Need some help with new surround system

Discussion in 'Receivers and amplifiers' started by ShannanC, Dec 9, 2009.

  1. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    I'm sorry if I am beating a dead horse here but I am looking for a good quality surround sound. Want to put a cap on spending around $800-$1000 for speakers and receiver. I HAD thought about a Yamaha receiver with Bose speakers but having read what I read today I will NOT buy Bose but I still have to convince my wife as she believes the marketing machine that is Bose. Any thoughts? If it helps my living room is about 25 x 20 with windows along one end, open to the dining room behind, regular sheet rock on one wall and the other wall is all brick from the fireplace and mantle.
     
  2. JVC

    JVC Active member

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    Get her to read this: http://www.firstadopter.com/fa/archives/001749.html Click on the links and read them too.

    This is an excellent system, for the money you want to spend:
    http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S720...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260413424&sr=1-2
    All you'll need then, is a blu ray player and cables. I'd replace the speaker wire that comes with the system, with a heavier gauge wire. A 14 gauge would be good. You can get a 100 ft. spool from Lowe's for about $25. I'd get the HDMI and optical cables (if you need any) from here: http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp Very cheap cables at a good price. Don't buy Monster brand! They are the Bose of cables!
    Good luck!
     
  3. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    Outstanding! Thanks a million. :)
     
  4. iluvendo

    iluvendo Active member

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    Last edited: Dec 10, 2009
  5. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    Are these any good? I've talked her away from Bose somewhat and she's considering Infinity (which I love in auto audio)

    Infinity TSS-1200 Surround System Charcol Black TSS1200
     
  6. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    Which Onkyo receiver? I want to plan ahead and get a 7.1 receiver even if I don't get 7.1 speakers right now
     
  7. iluvendo

    iluvendo Active member

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    def tech speakers ,imho are great speakers. they are made in the USA, and their higher end ones rival some of the best speakers (obviously not the very high end)

    This is a magazine review of the def tech speaker I own


    http://www.definitivetech.com/documents/articles/BP7001sc_TAS2304.pdf


    @ShannanC, after reviewing JVC's recommendation, I don't think there is much out there at a price point that can match it. My suggestion of an Onkyo receiver and deftech speakers, while good, will not be able to match the value of his in bang for the buck. So for the price, go for it.

    However if you want to spend more on speakers ( and get better sound, look up the def techs)
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2009
  8. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    @iluvendo, One day when I get to upgrade I will certainly check out the def tech speakers.

    @JVC, Thanks for the suggestions and advise.

    I'm going to take my wife with me to Best Buy so that we can hear the Onkyo system and then come home and purchase them for $100 less on newegg.com with free shipping and handling. :)

    I really appreciate the assistance from both of you. You guys are really busy on this site and I thank you for taking the time to answer a question that I'm sure you both have answered a thousand times.
     
  9. iluvendo

    iluvendo Active member

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    ShannanC, you are welcome and welcome to aD.
     
  10. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    One last question: Is the Onkyo HT-S7200 $150 better than the Onkyo HT-S6200? It appears that the speakers in the 6200 are actually better (spec wise) but the receiver has a few more functions in the 7200. What would be your preference?
     
  11. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    The reason I am asking is because I can get the 6200 for $549.99 vs the 7200 for $699.99 at newegg.com with no s/h.
     
  12. iluvendo

    iluvendo Active member

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    I actually prefer the tower speakers in the 7200. Are they worth an extra $150 ? hard to tell w/o an audition
     
  13. ShannanC

    ShannanC Member

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    The more I investigate the more I'm inclined to pick the 7200s. I do like the towers also. Wish I could have towers on all speakers. Would make life easier. Probably gonna have to fabricate some.
     
  14. JVC

    JVC Active member

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    You can't go wrong with either one (6200 or 7200). I like Onkyo because they give you a real receiver, instead of the piece of junk with a built-in dvd player, and no inputs. The Onkyos have plenty of inputs, Audyssey auto speaker calibration (very good), and are very easy to setup and use. Don't close it in a cabinet, or set anything on top of it. They tend to run hot, if you do that. My Onkyo receiver (TX-SR805) is supposed to be one of the worst for getting hot, but it's not closed in, and it barely gets warm, after being on almost 18 hrs. a day.

    I, personally, have never heard Def Tech speakers, but have heard a lot of people like them, so I'm sure they are good speakers. If I can ever buy a new set of speakers, these are the ones I'll get: http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm as a minimum. If I have enough money, I'll go for their higher end ones. Most people into home theater already know that SVS makes some of the best subwoofers on the planet, and are learning the same about their speakers too (for the money). It doesn't hurt that they are said to have outstanding customer service too.

    Since they are an internet only company, the only way to hear the speakers, is to buy them, unless you know someone with some. They have an excellent return policy, in case you end up not liking them. But, I haven't heard of anyone returning them yet, once they got them. I hope to get one of their cylinder subs in April. Probably their cheapest one (PC12-NSD), which is much better than the JBL I have. http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl.cfm
    Good luck with your new system. Let us know how you like it, once you set it up. :eek:)
     

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