The Audiophile Thread

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

My center speaker is about an inch or two above the screen, but I don't notice it really.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

My center speaker is about an inch or two above the screen, but I don't notice it really.

So is mine, but from my seating position it's not a problem, especially with letterbox content. It also helps that the CS10 cuts down in the back.

If I went Klipsch for the center again though, for instance, not only is it boxed all the way around, but it's definitely one or two inches bigger, and would be incredibly problematic for the bottom cut-off, even at my seating position. I'd rather wait it out. Besides, I'm sure I'm not maximizing my center's capabilities with the RX-V667 anyway.

[adice15]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I'm a newbie at surround sound stuff, so forgive me.

I'm looking to purchase this, and I have some questions about it. I'm assuming I'd need a receiver, correct? And if so, how exactly does that stuff work?

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I'm a newbie at surround sound stuff, so forgive me.

I'm looking to purchase this, and I have some questions about it. I'm assuming I'd need a receiver, correct? And if so, how exactly does that stuff work?

You'll definitely need a receiver. Looks like you'll need speaker wires unless you already have some.
You connect each speaker to it's correct terminal on the AVR. The ideal setup is to have all of your devices feed into the AVR then have 1 HDMI cable connect the AVR to your TV.

How much you looking to spend on a receiver?

5.1 receivers start around $150 but most are in the $200-350 range. Obviously you can spend a whole lot more than that...

[RockinDaMike]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Amazon usually has some great specials. I got the same receiver as blzr for free with the purchase of harmon kardon 5.1 speakers for 700 total in 2010.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Amazon usually has some great specials. I got the same receiver as blzr for free with the purchase of harmon kardon 5.1 speakers for 700 total in 2010.

I did the same deal.

In fact, adice, I don't use my HK speakers/subwoofer anymore since upgrading everything. You want to take that stuff off my hands? Maybe a shipping fee might be all that I need.

[adice15]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I did the same deal.

In fact, adice, I don't use my HK speakers/subwoofer anymore since upgrading everything. You want to take that stuff off my hands? Maybe a shipping fee might be all that I need.

Thanks for the offer. I'll definitely consider it, but first I'm looking at the Panasonic SC-BTT195 since it comes with everything in the box. Anyone know if it's any good?

Also, how hard would it be to use the PS3 as the blu-ray player instead of the one it comes with?

EDIT: After looking at it more, it says it only has one HDMI Output and one optical imput. Would that mean I couldn't use HDMI for the blu ray player?

[adice15]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

You'll definitely need a receiver. Looks like you'll need speaker wires unless you already have some.
You connect each speaker to it's correct terminal on the AVR. The ideal setup is to have all of your devices feed into the AVR then have 1 HDMI cable connect the AVR to your TV.

How much you looking to spend on a receiver?

5.1 receivers start around $150 but most are in the $200-350 range. Obviously you can spend a whole lot more than that...

I'm looking to spend about $200-300 total. I know I can't get anything great with that, but I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Thanks for the offer. I'll definitely consider it, but first I'm looking at the Panasonic SC-BTT195 since it comes with everything in the box. Anyone know if it's any good?

Also, how hard would it be to use the PS3 as the blu-ray player instead of the one it comes with?

EDIT: After looking at it more, it says it only has one HDMI Output and one optical imput. Would that mean I couldn't use HDMI for the blu ray player?

To be honest, that looks like a waste of money if the PS3 is going to be your blu ray player.

You'd be better off looking for a HTIB that has a real receiver. (PS3 would be an input device)

For $400 you can get a decent 5.1 AVR, a 5.0 set of speakers and 10-12" powered subwoofer --which will sound better than 99% of those HTIBs.

For Example:

This 7.1 Sony Receiver for $190 http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDH520-...s=5.1+receiver

This Onkyo 7.1 speaker package for $200 http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT54...speaker+system

And about $15-20 for speaker wire.



If $300 is your max budget get a HTIB that has a dedicated AVR not a blu player acting as a receiver.

If this is going to be your main setup, I would seriously consider piecing it together.

Good luck.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

Thanks for the offer. I'll definitely consider it, but first I'm looking at the Panasonic SC-BTT195 since it comes with everything in the box. Anyone know if it's any good?

Also, how hard would it be to use the PS3 as the blu-ray player instead of the one it comes with?

EDIT: After looking at it more, it says it only has one HDMI Output and one optical imput. Would that mean I couldn't use HDMI for the blu ray player?

The PS3 will be a better Blu-ray player than any HTiB combo player/receiver. It's one of the best ones out there, actually.

Did you say that the receiver only has one HDMI output, or the Blu-ray player? Either way, one is all that you need. The direction goes as follows:

Blu-ray player -> Receiver -> Darblet -> HDTV

So you will go HDMI out on your PS3 and HDMI in on your receiver, then HDMI out to wherever else, etc. If you use HDMI, optical won't be necessary.

