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Can you build me a good HT system for $750

post #1 of 8
12/15/07 at 10:43am
Thread Starter 
Looking for an A/V receiver and speakers for around $750. Is this possible?

Receiver requirements:
HDMI 1080p - v 1.3
HDMI i/o ports
HDMI passes audio and video
Multiple decoding formats
Component i/o
S-Video i/o

Speaker system needs:
5.1

Any suggestions? If so, please list model #'s. Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 8
12/15/07 at 7:40pm

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Hmm...I feel like I've answered this a couple of times on different boards recently. My $750 system would be:

Receiver = Onkyo 605...$400ish
Speakers = 3 pair Polk R150...50$/pair @ Frys...$150
Sub = Dayton Sub-120 ($140) or Bic Acoustech H100 ($200ish)

Use the R150s in 6.1 with one as a vertical center. If you can stretch a bit on the sub budget, Elemental Designs has a 12" model for $350 delivered or maybe a B-stock SVS PB10 if one shows up.

-Brent
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post #3 of 8
12/16/07 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

appreciate the input - sorry if you have answered this before - new to forum and love it.

Will investigate you suggestions.

Heading out today (Sunday) to take a look.

Onkyo / Polk / Dayton - not a bad combo...

Thank you for your advice... John
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post #4 of 8
12/16/07 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Hello Brent

Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice. I made the purchase on the TX-SR605 receiver! Looks like this unit will take care of my needs well into the future. Best part - $380 total!

Still working on the 5.1 system. I'm actually thinking about pairing up my 605 with Polk RM6750 5.1 system. Only thing that is bothering me is the 8" sub. I am trying to go with a 5.1 as I have read many reviews on the importance of pairing your sub with your speakers. Concerned I may mess that part up.

Thanks again for your help.
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post #5 of 8
12/17/07 at 8:11am

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Quote:
Originally Posted by Asch101
Only thing that is bothering me is the 8" sub. I am trying to go with a 5.1 as I have read many reviews on the importance of pairing your sub with your speakers. Concerned I may mess that part up.
Pairing up your sub to your speakers how? They cover different frequency ranges so they don't have to be timbre matched. They don't have to even be from the same company. That's why there's dozens of sub only companies (heavily into subs rather than full range speakers) like Hsu, SVS, Epik and Velodyne. The only thing that would bother me about an 8" is is the it's small size. Loud and or low bass is caused by air moving. The lower the frequency and/or louder you want it, the more air you have to move. I tried a single 12" sub and overheated the amp 10 minutes into the first movie. I'm currently running a pair of 15's powered by a professional 2,400w amp. I'm in the process of upgrading to four or six 18's powered by a pair of 2,400w amps.

What I'm trying to say is determine what type of movies you watch. Action or sci-fi have sound effects that dip into the teens. How loud do you watch movies? Reference levels? -10db below reference? -20db below reference? How large is your room? Is it open to other rooms? To get the tactile effect of a sub, you have to pressurize the entire air space. Finally, what's your budget? And be realistic. If you want reference levels on action movies and you have a great room that's open to the kitchen and dining room, don't expect a $200 sub to come close to meeting your expectations.

-Robert
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post #6 of 8
12/17/07 at 4:33pm

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Quote:
Originally Posted by Asch101
Hello Brent

Just wanted to say thanks for the great advice. I made the purchase on the TX-SR605 receiver! Looks like this unit will take care of my needs well into the future. Best part - $380 total!

Still working on the 5.1 system. I'm actually thinking about pairing up my 605 with Polk RM6750 5.1 system. Only thing that is bothering me is the 8" sub. I am trying to go with a 5.1 as I have read many reviews on the importance of pairing your sub with your speakers. Concerned I may mess that part up.

Thanks again for your help.

Congrats on the receiver, hope you enjoy it.

I don't quite understand your concern, either. The RM6750 system includes a matched "sub"...more accurately a bass module...and the manual includes instructions for configuring it with a receiver such as the 605. As a matter of fact, there's a thread on that very system over in the speakers section.

And Robert's boasting aside, you can certainly enjoy a home theater with the system you described. Is more/bigger better?...absotively! As with most things in life.

-Brent
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post #7 of 8
12/17/07 at 8:24pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Hey Brent,

Thanks again for the info. Realize now that the concern over buying sub and surround speakers separately is a non issue.

Still think however that I am leaning toward two systems.

Wouldn't mind another opinion.

Went to BB and listened to the JBL SCS500. Sounded great although the store was packed and the set up not perfect. Liked the 10" sub and the dual drivers in the surround speakers. On the surface is seems like a well put together unit (despite the larger then normal sat. speakers).

Then went to CC and looked at both the Polk RM6750 & 6880. I like the price on the 6750 but the small sub and somewhat distorted dialogue from the center bothered me. You can sure tell the difference between these two units. But to be honest, they may be similar to my ear if I hadn't listened to them one after the other.

Bottom line - The choice comes down to the 6880 or the scs500. No give away price on the 6880 ($500) @ CC - The SCS500 I can get from B&H for 289. Is there any difference (tech speaking) that would sway you?

Thanks again - JOHN
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post #8 of 8
12/18/07 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Can you build me a good HT system for $750

Just an update...

Did not like the information on a different thread about the Onkyo not recognizing the Polk sub/bass module. I was really hoping to use the receiver technology to do all the dirty work getting the perfect sound out of my system. With me not knowing anything about wiring/proper sound etc. this became a negative for me (right or wrong). I don't need any more confusion.

The SCS500 for the price looks and sounds like it should fit my needs just fine. Set up should be pretty straight forward. We will see.

So the answer to my question is Yes, apparently you can build a good HT system for under $750. That's assuming you think this is "good":

Receiver - Onkyo 605 $380
Speakers - JBL SCS500 $289
XM mini tuner w/home dock $49 (already have XM service)

Total cost tax/shipping etc. $718

The receiver gives me room to expand and I will be looking at adding a Blu Ray after the holidays. All of this will go well I think with my Sharp Aquos 46" HD/LCD w/1080p I picked up for $1300 at CC the day after thanksgiving.

Thanks for your help everyone. I think I have done better than the htib for $199 at Walmart. I will let you know how it sounds when it all arrives.
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