johnny-t

Need general cost of Value System

Hi,

Absolutely LOVE this forum. This is my first post. Here's my deal. I bought a house in the spring and am now considering turning the third bedroom (apx. 13x12) into a Home Theater. My usage would be for Watching movies/HDTV, not so much listening to music. The purchases I need to make are HDTV and Speakers. I'm not sure if I need to upgrade my YAMAHA RX-V530 receiver. I'm looking to get bang for the buck. So here's my questions:

1. HDTV - right now, I'd lean to the 55" Samsung HCN-5527W at Best Buy for $1700. I am hesitant to spend any more unless I could upgrade to the Panasonic PT50LC13 50" LCD ($2900 at Circuit City). However, that's 1200 bucks difference. Thoughts?

2. Speakers - I really would like floor-standing fronts with surrounds and center from same manufacturer. The Axiom EPIC 50 is my current benchmark, costing $1,567. The Athena Auditions sounded good at Best buy and I can get the AS-F1/AS-C1/AS-B1/ASP-300 package for $1060 at suggested retail price. Any suggestions on what price point wound be best?

3. Receiver - As stated, I have a YAMAHA RX-V530, which I like. However, not sure if I will need to upgrade. And if so, to what?

As I am just getting started, my first goal is just to get a grasp on how much a decent system will cost, and then compare products withing that price point. All suggestions and opinions will be welcome.

Thanks,
John

GrahamT

The best advice that I can give you is to go slowly and buy what will make you happy. Your receiver is 5.1 I believe so you dont need to upgrade unless you are not happy with the sound.
Demo as many speakers as you can from as many different companies as you can. Buy what YOU like and do your research. You have a small room so you probably dont need large floor standing speakers but if it makes you happy buy them. You may be able to get away with a good sub and bookshelf speakers. Have fun and dont be in a hurry. There are many good brands but I suggest you try a smaller audio specialist store for speakers. They know their stuff and usually have better speakers for the same amount of money as the big box stores.

TylerZ

John,
You don't mention a DVD player to watch movies. It is on your shortlist, isn't it?

johnny-t

Thanks for the initial responses.

Graham, I think you have more patience than I. I really don't think I need floor standing, however, I have a personal bias that I think they would sound better in general than bookshelves. Maybe I will start re-looking at some bookshelf options. Do you have a list of highly rated bookshelves that would be a cost cutter but still deliver really good sound?

Tyler, Right now I run DVD through X-Box :b but I plan to upgrade to progressive after getting tv. I am not aware of any quality issues with dvd, so I would just get a decent brand name at a local retailer for 100 bucks or so. Do you have any helpful tips on my dvd player selection? I just figured they'd all be about the same as long as it was decent brand name and progressive scan...

GregAV

You might want to audition a JBL Studio series setup.

Browse the forum for S38, S36, or S26 bookshelves and a SCenterII center. The S38's are rather large and can serve as floorstanders if you like. Give them a listen and I'm pretty sure you'll like the price/performance ratio. Should also leave you enough cash for a very decent sub.

Have fun,

Greg

GrahamT

John, there are many good brands but everyone has their own opinion. Personally I like Polk and Paradigm for performance and value. Try out some Polk RTi70 floorstanding speakers because they sound great and are about to be replaced by a new model, which means you should be able to find some at a great price. That goes for the whole RTi line. By the way, I am not a patient man. I first started building my home theater two years ago and have replaced everything since then. I just wish that I had bought the right equipment the first time instead of rushing into it.

johnny-t

Greg, How much would that JBL configuration (including Subwoofer) run me and where's best place to look?

Graham, I do believe the Best Buy had a good deal on those Polks you mentioned. However, I don't this they sell the matching centers and rears. Do you think that's an issue?

GrahamT

John, you are right, you do want all matching speakers. Polks RTi series includes floorstanding and bookshelf speakers. The matching centers are the Csi30 and 40. The matching surrounds are Fxi30 or 50 and the small Rti bookshelf speakers. Search the polk forum to see what the owners say about these. As for a subwoofer I would suggest you do not buy the sub to match the line of speakers. Polk subs are weak, I have one. Try a velodyne sub while you're at best buy auditioning the jbls or polks. The CHT series is known for it's excellent value.

TylerZ

John,
As far as your DVD selection goes stick with the major brands. Sony & Panasonic make some decent players. Be careful of the chroma bug that plagues some DVD player chips though. You can do a search on this and other forums for more info on the chroma bug and which models have it. But with manufacturers changing their line ups so often that list may not include the current models.

As for yor speakers I agree with GrahamT on the Polks. The RT series do offer great sound for their price. If you have a Circuit City near you go check them out. They are getting rid of current stock to make room for the new Polk line. The RTi70's are an awesome speaker. With a pair of RTi38's or FXi's in the rear and a CSi40 center you would have a GREAT system.
Just get out there soon and take a listen, many CC stores are selling out fast.

Tray

Johny-t,

I bought JBL S38II for front, JBL N24II for rears, and JBL S-Center II for the center

Great sound and good value. Check em out! I paid less than $600 delivered to my door. Pick you up a decent sub and your ready to go!