**** The Audio and Sound Advice Thread ***

have any idea how these sound?

Polk rm10
KEF KHT2005
Harman Kardon HKTS11/18

which one is the best/worst quality out of these choices?

Quote from Nothar : I am looking to spend around $600 to $700 dollars or less if possible on an audio system. I figured I would have problems with the soundbar thing since the open area would make bouncing the beams pretty tough. Does anyone have experience with a traditional 5.1 system in this type of room? Is there a noticeable loss of surround capabilities since one side of the room is completely open? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Actually my setup is similiar. I have a 18x13 room with a big 10' opening on one side. Its fine with a standard 5.1 setup.

For $600-$700, this could be a tough one. At $300-$500 I can' point someone at Onkyo systems. For $1000 I can put together something using bookshelves.

Here's an idea. Check out your local craigslist and I bet you can find something really nice. I've done it before.

If you want to piece it together using sales/used/clearance, this would be my breakdown:
Receiver $200 - you won't get next gen audio though, but you get deals off slick all the time.
Subwoofer $200 - possibly this:
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/sh...er=300-635

Speaker $300 - I'd go with something like this:
http://www.fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html

Quote from Ed4252 : have any idea how these sound? Polk rm10 KEF KHT2005 Harman Kardon HKTS11/18 which one is the best/worst quality out of these choices?

Never actually heard any of these in real life. Any reason you don't want a larger setup?

Quote from axiom : Never actually heard any of these in real life. Any reason you don't want a larger setup?

I'd like to keep it to just satellites..I don't have enough room for floorstanding speakers--too bulky also.

Quote from Ed4252 : I'd like to keep it to just satellites..I don't have enough room for floorstanding speakers--too bulky also.

That Kef looks a bit pricey. I'd probably get the Polk or HK myself just because of sheer price. Anywhere you can audition these?

Have you considered the Onkyo sets? They are my favorite bang for the buck under-$500 complete set and comes with a good receiver.

Denon has just released their new lineup of receivers with a big list of improvements. Looks like they are taking the Onkyo upgrades seriously. This is great news as Denon has always had great sounding stuff.

Denon introduces 10 new receivers [avsforum.com]

Hey guys.

Looking for a little advice from audio experts as I am new to this area.

I am planning to setup a home theater in my living room ( dimensions 12 ft width x 20 ft length x 10 ft height).

I have a Panasonic VIERA TH-50PC77U 50" Plasma HDTV, gaming console Wii.

I am thinking about Onkyo HTSP904 Reconditioned 5.1-Channel Home Theater Package with DVD, iPod® Dock - $259.10 which is posted at the http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...st11432625

Usage of the home theater would be 75% watching movies and 25% listening to music.

I would really appreciate if this system would be a good buy, any advise for my usage.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

-Mac

Quote from venky_mac : I am thinking about Onkyo HTSP904 Reconditioned 5.1-Channel Home Theater Package with DVD, iPod® Dock - $259.10 which is posted at the http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...st11432625 Usage of the home theater would be 75% watching movies and 25% listening to music. -Mac

Howdy! First thats a really nice TV you go. Love those Panny plasmas.

For that price, the Onkyo set is very hard to beat. I always recommend these box sets for people who want a decent system on the cheap. Take it from someone who has a $4000 fairly decent audio system The weakness in this set, actually in all the Onkyo sets, are the speakers. But the great thing about the Onkyo sets are that they give you a pretty good full blown receiver so you can swap out the speakers in the future.

The one this thing can't do is the HD audio formats or upconversion/upscaling to HDMI. I don't know how important that is to you. You won't get any of these features unless your willing to spend at the minimal $350 for a receiver right now. It does have the entry level Audyssey EQ which is great.

If your in the market, pull the trigger. You won't be disappointed.

Quote from axiom : Howdy! First thats a really nice TV you go. Love those Panny plasmas. For that price, the Onkyo set is very hard to beat. I always recommend these box sets for people who want a decent system on the cheap. Take it from someone who has a $4000 fairly decent audio system The weakness in this set, actually in all the Onkyo sets, are the speakers. But the great thing about the Onkyo sets are that they give you a pretty good full blown receiver so you can swap out the speakers in the future. The one this thing can't do is the HD audio formats or upconversion/upscaling to HDMI. I don't know how important that is to you. You won't get any of these features unless your willing to spend at the minimal $350 for a receiver right now. It does have the entry level Audyssey EQ which is great. If your in the market, pull the trigger. You won't be disappointed.

