Surround Sound System

[MashadaR]

Hey all - what type of home theater surround sound system do you have at home? I'm looking to have one bought for me for christmas from my wife, but we are on a budget. Just reciever, speakers and subwoofer - no dvd player,etc needed. I would like a powered subwoofer that does pack some punch, but nothing that would be window shattering...you know?

Any suggestions or help on this matter?

Not looking to spend more than $600.

[deeder7001]

my dad got a decent system from target, i think. it has a 5 disc changer and all the speakers and stuff. $400 i think it was. 575watts(80watt sub). it's a philips. it's a good system. not too flashy or anything.

[baafie]

I have a nice set of jvc shelf speakers+sub and a 5.1 amp and of course a dvd player..

Totals at around $1300

[edit]you can probably get a decent all-in set for 600 some bucks. I suppose it depends on what you want..[/edit]

[shakey_snake]

the only thing that matters:
DTS

[Atmo]

Personally, i hate all-in-one home theatre setups, as every one i've heard sounds like ass - grating treble, peaky midrange, no midbass and subs that can only play down to 70hz or so. Sure, it's probably better than listening to the cheezy speakers built into your tv, but IMHO, they're a waste of money.

My suggestion is to pick up a secondhand 5 channel amplifier and source the other components seperately. Any good name brand amp with decent specs and around 50wrms per channel would be fine. US$150-200 would be enough.

If power tools dont scare you, build your own speakers. 5 decent quality midbass/midrange drivers and tweeters along with crossovers to suit wont cost the earth, and if you build some nice MDF cabinets they should sound very nice - way better than the cheapo satellite speakers in so called 'high end' home theatre setups.

As for the sub, again, i reccomend sourcing the components seperately and building it yourself instead of buy a prebuilt unit. A monoblock with a low pass filter that can output 100wrms or so, a 10" or 12" sub (even car subs are fine) and the materials to build an enclosure to suit should only cost a couple of hundred US$.

Aside from much better sound quality, the other main benefit is that if one component fails, you dont have to go out and buy everything again. If for example you toast the sub, it's a lot cheaper to replace that one component than having to go out and buy a whole new HT setup.

Anyway, they're just my thoughts...

If you do want to buy an all-in-one setup, at least take a few of your favorite cd's along with you so you can audition it.

[Psythik]

well whatever you do, avoid Philips all-in-one deals. Most models, like the MX 3700D don't even have digital imputs, meaning you're stuck with 4.1 Dolby Surround unless you're watching DVDs....

[MegaRock]

The receiver:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-frel5Kd...&avf=N&search=

The speakers:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-frel5Kd...&avf=N&search=

I said to hell with a budget. However for around 600 this is a really good system as well:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-frel5Kd...&avf=N&search=

[Xeaq]

Go for Bose.

Period.

[CaboWaboAddict]

Originally posted by Xeaq
Go for Bose.

Period.

Nuff said

[MegaRock]

Although I agree, Bose don't make receivers, only speakers.

[CaboWaboAddict]

^wrong...

Look Here

[gaekwad2]

Originally posted by Xeaq
Go for Bose.

Period.

>_<

No highs, no lows, it must be Bose!

[UUL]

bose speakers and harman kardon receiver

my dad is planing to buy one (with dvd player) hope he does soon

[MegaRock]

Originally posted by CaboWaboAddict
^wrong...

Look Here

Whoa! Them are some damn expensive boxes though.

[CaboWaboAddict]

Originally posted by MegaRock
Whoa! Them are some damn expensive boxes though.

We have an older one... A Lifestyle 25 with a 6 disck changer. Still sounds real sweet! Just bought a second zone for out on the deck: Amp, waterproof speakers, and RF remote. Haven't got that installed yet.

[MegaRock]

I know I checked out the Wave Radio before, awesome piece of machinery. Didn't know they had got into receivers as well though sine I can't recall seeing any in the retail stores (of course I rarely buy from the Best Buy's and Circui City's anymore because of the lack of selection).

Think I gotta have them send me a catalog.

[Mr Jones]

Bose is overated, try some Boston Acoustic speakers....

[MegaRock]

Actually I love my JBL floor speakers but they are older ones.

