Home Theater System take 2

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Torquenstein

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Topic # 57780 24-Feb-2010 17:20

Hi

I made a thread a while ago about a cheap panasonic home theater system. I have now been thinking about it and I dont know if I want to go the cheap route.

Im not wanting to spend a crap load, just want something thats going that can have nice sounds with movies and games. It will almost never get used for music so that doesnt matter too much. I cant really justify a $1400 reciever etc.

I cant afford it at the moment but I want to buy bits and pieces and build it up, so I assume I need to start off with say a 2.1 Setup? Eventually I want a 5.1 setup

Budget will be around 1.5/2k all up I guess (not too sure on these things, hopefully you guys can help :) )

I have made a picture of my room layout if you need that.
https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/blog829db008a21909642c96da2d2063aeec.jpg

Im not a major Audiophile, but I do want something nice.

Thanks,

Jono :D

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Reply # 301891 24-Feb-2010 18:31

You should get something good for that price.

What about the deals on JB HiFis website:
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/hi-fi-outfits/

The Onkyos usually get a pretty good write up. The $749 one is $1200 at B&B/Leemings

I bought a Denon AVR-590 (that model is also known as the 1610 - the 1610 just has a A-B speaker switch for lots of extra $$). The Denon - inc speakers was $1600 - I think they had a bit off at HN at the time - sounds good.

Of course you get to buy your own DVD/blu-ray - but you will be able to hook up your game consoles etc with the extra ports that a receiver has.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Torquenstein

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Reply # 301907 24-Feb-2010 20:02

I dont need a DVD/blu ray player, use my xbox or the PS3 for that if need be, stream most of my content form my PC.

I saw the Onkyos on there, but Im not sure if they are good for that price? Would I be better off getting say a Onkyo reciever and then get like wharfdale speakers?

robjg63

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Reply # 301924 24-Feb-2010 21:51

Yes - you could do that. Mix and match.
JB have various speaker sets - Wharfdales/Jamos etc.

I think the Onkyo package is model HTS5205
The Receiver is TX-SR307
Do some googles - It seems to be reasonable bang for your buck.

But I gather Pioneer/Yamaha/Onkyo are all pretty good (and stocked in quite a few places).

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Torquenstein

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Reply # 301980 25-Feb-2010 10:07

Okay, well I got my brother to price up a few speaker sets at his work (LV Martin)

Havent got a clue as to what reciever to price up.

Theres this sony speaker pack for $360 http://www.lvmartin.co.nz/public/products/ProductViewDetails.aspx?productcode=SSFCR5000B&level1code=... No sub but comes with front and rear.

Or A Wharfdale speaker pack for $850 http://www.lvmartin.co.nz/public/products/ProductViewDetails.aspx?productcode=VARDUS+PK&level1code=L...

Are either of those options any good? Or is the wharfdale speakers just entry level ones and no good compared to the ?Diamond? range? What should I look at for speakers?
http://www.lvmartin.co.nz/public/products/Level3Drilldown.aspx?level2code=L2STE&level1code=L1ENT

minimoke

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Reply # 302066 25-Feb-2010 13:28

Jono
I wouldn't sweat it at the moment. Wait until you can afford it and then come back and ask. HT is basically electronics and these depreciate at such a rate that you'll have all sorts of different (and "better") options available to you when you are ready to buy. Rest assured when you do have the $1500 - $2000 you'll be able to pick up somethign that will do the trick. Alterntatively what you could buy today for $1,500 will only cost you $1,000 (or less) in a year.

Torquenstein

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Reply # 302074 25-Feb-2010 13:37

Hmmm, I suppose thats a good point, just feel like Im wasting the TV by not having some decent setup to compliment it.

So the next question then would be, what is a good amount to aim for to spend. Would $1500 be enough to get a semi decent system?

minimoke

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Reply # 302165 25-Feb-2010 16:18

If you are really keen to get something now $1500 will certainly get you something semi decent.

If you aren't into music it sounds like you want to enjoy sounds from your movie coming out of five speakers with a bit of punch in a sub for those explosions. I'd go with that Onkyo at JB hifi for $749. You probably couldn't go too far wrong with this as a starter pack. But beware - once you start you'll probably begin a life of "upgrades" which is a search for that next bit of kit which will add that bit more to your experience. The Onkyo will give you a huge leap from two TV speakers into the world of 5.1 Home Theatre.

