Advice on First Home Theater Setup? (1 Viewer)

[Kevin_Cas]

This is my first HT setup(well, first "personal" setup-my parents had a Bose Acoustimass-15 running through a Pioneer VSXD608 reciever with a Sony 35'' TV and a Sony DVP-S550D DVD player-I guess I consider this an upgrade in some ways), and I was looking for opinions, suggestions, substitutes, etc. I already have the Video portion taken care of(Samsung TXM-3296HF 32'' HDTV, Toshiba SD5700+Bettercables Silverserpent Component), my inquiry mainly concerns the Audio portion. I was able to pick up a Kenwood VR-6060(http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...1&cat=3&scat=4) last night for $360.00 at BB($499 reg price-$100 instant rebate-$40 coupon that came w/ Monsters INC. DVD) that seems to have all the modes, and inputs i want. They even threw in a KLH center channel and and 2 rears package for free($99 dollar value, but the speakers seem of low quality so ill probably just get rid of them). Good deal? I am considering(unless otherwise persuaded) pairing this reciever with either the JBL NSP1($279.00 at Costco)speaker package with a Sony SA-WM40( about $130 anywhere) sub OR a JBL Simply Cinema 135 System (JBL SCS135SI http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.p...e,Product_Name)that is about $300 shipped. What does everyone think? I bought my video equipment based on the advice I found here at the forums, and I am sure you guys will steer me in the right direction yet again. Thanks for all your help in advance!!

 

[Frank Zimkas]

Chuck the KLH and go with the JBL speakers, you'll have a much better sounding system.

 

[Kevin_Cas]

Theres no question I'm chucking the KLH-crap. If I ger $25 dollars for them ill be happy. Which JBL's do you think are better? The NSp's with a seperate sub? or the JBL package(w/sub)? Thanks again.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

The NSP1s are very solid speakers. I have them and am using the 4 N24s that came with the package as surrounds and back surrounds. I'm using N28s as mains. I would definatly recomend the NSP1 over the package with the sub.
For the receiver, you may want to look at the Pioneer VSX-D811S. It has all the features of the Kenwood, gets great reviews around here for it's pricepoint, and can be had for around $300 online. It's only real downfall is (in some peoples opinion, not so much in mine) that 2ch music reproduction is a little thin. The Loudness feature strengthens the highs and lows and takes care of this in my opinion. Even with this, you're not going to find a better receiver for $300 ($360 at BB also i think).
As for the sub, there's a refurbished JBL PSW-D112 12" 250 Watt sub available directly from the official jbl outlet, www.harmanaudio.com. This would be a very solid sub, and is another option, although the WM40 would be a good sub as well.

 

[John Garcia]

The NSP-1 package is $249+ free shipping from JandR.com.

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

I was going to get my NSP1 package from J&R w/ the free shipping, but i was able to get them from Tom Berg on the Hardware For Sale forum for $165 shipped used for 2 months. Great deal, and i lucked out on timing.

 

[Kevin_Cas]

I cannot find the NSP-1 on jandr ANYWHERE anymore. What gives? Does anone know of other places with a good deal on this set? id like to order it asap!

 

[Jason Hammerly]

You may want to call jandr to see if they have them in stock. There is an ad in the most recent soundandvision mag that has them for $229.99 and free shipping through the end of Octover. Also, etronics.com has them for less than $250 shipped and in stock. Later.

Jason

 

[Kevin_Cas]

Any other suggestions for a good sub to pair with the NSP-1? J and R has the JBL PB-10 for 199.00 shipped. A little more expensive than the Sony, but I have heard nothing about it. How are JBL subs in general? Never had the opportunity to try one out. Thanks again.

 

[Joe Szott]

Kevin,
I just upgraded to a somewhat similar system, here's what I suggest (IMHO):
* Get the JBL NSP-1 package, it's the best all-in-one for the price that you will find. I went with one from the S class (I decided to go overboard a bit this time around), but the N speakers are just great for a good system.
* The Sony SW40 sub is fine, I got one and added some poly-fill inside. It sounds like a $300-400 sub and only ran me $160 total.
* www.harmonaudio.com is a good place to go, as someone suggested. Be aware that they also sell a lot of the same items you see listed on eBay for even cheaper. That's how I bought my 4 JBL S36AW speakers for $340 total. eBay isn't always the rip off you expect