cappaberra, you're right about getting each piece separately ... most all-in-one HT packages are no good. Anyway, I went through that whole speaker research process, here's what I can say....
I got my HTS a few months ago, all from shopping.yahoo.com . The total was $600, but I believe it was well worth it.
For the speakers, I chose 100W JBL SCS135SI, I got them for $295 . I also bought the matching stands from JBL for $50.
For the receiver, I chose the $238 Pioneer VSX-D711. I figured that I dont need any more than that. It is 5.1 channels, 100W * 5 total power, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic II. 6.1 and 7.1 receivers are overkill for me.
Some good resources I found:
www.crutchfield.com (browse through the products, they give you high-res images of all items, like the BACK of the receiver)
shopping.yahoo.com (to buy the stuff, I recommend that you sort by lowest price and then go up the list to find out who has the lowest shipping/tax)
www.etronics.com (look at the products there under Home Theater)
www.audioreview.com (to read reviews)
Some advice:
- You buy all 6 speaker pieces from a single manufacturer, or at least the fronts, center, and rears from the same company. The subwoofer doesnt really have to match the brand of the 5 speakers, but I think its better if it does. Its important for the system to be acoustically matched.
- You get a receiver with Dolby Pro Logic II (yes, this is VERY important) because most sound (other than DVDs) is not encoded in AC3. Dolby Pro Logic II has a much better way of simulating surround sound in 5 discrete channels, as opposed to crappy Pro Logic I.
- You make sure that the wattage of your speakers you chose is more than or equal to that of the receiver. Otherwise you could risk blowing the speakers.
- You go out and buy high quality cables (optical, coxial, ...). Remember, you get what you pay for ... those extra dollars can make a difference. (just don't spend more than $30 for a cable, after that it's ridiculous *lol)
My recommendations:
RECEIVER:
Pioneer (
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...010400,00.html)
Harman/Kardon (
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...C&prod=AVR7000)
Denon (
http://www.usa.denon.com/)
Onyko (
http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=receivers)
Sony (but not as good as the rest)
SPEAKERS:
JBL (
http://www.jbl.com/home/products/ser...=SCS&CatId=HCS)
HK (
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...CS&prod=HKTS10)
Polk audio (
http://www.polkaudio.com/home/products.php?category=2)
Klipsch (
http://www.klipsch.com/index.asp?pat...&id=43&line=&1)
And again, avoid getting sony speakers .... what they excel in style, they lack in performance.
The system I have right now is amazing, I was watching Jurrasic Park 3 the other day and it blew the roof off! The JBL speakers I have are like little sticks of dynamite, don't be fooled by their small size.
If you'd like some more advice, please send a PM ... I'd love to share my knowledge on this topic and help you assemble a system within your price range.
Last edited by the_chiller at Jul 31 2002, 10:12 PM
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