So THAT'S Surround Sound

[gstelmack]

My tax refund check finally arrived, so I blew $500 of it on getting my Wii hooked up via component cables. My TV only had 3 HD inputs (1 DVI, 2 component), and I already had the cable box, DVD player, and 360 using those, so I needed an upgrade. So my old, venerable, Sony STR-DE835 receiver had to go. It did a great job of switching among my Dolby Digital 5.1 optical sources from the HD equipment, but could only switch S-Video. Usher in the modern age with an Onkyo TX-SR606 receiver with 4 HDMI inputs, 7.1 support, and most importantly Audyssey EQ for automatically setting up the speakers.

Holy smokes what a difference in the audio field. I am NOT an audiophile, so I've never been picky, but after running the Audyssey EQ setup I am amazed at the depth of the surround sound. I could always hear the surround speaker and thought they added a nice touch with some cool effects and minor ambience, but the rebalancing this thing did changed the equation completely, and now all five speakers contribute noticably to the experience when watching a movie.

My only annoyance with the receiver is that the running the component inputs through the HDMI output messed with some colors (Madden on the 360 got noticably darker), so I just ran component out to the TV as well to clear that up. But the audio improvements were amazing with the same speakers.

Anyone looking for a new receiver, I highly recommend getting something with one of the automatic speaker setup routines.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll 2nd Greg's recommendation. Our Denon receiver has automatic speaker setup as well, and the speaker experience is drastically different than our old cheap receiver.

[Rich1033]

Great choice, I have the Onkyo SR605 and love it.

[CU Tiger]

Im an exclusive Harmon Kardan dealer, but Denon makes great products as well.

Quite honestly in the AVR market, ANYTHING is better than SONY. They use a pure digital balance that destroys any sound quality.

The auto set ups are nice for most users, they will not compare to a properly set up and metered system, especially in larger rooms but most will never care.

Congrats on the new system. And BTW once you get used to it, search the web a bit for unlock codes, there are some options you can tweak in there, just dont go outside of recomended parameters if you like yourr equipment....

[kingfc22]

Love my Denon, but nice choice with the Onkyo.

[INDalltheway]

Hey guys, I'm going to bump this thread up to see if I can get a little help for my parents. I am normally pretty well in the know with electronics, but sound systems are not my specialty. Basically, they are looking for something to be compatible with their 46" Samsung LCD..
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=lcdtv&model_cd=LN46A750R1FXZA
Money isn't a huge issue because this system will be utilized often and they don't want to get something that will be outdated quickly. They have been looking at receivers that also have blue ray players built in as that would kill a few birds with one stone. If anyone could help out even a little I would appreciate it. I don't really even know where to start looking besides stores like Best Buy, etc. Another thing they mentioned is keeping everything Samsung. Any thoughts on that?

[Rich1033]

Well as a general rule for stereo equipment, its better to buy things separate. So buy a good blu ray player, then an av receiver, then speakers. Id stay away from anything with a built-in blu ray player.

I use a PS3 as my blu ray player, so I cant really recommend specific models or brands. The heart of the system is the av receiver, Id stick with something from Onkyo, Denon, or Yamaha. Speakers are really your preference, but there are a lof of good brands out there. Head over to avsforum.com for some really good info.

Also, you arent really going to be able to keep everything Samsung. Maybe the blu ray, but id just focus on just getting the best devices regardless of the brand name.

[stevew]

The panasonic bht100 is a really nice blu ray and surround sound unit. Its approx 800.

I'd avoid the samsung sound stuff. Just haven't been that impressed by it.

[INDalltheway]

thanks for the responses guys! My dad is concerned with the simplicity of the above mentioned Onkyo.. That system seems to be the best for under $500. We are off to the home audio store, but I'll be checking this thread on my phone. Thanks again guys.

[gstelmack]

The key for simplicity and ease of use is not the receiver, it's the Logitech Harmony remote you buy to control it all...

[BrianD]

The key for simplicity and ease of use is not the receiver, it's the Logitech Harmony remote you buy to control it all...

This is a strong point. It doesn't really matter how complicated the components are if you get a decent universal remote. Program it to do the complicated stuff and present your parents with a "watch DVD" button and a "watch TV" button...let them be amazed as everything snaps in the proper place to do what they want it to do.

[Anthony]

i don't like my Sony receiver. i currently am using the central speaker, the two front surround speakers and the woofer (haven't got around to setting up the rear surround speakers). have had it for about 6 years. it doesn't seem much sound is coming from my surround speakers. i've tried every thing possible but 95% of my sound seems to come from my central speaker and woofer. fucking sucks.

[CU Tiger]

i don't like my Sony receiver. i currently am using the central speaker, the two front surround speakers and the woofer (haven't got around to setting up the rear surround speakers). have had it for about 6 years. it doesn't seem much sound is coming from my surround speakers. i've tried every thing possible but 95% of my sound seems to come from my central speaker and woofer. fucking sucks.

