Audio System Recommendation

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dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#146582 22-May-2014 12:52

Hi there - I'm looking for a speaker system for a small (ish) sized room. This room in our currently being built house will act as a 4th bedroom/home office/2nd lounge/kids area.

This Yamaha system is the type of thing I'm after and had contemplated buying this of Amazon but then noted the issues in voltage between NZ and US and wonder if it would be too much of a problem.

Then there's the hassle of having a full system shipped to NZ and any potential issues to send back.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-497-5-1-Channel-Theater-System/dp/B007PU2Y4S%3FSubscriptionId%3D0EWA6R5AGNW9AA6JF8R2%26tag%3Dalatestcom-price-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB007PU2Y4S

I don't really need a system with a DVD player but do need 3-4 HDMI ports.

JiBi Hi-Fi were offering this Onkyo system upto a few weeks ago for around $700 which looks similar.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V88V8

Just wondering if anyone could fire some suggestions at me. I don;t really want to buy individual components and really only want to spend up to around $600 (ish) max

Thanks

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#1051046 22-May-2014 13:20

Ho to jb hifi and listen and then buy what you want.

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dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1051092 22-May-2014 14:24

Had a look at JB Hi Fi online - but not really what i want and also looking for something cheaper, these examples I gave above are about $300-400 NZD...

Hopefully some others have some suggestions...

Sideface

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#1051127 22-May-2014 15:08

dougierydal: ... I don't really want to buy individual components and really only want to spend up to around $600 (ish) max ...

Your budget is unrealistically low.
For $600 you can only get cheap and nasty lo-fi stuff (in the US or in NZ).
Don't even think about buying from the USA - too many problems with voltage, shipping, and customs costs.
Save up and get something better.

Sideface

dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1051128 22-May-2014 15:11

Sideface:
dougierydal: ... I don't really want to buy individual components and really only want to spend up to around $600 (ish) max ...

Your budget is unrealistically low.
For $600 you can only get cheap and nasty lo-fi stuff (in the US or in NZ).
Don't even think about buying from the USA - too many problems with voltage, shipping, and customs costs.
Save up and get something better.

Really? Most of the reviews are glowing about the system, and like i say it's for a 2nd room and only used from time to time i guess. But if i'm unrealistic then fine, i'll take that advice onboard...

HowickDota

414 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1051138 22-May-2014 15:36

You'll probably find once you add up the cost and trouble of a transformer plus high shipping costs for the volumetric size and GST+custom fees of most speaker packages that it's not really worth it to import into New Zealand.

Sideface

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#1051153 22-May-2014 16:01

dougierydal:
Sideface:
dougierydal: ... I don't really want to buy individual components and really only want to spend up to around $600 (ish) max ...

Your budget is unrealistically low.
For $600 you can only get cheap and nasty lo-fi stuff (in the US or in NZ).
Don't even think about buying from the USA - too many problems with voltage, shipping, and customs costs.
Save up and get something better.

Really? Most of the reviews are glowing about the system, and like i say it's for a 2nd room and only used from time to time i guess. But if i'm unrealistic then fine, i'll take that advice onboard...

Really

Don't buy anything without hearing it first - and whatever you do, don't import from the USA.

Sideface

Item

1669 posts

Uber Geek

#1051195 22-May-2014 16:24

I would certainly echo what others have said about never buying any sound system you haven't actually listened to!

That said, if the system is very much a secondary one for a small room and you want to keep cost down, you could always consider a Sound Bar - something like this perhaps: http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/tv-and-audio/audio-and-home-theatre/sound-bars/yamaha-front-surround-system.html

They are not going to give you the same experience as even an entry level "true" 5:1 system, but it might give you a close enough facsimile for this kind of usage and within your budget.

(try first though!)

PaulFindlay

92 posts

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#1051218 22-May-2014 17:06

Why not look on TradeMe for second hand gear? I saw a nice NAD/Mission speaker combo for example

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

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#1051372 22-May-2014 21:01

Buying second hand on Trademe will typically (but not always) mean you can't listen to the system too...
Same problem as buying ex-USA.
If you're stuck for funds, wait until your wallet fattens a bit and then go shopping - take demo material and buy the unit that sounds the best.

HowickDota

414 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1051397 22-May-2014 21:50

Dunnersfella: Buying second hand on Trademe will typically (but not always) mean you can't listen to the system too...
Same problem as buying ex-USA.
If you're stuck for funds, wait until your wallet fattens a bit and then go shopping - take demo material and buy the unit that sounds the best.

Agree with this, also a good place to start is with a stereo setup. You can add more speakers to the setup later, and you may feel that a stereo system is enough anyway.

dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1051748 23-May-2014 14:51

Thanks for the suggestion of a Sound Bar, that will do just perfectly for this room. Just picked up a SONY HT-CT660 for $399...

maxeon

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#1051760 23-May-2014 15:24

dougierydal: Thanks for the suggestion of a Sound Bar, that will do just perfectly for this room. Just picked up a SONY HT-CT660 for $399...

I bought this for my room and mounted it under my TV (which is mounted on the wall), clutter free and the 5.1 surround speakers can be detached when you want to use.

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=en&scy=nl&ctn=HTL9100/12

Only Noel Leeming are selling them here
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/home-audio/sound-bars/philips-htl9100-sound-bar-bluetooth-detachable-speakers-wireless/prod174776.html

but Australia has a lots of stock in pretty much every store for around 600.

The best part is the detachable surround speakers.

Item

1669 posts

Uber Geek

#1051775 23-May-2014 15:54

dougierydal: Thanks for the suggestion of a Sound Bar, that will do just perfectly for this room. Just picked up a SONY HT-CT660 for $399...

Good stuff - glad that worked for you.