I am completely lost with all of this HT talk...

Hey guys, I just purchased a Panny TC-P42G15 TV for my bedroom and am looking for a nice HT setup that will compliment it. From reading and comparing to other people, it seems that a 5.1 setup will be good, correct? This means I need a receiver, speakers, a center console, and a sub? After that I am COMPLETELY lost. I do not know what is good brand wise and what is crap (Except I know to stay away from Bose). I also don't know how much to spend on each piece. Im not looking to spend a mint as I am a college student, but I want the "best bang for the buck" I can get. Any help (personal help, links, threads) would be great. Like I said, everything is like spanish to me right now :banghead:

BTW, my room is 10x14

Thanks

Well you can start by looking at some of these and get an idea of what you can get for your money.http://hometheater.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/aatphtiba.htm If you don't want to do a HTIB then you can start with a reciever. Pioneer and Onkyo have some nice reasonably priced units that will have all the new HD audio capabilities. As far as speakers go you need to decide on size and ofcourse budget.

By how big for speakers do you mean towers vs. Bookshelves vs. Wall units?

Also, are HTIB's decent or no? How credible is that link you posted?

Exactly, Do you have the room or a preference for towers or will a smaller speaker fit your room and budget better. As far as the link it is credible and that list has some very good ideas if you go that route. You should be able to go and listen to some of those at your local audio store. It really is a good idea not to rush into things and listen,listen,listen to as many as you can. Now your budget will dictate what you can do so how much can you spend? I like seperates and if you are short on cash then maybe save a little longer and go check out some recievers at BB or your local store. If you have a higher end store near you go ask questions and get some ideas. It costs you nothing to research this stuff and you will be happier with your decision in the end.

Take a look at this. It will do everything you need now and in the foreseeable future -

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS7100/Onkyo/HT-S7100-7.1-Channel-Receiver/-Speaker-Package-BLACK/1.html

Take a look at this. It will do everything you need now and in the foreseeable future -

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS7100/Onkyo/HT-S7100-7.1-Channel-Receiver/-Speaker-Package-BLACK/1.html

Thanks! What makes it so good? I dont have room behind my viewing area, so 7.1 wouldn't work right? Sorry for all the questions

What makes it so good ? Well, it can decode ALL high def audio codecs ( something most HTiBs cannot do ), it has 4 HDMI REPEATER inputs ( again, most HTiBs only have 1 or 2 PASS THROUGH inputs, if any at all ), it has the Audyssey set up, each input is independently programmable, and it can be configured as a 5.1 system should you desire and the Audyssey system will program it for you ( but you may want to go ahead and put the rear surrounds behind you for true 7.1 sound ), each speaker pair and subwoofer have individual equalizers and sound levelers, it comes with an iPod dock, has PLENTY of power, comes with decent 2-way speakers and an outstanding subwoofer, it can be upgraded with even better speakers at a later time as funds become available, and the list goes on and on. Onkyo is definitely the BEST bang for the buck going, and is unlikely to become obsolete in the foreseeable future. I purchased mine a year ago and have just upgraded the speakers - WOW - what was GREAT sound just became UNBELIEVABLE ( many HTiBs have non-upgradeable proprietary speaker connections ). This is a FANTASTIC price on the HT-S7100 !!! I wouldn't hesitate. :2cents

Thanks! What makes it so good? I dont have room behind my viewing area, so 7.1 wouldn't work right? Sorry for all the questions

I agree with the previous post and will add that it will sound super as a 5.1 system. That's what I use as there is not too much difference between that and a 7.1 system unless it is setup perfectly and you are seated in one position. 5.1 works great...


Hope this helps

I agree with the previous post and will add that it will sound super as a 5.1 system. That's what I use as there is not too much difference between that and a 7.1 system unless it is setup perfectly and you are seated in one position. 5.1 works great...


Hope this helps

Thanks for all the help! And thanks for that great description HidefRev. Im going to have to wait until summer, but this system sounds great.

Thanks again.