This is actually as it should be, which honestly is shocking from a Sony AVr. In a standard 5.1 setup your center and two rears provide roughly 80% of your sound. The "fronts" distract and confuse the ears and the woofer plays that bottom 1%, that ecompasses about 70% of the audible range. Sony makes GREAT TVs, but their sound has sucked for a decade and they wont do anything about it. it is way to flat digitally and lacks depth.

[Anthony]

great woofer, but yes i have noticed a very cold, tinny digital aspect to the sound as opposed to a warm, fleshed out depth. based on your post it sounds like i need to be setting up my rear speakers. i want the rears to be wireless - i like to rearrange the furniture every so often and i don't want to be handcuffed to any one layout.

[Anthony]

these (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=U1MGDYRKRV1WDKC4D3GVAHQ?skuId=7916213&type=product&id=1149208179488) are like somthing what i'm looking for! this particular pair are made by bose, too. gonna save up for wiresless speakers, i'll check back in about a month or three and report.

[CU Tiger]

Bose - Better Sound through marketing.
No highs, no lows must be Bose.

That Bose?

Just kidding, a little.

Unless you totally re arrange (front to back)the furniture Id go with in ceiling pendants that can be pointed and aimed. Wireless speakers have the slightest touch of lag that drives me crazy....but Im admitedly very sensitive to it.

[stevew]

I think Sony really took a step back with their 2008 TVs fwiw. I have not seen an XBR 7 or 8 it the xbr 6 is super shitty compared to the 4. I do kinda like the Z series tho. I even think the sharp 85 series beats Sony and its a ton cheaper.

[CU Tiger]

I think Sony really took a step back with their 2008 TVs fwiw. I have not seen an XBR 7 or 8 it the xbr 6 is super shitty compared to the 4. I do kinda like the Z series tho. I even think the sharp 85 series beats Sony and its a ton cheaper.

I cant necessarily say that I disagree at all, only that there worst TVs are still comparable, while Id say there best receivers arent as good as entry level non brands..... Aside I think this is another bad effect of the death of Plasma in the tech race....

[DanGarion]

I'm going to check out Circuit City today and see if they have any decent deals on a new receiver, I really want to replace my 7-8 year old Sony receiver that has done me well throughout the years, but lacks the # of inputs that I desire nowadays (only has 1 digital audio coaxial, and 2 digital optical). I'm looking for something with HDMI inputs and some component inputs (Xbox 360, Cable Box, Old Xbox), I'd like to pass everything through my receiver and then to the TV (because the TV only has one HDMI and 2 component). That's what a lot of the receivers nowadays do right?

[Travis]

I'm going to check out Circuit City today and see if they have any decent deals on a new receiver, I really want to replace my 7-8 year old Sony receiver that has done me well throughout the years, but lacks the # of inputs that I desire nowadays (only has 1 digital audio coaxial, and 2 digital optical). I'm looking for something with HDMI inputs and some component inputs (Xbox 360, Cable Box, Old Xbox), I'd like to pass everything through my receiver and then to the TV (because the TV only has one HDMI and 2 component). That's what a lot of the receivers nowadays do right?

Yessir. Just check and make sure that the HDMI passes through audio and video. Shouldn't be an issue if you're looking at decent stand alone receivers, but I did see some a year or so ago (when I was looking) that were only passing video through HDMI. I've been really happy with my Denon (originally wanted an Onkyo but those are just prohibitive in Canada) and have my PS3 (used for games, DVD's and Blu) and HD PVR both hooked up to it via HDMI then HDMI from the receiver to the TV. Wonderfully simple hookup.

That said, if you get a receiver with 3+ HDMI's, I can't imagine you'll have any issues with the included amount of component inputs. Happy hunting.

[DanGarion]

I'm planning to eventually get a PS3 for the BlueRay capabilities, which then adds to the inputs I needed.

Thanks for the tips. I'm pretty up with these things, I just haven't bought a receiver for a long time.

[Travis]

Given what I've seen of this year's models, you'll have a hard time finding even mid level receivers with less than 3 HDMI's and can get 4 pretty easily.

[DanGarion]

So I'm looking through the Denon eq and I've decided on a price point of around $600.

I'm looking at both the AVR-1909 and the AVR-789, it appears the only difference in the two are they have different microprocessors and different remotes.

My question to the group is if I'm using both component and HDMI inputs with this particular unit (if someone has one like it) could I just use the HDMI out to send both the audio and video to my TV? (I'd be using 2 of the HDMI ins, and probably 3 of the component ins).

[DanGarion]

Not that I'm against spending a bit more and getting one of the 4 input ones like these ones.

AVR-889
AVR-989
AVR-2309CI
AVR-2809CI

Now to check out the Onkyo ones.

