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Help me make decisions, more experienced a/v peeps! I have slowly been investing more into my home theater stuff over the years. A few years ago I got a cheap Onkyo 7.1 HTIB, but ran it in 5.1 mode due to having no space for 4 surround speakers. I've replaced the fronts and center with nice used Paradigm equipment, but am still running the cheap subwoofer and surrounds. I'm interested in upgrading my receiver. The main things I'd like to have the receiver do are: - sound REALLY REALLY GOOD for stereo sources. I have a good turntable front end and a squeezebox for digital music, and right now I feel the Onkyo doesn't really have enough balls to power the front speakers. I prefer to listen to music without the subwoofer (in what Onkyo calls "Direct" mode - just 2 channels), so something that can power the fronts alone and sound really nice is a priority. - losslessly pass-through 1080p content (seems like a given now) - (less important) convert legacy stuff (s-video, component) to HDMI output. I still have some random stuff like a PS2 I play from time to time - being able to do Spotify seems fun The recently mentioned TX-NR709 seems to do all that, but I'm not sure if it's overkill. I live in a city apartment, so my living space isn't huge and I don't need ultra powerful audio. I also have other ways to play Spotify, and have the Squeezebox and such so it's not like I'm lacking for music options. What I'm primarily concerned with is flexible I/O and great quality sound. The Onkyo I have right now is surprisingly good for what it is, but can't pass through 1080p, doesn't process audio over HDMI, and doesn't power my front channels enough for great sound. I've also been contemplating upgrading my subwoofer. There has to be some reason good subs cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars, right? I imagine the cheap one that came with the HTIB is probably really bad. Would that be a good bang for my buck along with a new amp?
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Dec 9, 2011 17:20
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I've got another question, how can I take my OTA antenna and plug it into a receiver? I don't think my TV supports return audio via hdmi 1.4 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VRJ3FG) So right now I have the DB2 Antenna (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EHUE7I) plugged directly into the TV, but when I get a receiver I'd like the OTA channels to come out my receiver as well, how would I go about doing that? pre-post-edit: found out the boxee I have will get a TV dongle, feel like this might be my only way to do this. http://blog.boxee.tv/2011/11/16/boxee-live-tv-is-coming-time-to-cut-the-cord/#idc-cover edit2: n/m ILikeVoltron fucked around with this message at 06:41 on Dec 10, 2011 |
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Dec 10, 2011 06:16
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ShaneB posted:- sound REALLY REALLY GOOD for stereo sources. That's a really hard one for surround receivers. You could try out something from Marantz, maybe a SR6005, SR6006 or SR7005 depending on the features you want, but I think we are hitting the upper limit of your budget. SR6005 is pretty cheap since it's going away so that's probably your best bet. If stereo sound quality is paramount, get a stereo receiver and new speakers for your home theater. I run my systems separate partially for this reason. Take a day, get out and listen to what's available. Technical features are easy enough to research beforehand, but sound quality is also a subjective experience.
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Dec 11, 2011 23:38
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ILikeVoltron posted:I've got another question, how can I take my OTA antenna and plug it into a receiver? I don't think my TV supports return audio via hdmi 1.4 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VRJ3FG) So does your TV not have a digital out, or is there some other reason you can't take the audio from the TV into the receiver?
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Dec 12, 2011 12:37
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Hippie Hedgehog posted:So does your TV not have a digital out, or is there some other reason you can't take the audio from the TV into the receiver? Just double checked, nope. It has no outputs what-so-ever. Guess that's why it was only $499.
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Dec 12, 2011 15:33
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Hey guys, I was wondering if I bought a home cinema DVD player system with 5.1 (Looking specifically at the Samsung HT-D350), would I be able to hook the PS3 up to my projector using HMDI (what I'm doing at the moment, with audio running from the Playstation 3 composite to a guitar amp and from that to headphones) and have the audio of the PS3 running from a Digital Optical into this home cinema system to get 5.1 surround sound from my games and Blu-Rays? Will this work with any Home Cinema with Optical in? Thanks!
