Beginner Questions about Home Theater (1 Viewer)

[tfins]

Hello, I am new to home theater. I am on a tight budget but am trying to create a basement home theater. I am not going to spend the money for a projector yet but have a 55" plasma in the room. The room is 21x11. The set up now is the 55" on the wall with a small couch/ottoman about ten feet away in middle of room. I want to add surround sound/receiver but not sure what i need. I am trying to keep it low cost for now. I found an entry level Onkyo HT3500 for a great price. It is 5.1 channel 110w/per. Will this be enough sound for this size room? Is this a decent HTiB? I will primarily watch tv/sports and movies with the occasional PS3 game. Thx, Tim Also any suggestions on room set up/decor would be appreciated. I am thinking a dark red wall with some movie posters. Maybe a bar or server on the far wall. I do have a mini fridge and a popcorn machine.

 

[schan1269]

The only issue with the 3500 is its passive subwoofer. You "can" upgrade it in the future, if you build your own passive...like you would for a car. You are better served, if you must buy a pre-package, with the 54/5500 or one of the Denon DHT. But if you can raise your budget to $600...you could get a real AVR/speakers/sub without having to buy a pre-package.

 

[tfins]

The only issue with the 3500 is its passive subwoofer. You "can" upgrade it in the future, if you build your own passive...like you would for a car. You are better served, if you must buy a pre-package, with the 54/5500 or one of the Denon DHT. But if you can raise your budget to $600...you could get a real AVR/speakers/sub without having to buy a pre-package.

What do you mean by passive? Also what would be your suggestion if i was to build a system instead of pre-package?

 

[schan1269]

1. I mean the subwoofer is passive, ie...not self-powered, also known as powered by the AVR itself. Meaning you can't(easily) upgrade it...unless you have woodshop skills. 2. What are your sources? Wii/VCR/LD? Ipod/ipad/droid? PC/NAS? DVD/BD? What?

 

[schan1269]

1. I mean the subwoofer is passive, ie...not self-powered, also known as powered by the AVR itself. Meaning you can't(easily) upgrade it...unless you have woodshop skills. 2. What are your sources? Wii/VCR/LD? Ipod/ipad/droid? PC/NAS? DVD/BD? What?

 

[tfins]

1. I mean the subwoofer is passive, ie...not self-powered, also known as powered by the AVR itself. Meaning you can't(easily) upgrade it...unless you have woodshop skills. 2. What are your sources? Wii/VCR/LD? Ipod/ipad/droid? PC/NAS? DVD/BD? What?

PS3(BluRay) iPod Wii Panasonic 55" Plasma

 

[schan1269]

Check out the Onkyo NR515. Dayton Sub1000 Sony SS series. B(bookshelf), F(floor) and CN(center package). For a little more, BIC DV series. Sony CN(if you use the surrounds that come with it) with a Pair of B1000 is $140. Another $100 for the sub1000. That is $240 in speakers. The NR515 is $289. That will be better than ANY pre-package. If you want "more sub" there is the Dayton sub1200 or BIC V1020/1220.

 

[schan1269]

By the way, if you get the "Wii to HDMI", you won't need HDMI upconversion. Then you can spend less on the AVR(the NR515 is the least expensive AVR to have it).

 

[tfins]

OK so if I wanted to keep this closer to $400, could I do this: Use the 3way Sony SS floors ($150), Sony Center package($85), Dayton Sub ($100) and find a cheaper receiver and go 5.1?? How would that sound? IF so whats a good cheap receiver? I d nt really use the Wii so Im not worried about the HDMi for it...

 

[schan1269]

The Wii can be worked around. Since it is stereo...you could just connect it to the TV, then run the audio from the TV back to the AVR with ARC(which God help you if you try to use ARC) or a toslink. Problem is, you are already at $335. There are no receivers even under $100 on Ebay. The cheapest "new" is the Onkyo RC330 at A4L. And it, with shipping, is $170(last I checked). Here is a good option though... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-AVR-2600-7-1-Channel-65-Watt-Receiver-/321069242770?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item4ac137d992 (have no clue why this guy thinks it is "underpowered for his system"...)

 

[schan1269]

This, if it has the remote, is worth it... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-SR605-7-1-Channel-210-Watt-Receiver-/140917102331?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item20cf5056fb

 

[schan1269]

Another one... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-RX-V465-5-1-Channel-105-Watt-Receiver-/300859804798?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item460ca44c7e

 

[schan1269]

The aforementioned RC330 on A4L's Ebay store...even less than A4L.com (?????????????) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-HT-RC330-5-1-CHANNEL-HOME-THEATER-RECEIVER-/130849107223?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item1e7736ed17