What makes it so good ? Well, it can decode ALL high def audio codecs ( something most HTiBs cannot do ), it has 4 HDMI REPEATER inputs ( again, most HTiBs only have 1 or 2 PASS THROUGH inputs, if any at all ), it has the Audyssey set up, each input is independently programmable, and it can be configured as a 5.1 system should you desire and the Audyssey system will program it for you ( but you may want to go ahead and put the rear surrounds behind you for true 7.1 sound ), each speaker pair and subwoofer have individual equalizers and sound levelers, it comes with an iPod dock, has PLENTY of power, comes with decent 2-way speakers and an outstanding subwoofer, it can be upgraded with even better speakers at a later time as funds become available, and the list goes on and on. Onkyo is definitely the BEST bang for the buck going, and is unlikely to become obsolete in the foreseeable future. I purchased mine a year ago and have just upgraded the speakers - WOW - what was GREAT sound just became UNBELIEVABLE ( many HTiBs have non-upgradeable proprietary speaker connections ). This is a FANTASTIC price on the HT-S7100 !!! I wouldn't hesitate. :2cents

Which Onkyo receiver does this set come with?

Which Onkyo receiver does this set come with?

It's basically a 607 minus a few inputs that you probably wouldn't use anyway.

It's basically a 607 minus a few inputs that you probably wouldn't use anyway.

Cool. Thanks again.

With the Onkyo set listed, are the speakers detachable from the stands? Can I mount them on the wall?

With the Onkyo set listed, are the speakers detachable from the stands? Can I mount them on the wall?

Yes, the stands are additional and not part of the speaker.

Looked at the specs, surpisingly good feature set on the receiver for HTIB. Couldn't tell if it has pre-amp outs or not, which you should look at making sure your receiver has.

That receiver does not have pre-outs, so if you wanted to upgrade speakers to something more powerful in the future, you will have to sell what you have and buy somethign different. That is the only regret I have when buying my Onkyo 606. Upgraditis has caught me, and now I have a MUCH more powerful speaker setup, and feel the Onkyo is lacking. I agree that it sounds great, but I'm not sure it would be an accurate statement if I were to say, "It's all you ever need". Looking back on it, I wish I got somethign with Pre-outs so I could plug in some clean power from an amp and really make my new speakers sing. BTW, if anyone is looking for a lightly used, lightly pushed Onkyo 606, hit me up :) (Shameless plug).

If you want some receiver suggestions that have preouts, let me know.

Pycroft

Couldn't tell if it has pre-amp outs or not, which you should look at making sure your receiver has.
Why? For a college student's bedroom system?

Looking back on it, I wish I got somethign with Pre-outs so I could plug in some clean power from an amp and really make my new speakers sing.
That's fine if you want to rely on an entry level receiver to do all the audio processing. When you consider the cost of a good multichannel amp, I think you're better off upgrading to a better AVR.

Why? For a college student's bedroom system?

For the reasons that were mentioned by another forum member and my own experience when I purchased the 605.

If the OP has no plans to want to add additioal power in the foreseeable furture, then it's not an issue. Just want to make him aware that he will not be able to add additional amps and that he'll have to pick up a new pre/pro when if/when he decides to go that route. There are a ton of inexpensive receivers out there that provide this functionality to scale at a reasonable price. Something I wish I had considered back in the day, but we all learn.

An amp adds clean, dedicated power to speakers. Yes, you can upgrade the AVR to something more powerful, but an AVR is also doing video processing, decoding, etc. Most would probaby agree that you would get a better sound out of speakers with an amp that's only job is to provide power, and not deal with the other things an AVR does. That's not saying that a high quality AVR can't do a good job, but which does better is up to the listener. I was just speaking from my specific experience and what I wished. I originally bought Polk audio monitor 50's, 30's, and a CS1. Nice beginner HT system powered by the 606. I now have Polk audio RTA 11 TL's, and a CS400 center channel, both are much more powerful. The onkyo does fine, but I think the onkyo lacks a bit in music listening (I do listen - about 65/35 HT/Music), and an amp would help clarity, quality, etc.

What the OP decides is up to him. I'm sure an Onkyo 607 would do very well, but saying if he has plans to upgrade, he may want to consider something with pre-outs..again...I wish I did.

Pycroft

Pycroft, I would love some pre amp suggestions...

Check your PM

Pycroft, I would love some pre amp suggestions...

Anthem Statement D-2...