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Dec 12, 2011 15:53
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ILikeVoltron posted:Just double checked, nope. It has no outputs what-so-ever. Guess that's why it was only $499. Wow, that's really lovely. I feel sorry for you. It looks like you're right, going by Samsung's web site as well. I guess another option (beside TV dongle for Boxee) would be to get a standalone tuner. Edit: Can't find any info on what HDMI version it supports though. Hippie Hedgehog fucked around with this message at 17:20 on Dec 13, 2011 |
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Dec 13, 2011 17:15
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Quantum of Phallus posted:Will this work with any Home Cinema with Optical in? In theory yes, you should be able to output PCM 5.1 via optical. In practice I suspect it depends on the HTiB you get. I have no idea whether PS3 can output audio via optical and video via HDMI at the same time; seems like there used to be problems with that but I don't own the console. In the most polite way possible, is it possible to get you to reconsider this and persuade you to rather get a real receiver? That's a lot easier to work with, especially if you have other devices you would like to have 5.1 audio with.
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Dec 13, 2011 17:57
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Hob_Gadling posted:In the most polite way possible, is it possible to get you to reconsider this and persuade you to rather get a real receiver? That's a lot easier to work with, especially if you have other devices you would like to have 5.1 audio with. Ordered it today, it's really just for my PS3 and for showing movies for my little brother, it was only about €130 so it's not that big a deal. Thanks though.
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Dec 13, 2011 21:40
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I am interested in purchasing my first HT audio setup. Found this nice combo, which seems to have great speakers on sale and a cheap Onkyo receiver. My issues are with the receiver, reported to have very slow response when switching between HDMI inputs - which I would be doing frequently, from PC to Xbox to Cable. Anyone with the Onkyo TX-NR509 care to chime in? And if this isn't a good choice of a receiver I could sell it BNIB, but what is a good replacement? Thanks.
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Dec 14, 2011 20:03
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I'd say it takes maybe 2-3 seconds to switch inputs. I've been pretty happy with it so far. Is there something you're looking for that it's missing?
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Dec 14, 2011 22:26
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Alarbus posted:I'd say it takes maybe 2-3 seconds to switch inputs. Nah, specs look solid, just read a review where someone said it takes upwards of 5-6 seconds every time you switch, 1-2 isn't nearly as bad. Thanks for the response.
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Dec 14, 2011 22:44
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TenaciousTomato posted:Nah, specs look solid, just read a review where someone said it takes upwards of 5-6 seconds every time you switch, 1-2 isn't nearly as bad. Thanks for the response. I also updated to the newest firmware, compared to how it arrived. I couldn't get the Last.fm bit to work properly until I upgraded. Perhaps they improved the response time there? It was pretty easy to upgrade, I opted to use a usb stick to be safe, compared to the web update.
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Dec 15, 2011 03:33
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Any recommendation for speakers that look good but don't sound like the average "design" speakers. These Joey Roths look alright but I have no idea how they sound. - Our place is pretty small and I *really* do not want to put huge floorstanding speakers in our living room - Source will be 2.0 - Budget around 1-2k? - We don't own/want a TV.
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Dec 15, 2011 23:11
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evil_bunnY posted:Any recommendation for speakers that look good but don't sound like the average "design" speakers. I can't recommend any pretty speakers since my sense of what is nice-looking is atrocious (fortunately that makes decorating my place cheap). In case you don't find anything else, I would suggest Genelec 8000-series active monitors. They're pretty small and unobtrusive while sounding good. Try, say, 8020B and see how they work for you.
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Dec 16, 2011 07:57
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evil_bunnY posted:Any recommendation for speakers that look good but don't sound like the average "design" speakers. Not sure what you mean when you say sound like design speakers, are you just asking for attractive speakers that sound really good? Also are you looking for passive or active speakers?
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Dec 16, 2011 14:30
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Hob_Gadling posted:I would suggest Genelec 8000-series active monitors. They're pretty small and unobtrusive while sounding good. Try, say, 8020B and see how they work for you. emocrat posted:Not sure what you mean when you say sound like design speakers, are you just asking for attractive speakers that sound really good? I'm guessing either active or powerable by an amp small enough for me to hide somewhere since they'll be driven by either an iPod dock or some form of network streamer.
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Dec 16, 2011 18:57
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Hard to suggest stuff on style as it is so subjective, and also I have no clue what you can get in Sweden. On the flip side small unobtrusive 2 channel amps are easy, so you should be able to expand your search to include any passive speaker you think looks good. Heres an example of a mini amp: http://emotiva.com/a100.shtm Its not that unusual a form factor, and you can probly find comparable ones for less cash too. edit: http://www.everything-but-the-box.com/ This is a European based (I think) speaker company with some out there designs. Not sure if it agrees with you, or gets too expensive, but I thought it was pretty cool.