Hi Axiom,

Thank for your response, I actually bought the HT-SP904.

The way I figured is that model of the receiver for this HT-R557 which is better than the TX-SR505 which itself is selling for 150$ at shop onkyo + HD-DVD Player is around 99$ + 55$ for the IPod Docking station ( all these prices are shoponkyo prices) = 300$ approx.

I am getting the whole system including the speakers for 260$ shipped. So actually I am getting the speakers free.

So, in future if I wanted to replace the speakers as you suggested. I can buy a new pair of speakers.

I really appreciate your feedback. This post has given me a lot of input.

Thanks for your response.

-Mac

Quote from venky_mac : Hi Axiom, Thank for your response, I actually bought the HT-SP904. The way I figured is that model of the receiver for this HT-R557 which is better than the TX-SR505 which itself is selling for 150$ at shop onkyo + HD-DVD Player is around 99$ + 55$ for the IPod Docking station ( all these prices are shoponkyo prices) = 300$ approx. I am getting the whole system including the speakers for 260$ shipped. So actually I am getting the speakers free. So, in future if I wanted to replace the speakers as you suggested. I can buy a new pair of speakers. I really appreciate your feedback. This post has given me a lot of input. Thanks for your response. -Mac

Its a good, solid entry level receiver. Ideally, you can pair it up to any number of very good, fairly efficient speakers later on and get better sound. Don't expect to sell the speakers for too much, they aren't worth a lot.

The cheap Polk stuff we see on slick every so often like the R50s are OK but they aren't a huge step up from the Onkyo. Now the RTI series that were on sale here for $400 a pair were a pretty nice deal for a tower. At this price, you get into what I call "entry level audiophile" gear. Other great speakers at this price are the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170, Onix X-LS and X-SLS, Monitor Audio Bronze series, Paradigm Atom and Mini Monitor, various offerings from JBL, Infinity, Boston Acoustics, Klipsch, and so on. At this price point, you have a huge selection to choose from.

Hi, I am trying to put together my first home theater. I have the following pieces right now:

Sony HD LCD
Toshiba HD DVD A3 (I know it is out, but still a good DVD player
Cable TV

I watch TV 60%, Movie 30% and music 10% or less.

I am going to get a ONKYO TX-SR605 Receiver for its festures at a low price. Now the hard part is the speakers. I am having my eyes on these two set ups:
Athena LS series: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodi...r=ATKLS500
Athena Ws series: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodi...r=ATKWSPK6

Both of which are on clearance. Since I am in a budget around $600 for speakers (5.1) (after the $300 something Onkyo), these seem to fit the bill.

One of my friends even suggests me to go with WS-60 other than the WS-100 for LCR to lower the price for the WS set up. Will that be ok sound qulity wise?

As I said, this is my first try for a HT system, I have little knowledge about how good these speakers are, other than their look and price. Are these good choices for the price. Or, do you guys have better recommendation?

Thanks

Howdy,

That Athena sale is pretty nice. Both systems are a very good price, but if you want the one with better sound quality the LS is your choice. The WS I'm sure is nice but its a lifestyle system... its compromised for form factor. It has that slim look that fits homes better but the big cabinet and bigger woofers of the LS series make it the sound quality choice.

Keep in mind with the LS set, you'll need a sub. The W set has a sub but its only so-so. But the LS is a cheaper set, so I'd grab one of the Dayton subs from partsexpress.com or even better, wait for this sucker to come out:
Scamp-10 sub [tweakcityaudio.com]

Thanks, Axiom. I will check out the subs you mention. I just find out that the WS speakers can be hanged onto the wall together with the LCD. Not sure I want to do that. But that looks cool though.

Quote from axiom : Howdy, That Athena sale is pretty nice. Both systems are a very good price, but if you want the one with better sound quality the LS is your choice. The WS I'm sure is nice but its a lifestyle system... its compromised for form factor. It has that slim look that fits homes better but the big cabinet and bigger woofers of the LS series make it the sound quality choice. Keep in mind with the LS set, you'll need a sub. The W set has a sub but its only so-so. But the LS is a cheaper set, so I'd grab one of the Dayton subs from partsexpress.com or even better, wait for this sucker to come out: Scamp-10 sub [tweakcityaudio.com]

There is a deal on the Onkyo HT-S5100 HTIB...looks to have upconverting and nice features on the receiver.....will put it with a Phillips 120hz 47" lcd.... mostly for TV and movies...

it is on sale for $379....with an Ipod dock.... 7.1...any pluses/minuses?