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New to Home Theater Stuff. Pls help!

6K views 58 replies 6 participants last post by  Jungle Jack 
#1 ·
Hi,

I live in New York City in an apartment. I recently purchased a 52" Samsung (LN52B630). I do not feel its complete without a home theater. I am completely lost on what to do. I know nothing about this stuff. My apartment is not huge. Its comfortable ;) I was looking to get a 5.1 system. I didn't want to do a 2.1 and i was told that a 7.1 really inst necessary especially because my space is limited. I fell in love with Yamaha, Onkyo and Sansung HTIB Systems but im afraid :huh: . My husband and i are gamers and we also have two children who play games as well. I want to use the system for movies, music and games. I really don't plan on using it if im just watching TV. Below are the ones i am currently looking at but still unsure, scared and confused.

Samsung HT-BD3252T

Yamaha YHT-591

Onkyo HT-SR750

If anyone can steer me in the right direction i would gladly appreciate it! Thanks!! :bigsmile:
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
Welcome to the Shack,
Do you have a budget that can be made a bit larger if needed? Also what sized room are you using this in?
Have a look at this post here as it will help you understand a few key things that are important to building a good system.

Yes my budget can go larger but being that my apartment is limited in space i wasn't sure if i needed to spend so much but again...i don't know what im doing to begin with!
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
I didn't want to spend more than $1200. I also read the other post. Here are my confusions...if i were to go with any of the ones i have in mind (as previously mentioned)...the AV receiver what exactly is that used for, radio reception? I'm sorry if i sound lost but its because i am! and...are any of the ones i mentioned any good? I would need to buy a DVD player or Blue ray right? and if so...which one?

(AHHHH, I'm such an amateur!)
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Hello,
A speaker package like this:http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm would provide a much higher level of sonic fidelity. Look at the 5.0 package on that page. Most HTIB's use speakers that are pretty lacking in realism and rely on a subpar "subwoofer" to provide most of the sound. Often the subwoofers in HTIB packages are not able to reproduce the lowest octave and mostly give much boom around 80 Hz.

If you went with the SVS package, all you would need is a subwoofer and a receiver. Given you are in a apartment, a huge subwoofer is not a priority so you can find a quality smaller one for well under 400 Dollars.

There are a number of receivers available for under 400 Dollars as well that will trounce the HTIB receiver as well.

So, all in all, for around 1200 Dollars you could have a truly high quality system that will give you years of service. I am not sure how important music is to you, but the difference in quality between the SVS package and a HTIB is vast. And this difference can really be appreciated in music.

If you get a chance, look at the speakers in a HTIB. One the whole, they weigh nothing and are these plastic towers of mediocrity. Compared to a dedicated speaker, the difference is vast.
Cheers,
JJ


Okay so, i checked out the website. I think i can do something with this! Now, What would you guys recommend for a receiver and subwoofer? and whats the receiver for? :ponder:

Also, i don't want nor do i need a huge subwoofer but i would like a decent one. I do want to listen to my music and play my xbox and enjoy it!! I LOVE music so sound and quality is very important to me.

then comes the wiring, do i have to buy that separate and if so...what do i buy? and of course what do i do as far as watching movies? Obviously i have to buy a separate DVD or blue ray player but what type and does it have to be blue ray?

am i driving you nuts yet? So sorry!
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Hello,
You can watch DVD's through your Xbox 360. Adding a Blu Ray Player would be nice and some are available for 100 Dollars now.
And you would need to purchase cables. Depending on how new and the model of your 360, it might have an HDMI out. In which case, you would need a HDMI cable. If you have an older 360, you would need an optical digital cable for the 360, HDMI for the cable/sat box, and another HDMI from the receiver to the TV. In addition, you will need speaker cable, and a RCA cable to connect the subwoofer to your receiver.
Cheers,
JJ
Dont know why but i don't like playing movies through my xbox and since i play lots of bootleg movies...i need a good DVD player that wont have a problem recognizing them. The one i have now is cheap, its a Phillips but i don't want it. I want to upgrade everything.
 
Discussion starter · #21 ·
I really appreciate all your time and help. You guys have been really helpful!! I will definitely be looking into everything you guys have suggested and will let you know how it goes. :T
 
Discussion starter · #23 ·
Hello,
Good luck. At least listen to some of the HTIB's you are interested in before purchasing. I can completely understand getting one box which includes everything you need is mighty tempting, but the price paid for that convenience is mediocrity.
JJ
After all this information, im not sure if i want to even bother with a HTIB. The SVS speakers? Are they loud and clear? Have you used them? They wont blow out on me right? and will the ones you linked me to be suffice?
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Hello,
I have listened to SVS Speakers and they offer amazing value. They use very high quality speaker components (tweeter, woofers, cabinets) and have been reviewed extensively by many Professional Reviewers and have received excellent reviews.

I do not currently use SVS Speakers, I am running Martin Logans currently. In truth, they are fairly expensive. My speaker system retails for around 15 thousand Dollars.
Cheers,
JJ
One last thing...if i got with this package, http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm, is that the same one you listed except it includes the subwoofer? or does the one you suggested come with more speakers?
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
Hello,
Your link is the correct one. The 5.1 Package will be excellent for you and miles better than the speakers bundled in a HTIB. I was looking for the page you provided when I posted that link.

