Hello everyone (1 Viewer)

[Chris>Sch]

Hey everyone, just thought I'd like to introduce myself.

I'm 18 years old, live in Orlanod, FL, go to Valencia Community College, and work at Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse as a server. I'm trying to build a home theater system, and this is what I have so far:

Pair of Klipsch SB-2 bookself speakers
Klipsch KSC-C1 center channel speaker
Yamaha HTR-5560 receiver
Sony DVP-NS715P DVD player

I'm using the SB-2s as my left and right mains, and for the rear surrounds I'm using these crappy Sony miniature speakers that were a part of my old Sony HTIAB. I'm planning on picking up an extra pair of SB-2s for my surrounds. I'm without a subwoofer at the moment, but that'll be the very next component I buy. I think it'll be a Klipsch, probably the KSW-12. Problem is, Sound Advice (my favorite electronics store) has the KSW-10 on sale right now, so I'm at a dilemma. Any advice would be appreciated.

Anyways, I'm confused as to what TV I want. All I know is I want something BIG, and it has to be widescreen. So all I really know is I want a widescreen RPTV, something that's under $2000. For now, I'm using my Philips 31 inch. It's actually a pretty good, vibrant set, but I need something better. Any suggestions?

Lastly, can someone point me to component cables that are relatively inexpensive (under $50)? I find it ridiculous that cables can be $100, and frankly, I doubt the extra money spent on these would be worth the very minimal (if anything) better image.

To sum it up, I'm trying to put together a quality system on a budget. I realize I cannot have the latest and greatest everything. For me to spend $600 on a pair of speakers is out of the question, the $300 I put down on the SB-2s hit my wallet pretty hard .

 

[Mathew Shelby]

I am in your position as well, trying to put together a quality system on a budget. I consider myself to be the "average joe" when it comes to home theater and while I find that I can't tell the difference between a $50 and $100 pair of audio interconnects, the exact opposite is true about video. Your eyes won't deceive you-you will definitely notice a difference (My girlfriend even did from a more expensive pair of component cables-www.bettercables.com) I went off the recommendations of people on this forum when I purchased them. I had nothing to lose-their return policy is generous if you are not happy. Now for audio cables, I just use Monster (although I picked them up for super cheap from someone who was upgrading). Good luck.

 

[Wade_Kennerson]

Hi Chris and Welcome to HTF,

Problem 1. Sub... This is my opinion, but I think a 10" sub will do more than enough in your HT space. I have a 10" sub, and had to cut a deal with my neighbor to watch movies at reasonable hours. I was shaking things on her side of the wall.

Problem 2. TV... Size matters? Well depending on the size of your room, big can mean 42" or 53". I was in the same hunt recently (December) and had it down to 3 TV's. The Samsung HCL4715WB (47" Widescreen), Panasonic PT-47WX42, and Hitachi HIT 43FWX20B (43" Widescreen). I wound up with a Panasonic, but not a widescreen. After much diliberation I realized (read: told by wife) we watch more cable than movies. Plus the wife did not like the stretched view and didn't care for grey bars either. But from those 3, I enjoyed the Panny picture the best. Your eyes won't deceive you.

Problem 3. Cables... Honestly, when on a budget, I would rather spend the extra money for fancy cables on the next higher component at the time of purchase. I built my HT first then went back to misc. items like interconnects and wires.

Hope this helps in some way.