Suggestions for surround sound and HDTV please?

Sprigan43 · 12-24-2007, 07:55 PM

Hello all, I'm incredibly new to the "High Definition" hype going on everywhere and I'm looking to make the move. I currently own a Playstation 3 60GB (Great console) and I'm aware of a lot of it's capabilities as far as sound and High Definition. I've been looking to get a HDTV for a while now and I believe a great choice would be Sony's KDL-40XBR4 HDTV. That's about as far as I got in terms of joining the HD revolution.

I want to have a great HDTV and great sound (whether it's surround sound or not) that will stand the test of time (at least a few years). I'd like good sound I can get without ridiculous volume. It's mainly for games and movies, I don't watch much cable or satellite. I'm setting my budget at around $7,000-$8,000 total (Sony HDTV costs about $2,500) and obviously the less I spend the better. I hear Playstation 3 can get 7.1 Surround Sound, is that something I should seriously consider or is it a bit extreme? Any information would be helpful.

If the size of my room would effect speaker options, then I'll inform you that my room is about 16x16. Thank you for your time, and like I said, any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm just overwhelmed by the whole thing and want to be sure I get at least something decent.

~Sprigan43

Sorry, if this is in the wrong spot... I'm not all that familiar with Forums to be honest with you and I'm not sure whether I should put this in the gaming spot (due to it revolving around PS3) or to put it in Speakers & Surround Sound.

jkkyler · 12-26-2007, 08:09 PM

I recently was looking to replace/upgrade my sound and through the advice and wisdom of many people on this forum I made my decisions and am now in rapture over how things sound. What I learned that may be of help is as follows.
You can get general ideas here but ultimately you need to find a room somewhere- dealer soundroom, friend's house, wherever and listen for yourself.
I listened to Paradigm, B & W, Martin Logan, Definitive Technology and a few others a bit. Ultimately I went with Paradigm as the sound quality to me was phenomenal and the value was unmatched by any other brand. (Nearly 1/2 of what the comparable competition cost) but judge for yourself. Take along both a couple of music cd's and dvd's with good sound mixes that you are infinitely familiar with for comparison.
Receivers I looked at and would reccomend are Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha and Marantz, and Integra. (Onkyo and Integra AVR seem to pair well with Paradigm speakers ) , Leaving yourself with $4000+ after TV purchase I think you could come in well under this

Sprigan43 · 12-27-2007, 10:27 PM

awesome, thanks. What you did makes sense, I will take your advice and look into these and try similar ways of decision. Thank you.

Loves2Watch · 12-28-2007, 08:54 AM

Onkyo receivers and Paradigm speakers make the best sound systems at the best price. Go audition some and when you do, take along your own CD with music you are very familiar with so you can compare. You will be amazed.

Mase · 12-28-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

Onkyo receivers and Paradigm speakers make the best sound systems at the best price. Go audition some and when you do, take along your own CD with music you are very familiar with so you can compare. You will be amazed.

I am having a hard time finding any Paradigm retailers here where I live. The ones that seem to carry them only buy for you through the manufacture and do not have any to audition. And trying to find an e-tailer selling them is even more difficult.

RedSIinPA · 12-28-2007, 11:41 AM

there has to be hi-fi stores in an area like Tempe...how are you going about looking for one? Try the yellow pages for starters. And please audition more than Onkyo and Paradigm. There are plenty of combinations worth auditioning if you're new to the scene.

Mase · 12-28-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSIinPA

there has to be hi-fi stores in an area like Tempe...how are you going about looking for one? Try the yellow pages for starters. And please audition more than Onkyo and Paradigm. There are plenty of combinations worth auditioning if you're new to the scene.

There are a few big name ones but no one carrys them in store but they can order for you.. I am just google searching and asking around at the known hi fi places as to where I should go..

