Home Theater Systems

[kcwolf]

Need a little help from my friends. Don't know crap about this stuff. Went browsing at Best Buy and Circuit City and was awakened to the new technologies out there.

I presently have ditigal cable and a modest Sony 32" hooked up to my stereo system, no surround sound, or the latest, greatest - whatever it's called. No dvd player.

Thought I'd spend some of my profits this past year and looking for good experiences from my Madjacker community of friends.

I keep hearing about some big change in 2006, and should get into the wide, rectangular screens in anticipation of this change.

The wife likes Sony's HD 57" rectangular screen, dvd that plays cd's etc with a 5 speacker set up.

Total cost of around $3800 as I remember.

Like I've said, I really don't know the correct terminology or what is the best.

Please help and thanks in advance!

 

[MadJack]

piece it all together and make sure you get the bose surround sound system. it sounds better than at the movies. promise! not sure of the model i have but can get it if you want. it's 5 pairs of those little speakers and the big sub-woofer. women like it too because the speakers are small. they sound GREAT though

i used my own receiver too as opposed to the one in the bose package. i didnt like theirs as much as mine. whatever. have fun!

 

[redsfann]

Been a LONG while since I've updated any of my audio or video equipment-- heck, I'm still a dolby Pro-Logic surround sound kinda guy....

Only advice I can offer, KcWolf, is to STAY AWAY from the big box superstores. The "salespeople" there don't know chit, and often times the money you spend there can go just as far as it can at a stereo shop.
There have got to be a half-dozen or more boutique stereo retailers in Kansas City-- check them out, have an idea of what you are looking for, and have a dollar amount in mind as to what you want to spend.
Better yet, find time this week-end to make a run over to Hawkeye Audio in Iowa City. Everything I own short of my TV I've bought from them.

 

[barfly]

KC,

I just this week completed putting together my system. If you want, send me an email with your # and I'll give ya call to discuss more in depth.

First off, You must set a budget.

Most important is your receiver (actually it's the amp that's in the receiver). DTS decoding capability is a must.

Upper end brands
Denon
Onkyo
Yamaha
Pioneer Elite Series

Next Level
Kenwood
JVC
Sony
Pioneer


Second, are the speakers. Although, as Jack stated, the Bose satellite speakers are great sounding speakers, I went with 4 floor standing tower speakers (2 for the front & 2 for the rear), a large center channel speaker for the front, and a powered subwoofer. It's large, but it sounds incredible, even a low volumes. I went with larger speakers because the sound reproduction is better than even the best satellite system. The fact that the speakers are pro audio studio quality doesn't hurt either.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but if ya want to talk just let me know. I'd be more than happy to help ya out.

------------------
Make mine a Double!,
Barfly

 

[Gatorbait]

Was getten' ready to tell you about Fly's new purchase......no need now.

Have a good holiday KC!

 

[EMJ32]

KC, It would be my pleasure to lend a hand here. You have contributed so much to this forum and my bankroll.

Prior to purchasing my system, I did all the research. In my opinion, the Onkyo tx-ds575x receiver is the best! The 5 speaker system will blow you away. This receiver has DTS capabilities which will allow you to play the new DTS recorded CD's. The sound will amaze you!

As for the speakers, the Bose system is very impressive. I chose the Infinty speakers instead. I felt that the sound was comparable and the Infinity's were a better value.

I've got the Sony 63'' TV and I love it. Pop in a DVD, and like Jack said it's better than going out. When you play a DTS CD, you will feel like you're at a concert!

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, Jack has my email address.

Enjoy!!

 

[loophole]

just had new system installed. top of the line yamaha eight channel receiver, sony dvd player, seven ceiling mounted audiovox speakers, yamaha subwolfer. the effect is truly mindnumbing. too bad this stuff wasn't around in the sixties when i was still dropping acid.

its so cool to be able to load dvds and cds in the same rack. and the satellite football games are great with the receiver effects. great toy.

[This message has been edited by loophole (edited 11-22-2001).]

 

[Dr Feelgood]

Kc,
I'd be glad to help you for once. I am by no means an electronics expert, but like you I won some $$$ last year and wanted to spend some to make my hobby more enjoyable. I went to my local Tweeter Electronics store and with the help of a close friend got an Awesome system for about 5,300 dollars but I will NOT have to buy another piece for as long as I live.

If you want some reading material, go to Crutchfield.com and print out their Home Theatre system manual. It has some great information in it.

Secondly, my advice to you is to buy some of the equipment off places like E-Bay. It can save you some serious $$$.

I would start off by saying the most important part of the System is the TV. I think Mitsubishi sells the best TV's for the price and they are damn near the best quality I have seen in ANY TV. I bought a 55" High Definintion/Digital TV. I think the model was the Mitsubishi 55-803. This TV is awesome. But you need the space for it. It cannot go in your standard 12 by 12 room or you will be too close to it to get the true picture it delivers. About 3,000 (probably cheaper now as I've had it for almost a year now).

I will try not to be too long winded here, but I want to give you as many details as possible.

The next part of the system was already mentioned by MadJack. It is the Bose Surround system. I have the Lifestyle Series II 25 model. They also come in smaller and less expensive versions, but the one I bought is in the middle of the pack (in their line) and serves me extremely well.THe sound is incredible when playing CD's, listening to TV or Movies. I really mean incredible. The remote works all over the house (it is infared). You can take it with you and turn the music up to hear it in another room. It comes with 5 pairs of cubed speakers, a subwoofer (for bass) and a 6 CD changer (the lesser models only have a single CD player). It is ver easy to set up as well. I got it off E-Bay for about 1,600---it books for 2,500.

