The time is NOW!!!! (1 Viewer)

[Gregg_C]

I'm ready!

Finally, the time is here! I've gutted my basement, and have chosen a suitable place for the NEW home theater system. More importantly, I have a green light from the spousal unit.

My wife has put some constraints on cost. I am not adverse to refurbs/dented, etc.

Here is what I'm thinking:

Speakers: (mains, center, wall-mount surrounds, sub): Try to keep whole thing at $1,000.00. I tend to like brighter, efficient speakers, and don't really want boomy bass. 5.1 is fine.

Some brands I've looked at:

Axiom
JBL
Ascend
Polk
HSU
SVS

Receiver:

Try to keep at around $400.00. Would like Dolby-EX, DTS-ES, and would like extra Toslink connections.

Brands I've looked at:

H/K
Pioneer
Denon
Onkyo

TV:

Looking at different RPTV choices, sized around 50". Want HDTV, 16:9 aspect, minimal convergence out of the box. Would like to keep cost at about $1,800.00.

Brands on my list:

Hitachi
Toshiba

I've already got a Panny CP72 for the DVD player, and plan on buying a DTiVo unit. I also have an Xbox with the component video and digital sound connection. Game playing experience will be important.

So, let's hear it!

Gregg

 

[david_b_m]

I would seriously consider taking a look at the "open box / refurb" bin at Cambridge Soundworks (www.hifi.com) - they tend to sell returned items at slashed prices. I just bought a full 6.1 set including their top-end T500 tower speakers with built in dual 300W amplified subs, their top-line center and surrounds, and one extra rear-center surround, for $1900 including tax. The speakers arrived nearly flawless, with what look like a couple of FAINT finger smudges on the off-white grille fabric but otherwise they look brand new. They also carry their full 45-day return policy which was a big selling point in my book. I have so far only listened to the tower/main speakers on my old amplifier but I found the sound to be crystal clear and very accurate, without any significant "coloration" to the sound, which is exactly what I was shooting for. People have mixed opinions of Cambridge speakers, but I've been very happy with these for the 1 week I've had them.

I just glanced over there and they currently have their older "Tower II" based system on b-stock purchase for $1050 including surrounds, center, and a powered sub. If you happen to like Cambridge's products, I have heard many rave reviews of the Tower II, and this would be a hell of a foundation for $1k.

 

[Patrick Sun]

Gregg, we have different areas for each of those categories of HT gear. You'll get better advice if you split up your post and post your inquiries in the different areas. I suggest editing your initial post to only deal with display devices because, well, this is the Display Devices area.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Looking at different RPTV choices, sized around 50". Want HDTV, 16:9 aspect, minimal convergence out of the box. Would like to keep cost at about $1,800.00.

Brands on my list:

Hitachi
Toshiba

How did you decide to limit your list to those 2?

Minimal convergence OOTB?? How minimal? Convergence is an issue w/ all CRT-based RPTVs. Of course, Hitachi and Toshiba does claim that their use of 540p upconversion reduces the problem since there's one less set of convergence to handle. Is that how you end up w/ that list?

Anyway, apart from the DVI/HDCP issue, you might want to consider a cheaper TV like a Panny and spend the savings on good ISF calibration since the "minimal convergence" thing sounds like you don't want to do any tweaking yourself.

_Man_

 

[David Von Pein]

I have a green light from the spousal unit.

(Is your daughter named Moon Unit?)

 

[Gregg_C]

No, not Moon Unit (or Dweezil).

Re: RPTV brands: I haven't seen in my research too many other RPTV's in the under 2k category besides Hitachi and Toshiba that are very highly recommended. I really don't have a problem with convergence adjustment (actually I just ordered the Avia CD), I am trying to avoid a tremendous amount of work that would require an ISF specialist.

Other brands of RPTV's are fine if they are in the same league as the under 2k Toshiba's and Hitachi's. Suggestions welcomed.


Gregg

 

[DanielM]

Speakers: klipsch reference line rb3 or rb5,rc3
front and center around $700-800

receiveranasonic sa-he 100 or 200
$299-399

Display:sharp 55" 16x9 hd
$1098-1598

 

[Ryan N]

Gregg_C-

Perhaps you could do some reasearch on a front-projector instead of an RPTV? Might catch your interest...

 

[Alan M]

highly recommend fluance sx-htb 5.1 speaker pkg.$323 delivered.It will need a sub,but the sound cant b beleived for the price.
www.fluance.com