I think the Onkyo 605/705 is more in my price range than others with similar capabilites and I dont think I have read or heard one bad think about paradigm since looking into them a couple months ago but I have yet to hear for myself

12-24-2007, 07:55 PM	#1
Sprigan43 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 17	Suggestions for surround sound and HDTV please? Hello all, I'm incredibly new to the "High Definition" hype going on everywhere and I'm looking to make the move. I currently own a Playstation 3 60GB (Great console) and I'm aware of a lot of it's capabilities as far as sound and High Definition. I've been looking to get a HDTV for a while now and I believe a great choice would be Sony's KDL-40XBR4 HDTV. That's about as far as I got in terms of joining the HD revolution. I want to have a great HDTV and great sound (whether it's surround sound or not) that will stand the test of time (at least a few years). I'd like good sound I can get without ridiculous volume. It's mainly for games and movies, I don't watch much cable or satellite. I'm setting my budget at around $7,000-$8,000 total (Sony HDTV costs about $2,500) and obviously the less I spend the better. I hear Playstation 3 can get 7.1 Surround Sound, is that something I should seriously consider or is it a bit extreme? Any information would be helpful. If the size of my room would effect speaker options, then I'll inform you that my room is about 16x16. Thank you for your time, and like I said, any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm just overwhelmed by the whole thing and want to be sure I get at least something decent. ~Sprigan43 Sorry, if this is in the wrong spot... I'm not all that familiar with Forums to be honest with you and I'm not sure whether I should put this in the gaming spot (due to it revolving around PS3) or to put it in Speakers & Surround Sound.

12-26-2007, 08:09 PM	#2
jkkyler High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 40 Posts: 367	I recently was looking to replace/upgrade my sound and through the advice and wisdom of many people on this forum I made my decisions and am now in rapture over how things sound. What I learned that may be of help is as follows. You can get general ideas here but ultimately you need to find a room somewhere- dealer soundroom, friend's house, wherever and listen for yourself. I listened to Paradigm, B & W, Martin Logan, Definitive Technology and a few others a bit. Ultimately I went with Paradigm as the sound quality to me was phenomenal and the value was unmatched by any other brand. (Nearly 1/2 of what the comparable competition cost) but judge for yourself. Take along both a couple of music cd's and dvd's with good sound mixes that you are infinitely familiar with for comparison. Receivers I looked at and would reccomend are Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha and Marantz, and Integra. (Onkyo and Integra AVR seem to pair well with Paradigm speakers ) , Leaving yourself with $4000+ after TV purchase I think you could come in well under this __________________ HT- Panasonic TH-50PZ800U 1080p plasma, Panasonic PT-AX200u LCD projector, Elite Vmax Electric 100' screen, Onkyo TX-NR905 AVR, Paradigm Titan Monitor v5 fronts, Paradigm CC-190 v6 center, Paradigm Atom Monitors v5 surrounds(x4), HSU research VTF-2 sub, xbox360+hd-dvd player ,Sony BDP-S550 blu-ray, D*tv H21 HD-DVR Bedroom: Insignia NS-lcd26, Samsung BDP-1400 blu-ray Whether you think you can, or think you can't - You're Right

12-28-2007, 08:54 AM	#4
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,940	Onkyo receivers and Paradigm speakers make the best sound systems at the best price. Go audition some and when you do, take along your own CD with music you are very familiar with so you can compare. You will be amazed. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player. Friends don't let friends buy Korean brand TV's.

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12-27-2007, 10:27 PM	#3
Sprigan43 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 17	awesome, thanks. What you did makes sense, I will take your advice and look into these and try similar ways of decision. Thank you.

12-28-2007, 11:41 AM	#6
RedSIinPA hd junkie Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Outside Phila. Age: 31 Posts: 899	there has to be hi-fi stores in an area like Tempe...how are you going about looking for one? Try the yellow pages for starters. And please audition more than Onkyo and Paradigm. There are plenty of combinations worth auditioning if you're new to the scene.