[deeder7001]

i have a couple of infinity speakers. they sound awsome. very nice speakers. $30 at a yard sale.

[Tarron_D]

Originally posted by gaekwad2
>_<

No highs, no lows, it must be Bose!

Fucking Amen! Bose sucks.

[crackity]

if you are stuck on that budget and really want to go 5.1 now, your best bet is jsut one of those home theater in a box things....

Personally I would recommend just going for a receiver and a decent set of front speakers. Then when you have more money, can get center/surrounds/sub.

Either way, I would suggest checking out www.avsforum.com and searching around. This type of question has been asked a million times over there.

I am not running anything special but I really do enjoy it:
Yamaha rx-v1400 receiver
Infinity Alpha 50 fronts
Alpha 37c center
Alpha 20 bookshelves
Alpha 1200s sub

Crap I almost forgot to say to stay away from bose's. Way overpriced and you can do much better for your money. I spent about 2200 on my system and am sure it blows away that bose system linked to above

[crackity]

Stupid double post....

[CaboWaboAddict]

Originally posted by crackity
I am not running anything special but I really do enjoy it:
Yamaha rx-v1400 receiver
Infinity Alpha 50 fronts
Alpha 37c center
Alpha 20 bookshelves
Alpha 1200s sub

Crap I almost forgot to say to stay away from bose's. Way overpriced and you can do much better for your money. I spent about 2200 on my system and am sure it blows away that bose system linked to above

When you say your sure it blows away the Bose, it sounds like you didn't do any comparison shopping. I did do alot of comparison listening on all the big name systems, in the same room, before I spent my money and the Bose system I bought sounded the best compared to complete systems costing up to $1000 more. It has a 6 disk CD changer, zone expandability, 5 cube speakers and a sub. Add the price of a changer to yours, and my Bose at $2300 is less expensive.

[EfaustuS9]

I worked in home audio for a while at circuit city and I agree with Mr Jones Bose is overrated. Also don't be misled mearly by watt ratings, often a receiver may profess power but it could be using a low quality sound chip with a high THD (Total harmonic distortion, more important rating of a systems sound quality this is often listed by the seller(sony and pioneer often have the highest THD which is bad)).

If you want sound quality and decent features then I would suggest the following.

Onkyo TX-SR601 Receiver (very low THD, high quality components) Cost: ~430.00

http://shopper.cnet.com/Onkyo_TX-SR6...-30432840.html

The TX-SR501 may fit your budget better sacrificing a few inputs and some watt's, still sounds great though. Cost:~$275.00

http://shopper.cnet.com/Onkyo_TX-SR5...-30432842.html

As for the speaker setup, Polk Audio makes excellent home audio speakers with great fidelity and power.

Polk Audio RM 6700 - home theater speaker system Cost:~$600.00

http://shopper.cnet.com/Polk_Audio_R...-30469561.html

Infinity is Also makes excellent speakers. In your budget I would suggest the Infinity TSS-450 Platinum. Cost: ~$400.00

http://shopper.cnet.com/Infinity_TSS...-30612896.html

Best of Luck

[crackity]

Sorry, I should have put "IMO" all over my reply.

Originally posted by CaboWaboAddict
When you say your sure it blows away the Bose, it sounds like you didn't do any comparison shopping. I did do alot of comparison listening on all the big name systems, in the same room, before I spent my money and the Bose system I bought sounded the best compared to complete systems costing up to $1000 more.

I spent way too much time looking, driving all over town to find dealers with paradigm, B&W, Energy, Polk, Def. Tech, Klipsch, Infinity, KEF, etc and let me tell you, it is a complete pain in the ass as you cannot compare all of these guys head to head unless you take them to your house. Every dealer will only have a couple brands. The system I got was the best compromise between sound and money in my book. I like the sound and they were cheap since the Betas were taking over.

It has a 6 disk CD changer, zone expandability, 5 cube speakers and a sub. Add the price of a changer to yours, and my Bose at $2300 is less expensive.

you win, my 5 disc dvd player was $120, so you are 20 dollars cheaper. :P

No point going any farther off topic as this whole thing doesnt help the initial poster and frankly we both like our own setups so there is nothing to complain about.

