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Home Theater/Audio Systems

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by maynard, Jan 29, 2009.

  1. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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    Im just now seriously looking at getting one. not sure where to start, what brands to buy

    id prob want something 5.1 at least and HDMI compatible. after that, i really dont know even as far as price goes...i would probably want something mid-range priced
     
  2. bg34

    bg34 Junior Member

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    Can't go wrong with Onkyo receivers, imo. But there are alot of good brands out there.
     
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  3. dolphan117

    dolphan117 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    What kind of money are you looking to shell out? Mid price range is very different for different people.
     
  4. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Get an Onkyo tx-sr 606 if you want something in the mid-price range. Considering the price and features, it is one of the best bang for your bucks out there.
     
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  5. Section126

    Section126 We are better than you. Luxury Box

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    If you can get JAMO speakers...do it.

    I PERSONALLY vouch for them.

    The best bang for your buck anywhere.
     
  6. Themole

    Themole Season Ticket Holder

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    I have the 606 and very pleased with it.
     
  7. bluegrassbubba

    bluegrassbubba Season Ticket Holder

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    maynard likes this.
  8. Ludacris

    Ludacris Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I just got myself a Denon AVR-789 with Klipsch quintets+a sub. I use it more for playing blu-rays from my PS3 and listening to CDs

    I was tossing up between the sr606 and the avr789. I just went with the avr789 for some reason.

    It sounds great as a mid-range system and it fitted within my budget.

    Not the greatest but I would have to pay more to get the best. You basically get what you pay for. If I could afford the Jamos I would have gotten those instead.

    Best way for anyone to decide is to make the salesman turn it on for you in the showroom so that you can try them first before you buy . It basically comes down to what you like for your sound because everyone hears differently.

    Just a tip too. Don't get ripped off my salesmen talking crap about cables and wiring. Cables are very similar everywhere no matter what brand so the cheaper ones should still do the job.
     
    maynard likes this.
  9. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    If you don't want to get ripped off by salesmen, don't buy at a brick & mortar store. Online typically has the best prices.
     
  10. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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    yeah thats kind of what i had in mind, but i just didnt know what was what

    also, i dont need a DVD player to come with it. im using my PS3, so i just need a receiver

    also, i was considering what it would take to get the audio from from my PC to play on this to-be-bought system that will sit about 15-20 feet away
     
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  11. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    The 606 handles my ps3 perfectly. (can do 7.1 ;) )


    As for the pc, it depends on the outputs of your pc. I would guess either digital co-ax or optical would be your hook-up of choice, unless you pc has hdmi.
     
  12. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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    cool. the receiver looks cool. crutchfield had a demo video of it

    but now that i think of it, i may just want to get the whole system with speakers as well.

    i want mid-range because thats really all the quality i need from it. i really dont listen to a lot of music at home or watch a ton of blu rays. its predominately TV and PS3 games. so im more looking for surround and decent power, not really exceptional quality

    no my PC doesnt have HDMI out. i wonder how much an HDMI cable 25 ft would cost lol
     
  13. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    $28.60
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10240&cs_id=1024012&p_id=4162&seq=1&format=2
     
  14. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    You may just want something like this Maynard:
    http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-S6100&modelid=136&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

    edit:
    $600 at Vann's through amazon
    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S6100-Channel-Receiver-Speaker/dp/B001AMY7ZQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233290919&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Onkyo HT-S6100 7.1 Channel Receiver and Speaker Package: Electronics[/ame]

    Or they have the 7100 for $700
    [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S7100-Channel-Receiver-Speaker/dp/B001AMSPYU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233290919&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: Onkyo HT-S7100 7.1 Channel Receiver and Speaker Package: Electronics[/ame]
     
  15. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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  16. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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  17. unifiedtheory

    unifiedtheory Sub Pending Luxury Box

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    It all depends on how much you want to spend and what is most important. My surround is used for music and music DVD's more than movies so it is built that way.

    With that said, I'm a Denon guy. My receiver and DVD player are Denon and my CD player (the weak link in my system that sits idle, I use my DVD player to play my CDs) will be a Denon at some point. My turn table is a Technics and all my speakers are Energy. They are owned by Klipsch but are a Canadian company. They recently began having speakers made in China BUT some models are made in the U.S. still. All the speakers I own are either made in Canada or the U.S.

    I would NEVER buy a Japanese or Chinese made speaker, just like I'd NEVER buy a power amp for a car that was made anywhere but the U.S.

    If I could only make one recommendation make sure you buy Canadian, U.S. or Euro made speakers. Asian made speakers are trash....IMO.
     
    maynard likes this.
  18. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    lol, it is ok. Lots of people don't know the 1st time. Just don't let it happen again. Monoprice is the place for A/V cables.
     
    maynard likes this.
  19. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Not sure if Onkyo's are made in US, but I think they sound great. I know Onkyo USA is based in NJ, but I don't know where the stuff is made.
     
  20. maynard

    maynard Who, whom?

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    wow. im getting a crash course in this stuff.

    my one hang up is this "pass through" vs. "processed" audio and will determine which one i get. i think im prob gonna go with either the onkyo (thanks stitches) 5100 or the 6100. apparently the main difference is that the 5100 is a pass through while the 6100 is a process

    my question, which im having a hard time finding an answer to is that i have a PS3. do i need to have the signal processed or is pass through sufficient?
     
  21. dolphan117

    dolphan117 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    I use this Callisto Home Theatre Adapter to get audio from my laptop to my receiver and I love it.
    http://www.sondigo.com/store/main?region=na

    For a little lower quality sound you could do this
    http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=10218&cs_id=1021804&p_id=666&seq=1&format=2

    And then connect it with a standard rca cable.
     
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  22. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    You want processed Maynard. The "pass through" only lets the receiver act like a switch, and you want a repeater. The pass-through lets the hdmi signal run right to the tv without pulling out the audio, which is the whole point of the surround sound system. If you want the 5100 or 6100, seriously get the 6100. Since you have a ps3 the 5100 shouldn't be on your radar.
     
    maynard likes this.
  23. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    I got a question of my own, and I am sure a few of you can give a fair opinion. I am (as always) looking to upgrade my set-up a bit. I have these speakers in mind for a 7.1 system (to replace the Onkyo speakers I have), and didn't know if anyone had experience with them before or not or if they had heard good things.

    Infinity PS210 or 212 (sub)
    Infinity PS152 or 162 (surround left/right, rear left/right)
    Infinity P362 (front left and right)
    Infinity PC350 (center)
     

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