Integrated system or piecemeal?

[timeOday]

Like a lot of people, I'm looking to drop up to about $1k on a stereo
system for music and movies. I'll probably own it for quite a while, so
I can't say where it will be used (other than a "home setting"), or
for what (my own musical tastes have changed a lot in 5 years, and my
daughter is starting to like dance music). I already have the sources,
namely a computer and a DVD player.

My dilemma is whether to piece together a system on ebay (or
audiogon.com or whatever) or plunk down the cash at BestBuy.

Within my budget, I could get a pair of JBL 4410a front speakers, a pair
of Paradigm Atom speakers for the rear, and something like a Denon
AVR-885 receiver. (I doubt I could fit a Sub into the budget, would I
want one?)

Or I could go to a store and get something like this:
<http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999920400050000&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050004&id=pcmprd20500050000>
(Yamaha/Bose AM6 III 5.1-Channel Cinema System)
It might be nice having the option to return it at a store, and of
course it would be more stylish.

What are the pros/cons of each approach that I'm missing?

Thanks.

[[email protected]]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. A ****box is a ****box.

[Robert Morein]

Do it piecemeal.
You'll learn, you might enjoy, and at the worst, you'll become hobbyists
like us :)

"timeOday" > wrote in message
...
> Like a lot of people, I'm looking to drop up to about $1k on a stereo
> system for music and movies. I'll probably own it for quite a while, so
> I can't say where it will be used (other than a "home setting"), or
> for what (my own musical tastes have changed a lot in 5 years, and my
> daughter is starting to like dance music). I already have the sources,
> namely a computer and a DVD player.
>
> My dilemma is whether to piece together a system on ebay (or
> audiogon.com or whatever) or plunk down the cash at BestBuy.
>
> Within my budget, I could get a pair of JBL 4410a front speakers, a pair
> of Paradigm Atom speakers for the rear, and something like a Denon
> AVR-885 receiver. (I doubt I could fit a Sub into the budget, would I
> want one?)
>
> Or I could go to a store and get something like this:
>
<http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999920400050000&type=product&
productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050004&id=pcmprd20500050000>
> (Yamaha/Bose AM6 III 5.1-Channel Cinema System)
> It might be nice having the option to return it at a store, and of
> course it would be more stylish.
>
> What are the pros/cons of each approach that I'm missing?
>
> Thanks.

[Howard Ferstler]

timeOday wrote:
>
> Like a lot of people, I'm looking to drop up to about $1k on a stereo
> system for music and movies. I'll probably own it for quite a while, so
> I can't say where it will be used (other than a "home setting"), or
> for what (my own musical tastes have changed a lot in 5 years, and my
> daughter is starting to like dance music). I already have the sources,
> namely a computer and a DVD player.
>
> My dilemma is whether to piece together a system on ebay (or
> audiogon.com or whatever) or plunk down the cash at BestBuy.
>
> Within my budget, I could get a pair of JBL 4410a front speakers, a pair
> of Paradigm Atom speakers for the rear, and something like a Denon
> AVR-885 receiver. (I doubt I could fit a Sub into the budget, would I
> want one?)
>
> Or I could go to a store and get something like this:
> <http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=999920400050000&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050004&id=pcmprd20500050000>
> (Yamaha/Bose AM6 III 5.1-Channel Cinema System)
> It might be nice having the option to return it at a store, and of
> course it would be more stylish.
>
> What are the pros/cons of each approach that I'm missing?
>
> Thanks.

Take the Paradigm/Denon route, and try to scratch up enough
money for a decent subwoofer. I will admit that Yamaha does
offer up a nice package, but it is not going to be quite in
the same class as the pick and choose option.

Howard Ferstler

[timeOday]

Howard Ferstler wrote:

>
> Take the Paradigm/Denon route, and try to scratch up enough
> money for a decent subwoofer. I will admit that Yamaha does
> offer up a nice package, but it is not going to be quite in
> the same class as the pick and choose option.
>
> Howard Ferstler

Perhaps I could go for a HSU VTF-2 subwoofer ($500 shipped) plus 4 or 5
used Atoms, though I'd have to skimp on the Tuner. Dropping half my
budget on the subwoofer seems a bit odd, but bass seems the hardest part
to get right, and with a powered subwoofer I wouldn't have to worry much
about a powerful tuner.

I also heard a Paradigm Cinema 110 at a store tonight, which is very
nice. But at $800 + tax I would be shopping for a tuner at Wal Mart.

The Bose speaker system for my budget didn't seem to play music well.
Weak midrange with all equalizers at 0. Odd.

The Polk RM7200 can be had for a good price but I listened to the RM6800
(its very similar follow-on) tonight at the same store and the bass
seemed loose and boomy. Perhaps that's a tweaking thing though.

Choices, choices...

[Ian S]

"timeOday" > wrote in message
...

> Perhaps I could go for a HSU VTF-2 subwoofer ($500 shipped) plus 4 or 5
> used Atoms, though I'd have to skimp on the Tuner. Dropping half my
> budget on the subwoofer seems a bit odd, but bass seems the hardest part
> to get right, and with a powered subwoofer I wouldn't have to worry much
> about a powerful tuner.

The powered sub is the way to go. If you're getting the Hsu sub, consider
their Ventiloquist system (http://tinyurl.com/4u9cw) too - Hsu gives you
$100 off when you buy both together. That would leave you $300 for the
receiver.