Home Theatre System - Recommendations

[Deutscher]

The sony will do u fine, i just picked up a bottom range sony for 350 at clive anthonys, it sounds pretty good off sum around 10yr old acoustic image towers

You can upgrade the speakers at a later date if ur not happy with how its performing.

Ill be 100% happy with my receiver once i receive the remote

Haha. Hate remotes.
I was wondering about the 6ohm only issue? how can something only be 6ohm?

[Darren_L]

more expensive home audio systems allow you to run various impedence speakers eg 4,6 & 8 ohm. Having said that, most good quality speakers are 8 ohm. Car speakers are typically 4 ohm or less to get the volume, but at the cost of sound quality (which isn't really an issue in a car because a steel box has terrible acoustics anyway...)

Packaged systems are built to a price, and designed to run with the supplied speakers, so often they don't support different impedence speakers. So your options will be limited should you wish to upgrade speakers at a later time.

If you buy a packaged system, you really generally are stuck with what you get. They don't generally lend themselves well to upgrades. Better off selling it and buying another system when you want to upgrade. Or as suggested by HCVP (and it would also be my preferred option), spend the money on a good amp/receiver and a good pair of speakers, and then slowly add to the system as you get the money. That's exactly how I built up my system. You could even pick up a cheap set of surround speakers if you want surround from day one, and then upgrade them at a later point. Up until a couple of years ago, I was still using a cheap Sony $300 surround set (2 rears + centre speaker), hooked up to a good quality amp and front speakers. It's only recently that I finally upgraded my surround speakers.

Also don't get too concerned about 7.1 etc. Go from stereo to 5.1 surround, and the difference is amazing. Go from 5.1 to 7.1, the difference is noticeable (depending on the size of your room), but in most cases there isn't a lot of difference to the average listener. And beyond that the improvements diminish even further. As previously mentioned by HCVP, better quality speakers & amp will yield far better results than a big collection of cheap speakers and a cheap receiver that isn't that great at decoding.

It really does depend on what sort of quality you are after. If you just want a half decent surround sound system for a room that isn't overly large, the Sony package I'm sure will impress you. However if you do really appreciate a good quality sound that fills the room, then you may find that you will outgrow the Sony system fairly quickly and will end up having to spend even more money upgrading in the near future.

[coolngroovy]

YAMAHA! .......... simple really!

I wont use anything else in the house.
If you buy a good amp [processor] now, fair call it is going to be outdated in 2years, but it is still going to sound ferkin' awesome!
I have had nothing but good experiences with their gear.

[Deutscher]

Darren - I'm not going to quote your entire thing.
How does a amplifier only allow 1 impendance? how do you stop it from playing others?

2x dvc2+2 subs will wire to 0.5, 2, or 8ohms
2x dvc4+4 subs will wire to 1, 4, or 16 ohms

It depends how you wire your speakers etc. But anyway. Never heard it before.
What I was thinking was, I've got a Panasonic 5.1 that I picked up for $200 second hand, if I went and brought a receiver I could use those speakers for now... it's just it's going to be a LOOONG time before I can upgrade the speakers. So I won't be gaining anything for a long time and even in the long term... my gf wouldn't want me to spend more than $1000 (as in she won't pay more than $500 for her share). By the time I could afford some speakers, my receiver would be outdated lol.

Btw, I'm 21. My house is built in 3weeks (ready to move in). My mortgage is $368,000. I went in with my gf. I'm also a uni student. I think I will be poor for quite some time haha.

Edit: If I went for a receiver, I'd go Onkyo most likely.

Edit: I want something loud. I'm leaning towards the Sony. It should be decent loud (according to rms nyway lol). I won't buy it tonight. I'll go to my oldies home and crank their system... see if I like it.

