom

[Ian S]

"Number 9" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi all,
> This is what I got put together... Yes, I did not stick to my budget...
> It got increased by $500.
> Subwoofer: Infinity Primus PS-8 $249.99
> Center Speaker: Infinity Primus C25 $179.99
> Front and surround: Infinity Primus 150 $534.99 ($89.99x6)
>
> Speaker total: $964.97
>
> Receiver: Yamaha RX-V650: $334.99
> DVD Player: Pioneer $198.99
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
> Total: $1498.95
>
> Is this worth the price? I can't increase anymore, as these are prices
> without postage as well, so...
>
> Thanks everyone for their help!
> Tom

Boy, you really did just get in under the $1500 limit! Vanns.com has most of
your items at the prices you quote and has free shipping. Plus they are an
authorized dealer which may be an advantage for warranty issues. Final
point, the 8" sub seems a bit anemic - 100 watts and only down to 35 Hz. Get
the 10" with 250 watts and down to 27 Hz. ;-)

[Number 9]

Ok, I got the 10" instead.. :)
On the receiver side is there much difference between the Yamaha
RX-V650 and the HTR5760? Would I lose much by choosing the HTR model?

Thanks,
Tom

[Joseph Oberlander]

Number 9 wrote:

> Hi all,
> This is what I got put together... Yes, I did not stick to my budget...
> It got increased by $500.
> Subwoofer: Infinity Primus PS-8 $249.99

Rule #4 of speake systems - buy a subwoofer from a subwoofer
company and the speakers from a speaker company. Swap this
for the HSU $300 sub.

> Center Speaker: Infinity Primus C25 $179.99
> Front and surround: Infinity Primus 150 $534.99 ($89.99x6)

I find these to be a bit hokey myself, and a 7.1 system
is overkill(6.1 is the standard). Also, the front two
speakers MUST be better and capable of delivering good
stereo music unless you plan to run CDs through the fake
surround processing modes only.

> Speaker total: $964.97
>
> Receiver: Yamaha RX-V650: $334.99

Denon's basic receiver for $300 is better.

> DVD Player: Pioneer $198.99

Any $99 DVD player will do. Remember, blue laser/HD-DVD
is coming in a year or two, so this should be a disposeable
player that you use until then.

Spend the extra $$150-200 on the sub($50 more) and:
Center: $179
Sides and rear:3 speakers @ $90
Two small towers in front(no stands required)

[Mark D. Zacharias]

The differences are cosmetic only. The HTR-5760 even has the same warranty.
Same unit unside.

Mark Z.
(authorized Yamaha servicer)


"Number 9" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Ok, I got the 10" instead.. :)
> On the receiver side is there much difference between the Yamaha
> RX-V650 and the HTR5760? Would I lose much by choosing the HTR model?
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
>