Home theater audio <$800 (including reciever) (1 Viewer)

[pcharouz]

Ok, I need new speakers for the living room(400-500 square ft), preferably white or silver, and the receiver has to have a optical input.
The rear speakers are going to be wall mounted, and I am thinking of a 5.1-7.1 setup, preferably 5.1.
I want a sub, because I like a lot of bass, and the main purpose of the speakers is that the tv(40"+ lcd) speakers gives en echo because of the large room.

here is what I got from my research, but feel free to change anything:

amp:
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKHTR330S
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1134703786117
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138083770470

front left/right(and rear):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Infin...oductDetail.do
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1138085354138
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099395865160

center:
not really sure, but here some:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-...oductDetail.do
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-...oductDetail.do
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1118840844386

subwofer:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_g...6571/id_type=M
(I REALLY like that sub, but if enough people tell me its an overkill, I would go with a different one)
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Infin...oductDetail.do

OR

http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=92.1
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Infin...oductDetail.do

 

[Edward J M]

Of all your selections the below by far will provide the best performance value and sound quality:

http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=92.1

Your budget of everything (wire, interconnects, DVD player, AVR, speakers, sub, etc.) for

 

[pcharouz]

I dotn neet a dvd player, and interconects. I just need a amp/reciever, speaker wires, speakers, and a sub

 

[Edward J M]

$800 is still pushing things for that, but I still say the AV123 system is your best bet and AV123 also sells Denon AVRs and might be able to bundle something (along with some speaker wire) and get close to (but probably not under) your budget.

 

[pcharouz]

how much better are the av123 speakers than the insignia one I listed before? My original budget was 500, and I really cant go more than $800. I am going to use them for only 3-4 years.

Edit:
one more thing, there is bamboo floor in the living room, that is what gives an echo fromt the tv speakers IMO.

 

[Arthur S]

Right now the better Insignias are on sale for $40/pair. This is a rock bottom price for a decent speaker. The av123 are very likely better but probably 4X-5X the price. In my humble opinion, not worth the difference. However, you have a big space, and the better speakers will do a better job in that space. So, it comes down to $$$. You can always try the Insignias, and if they don't work for you, you have at least 14 days (if not 30 days), to return them and order from AV123.

PS

Ed Mullen knows his stuff, however, I don't think he has any experience with the Insignias

 

[pcharouz]

the better insignias? can you give a link?

 

[Arthur S]

Petr

It is the second link in your post of front left/right. I understand that there is a lesser Insignia, that is what I meant.

 

[pcharouz]

which reciever should I get?
and what center speaker?

how would one of these htib's do?
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKHTS870
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKHTL970
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKHTS780S

 

[chuckg]

The best and most expensive speakers on the planet won't solve your echo problem.

Use a few bucks to get a nice big rug to toss over that bamboo. Put some curtains or wallhangings of some sort here and there. Pillows won't hurt, and can be fun. (my kid and I get into some pretty wacky fights with our pile of pillows)

 

[pcharouz]

Will a small rug under the caffe table do the trick? I know better speakers wont solve the problem, but they will help.

 

[Seth=L]

Have you considered building the system, piece by piece?

 

[pcharouz]

what do you mean? I want to buy the parts separatelly.

 

[Seth=L]

I mean buying good receiver and two good floorstanding speakers just with your current budget of $800, and as your budget down the road allows, get a sub, surrounds and a center speaker.

 

[pcharouz]

ah, no, I want to buy everything for the 800, I am in this house for only 3 years, and if I wanted to spend more, I would spend more now.

What reciever do you guys recomend? a 5.1, or 7.1, with an optical in, and around 100w per chanel(to power the insignias)

 

[Seth=L]

Just curious, why does it matter how long you are going to be at that house? Not a shot at you, just trying to gain a better understanding of your intent.

 

[pcharouz]

well, I am in america just for school, and then I am going to leave back to europe, and leave the speakers here.

 

[Seth=L]

Well that sucks, have you considered buying used equipement, from pawnbrokers or ebay.com.

 

[pcharouz]

Well I have pretty good speakers in europe, bose lifestyle 48(I know they are overpriced). And I go to florida almoast every summer for the vacation, so I will use them here, the point is, I just dont want to spend more than 800.

What amp would you guys recomend? 300-400$

 

[pcharouz]

BUMP

What amp do you guys recomend? 300-400$