I bought a Mitsubishi DVD player. It is a top of the line DVD player (DD--6000)without the price. I got this off E-bay for about 650 (also should be cheaper now). My favorite movie is Braveheart, and I never saw it at the movies, but it really can't get any better than it does when I watch it on my system. You won't believe it when you hear screams coming out of one speaker, while the the horses feel like they are riding right up your back.

I also added a new Mitsubishi High Def/Digital Satellite this year, but that is optional for you. I got the dish for the NFL package as well as every other Sports package there is.

I am running out of time here so I will cut it short here. If you have any other questions drop me a line (Jack can give you my e-mail address). I'd be happy to help you for once.

--DF

 

[kcwolf]

Thanks for all the great replies. Thinking about waiting until after the first of the year - better prices?

Jack, hate to be a pain in the butt, but feel free to give out my email address to all that replied - great comments by all. Would like to converse more, if anyone is willing to email me.

Thanks again!

kcwolf

 

[hellah10]

hey KC...Iam an audio/video salesman..I can help ya out. email me hellah10@hotmail.com

I`ll answer any and every question you have.

 

[Neemer]

I'm currently in the same market for a home theatre system. The more I look, the more confused I get! I'm no technical wizard, but I do know the basics of a home theatre system. I just really don't think you can go wrong with a Bose, Yamaha, & Denon. My main concerns are affordability, sound clarity, and space used. I keep seeing advertisements for the Bose 1 2 3 system. I'm guessin' the biggest advantage of this system is its number of parts. Instead of the standard two fronts, two backs, sub, and TV speaker, the Bose 123 consists of only three individual parts. I'm assuming the sound clarity is above average since it's a Bose. I believe ya can get one for a total of $599 dollars. Since my investigation, I've been really surprised of the wide range in price. Can ya get a decent system for $299????????

 

[hellah10]

The Bose 3-2-1 system is awesomeeeeeeeee. All it is 3 wires, 2 speakers, and 1 unit...hence the name 3-2-1. Of course theyget better with the Lifestyles 28 with the double cube direct/reflect speakers with video stage 5 technology and acoustimass technology. Also comes with an RF remote! I myself have a Harman/Kardon reciever and JBL surround sound. BOSE rocks.

OD

 

[Neemer]

For the average Joe, can ya tell much of a difference between the Bose 321 and their Lifestyle systems? I've been musically challenged my entire life, so for me to recognize a significant difference between the two systems, it would have to be REALLY apparent. The Bose 321 is much cheaper than the basic Lifestyle system & was wondering if this difference could be heard in the system's sound clarity....??

[This message has been edited by Neemer (edited 12-02-2001).]

 

[hellah10]

well with the lifestyle..especially the 28 system...you get video stage 5. thats a big deal if you want to listen to EVERYTHING in surround sound. thats counting..dvd..vcr...tv...casseste player..record player..anything!!!! Digital or analog! it takes any signal and decodes it to 5 different sounds. the RF remote is cool to...you can take a piss upstairs and higher the volume. OH and I forgot to add that with the Lifestyles(execpt the 12) you can 2 zones. zone 1 can be your surround sound downstairs and you can use zone 2 with a pair of speaker upstairs...and have them running at the same time! so you can be watching mummy returns downstairs and at the same time your girl can be listening to kenny g upstairs. its a great feature. also with the direct/reflect speakers..you can take real good advantage of what it gives ya if you put them in a corner and twist the double cubes speakers so that one speaker has its sound bounce off the wall while the other speaker faces towards you with a direct sound. look at the diagram if i lost ya...

 

[Skinar]

I used four Bose bookshelf speakers for the front and back, small footprint, great sound, much better than those little bitty Bose speakers they used to sell with their standard surround system. Then I bought a Velodyne powered subwoofer that you can hear from about two blocks away if cranked all the way up (which we never do, but it's great for scenes with explosions, car crashes, etc, really shakes the walls), then last I bought an Infinity center speaker, low profile, sits right on top of the TV. I didn't have enough cash to buy it all at once so I pieced it together. My tuner/amp is a little old now (7 years) so I'm looking at a replacement for it.

 

[Phil Turcotte]

I purchased a Panasonic 47..49 47" widescreen HDTV from Circuit City in September. Total was just around $2400 including extended warranty. No complaints, TV is amazing

 

[djv]

Sony TV's are great. At one time in the USA everyone wanted RCA or Zenith. Not so to day. Sony or Hitachi. Got my first 32" Sony 11 years ago. It was great stuff 11 years ago. It still is today has surrond sound, split pitcure watch two shows at once. Not PIP. It splits screen down the middle. I can watch two games at once. You get sound from one only however. But not one repair has been needed. I liked it so much my Son got a Sony 9 years ago 35" I believe. Again never one service problem. And a good friend of mind bought there 50' about 6 years back. No service man has had to visit. I mention Hitachi. Thats because my Sister has there 55". She got it about 4 years ago. And has had zero problems. Your idea of better price after XMas might not be true this year. Look Close. Some places need anyones business and the deals are there.

[This message has been edited by djv (edited 12-03-2001).]