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New System Advice Needed

#1
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7/24/09 at 9:42pm
  • Joined: July 2009
  • Post Count: 3
 I just purchased my new home theater system with the following components:
  • 60" Pioneer Elite PRO-141FD
  • Pioneer Elite SC-7 Receiver (actually I already had it on hand)
  • Integra DBS-30.1 Blu Ray
  • (2) B&W CM7 Floor Speakers
  • B&W CMC Center Channel
  • (4) B&W DS3 Surround Sound Speakers
  • B&W ASW610 Subwoofer
  • Universal MX-980 Remote

I ordered it today and am starting to have a couple of concerns.

Does anyone here have any experience with the Integra BluRays?  I tried to research this model and not a single hit on the web.  I pretty much took the salesman's advise on it.

Also, I found some mixed reviews on the DS3 Surround speakers...mine are going into a 15 x 40 foot room with a low ceiling (finished basement).  I was going to mount (2) on the side walls and (2) on the rear walls.  Does anyone have these speakers or would you advise to try something else?

Finally, I am very new to this and don't have near the experience that some of you on this forum have...did I make any crucial mistakes I should try and rectify before the equipment ships?

This is a rather large investment for me and I guess I am starting to get a little nervous so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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#2
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7/24/09 at 11:03pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,353
I think most around here would have opted for an SVS or HSU sub woofer and a Harmony remote.
 
As for the BluRay player, you're right. I could only find pictures of it but nothing else. Take a look at the OPPO-BDP-83 universal sacd/dvd-a BluRay player. It's only available from OPPO but it's pretty much the best out there for $499. Not saying you should cancel the order on the Integra but I'd be concerned about not finding any info on it.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#3
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7/25/09 at 9:50am
  • Joined: May 2003
  • Location: Eastern NC
  • Post Count: 1,763
Integra is supposed to be Onkyo's higher end stuff. The player should be a good one.
I'm not familiar with B&W speakers, but I know a lot of people like them. The ones I hear most about are the 600 & 800 series.
Look around their web site. You may find some info there.
www.integrahometheater.com/
Good luck!
Samsung HL61A750 (LED DLP)            Onkyo TX-SR805
Oppo BDP-83 Blu ray                                  Polk Audio LSi9
Polk Audio LSiC                                  Sony SS-MB100H
JBL PSW1200 (Sub)                        ...
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#4
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7/25/09 at 10:34am
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Post Count: 1,116
The CM series speakers work well for HT but they are marketed for music.  The center speaker was the weak point in the past.  It may have improved since I last looked (18 months ago).  The DS3's are normally paired with the 600 series, but they should work fine with the CM series.  They should have no problem filling your room with sound.

I agree with the recommendation to get a different sub.  While B&W makes great speakers, subs are not their strong point.  SVS is what I like.

I didn't know Ingetra made a Blu-Ray (I heard about an Onkyo one).  I'd suggest looking at OPPO or Panasonic if you don't need the features of the OPPO. 
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#5
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7/25/09 at 10:35am
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
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BTW - Did you listen to the CM9's?  I've been wanting to hear them but I'm afraid I'll want to buy them if I do. 
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#6
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7/25/09 at 3:28pm
  • Joined: August 2002
  • Location: Mass
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Chock up another vote for a Harmony remote and an internet direct sub.  The MX-980 is a little out of date, hard to program and definitely not as easy to use as a Harmony.  For the price of an MX-980, you can get the sweet Harmony 1100 touchscreen, the Mercedes Benz of remotes, and save some money. 

www.amazon.com/Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Control-3-5-Inch/dp/B001M5U5AC/ref=sr_1_5

As for subs, you can't beat SVS or the like for subs.  Nothing at a brick and mortar joint can touch them for the price.  No need to match the sub to the speakers, so take advantages where you can.

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#7
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7/25/09 at 7:12pm
  • Joined: July 2009
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No, I didn't listen to the CM9's....fortunately the did not have any set up.  

I think I'll check out the SVS subs, I know the same place sells them.   

As for the Harmony, I decided against the Harmony because I have one for my main living room and I am constantly having to reprogram it.  When it is working, the clock on it won't keep time...not that the clock is a big deal, I just thought maybe it was indicative of a poor product.
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#8
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7/25/09 at 8:33pm
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
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SVS is internet only.  http://www.svsound.com/products.cfm

Harmony (Logitech) make some the best remotes out there.  I have a 670 and love it.  There is a huge user community that keep these on the cutting edge.  Highly recommended.

PS - Are you sure you have a Harmony remote?  The settings are saved on the internet and, even if you lose your settings, are restored.  No reprogramming...

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#9
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7/25/09 at 9:03pm
  • Joined: April 1999
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I don't know why you guys are ragging on the MX-980 choice.  That's a killer remote; great button layout, better longer lasting construction, RF capability, total icon customization (unlike Harmony), ease of usage is every bit as good if programmed properly.  Just very expensive in comparison to the Harmony.  Ease of programming -- well maybe as a software engineer I am not the right person to judge how hard it would be for an average layperson since neither seems at all difficult to me.

I'm also a Harmony fan, but mainly because of price vs. performance, you can get it to do everything 95% of people would ever really need for a lot less money.  I used to like URC more but they've positioned their "pro" line for custom installers only, and became somewhat anti-DIY'ers.  High prices and making software+updates harder to obtain.  Which pissed me off since I'm pretty sure I can program rings around the average CI, also I was put off by CIs defending their position in internet forums, claiming that only CIs could figure out how to properly program something as simple as a remote, LOL.

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#10
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7/25/09 at 9:38pm
  • Joined: July 2009
  • Post Count: 3


Quote:
Originally Posted by David Willow View Post

SVS is internet only.  http://www.svsound.com/products.cfm

Harmony (Logitech) make some the best remotes out there.  I have a 670 and love it.  There is a huge user community that keep these on the cutting edge.  Highly recommended.

PS - Are you sure you have a Harmony remote?  The settings are saved on the internet and, even if you lose your settings, are restored.  No reprogramming...
 
My mistake, the other line they carry is Velodyne...would this be a better option?  

Positive, it is a Harmony 890....reprogram was probably not the right term to use, I have to plug it back into my PC and restore every so often.   

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