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upgrading from htib need advice

post #1 of 7
12/7/11 at 11:09pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys. I've been looking for advice on going from a 8 year old Sony in a box to a great setup for gaming and movie watching. I'm thinking that to start I would go 2.1 then upgrade to 5.1 later. Aside from "auditioning" speakers I was hoping for some product guidance. Namely a 5.1 receiver with HDMI as my current onw doesn't have HDMI and I don't think I will ever go 7.1 as space and money are limited. My father has monitor audio m1s so I quite like those as bookshelf speakers. Should I get a 7.1 receiver or just stick to 5.1. Receiver price range is about 400 can go up if necessary. Speakers are about 300, no idea on subwoofer, just know it has to fire forward as it will sit on carpet. Thanks I look forward to learning !
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post #2 of 7
12/8/11 at 4:10am
There's no reason to go to 7.1 if you won't be using it. On the other hand, if you find one that has the features you want at a decent price, there's no harm in it either (the receiver shuts down the channels that aren't used).

$400 is plenty to get a nice receiver. On the other hand you are violating the guideline for allocating HT funds. The oft cited split is 30/70 between receiver and speakers (to be fair, some go down to 50/50). Speakers provide almost all the audio characteristics of the system, especially in the mid-tier price range (which is the majority of discussion on this board); receivers just don't affect the audio as much as is commonly belieived. You didn't mention any specific features you're looking for in a receiver. If you just need a decent system with HDMI; then I definitely recommend spending more on the speakers.

Re-reading your post I see that you're proposing starting 2.1. That somewhat negates my harping on the receiver/speaker split (but I left it there anyway). Going 2.1 is a great idea that most people don't consider. However, with a $300 budget you won't be able to get a decent sub (they're around $250 to start). So I suggest you go 3.0 to start and add the sub as the first addition. You'd get a decent debate that starting with the center channel is better anyway, even ignoring the budget.
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post #3 of 7
12/8/11 at 9:56am
Thread Starter 
What receiver features should I be looking for? Also I didn't mention a price range. I was honestly think about 1000 for the speakers,without the sub. So what sub would you reccomend plus what are.are the different types of wiring options as every dub I look at appears different.
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post #4 of 7
12/20/11 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 
ALRIGHTY FOLKS! i waited and got a brand spanking new onkyo nr-509 off of crutchfield for 269! and some monitor bronze bx1's from my local shop, i was sold after listening to them! also, got a great deal on a new samsung 40 inch lcd so im all set to fire it up when all the gear arrives. so now im onto needing a subwoofer and some speaker wires! how do i go about sourcing my own stuff, i have looked at monoprice but all the wire options are making me crazy! do i go angled spade connectors to the monitors and then banana plugs to the receiver via making my own wire or what? i thought i was getting my head around this but now im lost again! help!
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post #5 of 7
12/21/11 at 6:31am

Spade connectors, banana connectors, and those flexy sorta bendy/poky things don't do anything to improve the connection.  They are for convenience only.

 

Bare speaker wire connections will work perfectly well.  If your speakers/receiver have binding posts, you can simply unscrew the red or black cap a ways to reveal a hole through the center post at the base of the binding post.  Twist the bare wire, insert into the hole, then screw the binding post caps back down.  Strong connection that won't come loose.  Just be sure to twist the speaker wire well so that there aren't any wandering strands that may cause a short.

 

Banana plugs make the process of plugging/unplugging much easier, since you can plug into the ends of the binding posts, but they can be expensive, and are much more of a "nice to have" rather than a "must have" thing.

 

14 or 16 gauge wire is all that is needed.  Some folks swear by 12 gauge, but it's too thick, IMO.  If you are going to run wire in-wall, make sure you get CL-2 rated wire.  Otherwise, the cheapest wire at the gauge you select is all you need.

 

For a subwoofer, let us know your budget and we can tell you the frequently recommended models that fall into that price range.

 

Good luck with the system.  Enjoy it!

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post #6 of 7
12/21/11 at 8:50am
As far as banana plugs go - for a 5 channel system - you can get a full set of good quality plugs for only $15.30 - hardly breaks the bank and makes it much easier to put the system together. Got to love monoprice.

Quantity - 10-19 - $1.53 each pair - 10x1.53 = Total price: $15.30

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2

100ft 14AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Copper Speaker Wire Cable - $25.20

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2791&seq=1&format=2

== that should be enough speaker wire for your entire system - for a grand total of $40.50 you have nice cables with good connectors, you just have to put them together yourself.



As for the 2.1 system recommendations for speakers.....Here is what I am going with for my theater room, based on my research and reviews. I am trying to maximize the quality of sound per dollar that I spend. Going with online retailers to remove the cost of the middleman.


2 HSU Reasearch - HB-1 MK2 speakers - holiday special of $129.00 each - $258.00
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

-- That comes in under your $300.00 speaker limit....If that is your speaker budget, then you have 2 good bookshelf speakers to start with, allowing you to build up your system.

Now for the sub. - Even though the hsu company I'm going with for the speakers is better known for their subs, from the comparisons I have seen I am going with an Epic sub for the max of cost/sound. My budget is a little higher than yours, so I am able to get the sub now.

1 - Epic Legend sub - $499.00

http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html
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post #7 of 7
12/21/11 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Charlton View Post

Spade connectors, banana connectors, and those flexy sorta bendy/poky things don't do anything to improve the connection.  They are for convenience only.

Bare speaker wire connections will work perfectly well.  If your speakers/receiver have binding posts, you can simply unscrew the red or black cap a ways to reveal a hole through the center post at the base of the binding post.  Twist the bare wire, insert into the hole, then screw the binding post caps back down.  Strong connection that won't come loose.  Just be sure to twist the speaker wire well so that there aren't any wandering strands that may cause a short.

Banana plugs make the process of plugging/unplugging much easier, since you can plug into the ends of the binding posts, but they can be expensive, and are much more of a "nice to have" rather than a "must have" thing.

14 or 16 gauge wire is all that is needed.  Some folks swear by 12 gauge, but it's too thick, IMO.  If you are going to run wire in-wall, make sure you get CL-2 rated wire.  Otherwise, the cheapest wire at the gauge you select is all you need.

For a subwoofer, let us know your budget and we can tell you the frequently recommended models that fall into that price range.

Good luck with the system.  Enjoy it!

for the sub since i have saved a considerable amount on the speakers and the receiver i was looking at about 400 - 600 (more maybe). my room is 15 x 12 x 8, and i would be using it to mainly game and watch movies with some music and tv. and if i can get one for a good deal on the sub i would be inclined to buy a center with the thought that eventually the monitor bx1's will move to the rear speakers and i would buy some nice floor standing speakers.
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