Also bear in mind you only have one seat that is really going to enjoy your TV and new HT setup - thats the one in front of the TV. The single seater and the other couch won't get as good as an expereince as you will so don't go expecting too much from people who are in these seats.

Torquenstein

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Reply # 302189 25-Feb-2010 16:53

The people in the other seats dont matter :D , just me and the missus. We dont have too many guests over.

If I did get the Onkyo, with that reciever, I could always upgrade the speakers right?

Also, if I were to get this onkyo set, where would you recomend placing the speakers? Just around the middle couch?

chiefie

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Reply # 302194 25-Feb-2010 17:09

Some mid-range models have auto-calibration now, so it will come out pretty sweet in terms of the sound in the dead-on-perfect spot.

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minimoke

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Reply # 302206 25-Feb-2010 17:24

Torquenstein: The people in the other seats dont matter :D , just me and the missus. We dont have too many guests over.

If I did get the Onkyo, with that reciever, I could always upgrade the speakers right?

Also, if I were to get this onkyo set, where would you recomend placing the speakers? Just around the middle couch?

Oh - don't even go there. Anything and everything is upgradeable. Again don't sweat it. In a few years there will be new amps that will do all sorts of things they don't do today. As for speakers you'll be able to upgrade in increments. Perhaps get one or two sets of new speakers over the life of the amp then get a new amp and so the cycle of upgrades goes on. You'll be wanting 7.1 next!

As for placement you'll have your TV directly in front of your couch. The centre speaker you'll mount under the TV.

Next to the TV will go the left and right speakers. I'd be inclined to have them as far away from the TV as you can without getting in front of the window. That way you get decent kind of stereo seperation for when that car is driving in from the left and driving off to the right in the movie.

The rear speakers will go just behind you and as high up as possible. That way you get to hear the "raindrops" over your head (where they belong) or that helicopter coming in from behind you.

The sub will go where you get the best sound. Bass sound is essentially non-directional so it won't matter too much where it goes - but you will find spots relatative to walls and corners where it does sound better.This is always a balance between how much you are prepared to crawl around on the floor and how much tolerance your other half has with where you suggest putting it. The pragmatic spot would be next to the second couch - perhap at the TV end; or next to your single seat.

Torquenstein

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Reply # 302216 25-Feb-2010 17:48

Awesome, thanks for your help! Cant wait to buy these onkyos

robjg63

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Reply # 302240 25-Feb-2010 18:27

Minimags words are wise. You will drive yourself insane trying to get the 'perfect' setup (and bankrupt yourself!).

I gather (to summarise) from what you are saying, that theatre in a box isnt quite flexible enough for you, so the AV receiver and reasonable speakers are what you are after. I'd be surprised if the Onkyo package doesnt impress you and you can keep the bank balance in check.

A note on the setup of that bundle - it has a feature called called Audissey (if you havent googled all this already). This is smart software and a little microphone. You set up your speakers and plug in the mike and run the auto setup. You will probably have to move the mic into several spots where people would sit. It takes samples and adjusts all the speaker settings to optimise the sound for your room - sweet!

PS Seen a few comments that the Onkyos run a little warm - Not saying that this is on its own an issue - just probably best you dont have it in a closed up unit. A bit of ventilation would be fine.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

redjet

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Reply # 302244 25-Feb-2010 18:34

In January, I spent just under $2k at JB Hi Fi in Wellington and got the following:

Kef 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System for $1150
Is the bottom right pic here: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/hi-fi-outfits/

I also got a Yamaha RX-V465 5.1 channel, 105w receiver for $677:
http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/avit/htavreceivers/RX-V465.asp
Has heaps of HDMI inputs and can crank up the Kef speakers something chronic!

I then spent a couple of hundred on speaker cable.

I did a fair bit of research and really wanted to spend $3k but just couldn't really justify it. However I honestly don't know if I'd notice much of a different in sound quality if I spent more as this combo sounds amazing both for home theatre and music.

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Torquenstein

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Reply # 302247 25-Feb-2010 18:36

Yeah, wanting something a little nicer than the in a box ones.

Unit isnt not closed, has an open front. Hopefully should be right.

I think I will be going to jb this weekend and purchasing these.

Does it matter that the reciever is only 720p/1080i capable?

richms

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Reply # 302262 25-Feb-2010 18:59

Auto calibration has been a big fail the times I have used it. Crosses the mains way too low for what they can handle.

Richard rich.ms

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