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Dec 16, 2011 19:38
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evil_bunnY posted:I'll see if anyone stocks these in Sweden. Du skulle ha sagt at du va svensk. Go to Hifi-klubben and listen to: Scandyna (whatever pleases your eye) Dali Ikon (2 is better, unfortunately) B&W CM1 (in white, that's the best color) I like Argons, but they aren't exactly eye-pleasing. I got two pairs for my mothers hifi, though, so I don't think I can give them a higher recommendation than that (got a pair in my home theater also). For receiver a Marantz, NAD, MacIntosh or maybe Cambridge Audio if you get decent prices and matching pair of speakers. Get Argon cable and banana plugs to go with them, and you're set.
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Dec 16, 2011 23:28
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Hob_Gadling posted:Du skulle ha sagt at du va svensk. Thanks for all the info, I'll drop by a brick and mortar shop.
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Dec 17, 2011 01:04
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I am on the quick lookout for a christmas present for the mom. She has a Vizio with HORRIBLE sound quality. Based on the first couple of posts, I should be getting a 3.1 system or a sound bar, or a pre boxed. I only have a budget of ideally 150 dollars or below. She doesn't need perfection, just something better than the default lovely Vizio audio quality. Is 150 not going to cut it? I can't find anything definite online.
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Dec 17, 2011 22:56
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Progression Please posted:Is 150 not going to cut it? Depends where you live and what model TV your mom has (ie. what audio outs it has). Amazon has sound bars for around $130, just make sure both the TV and sound bar have the required connectivity. The downsides of getting a sound bar are: you can't expand it later, it's 2.1 max and the sound quality can be questionable on cheap models. I don't think any of these apply to your mother except the last. To give you something concrete: If your TV has HDMI 1.4 with ARC: http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SC-HTB10-2-1-Channel-System-Through/dp/B003TIHPC6/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324165485&sr=1-3 If you have optical or RCA only: http://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-VSB200-Universal-Sound-Bar/dp/B002EPF6YO/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324165485&sr=1-2 The "I want features" model: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-CT150-Sound-Bar-System/dp/B003C1AO2I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324165485&sr=1-1
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Dec 18, 2011 00:58
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evil_bunnY posted:Any recommendation for speakers that look good but don't sound like the average "design" speakers. This may exceed your budget slightly, but Salk speakers are some of the best looking and best performing speakers I've seen for their price. $1500 for the SongBirds, $2000 for the SongTowers.
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Dec 18, 2011 05:53
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I'm piecing together a Polk 5.1 home theater speaker system on a budget. So far I've got: PSW10 Sub: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290034 (89.99 right now) CS20 Center: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290107 (129.99) Monitor30 Series II front L+R pair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200 (119.99) I'm sitting at $340 right now and I'm debating on rear speakers. Is it worth it to get another pair of Monitor30's to hang or should I just get some smaller satellite speakers (RM7's or cheaper)? I'm in a fairly large room with high ceiling and I don't know what might have sufficient power to adequately fill my living room.
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Dec 19, 2011 00:56
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Tytanium posted:I'm sitting at $340 right now and I'm debating on rear speakers. Rear channels get maybe 10% of the action. Essentially you have two worthwhile strategies: - get cheap rears - get new fronts and put your current fronts to rear If you're building from scratch and are set on Monitor30s as your fronts, get RM7s (or equivalent) as surrounds. While looking up budget audio solutions, I ran into this: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-650 Anyone familiar with the speakers?
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Dec 19, 2011 02:16
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Hob_Gadling posted:Rear channels get maybe 10% of the action. Essentially you have two worthwhile strategies: They're having a newsletter subscriber sale right now, I just found out. They're $79 a pair right now (with a coupon code I'm not 100% sure is expired), which is cheaper than a pair of RM7's. I haven't seen a picture of the 30's to be able to tell just how big they are and if I can mount them on a wall easily.
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Dec 19, 2011 02:59
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I got a pair of RM7s on sale for $60 at new egg. Just FYI. The RM7s are super tiny and wall mount really easily. I think they're under 2 lbs. The Monitor 30s are about 16 lbs, about a foot tall, maybe 8 inches deep.
