I am not talking about home theater – in -a box (pre-boxed) systems like sony or panasonic that are usually under $500.
I am talking about the ones you usually put all the components together yourself. I have zero knowledge as to who makes the best home theaters systems.
It would great if you list down several brands and top websites that sell them.
You should probably check out Amazon (link below) for most of these, as they offer free shipping on most AV receivers and can generally take $100 or more off the price of a receiver. I actually spoke with an AV pro at Circuit City the other day, and here were his feelings on receivers:
Top of the line: Denon (and some Sony’s). They just make the highest quality receivers that are capable of doing pretty much anything you want. However, he did forewarn me (and I believe it) that setting up a Denon system is not for the faint of heart of the inexperienced. He said he’s seen people struggle with it for days before calling in an expert.
Pretty good: Yamaha and Onkyo (and Harmon Kardon). Both make similar style receivers that are fairly (moderately) intuitive to set up. I know Onkyo provides a microphone that is supposed to optimize the sound quality and the point where you put the mike. I don’t think Yamaha’s have that on their mid-range receivers.
After that: Sherwood and other makers. Just not the kind of product you want to buy if you’re looking for quality. These are more of the "just-scraping-by" style recievers. I’d spend the little extra to make sure you got a quality product that will last you more than a year or two.
For someone who’s just looking to get into the market (which it sounds like you are), you may want to look at the Onkyo TX-SR605 style reciever. It has up-converstion, meaning that you can run one single HDMI cable to your HDTV, and all other video signals will be formatted to work. It has 2 HDMI inputs, 3 component video inputs, and 4 digital audio inputs, which should be plenty to last a while. The set up is fairly obvious on the entire receiver and provides plenty of power to the speakers. Most importantly, you can find it (right now) for $400-$500 USD at several retail outlets, including Amazon. A great receiver if you’re just getting into them.
Also, speakers are a different subject. You don’t want the brands I listed above, you want to look into Boston Acoustics, Polk Audio, Bose and JBL, to name a few. The sound quality and speaker make up will be much better and last longer. You want a cone (the part that makes the sound) that is not paper, but ceramic, plastic and/or part titanium.
Hope this helps! Check out the link below Amazon (CNET) for more comprehensive reviews of everything you’re looking for.
For more details about the SLS Q-Line Gold 5.1 Home Theater System please visit our website at:
http://www.av-express.com/AV-Catalog/HomeTheater/SLSQLineHomeTheater
The Q Line Gold Home Theater Surround Sound System features 4 bookshelf satellite speakers and one center channel speaker, all utilizing SLS International’s PRD100 Planar Ribbon Drivers made in the USA and woven Kevlar midrange drivers. To meet today’s demanding low frequency requirements, SLS has included a high excursion, self-powered subwoofer delivering accurate and controlled bass. A multi channel Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound receiver powers the system with 110 watts per channel featuring a built-in room balancing algorithm, component video throughput with video up scaling, on screen display, and a universal remote control.
For simple speaker setup for any location arrangement, we have included a omni-directional microphone. This microphone allows you to easily calibrate your speaker setup for optimal sound.
For a rich, full audio experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat this home theater system is the ticket. Advanced ribbon driver technology delivers crisp sound, the way it was meant to be heard. Complete home theater system includes center-channel speaker, 4 satellite speakers, subwoofer, and AM/FM receiver. Ribbon driver technology delivers accurate and pure sound with reduced distortion and drop-out Multiple surround sound decoders built in.
Order now to get FREE SHIPPING with FedEx Ground. While supplies last! When this system is sold out, it will be out of stock forever.
* www.cnet.com – “Out performs systems costing $1500 today!”
* www.avsforum.com – “If you’re in the market anywhere near this price, buy this HTIB just for the speakers alone. Well worth the $$ IMO!”
* Sound And Vision magazine – “SLS delivers that distinctive ribbon sound at a remarkably affordable price with ribbons that have long been found almost exclusively in high-end speakers”
FEATURES
* Ribbon driver technology delivers accurate and pure sound with reduced distortion and drop-out
* Includes omni-directional microphone for simple speaker setup
* Built-in surround sound decoders include Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS NEO:6, DTS 96/24, Dolby Headphone, Dolby Virtual Speaker, Dolby ProLogic 2
* RMS power 650W
* Total output: 1300 watts (satellite speakers: 220W x 4; center-channel: 220W; subwoofer: 200W; RMS power 650W (satellite speakers: 110W x 4; center-channel: 110W; subwoofer: 100W)
* 2-way satellite speakers feature a 4 inch KEVLAR® cone woofer and 1-1/4 inch ribbon tweeter
* 2-way center-channel speaker features a 4 inch KEVLAR® cone woofer and 1-1/4 inch ribbon tweeter
* All speakers magnetically shielded for use near a TV or monitor to avoid picture distortion
* System frequency response: 20Hz – 50kHz
* Inputs: 1 optical digital, 2 component video, 3 composite video, 2 S-video
* Outputs: 1 optical digital, 1 coaxial digital, 1 component video, 1 composite video, 1 S-video
Duration : 0:5:36
Read the rest of this entry »
I am planning to buy a home theater system for my new house. I want nothing fancy but I want to get a good quality system and worth the price. Thanks!
