Posted: 12/14/2014 8:52:14 AM EDT
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i want to build put together a quality home entertainment system. I saw guardians of the Galaxy this summer in IMAX and then later saw it in the regular theater, and was almost disappointed in seeing Guardians again because the sound in the IMAX blew the shit out of the regular theater's sound, and I really realized how much sound good sound can improve a movie or at least "spoil" you. My budget for a receiver is around 500-600 dollars. I know the speakers will be additional costs. So what do ya'll recommend for receiver and speakers? |
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I've been very happy with the sound from my Onkyo. Here's a nice model at Best Buy for $450 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/onkyo-1155w-7-2-ch-4k-ultra-hd-a-v-home-theater-receiver/5159057.p?id=1219112459356&skuId=5159057 I've got a 5.1 set of Paradigm Studio 40 v2 speakers I got back in 2002. Good value, I think. Total cost right at $4,000 for the front pair, the dipole rears, the center channel, and the subwoofer. These, combined with the Onkyo, won't give you the same breathtaking soundstage as a set of $5000 Krell amps and a pair of $20,000 Klipsch P-39Fs, but they do well enough at both musical listening and home theater. I really like my little Paradigm 10 subwoofer. There are subs that that will go deeper and louder, but with the right program material, I'll sometimes look over at the sub and say, "You did THAT?'  For a great soundstage you should look at Martin-Logan electrostatic speakers. I find them to be a bit sterile, but there's no denying that they can better produce the kind of localization of sound that a good theater setup can provide. You'll spend a bit more for a surround sound setup of MLs, but they might be the kind of speaker you'd really like. See if you can demo a set at a local audio shop. The Onkyo listed should be able to drive them to adequate listening levels (electrostatics are notoriously power-hungry.) Good luck, and good listening. Also, recognize that the room has as much to do with the quality of the sound as anything. Acoustic treatment is a bit of an art, but it doesn't have to be expensive. You can make your own sound absorbing panels pretty cheaply, and if you have hard floors (wood or tile) you can use rugs and furniture to tune the room as well. Here's a good DIY website: http://acousticsfreq.com/blog/?page_id=402 |
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If you are going to run a receiver and you want that big theater sound, I suggest looking for speakers with a higher sensitivity.
If you are handy enough to DIY some speakers, I suggest the SEOS kits for the main speakers and a BFM Tuba HT. SEOS kits found here: http://www.diysoundgroup.com/ BFM Tuba HT plans here: http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/THT.html |
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ETA - is that the TX-NR636 that I linked to? Looks like a nice amp. Quoted:
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I'm happy with my Onkyo NX636 receiver. I did a lot of research on it, and it has the most features for the price. ETA - is that the TX-NR636 that I linked to? Looks like a nice amp. Yup, that's the same one! I really like the vTuner so that I can listen to internet radio on it. I also like that I can push music from my windows computer directly to the receiver via WIFI. |
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House fire in June forced me to buy this new setup last week. http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=6081&sc=27 Acoustic Sound Design has some great deals on HT setups. You can also call them and Mike will make a custom setup for you. |
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Quoted: Yup, that's the same one! I really like the vTuner so that I can listen to internet radio on it. I also like that I can push music from my windows computer directly to the receiver via WIFI. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I'm happy with my Onkyo NX636 receiver. I did a lot of research on it, and it has the most features for the price. ETA - is that the TX-NR636 that I linked to? Looks like a nice amp. Yup, that's the same one! I really like the vTuner so that I can listen to internet radio on it. I also like that I can push music from my windows computer directly to the receiver via WIFI. Sweet. I have an older (and less advanced) TR-SX876, but it suits my current needs. I think if it blew up I'd get the one you own. But then I'd have to buy more speakers, and.... It never ends, does it? |
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Quoted: House fire in June forced me to buy this new setup last week. http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=6081&sc=27 Acoustic Sound Design has some great deals on HT setups. You can also call them and Mike will make a custom setup for you. That looks like a really good deal! |
Unfortunately haven't had a chance to hook it up yet. Staying in a townhouse temporarily so it's just sitting in the boxes.  Doubt my neighbors would appreciate it anyway. My old Klipsch Synergy 7.1 with a Pioneer VSX-1120-K was pretty decent system, hoping this is a step up.
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I like the one-control system like Logitech for controlling all of my electronics.
Logitech Harmony 650 Remote One button will turn the devices on, set them to the right input, and allow you to control everything with one device. |
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Quoted: If you are going to run a receiver and you want that big theater sound, I suggest looking for speakers with a higher sensitivity. If you are handy enough to DIY some speakers, I suggest the SEOS kits for the main speakers and a BFM Tuba HT. SEOS kits found here: http://www.diysoundgroup.com/ BFM Tuba HT plans here: http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/THT.html |
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Onkyo, great home theater rcvrs.
Also, paradigm studio reference speakers always deliver. I went SVS for my sub. Crystal clear, shakes my house. Fiber optic inputs from cable and blu-ray/ dvd player. Dipole surround speakers. Make sure your center speaker matches the fronts. Good luck. Txl |