Entire set up plan - Universal so I put it here (1 Viewer)

[Mando-R]

Okay... I know this is the basics area, but this subject doesn't just cover display or speakers, it pretty much covers everything.

I already have a receiver and a center channel, both of which can be returned if the set up requires alteration.

I have a budget that I'm firm with and I don't want to cap, but I need to know how to prioritize the budget so it covers sound and video.

This is going to take time, boys, so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Set Up A:
This is the sound primary set up that will leave me with a small budget for my display device, probably a 32" non High Def flat screen, or maybe a used RPTV with 1080i capability.

Center Channel: Infinity Primus C25 Black
Floorstanding Fronts: Two Infinity Primus 360 Black
Surrounds: Two Infinity Primus 160 Black
Subwoofer: Velodyne CHT10 or Infinity PS10 Black

Notes: This set up is primarily Infinity Primus, because as I've heard, you want to match the sound. The only thing is, the floorstanding and surrounds all use 6 1/2" drivers while the center channel uses 5 1/4" drivers. I'm wondering if this mix will cause inconsistencies in the vocals during scenes with speech and a lot of highs. The center channel is also a two way while the floorstandings are three way. The subs, while most of you will think are "under par" are actually ABOVE what I planned. I originally planned not to use a sub at all, because I don't want something that has a lot of low frequency boom. I will be watching primarily action movies, but I have room-mates and they study a lot.

Total Thus Far: 597.97

Yes I know that's a low price for this equipment, but I get discounts on Polk/Harmon Kardon/Infinity products, which is why I'm going with an Infinity or Polk Set up.

This leaves me close to 900 for the display/furniture/DVD Player

Display set up:
Samsung HCN4226 W - 42" silver cabinet widescreen HDTV RP
$1133 - This is a little above my budget but I want HDTV so I can use progressive scan, and the only other tv's that are in that range are the analog HDTV 32" Panasonic, or the 32" Samsung which has reliability issues.
or
Panasonic CT32HXC43 - This TV is like a rock. Even Sony has TV's that come into Circuit City "defective" that need service, but I have NEVER, in the past 6 months that I've worked there, seen ONE Panasonic tv come back because it didn't work right. This TV is an HDTV set, but I don't know if 32" is "big enough".
or
Samsung TXN3245FP - This TV is an EDTV monitor, that can be "hacked" through software to display HDTV, because it uses the exact same board and tube that the TXN3275HF uses, which is High Def. My issue with this tv is its reliability, but it has the advantage of cost - $576 dollars is very attractive, considering I can always get the extended warranty. I just don't want to be in a position where I have to take my tv back every two months because it starts going haywire.

Front Projectors are out of the question, considering I do not have an ergonomic advantage to use one. I don't have the space nor do I have the priviledge to use a pull down screen, and mounting one on the ceiling is out of the question. I also don't feel there is any reasoning to having to spend another 200 dollars to replace a bulb every year or so.

 

[BrianEK]

AHHHH, the joys of working for an electronics company, the low low prices. Since I work for the same company you do (i'm assuming CC) as a sales counselor (oh wait, they call us product specialists now) and work with these products every day, maybe I can help you out. I'm warning you this will be long. First I'll address the TV. Personally I do not like the 42" samsung rptv. I think the picture is very dull and isn't worth stretching your money out for. I guess my opinion is either go all out or go conservative. You could go for the cheaper panasonic 32" which i think has an awsome picture. But I guess my choice would be the 32" samsung EDTV.(don't know much about the reliablity issues) I guess if I'm going 32" and tight on budget, I go with EDTV because it looks almost as good as HDTV(and no analoge tv scan lines). You can use progressive scan dvd's on it right now and it will be compatible in the future even if not HDTV, at least it will downconvert unlike analoge TV's(or if you can hack it to hdtv even better). Then when you get the money for your dream tv, move the 32" to another room and you can still use it. Take a look at the picture quality of the Panasonic EDTV plasma and any HDTV plasma in CC, and see if you see a huge difference. I don't. My other reason is that there are not many channels carrying HDTV. If you really plan on doing HDTV programming right away, then go for the 32" panasonic HDTV. otherwise i'd settle for EDTV and use progressive scan dvd player. Take that extra money you save on the TV and use it towards better speakers, or DVD player. The next issue is the speakers. I purchased a full set of the Infinity Alpha speakers for my room. (note: this you could only do if you save the money on the tv by going with the samsung). I would say if you can, to maybe go with a set of INI Alpha40's for the front speakers, and the alphacenter for center channel (instead of primus). and stay with the primus sub and rears to save money. The reason is the alpha series has a big sound difference. This is because the alpha front speakers have a midrange cone where the primus does not. so midrange sounds much more full and clear. and i don't think there is much of a price difference at our cost. This will give your fronts a much better sound and as long as your fronts and center speakers are alpha, you can save and go with primus for the rears and sub (or velodyne) and you won't notice any inconsistancies in sound since not much ever comes out of the rears. I just think for the limited price difference to go with Alpha for your fronts, it is a huge sound difference. So to summarize, here is my personal selection: SAM TXN3245FP: INI ALPHA 40(x2): INI ALPHACENTER: INI PRIMUS160BK(x2): and INI PS10: So those are my suggestions. Not necessarily the right way, just my way. Hopefully this helps you out a little.

 

[BrianEK]

sorry made one mistake, the Primus 360 tower speakers do have a midrange. I mistook them for the primus 250's which don't(we haven't gotten them in the store yet). I know the difference between the Alpha 40 and primus 250 is pretty big, but I haven't yet heard the 360's and how they compare to the higher alpha series.

 

[Lew Crippen]

A few comments Mando:

Once you ‘hack’ the Samsung EDTV, will your warranty still be valid? You might want to check on this.

I can’t comment on those Infinity speakers, but if you are going with one as a center, I’d stay in the same model line for the R/L fronts. The actual size of the mid-range/woofers ought not to make a difference in timbre, but mostly in how low with how much volume the speaker will go. Timbre matching is most critical in the higher frequencies.

Brian is correct in that there are only a few channels broadcasting in HD. However those few include all of the networks except Fox (which is in EDTV—they will not go to HDTV until the 2004 season), ESPN, HBO, Showtime and Discovery.

Almost all (excepting reality and news shows) of the network prime-time shows are in HD. So far ESPN does not have a lot of HD, but the amount is expected to increase. Most of the non-prime time HD is sports-oriented, so if you like soaps, you won’t find much in HD, but if you like sports, you will be a happy camper.