The Onkyo HT-S9100THX is a very nice all-in-one system. To go above that would be to get separate components and you’ll be doubling or tripling the price.
Something like a Klipsch RF-52 system and a decent receiver, like an Onkyo TX-SR706 or Denon AVR2808, would probably cost close to $3000 or so.
http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rf-52-home-theater-system.aspx
My boyfriend recently bought the Toshiba hdtv 42hl167 and I want to get him a compatible home theater system. Any suggestions for something that will work with that tv? Thanks!
get him the new denon 3800bd blu- ray player and a denon amp that decodes the new high def sound and a decent hdmi cable he will marry u the day after as for speakers kef are fantastic and look good as do tannoy im in the uk and the cost of that lot here will be around £4,500 gbp but normally u americans dont get ripped of as much as us so its probobly much cheaper
What do you get from a more expensive Blu-ray Player? Discount Alert: $9.99 Star Trek Blu-rays! Where can you find a good HDTV for $300? HDMI Switching 101, A home theater with fiber optic LED constellations in the ceiling (and a seat for the dog)! Score one for net neutrality: the FCC reclassifies broadband! Speed Round: Your Twitter Questions! The Blu-ray releases for May 11th, 2010.
Duration : 0:32:11
Read the rest of this entry »
I have a blu ray samsung home theater system, how do I use the speakers with tv channels?
Get an audio cable (red and white on both ends) and hook one end to your audio out on your TV (if it has one), then hook the other end into the audio in on your surround sound. You should then get sound coming from anything hooked up to the TV as well such as TV programming and video games.
I am getting a new 46" Samsung HDTV and want a home theater system with it. I am looking to spend less than 700 although higher priced recommendations are welcome. I also want one that is WIRELESS because I hate fussing with cables. I will also be getting a PS3 Slim so I don’t see the point of a Blu-Ray Player.
Thanks!
The system I recommend is the Onkyo HT-S5200 (receiver 7.1 and a set of 7.1 speakers) for under $500. Wireless speaker are more expensive if you can find them in higher models. I don’t like them due to interferance from other equipment you might have. Even at the very high end in audio, you will not find them. You can the Onkyo system at Fry’s Electronic’s. Hope this will help you out.
Basement Home Theater
NEW VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkXfqNNGlX0
AVSForum Thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=838663
Equipment List:
-AVR-4306: 7.1 CH Home Theater/MultiMedia A/V
Receiver
-Panasonic PT-AE900U Projector
-110″ Diagonal DIY screen with screen material
from www.smxscreen.com
-Oppo OPDV971H Up-Converting DVD Player
-Berkline 090 Theater Seats with Buttkickers and
motorized reclining
-1 Polk CSi5 center speaker
-2 Polk RTi10 left and right front speakers
-4 Polk FXi3 surround speakers
-1 Polk PSW12 subwoofer
-Xbox 360, great 720p content and games
-Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
-DirecTV HR20, a wonderful HD DVR
I did the majority of the work myself. The Theater is double drywalled with two sheets of 5/8″ drywall with Green Glue between each sheet of drywall and insulation stuffed in all the walls and ceiling. All the walls and the ceiling are isolated using products from http://www.pac-intl.com The front stage is also completely filled with sand. I also use a Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock for access to the Theater.
Any more questions or suggestions for this list just post a comment.
A new video of the Theater will be coming shortly.
Thanks for viewing!
Duration : 0:1:28
Read the rest of this entry »
Demo of my IR controlled Lutron Spacer lighting in my home theater with 1080p projector and 100″ screen
Duration : 0:2:43
Read the rest of this entry »
I am wiring a home theater and want to be able to dim the lights or have different setting for the canned and recessed lighting………what would you suggest?
The cheapest and easiest would be to simply install dimmer switches for each set of lights.
There are some automatic systems out there that you can control with a universal remote, but if it’s not too much trouble, just stand up and adjust the lights when the previews are playing.