[Travis]

I've got the Denon 788. I think the biggest difference is that the 789 has an extra HDMI or two, but in regards to your question about the out, as far as I've experienced, yes, going HDMI from the receiver to the tv will carry video and audio from any style input you're using. I didn't have a full compliment of HDMI cables when I first got my receiver so had a bit of a mix of inputs going on, but have used HDMI from the receiver to the tv since day one and never had any issues.

[DanGarion]

It looks like on the Onkyo side I'd be going with one of these.
TX-SR606
TX-SR806
TX-SR906
Each model up has a little more power and the 906 has 5 inputs.

[DanGarion]

I've got the Denon 788. I think the biggest difference is that the 789 has an extra HDMI or two, but in regards to your question about the out, as far as I've experienced, yes, going HDMI from the receiver to the tv will carry video and audio from any style input you're using. I didn't have a full compliment of HDMI cables when I first got my receiver so had a bit of a mix of inputs going on, but have used HDMI from the receiver to the tv since day one and never had any issues.

Cool, that's how I am too sometimes I just use what I have for the time being and then work on getting things the best they can be eventually. I have a couple HDMIs here and I can always get more from my work (for freeeeeee) :)

[Travis]

Oh, and I'd fully suggest/recommend getting a harmony universal remote if you don't have one already. Fanfreakingtastic devices. I've got the 880 and love how well it syncs all my IR based components (re: won't control the ps3, but I certainly won't complain about being down to 2 remotes).

[gstelmack]

The Onkyo I bought (the 606) can remap inputs to outputs, so yes it can take component and pass it through the HDMI cable. I do have to be careful with order of turning components on, though, as I'll often get a black screen if the component source is not turned on when the Onkyo switches to that input. I have to turn the receiver off and back on after powering up the other device. I took care of most of this in my Harmony remote though.

[DanGarion]

Oh, and I'd fully suggest/recommend getting a harmony universal remote if you don't have one already. Fanfreakingtastic devices. I've got the 880 and love how well it syncs all my IR based components (re: won't control the ps3, but I certainly won't complain about being down to 2 remotes).

Yeah I actually borrowed the one that I had at work since no one was using it... :) I used it once at home and didn't like it the most, but I want to give it another try. There were some weird things that it was doing that were annoying me but it was probably because I wasn't really attempting to fix the wonkiness I felt it was doing.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I figure this is just about as good of a thread as anywhere to ask a few questions.

I'm planning to finish my basement this summer. This includes a home theater area. I'm looking to get a good projector (1080p), a receiver with 3+ HDMI ports, and debating whether to purchase a screen or use the reflective screen paint on drywall to create a faux screen. The area will be completely devoid of light, so no worries on any image fading due to external light. Projection distance will be around 15 feet. I'm looking to do all of this on as small of a budget as I can while avoiding something that's TOO cheap in quality.

Thanks in advance for advice.

[Travis]

Recommendations:

Wire 7.1 even if you're only building a 5.1 system for now. Shouldn't cost you much more to do it now and if you ever decide to add the two speakers at least you'll be set up for them.

From what I was told, receivers are usually the piece you'll replace with regularity so get something that handles your needs, but if you need to invest more, do it with the speakers so you have something you'll be happy with for a prolonged period of time (and if you're building them into the ceiling at all you won't want to be swapping them out too often anyway).

Look for bundle deals. A lot now seem to center around the TV (I haven't checked projectors out locally so no idea if they tend to have the same sort of deals) but I got mine as a receiver/speaker set combo. Saved around $700 and ended up with the pieces I was looking at separately anyways (they threw in an upconverting DVD player as well that I regifted).

Stay away from HtiB kits and wireless rear speakers. Unless the tech levels on both have skyrocketed in the past year or so those were the two areas I was repeatedly told to stay away from.

Visit the blu-ray.com forums and check out their suggestions there. Lots of people with much more experience/knowledge there than I'll ever have in this area. I got lost on a few of the other tech sites trying to figure things out but the blu-ray.com forums did a good job of explaining things that I was able to follow. If you're going to use a PS3 as your center piece to the system there'll be lots of recommendations there for you.

[DanGarion]

I just ran over to Fry's while on lunch and saw a Home Theater System from Onkyo the HT-S9100THX for $999 which is 100 under retail. I'm not a fan of all in one theater systems since I know everyone says you should buy the stuff separate but it seemed like a decent setup. It's close to the TX-SR706 receiver but with some missing inputs (1/2 of the composites are gone and one less digital audio coax).

[DanGarion]

Damn I just found the Onkyo TX-SR806 on Amazon for $618... (retails for 1099) with free shipping. I guess the only thing that sucks when you buy the stuff separate is then trying to figure out what speakers to get.

[DanGarion]

I was able to grab a Onkyo tx-sr806 at Circuit City tonight for just over 650. Got it hooked up to my old Sony fronts and center for now.

[Travis]

Nice! Not sure I've ever read a bad review on an Onkyo, so happy listening!