[Darren_L]

I should clarify what I said regarding mismatched impedence.
you can hook a lower impedence output to a higher impedence speaker, however you may lose some frequency response and may risk overdriving the amp at higher volumes.

however you can't hook a lower impedence speaker to a higher impedence output, or you risk damaging your amplifier and/or speakers - unless you wire multiple low impedence speakers in series to that one channel. ie 2 x 4ohm speakers wired in series = 8 ohm. I won't go into a lengthy explanation as to why, except to say that a higher impedence output on the amp has to handle the additional 'rebound' from a lower impedence speaker. If you google 'speaker impedence mismatch' you should be able to find a more in depth explanation

higher end amplifiers will automatically detect speaker impedence and adjust accordingly or have a manual selector switch on the back

[Deutscher]

I should clarify what I said regarding mismatched impedence.
you can hook a lower impedence output to a higher impedence speaker, however you may lose some frequency response and may risk overdriving the amp at higher volumes.

however you can't hook a lower impedence speaker to a higher impedence output, or you risk damaging your amplifier and/or speakers - unless you wire multiple low impedence speakers in series to that one channel. ie 2 x 4ohm speakers wired in series = 8 ohm. I won't go into a lengthy explanation as to why, except to say that a higher impedence output on the amp has to handle the additional 'rebound' from a lower impedence speaker. If you google 'speaker impedence mismatch' you should be able to find a more in depth explanation

higher end amplifiers will automatically detect speaker impedence and adjust accordingly or have a manual selector switch on the back

Thx Darren.
I think I'll buy the Sony package. By the time I could probably afford decentish speakers, it'll be many yrs down the track. I've had a look at a few websites on home theatre/surround sound and they are hell expensive.... so I won't be expecting much in my price lol.

Thx Darren n HCVP for the help.

[Fun_Bucket]

You said yourself, the Sony reciever has a high THD, so upgrading to more revealing speakers are only going to show the weaknesses on the Sony receiver even more so. Plus you will have a hard time selling those speakers, not many people will be interested in buying them as seperates for anything, especialy by the time you go to upgrade them. I think your just seeing it as good value, all those speakers, 2 subs, receiver, and i guess that's how it's suppsed to be marketed. But trust mate the subs will dissapoint, the reciever is a very low entry level unit, and the speakers, well, i won't go there..

Consider it's value come time of sale, your pissing your money up against the wall.

Don't worry about rms, impedance levels and all that, your doing your head in on something that dosen't even matter, your using your car audio knowledge too much and trying to relate it, but it's not the same.


Mate there is a set of NHT super zero's in perth on Ebay, NHT Super Zero Audiophile Mini Monitor Speakers (eBay item 120644177009 end time 15-Nov-10 06:00:00 AEDST) : Electronics You could pair these up with a decent receiver, and that could start you off wired in phantom. They could later used as fronts when you get a centre, and then finally moved to the rears. They are a fabulous little speaker, highly rated and very well sought after. You would be hard pressed to find some one with a bad opinion of them.

Spend $300-500 on a receiver (used) and just enjoy it as it is until you can afford to go looking for a centre and fronts, you will be glad you did....
This guy is willing to post http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NAD-T751-Rece...#ht_750wt_1141 . If the seller is being honest about it's amount of use, and everything else, then don't let it's age (7yrs old) fool you. If you got it to your door for anything under $500, it would be an absolute gem.

[Fun_Bucket]

Why does it post twice for stupid forum

[Darren_L]

Thx Darren.
I think I'll buy the Sony package. By the time I could probably afford decentish speakers, it'll be many yrs down the track. I've had a look at a few websites on home theatre/surround sound and they are hell expensive.... so I won't be expecting much in my price lol.

Thx Darren n HCVP for the help.

no probs mate, happy to give you a bit of info so that you can make an informed decision. The packaged systems are very convenient, so I can understand where you are coming from.
I still recommend more than anything else to listen to the system first before you decide to buy it. Even if you are set on going with a packaged system, compare it with similar priced systems. Don't take a lot of notice of claimed RMS power. It's as corruptable as a dyno figure

[Lumps of cheese]

I bought my sony amp 11 years ago ex-display for $500 and it's still going strong. I'm looking at another amp now and it's also ex-display for $800, a denon from memory?. Have you considered ex-display? You still get the factory warranty but save $$$ in the process.