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Dec 19, 2011 04:16
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Tytanium posted:They're $79 a pair right now (with a coupon code I'm not 100% sure is expired), which is cheaper than a pair of RM7's. RM7's show as $49 for me right now, but even if they were more expensive the point I was making stands. You'll get a lot more joy by spending more on fronts and less on rears. This is especially important if (when) you consider stereo sources such as TV, music and so on.
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Dec 19, 2011 07:35
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Hob_Gadling posted:RM7's show as $49 for me right now, but even if they were more expensive the point I was making stands. You'll get a lot more joy by spending more on fronts and less on rears. This is especially important if (when) you consider stereo sources such as TV, music and so on. They're $49 each, IIRC. I can't really find them cheaper anywhere, except on some sketchy looking outlet pc website.
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Dec 19, 2011 15:12
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ntan1 posted:$1500 for the SongBirds, $2000 for the SongTowers.
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Dec 19, 2011 15:29
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Tytanium posted:They're $49 each, IIRC. Ah, yes. Never mind my ramblings then.
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Dec 19, 2011 16:15
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If anyone is in the Vancouver area (Or Northern Washington) and looking for a good speaker setup, I am selling my Klipsch Synergy system (5.1) for $800. http://www.klipsch.com/f-2-home-theater-system Selling because I am buying reference stuff and don't have the room for these.
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Dec 19, 2011 19:11
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evil_bunnY posted:Sorry but they look downright gaudy to me 8( Then get them finished in a different color. They have options for these on purpose.
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Dec 20, 2011 05:11
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I'm -><- this close to swapping my Klipsch Synergy speakers for some older 2001 era Klipsch RF3 reference speakers. I'll be going from 6.5" drivers to 8" drivers, plus a larger center, plus the synergy to the reference line. Opinions ? I've done some reading and some people say that the Newer Synergy stuff is using the old reference hardware from that era. I don't know if it is true or not. If it is true, I don't know if changing out the speakers will make any difference in sound.
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Dec 21, 2011 07:16
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Any thoughts or experience with this Denon HTIB? http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...e06f095c585en02 I'm generally wary of the idea of a HTIB, but my understanding is that Denon receivers are generally well-regarded, and the speakers appear to be of at least moderate quality. It's going on sale for Boxing Day @ $299, which seems like a pretty good deal to me, but I'd rather save my money and put it towards something better in the future if this is a deceptively crappy setup.
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Dec 21, 2011 16:33
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Don't forget the $90 HDMI cable!
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Dec 21, 2011 17:41
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man thats gross posted:Any thoughts or experience with this Denon HTIB? Decent, if basic, set and the cheapest that I can personally recommend and not feel bad. It's a real receiver with basic satellites and 8" subwoofer. You can get a pair of bookshelf speakers and replace the front speakers from that setup if you want to use it for music. If you can deal with factory refurbished equipment, accessories4less.com has DHT-591 with Boston Acoustic 5.1 speakers for just $30 more. That's a lot better value if only for the receiver. From Batpig: quote:Why should I get the 591 over the 391?:
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Dec 21, 2011 17:51
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evil_bunnY posted:Don't forget the $90 HDMI cable! God I hate Best Buy sometimes... Hob_Gadling posted:Decent, if basic, set and the cheapest that I can personally recommend and not feel bad. It's a real receiver with basic satellites and 8" subwoofer. You can get a pair of bookshelf speakers and replace the front speakers from that setup if you want to use it for music. I can live with refurb, but not $140 in shipping. Canada loving sucks sometimes. Still, that tells me there are much better deals out there. I'll keep looking.
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Dec 21, 2011 18:33
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If you can wait a bit Visions.ca usually has free shipping and good speaker sales at the end of December and early January. I grabbed a whole bunch of Polk Audio stuff from them last year at absurd prices - CS2 center channel for $80, TSi 400's L/R for $200 and an Onkyo receiver for about $200. It's not Kef or Energy gear but it's decent entry level stuff that's a definite step up from HTIB crap.
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Dec 21, 2011 20:31
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Went browsing Canuck Audio Mart for the heck of it. Do you have a snow machine? Never upgrade again (there's nothing to upgrade to) Not afraid to fix speakers? I need to hear the flaws in the pianists technique (also my floor can take 160lbs speakers) An actually reasonable package gently caress me, I want one of these Perhaps you should take a look at used stuff in your area? Especially speakers seem to be full of great choices.
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Dec 22, 2011 02:07
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