[adice15]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

To be honest, that looks like a waste of money if the PS3 is going to be your blu ray player.

You'd be better off looking for a HTIB that has a real receiver. (PS3 would be an input device)

For $400 you can get a decent 5.1 AVR, a 5.0 set of speakers and 10-12" powered subwoofer --which will sound better than 99% of those HTIBs.

For Example:

This 7.1 Sony Receiver for $190 http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDH520-...s=5.1+receiver

This Onkyo 7.1 speaker package for $200 http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT54...speaker+system

And about $15-20 for speaker wire.



If $300 is your max budget get a HTIB that has a dedicated AVR not a blu player acting as a receiver.

If this is going to be your main setup, I would seriously consider piecing it together.

Good luck.

This would be my main setup, so I'll take a look at piecing it together. I did a little bit of research on it and I saw that anything decent would be about $400-500, so that's when I decided to look for HITB. But if a 3D capable 7.1 would be about $400, would that mean that a 5.1 2D version would be about $300? The room this is going in is too small for 7.1 and I don't have any plans to get a 3DTV.

The PS3 will be a better Blu-ray player than any HTiB combo player/receiver. It's one of the best ones out there, actually.

Did you say that the receiver only has one HDMI output, or the Blu-ray player? Either way, one is all that you need. The direction goes as follows:

Blu-ray player -> Receiver -> Darblet -> HDTV

So you will go HDMI out on your PS3 and HDMI in on your receiver, then HDMI out to wherever else, etc. If you use HDMI, optical won't be necessary.

Thanks for clearing that up. I think the blu-ray player also functions as the receiver, so that's why I was getting confused.


Also, could either of you recommend the best brands to get?

EDIT: If getting a HITB with the Blu-Ray player also being the receiver is the cheapest option, I would be ok with that as long as the blu-ray player was updated regularly.

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

AVS has a dedicated sub-forum for that. You could just look in there and see what < $500 options there are. I would say that Onkyo is one of your best bets for an HTiB at that price point, simply because they are pretty decent with receivers, speakers, and subs.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

This would be my main setup, so I'll take a look at piecing it together. I did a little bit of research on it and I saw that anything decent would be about $400-500, so that's when I decided to look for HITB. But if a 3D capable 7.1 would be about $400, would that mean that a 5.1 2D version would be about $300? The room this is going in is too small for 7.1 and I don't have any plans to get a 3DTV.



Thanks for clearing that up. I think the blu-ray player also functions as the receiver, so that's why I was getting confused.


Also, could either of you recommend the best brands to get?

EDIT: If getting a HITB with the Blu-Ray player also being the receiver is the cheapest option, I would be ok with that as long as the blu-ray player was updated regularly.

If you can stretch your budget to $350: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-397...words=5.1+HTIB

Key Features:
Auto room calibration/set-up It will take your room dimensions into account and set up each speaker
A real subwoofer (active is ALWAYS better than passive) Night and Day difference


To go any cheaper you lose both of them, which I wouldn't recommend---especially the active sub.


I love active subs.

To answer your question directly:

Yamaha and Onkyo are going to be your best options in this price range.

The reason why I wouldn't recommend any HTIB that has a blu ray player acting as the receiver is this--limited connections (inputs), passive subwoofer and nearly impossible to upgrade.

[adice15]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

If you can stretch your budget to $350: http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-YHT-397...words=5.1+HTIB

Key Features:
Auto room calibration/set-up It will take your room dimensions into account and set up each speaker
A real subwoofer (active is ALWAYS better than passive) Night and Day difference


To go any cheaper you lose both of them, which I wouldn't recommend---especially the active sub.


I love active subs.

To answer your question directly:

Yamaha and Onkyo are going to be your best options in this price range.

The reason why I wouldn't recommend any HTIB that has a blu ray player acting as the receiver is this--limited connections (inputs), passive subwoofer and nearly impossible to upgrade.

I was considering that one and this one: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...Speaker+System

Another question: Would both of those be upgradable? Say if I wanted a bigger subwoofer, would I be able to replace the one that comes with it?

[Blzer]

Re: The Audiophile Thread

I was considering that one and this one: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...Speaker+System

Another question: Would both of those be upgradable? Say if I wanted a bigger subwoofer, would I be able to replace the one that comes with it?

It will be compatible, but if you have speakers that are asking for more power than the receiver can handle, then it can strain your receiver, and in effect actually damages the speakers.

Hard to explain because I don't speak the technical jargon, but if you look it up using the right terms, you might get what I'm saying.

I would suggest that you either stick with a complementary HTiB or get a receiver separately and build piece-by-piece, but not a combination of the two.