The Onkyo I linked originally retailed for 900 Dollars and really is a great buy for 400 Dollars.
Blue Jeans Cable sells quality cable on the cheap and will save you hundreds over going with something like Monster Cable.

Altogether, this would really be an excellent package that will provide your family with years of quality performance. At a price comparable to upper range HTIB's. This really is a system comparable to 2-3 thousand dollar systems.
Cheers,
JJ
You guys are the best!! Once again, Thank You very much!
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
It actually impressed me that a few of the Onkyo HTIB systems used wood cabinets (although thin) none the less wood and sounded fairly good for the price. But the above package is a great starter system.
I actually think we should start a thread with suggestions of a good system like we did here and sticky it as it seems we always have people looking for this sort of thing.
What do you think?
I think that's a great idea!! I came here knowing absolutely nothing about speakers, HTIB, Receivers, ETC...and now after your suggestions and explanations of things...i feel like i know what im actually looking for and one thing is for sure...i am completely convinced that its better and worth putting together your own system rather than buying one out the box!! You guys rock!!

Everyone has different things that they want and need but im pretty sure you guys can come up with suggestions for every necessity. I will be going over what i wanted to spend but i think its well worth it and im sure my husband is going to be not only proud but amazed at what im going to put together! I cant wait to see his reaction. :clap:
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
Is this a Christmas present? I wold love to see his reaction.
Actually it started when he purchased the Samsung TV and i said...we need a HTIB and i insisted that i wanted to be in charge of that part and i assured him that i knew what i was doing (yea right), LOL and although deep down inside he feels that he can handle it better that i can...after you guys...im going to blow his socks off! I promise to keep you guys updated and i will also take a picture and post it. I should be done by the end of this month. Wait till he sees what a girl can do! (well with the help of you guys).
 
Discussion starter · #39 ·
Hello,

Thanks to the great folks here I was able to recently purchase a system that I'm happy with for about $1200 as well.

I know that it was mentioned that ladycruz should get cables, but I didn't see a complete listing of what she and her family might need. Some were mentioned previously, but I'll try to make a short list of things that I needed - as an example. Personal note, I purchased my cables through Monoprice.com because I've had good experience using them.

In my experience I'm using my receiver as a central hub of sorts (video as well as audio going through the receiver and receiver outputting video/audio to the TV).

1) 2 HDMI cables - One from the PS3 to the receiver, one from the receiver to the TV

2) 2 Optical (toslink) cables - One from my older model Xbox 360 to the receiver, one from my old PS2 - which doubles as a DVD player

3) 10 pairs of banana plugs - 1 pair for each speaker and another pair going to the corresponding place in receiver. Here's instructions that I found. The plugs are definitely optional, I hear it makes things easier. http://www.monoprice.com/manual/INSTALLING SOLDER TYPE BANANA PLUGS.pdf

4) 1 roll of 14 gauge speaker wire - it was suggested to get wires that are between 12-14 gauge. The lower gauge (thicker wire) the better quality sound you'll get as well as the ability to run the rear speakers longer distances. You may need only 50ft pending on the room size and where you want your speakers.

5) 1 coaxial (coax) audio/video rca cable - "for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer & Composite Video", this one goes from my subwoofer to my receiver.

I hope nothing was left out in your order that you need. It would be like giving a child a battery operated toy without batteries.

I did notice that the SVS set did not come with speaker stands. Be sure to get some of those if you need them.

It looks like a great system!
H
Sounds good. Thanks!! I was going to ask the guys at Radio Shack but it looks like you covered me.
 
Discussion starter · #42 ·
Hello All!!!

So heres an update on whats been going on since this post...i have everything i need but for the past month ive been waiting on the SVS speakers. They keep telling me its on backorder. Im starting to get frustrated so what else can i get thats similiar to these? I dont want anything of lesser quality. I am going to wait it out for another week but soon its going to be two months and i just want to hurry up and put everything together!!!
 
Discussion starter · #48 ·
Yes, i have contacted them directly. Each and everytime i call them they tell me that its going to ship out on a specific date and when that date gets here i call again and i continue to get different dates. They tell me that they do not know when to really expect them to ship out again and not to mention that most of the time...no one picks up the phone. I have to email them or leave a message.
 
Discussion starter · #53 ·
Hi,

I am going to listen to you guys and not even bother with the Orbs. I will definitely look into the HSU. I have not canceled the order for the SVS speakers yet. I spoke to them yesterday and the guy told me that the shipment they were expecting is being held by customs and they aren't sure how long it will take to be released. He says it can take days or even weeks so im still hoping very much that i have an answer sometime next week but i decided to come up with a back up plan in the event that it doesn't go well with SVS. I hate waiting, LOL!!

As for Mr. Jungle Jack feeling terrible...no worries! Its not like you have any control over the situation. I should of ordered them quickly instead of waiting so long but i ran into a financial situation and had to wait a bit.

Either way...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully they'll ship out next week!
 
Discussion starter · #55 ·
I just looked at the HSU package. If you had to compare HSU and SVS, what would it be?

I'm tempted to purchase the HSU NOW but im also debating on whether or not i should wait a bit more on SVS.
 
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