Suggestions for a set-up for good sound quality- limited budget (1 Viewer)

someet · Aug 4, 2006

Hi,
I am very new to this field... would greatly appreciate some input. I do see a thread wrt a configuration for around $1000. Well, I too am looking for something similar but with perhaps different needs.

What are your suggestions of a set-up (reciever, speakers and cables) for the following needs:

I do not think I will be able to upgrade very frequently... so i would want something that is the best that I can get for that kind of money and be safe (wrt new technologies - inputs etc) for atleast the next 4 yrs or so.
Would like a 5.1 kind of a system may be (7.1)... but space could be limiting as of now... however, later on I might be able to plug in 2 additional speakers.
Sound Quality is extremely important - I really dont care how loud it can get... I would not be using it for parties etc. Also, I do not play computer games that much... mainly music from my computer and sometimes movies and TV.
Budget is around $1000... but somewhat flexible if it is a worthwhile upgrade... really dont want to be regretting
I would like magnetic shielding
I will use it for my living room.. which is not too big... so power might not be a big factor.... moreover I do not listen to the music very loud... - live in an apartment and have neighbors
I would be mainly using it to connect it to my DVD player for movies (15% of the time) , to my TV (25% of the time) and to my computer for playing mp3s (60% of the time). In my computer I have the Cambridge X-Fi soundcard.
Also, I have very little eperience is choosing the right connections and cables... basically I would like to connect my DVD player, TV, Computer and also have another free port - all at the same time and not have to worry about disconnecting and connecting back the wires

All suggestions are welcome...

Thanks

someet · Aug 5, 2006

Anyone?

Do you think Bose Acoustimass AM-10 speakers with subwoofer along with Panasonic XR55 would be a good combination... or can I do better with that amount of money?

Seth=L · Aug 5, 2006

Onkyo tx-sr504 for receiver. 7.1, $250-300 (Circuit City has it on sale on their website for about $260.

Definitive technoligies pro cinema 60 package, 5 satelites and one small but awesome sub, $600-700.

Acoustic Research would work good for your interconnects and speaker wire.

And please, no Bose, to expensive for what you get.

Seth=L

ChrisWiggles · Aug 5, 2006

I like to recommend that people go auditioning and start listening to speakers and figure out what they like.

That being said, I also like to recommend the paradigm performance series as a good starting place for auditioning.

Jacob C · Aug 6, 2006

Have you considered starting with 2.1 and then adding the other speakers later? You will get much better sound quality for the money. I had about the same budget and I have the Panasonic xr57, a HSU STF-2, and I am waiting for a few $$ to order Ascend Acoustics 170's (Im using old speakers in the mean time). I was just unimpressed by any speakers cheap enough for a $1000 5.1. As mentioned before, Paradigm is a good place to start auditioning they have something for just about everyone.

Chuck Bogie · Aug 6, 2006

You don't need everything at once...

1) Get a good AVR with preamp outputs. Last year's or even the year before's model isn't going to have much different functionality than today's... And $300ish is a lot easier to stand than $900ish...

2) Stereo is okay for starters... If I was limited to one room on a budget, I'd go with magneplanar MMGs for the fronts ($550), and MMG-Ws for the sides ($300). No center. $300-400 will do a pair of Hafler P230s, with a little searching... Add in $250 for a build-it-yourself sub, and you're there...

Seth=L · Aug 6, 2006

How are the Magnepans on power handling? It would seem that such a design would have limitations on power handling. If they aren't they sound like an awesome deal.

Also are they cabable of beign bi-wired?

Seth=L

JeremyErwin · Aug 6, 2006

The onkyo doesn't have pre-outs. Moreover, although the WRAT feature and the dynamic power ratings both imply 4-ohm compatibility, the manual warns against this. Magnepans are 4-ohm nominal, which often implies that the impedence dips to 2-3 ohms in places.

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