[Tarron_D]

www.av123.com Check out their Rocket Tykes system. I personally haven't heard it, but I hear it is fantastic for that price. Oh, and it blows away the best system bose could ever make. Go to any respected home audio forum on the planet and ask about bose, see what they say..

[CaboWaboAddict]

Originally posted by crackity
you win, my 5 disc dvd player was $120, so you are 20 dollars cheaper. :P

No point going any farther off topic as this whole thing doesnt help the initial poster and frankly we both like our own setups so there is nothing to complain about.

I wasn't trying to win... My point is you shouldn't look down on one system versus another unless you have done a side by side comparison playing the exact same media. I did that using my own audio test suite CD and bought the one that I thought sounded best for the money I was willing to spend. I freely admit that I didn't listen to all of the systems in that price range and most likely didn't listen to the one you have. I picked the store with the best selection in my price range, and decided from those.

[Tarron_D]

Cabo: You do realize you overspent by about a thousand bucks? I understand that it sounded like the best one to you in the store, but in reality it was all a gimmick. A few facts about bose that people don't realize when they purchase them is: They don't post specs on their speakers, Their high frequency responce rolls off at a mediocre 15khz, Their bass "Module" cannot be classified as a subwoofer as it simply isn't one by design, The bass module has responce to 35Hz, MAYBE, there are holes in responce where the speakers stop producing sound, and where the sub picks it up. Finally, even in the frequencies the speakers DO play, they are entirely unaccurate, and a fucking disgrace to the artists played through them. Sorry, but you should have read up some more before you bought overpriced crap. Bose is good at only two things: Marketing, and lawsuits. You fell into the trap.

[CaboWaboAddict]

^ Like I said, my wife and I listened to comparably priced systems, using my demo disk, in a living room atmosphere. We both agreed the Bose sounded best in systems that cost up to $1000 more. I don't give a rat's ass about specs. Being the best sounding system on paper doesn't mean a whole lot if it don't sound right to the ear.

By the way the demo disk consisted of samples of all types of music, plus sound fx.

So, if I fell into a marketing trap, life goes on, then ya' die.

[k_rock923]

ack! Bose! They 'sound' better to some people because bose products alter some frequencies to make it sound better.

[CaboWaboAddict]

Isn't that the whole point - good sound?

[Mike H.]

Was this "demo disk" produced by Bose? It probably was, and it was engineered to make Bose equipment sound better than other brands.

[k_rock923]

The whole point is accurate sound

[Atmo]

Originally posted by k_rock923
The whole point is accurate sound

Actually, it depends on the individual. Some people like a system with a warm midrange, some like lots of bass, some like bright treble. Some dont care how it sounds as long as it plays loudly.

A system with a very flat response curve sounds like crap to me. Personally, I prefer an exaggerated bass and a slightly laid back (mellow) midrange. What i dont like are peaks or holes in the response and that's the reason why i dislike most 'lifestyle' or all-in-one setups, as most suffer from that problem.

The bose system that cabo bought probably sounds very good to him, even though it might not suit the taste's of someone else.

Therefore, arguing about how this sounds good and how this sounds bad is pointless...just like arguing that women with red hair are better than women with blonde hair. It's all in the eye (or ear in this case) of the beholder.

Of course some people put on the rose colored glasses when talking about gear they own, and will argue to death about how much they like it, even if they think it's crap (generally because they dont want to look like a dickhead who's paid good money for something they dislike). It happens with everything...

Also remember that all recordings are mixed by a sound engineer before mastering, often to the point that they sound totally different to the original recording...so even with an 'accurate' system, you're still not getting an 'accurate' reproduction.

To quote someone wiser than i am:

you're not listening to the original recording when you play a CD, you're listening to a recording engineers interpretation of how he thinks it sounds best

[CaboWaboAddict]

Originally posted by Mike H.
Was this "demo disk" produced by Bose? It probably was, and it was engineered to make Bose equipment sound better than other brands.

It was made by myself using a mix of Classical, Pop, Rock, Metal, Blues and Sound FX.

Originally posted by Atmo
Actually, it depends on the individual...

Thanks!