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need help selecting system

post #1 of 16
3/5/08 at 7:31pm
Thread Starter 
Hey, I currently have a sony HT-DDW740 home theater system and want to upgrade to a system that is louder(at least 100w per channel), sounds at least as good, and has hdmi and component inputs. Im trying to keep the price under 500. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You.
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post #2 of 16
3/6/08 at 5:25am

Re: need help selecting system

How loud is your current system? Let's say your system is 50w/channel and you hit peaks of 100db during listening. If you upgrade to 100w/channel, then you will only be 3db louder. If your new system has less sensitive speakers, then it would be a wash and you would end up back where you were.

-Robert
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post #3 of 16
3/6/08 at 9:05am
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

My current system is 5.1 80 watts/channel, I want to go at least a little louder. I need HDMI inputs which my old system doesn't have. Any reccomended systems, i want to stay at 5.1, my room is perfect for it?
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post #4 of 16
3/6/08 at 4:59pm

Re: need help selecting system

Quote:
Any reccomended systems, i want to stay at 5.1, my room is perfect for it?
As always, the OnkyoHT-SR800 $420 shipped from Vanns.com. HDMI switching, Audyssey 2EQ, decent receiver, tolerable speakers, 230 watt sub (O.K. not an SVS but not bad for the price). It's a 7.1 but you don't have to hook up the rear surrounds. Has to be better than the Sony.
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post #5 of 16
3/6/08 at 6:31pm
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

The sony sounds great, i just need hdmi support and would like a little louder system but with sound at least as clear. The Onkyo says the HDMI does not pass through sound. I need sound to go to:

Cable-HDMI
PS3-HDMI
360-HDMI
Wii-Component
DVD- Component (Have a component sytem selector)
VHS- Composite

i would also like to be able to listen to the sound on my tv for when i don't want to use the surround sound.

how would i go about this.

thank you.
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post #6 of 16
3/7/08 at 7:11am

Re: need help selecting system

It will pass thru audio to your TV, it just won't process audio via HDMI. Therefore, in order to get digital surround from your components, you have to run a coax or optical cable from each one to your receiver. With that many components, I'm afraid most HTIB receivers will not be able to accomodate a digital connection from each. That model has only 2 coax and 2 optical. You either have to spring for a better receiver, purchase optical and/or coax switchers or limit some of your components to analog sound. It is also limited to 2 HDMI ins, so you would need an HDMI switcher or you can route 1 or all of the HDMI cables direct to the TV (you would lose switching at the receiver this way).
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post #7 of 16
3/7/08 at 7:24am

Re: need help selecting system

Jim,

With that many components and with your switching being that complicated, I would highly recommend investing in a Harmony remote. It would go a long way towards simplifying the receiver, switcher, TV remote gymnastics that your configuration would require. So instead of "switch receiver, switch coax, switch TV input, switch HDMI, etc, etc, etc" you could just hit "Play Xbox 360" or "Watch DVD".
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post #8 of 16
3/8/08 at 12:48am
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

would the Onkyo TXSR705 do the job w/ an HDMI switch and a component switch? Does it have audio pass through? Thanks.
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post #9 of 16
3/9/08 at 7:02am

Re: need help selecting system

The 705 (and 605) would work as will the Sony 910. They all have HDMI audio pass thru. And don't be too concerned about wpc. I couldn't find out much about the 740 but the 940 is it's replacement and Sony rates it @ 10% thd (many htib's and enty level receivers are rated like that. Sounds more impressive) so it probably only put out about 30wpc of usable power. Most any $500 receiver would probably be over-kill for you speakers so be carefull with that volume knob .
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post #10 of 16
3/9/08 at 10:28am
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

I decided on the Onkyo TX-SR805, what speakers would you reccomend?
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post #11 of 16
3/9/08 at 12:27pm

Re: need help selecting system

You should spend at least as much or more on speakers as you are on the receiver (not including the sub). Many here think $1000 for a 5.1 speaker system is the minimum to get really good sound. Speakers are harder to recommend because it's such a personal choice. They all sound a bit different from each other. I usually recommend what I think is a good value in a certain price range (but But keep in mind, I'm just another knucklehead on the internet) but it's up to the individual to decide what they like. So, how much do you want to spend?
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post #12 of 16
3/9/08 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

around 300
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post #13 of 16
3/9/08 at 1:15pm

Re: need help selecting system

Have you considered the 605 and spending more on speakers? $700 on the receiver and $300 for speakers isn't usually recommended but...My standard speakers for $300 are center, mains and surrounds, or these for surrounds. This one also looks good for a package deal but I've never heard it. But again, I like the sound of Athena, you may not. But they are a good value for the closeout price.
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post #14 of 16
3/9/08 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

can you recommend any big speakers for now and i'll just build from there? (similar to the ones i have now, which are like 3ft tall 1.5ft wide that i can sort of use as a table)
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post #15 of 16
3/9/08 at 8:02pm

Re: need help selecting system

Quote:
Originally Posted by gene c
$700 on the receiver and $300 for speakers isn't usually recommended
Isn't that like the kids now days that drive an '85 Olds with $10,000 worth of tires and rims?

Quote:
Originally Posted by xboxps2gba
can you recommend any big speakers for now and i'll just build from there? (similar to the ones i have now, which are like 3ft tall 1.5ft wide that i can sort of use as a table)
Look at Cerwin Vegas. They are big and loud. Not very accurate.

-Robert
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post #16 of 16
3/9/08 at 10:08pm
Thread Starter 

Re: need help selecting system

what do you think about

Klipsch - Synergy III 6-1/2" 2-Way Dual-Woofer Floorstanding Speaker (Each) - Black/Titanium Color

Do you recommend any sub wolfers, center speakers, or sattelites?
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