easchmid

Seeking Home Theater Audio Advice

Hello...I've had an HDTV for a couple months now and I am looking for basic advice as far as audio goes (I have just been using the TVs speakers). I have the following items:

Sony KDS-50A2020 (50" Rear Projection, 1080p)
Pioneer VSX-D466S Receiver (10 years old I think)
Polk Audio RT600 Speakers (for left/right, 7-8 years old but they seem more than sufficient)
Polk Audio M1 Speakers (for surround, got them free with the RT600s so they are probably super cheap)

I don't know whether I should buy a center speaker (probably the Polk Audio CSi5) and a subwoofer and go with that...or if I should buy a home theater in a box type thing (and not utilize my Polk speakers, unless just listening to music) since my current receiver is just Dolby Pro-Logic and not the newer 5.1 or 7.1. I just want my TV/DVDs to sound good...I don't need the best of the best (nor would my wife approve of too much $$$ being spent). I guess my main question is...for an amateur such as myself is there a significant difference between the old Pro Logic and 5.1 or whatever the newest technology is? Hopefully this is enough info. to get some ideas/advice...thanks a lot.

Jeff Gatie

Re: Seeking Home Theater Audio Advice

Yes there is a very significant difference between Pro-Logic and DD/DTS. Pro-Logic is not discrete in the surrounds, which means no directionality in the rear. The surrounds are also limited in frequency range. You can pick up a very inexpensive DD/DTS receiver today, there is really no reason not to have digital audio.

Second, if HTiB is the way you wish to go, I would recommend the Onkyo systems. They come with real receivers and can be used as building blocks for a future system, given that the speakers are the weakest link. Here's one with HDMI for less that $800:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

easchmid

Re: Seeking Home Theater Audio Advice

Great...thanks for the info. One more question...is there any real benefit to 7.1 over 5.1 for a not-so-hard-core listener such as myself?

Jeff Gatie

Re: Seeking Home Theater Audio Advice

If you have the space it is good. But most of the time you have to rely on the receiver to matrix the rear speakers because most films are 5.1 only. But when you get a real 6.1 (the rear channels are the same signal) mix it is outstanding.

Kevin Stewart

Re: Seeking Home Theater Audio Advice

If you have a receiver with Pro Logic IIx, 7.1 is significantly better than 5.1

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