[Deutscher]

.....Thx guys... I had decided (on the Sony).... and now again im not sure..... once again.
I know your all just trying to help... but damn I thought this would have been a easier decision.

Ok someone tell me (from the JB Online page) what you would get in my case.
Like I mentioned I've got my old Panasonic SC-HT65 that I could use.

I do like the idea of 2 subs. I do like my bass.

Edit: So what this system needs to do is - Movies!! and Gaming. No Music. The room is 3939 by 4170 (if that helps anything)

[Deutscher]

I have these for my Music
Only thing is... I dont think my living room/dining/kitchen is big enough.
These have done more seeing of the world than I have They came from America, went to Asia and then to Australia lol.
Brought these 2-3yrs ago, thought it was keeno to have 4x 15" and 1x 18" although now I think I should have gotten single 12" with 2" horn... young and dumb. But hey they are pretty good.

But back to my home theatre.

[Deutscher]

At the moment I'm considering the:

Onkyo TXSR608 ($1322) - 2010 product of the year according to What Hi Fi

or

Yamaha RXV667 ($995) - What Hi Fi

Another good review page - "Unbiased Home Theatre Reviews"

How long do you recon a reviever would last? before I have to upgrade for new features etc? If I get this I won't have decent speakers, only my old panasonic 5.1 plus I don't have a 3D tv yet. It's a 42" Full HD Plasma at the moment.

[Fun_Bucket]

3D Home Theater Basics FAQ - Will 3D Affect My Surround Sound Set-up?

I've never upgraded a receiver or amp, because of features, or new technology. The only reason i have ever upgraded was because i was after a better quality unit.

[Deutscher]

3D Home Theater Basics FAQ - Will 3D Affect My Surround Sound Set-up?

I've never upgraded a receiver or amp, because of features, or new technology. The only reason i have ever upgraded was because i was after a better quality unit.

I read that page. I've read similiar aswell.
I meant features/new technology meaning Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio™ Decoding etc.
I don't know what these actually mean lol but I'm guessing the newer stuff gives a more realistic sound etc. Plus if something changes from non-HD to Full HD. That's a change I'd invest in. But not 3D.

[Deutscher]

Just ringing couple JB places.
So far best price for the Onkyo is $1141, down from $1322.

[Fun_Bucket]

Your a bad influence. All this talk of audio equipment made we want to get my music out. Unfortunately, i don't have any speakers.

Well, being in dire straits, i went out to my local op shops with fingers crossed, and came across a pair of Teac 3 ways. I'm guessing they are mid to late 80's, no markings or serials or anything on the cabs. I pulled the grills off, and every one of the drivers was fine. I asked how much. The guys says ummm, 5 bucks each. You got a deal. He even helped me carry them to the car.

Couldn't be happier for 10 bucks !!

[Fun_Bucket]

If your at all interested, i have listed my marantz 5.1 for $120 It works fine i'm just looking around for a 70's era int amp, and i figure i need about $150 to make it happen...

You could defiinately get yourself some nice speakers then, and when you upgrade your TV ect, you could look at upgrading the amp, in the mean time you would have a quality system in place.

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/ampli...0_2718crx.aspx

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/marantz_sr4200.htm

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...7-7052167.html

It's getting on in age, but will still hold it's own amongst a lot of today's units. I've listed it on a stereo forum, so i'm sure it will sell at the advertised price, just thought i would let you know if you were interested in it...

[Fun_Bucket]

Mate those NHT's i pointed out in the Ebay link, there is also 3 NHT super one's going aswell. That would give you 5 in total, all for less than $500 i would think. That's would be close to $1500 worth of speakers. I would snap them up in no time if i was in a position similiar to yours.

A sub could be added later and that would be a very nice system that's also asctheticaly pleasing.

[sam013]

hey guys, Yammy products are best designed audio devices and they matched up with performance up to peak level the sound of yamaha is truly soothing , Streaming music with it is superb experience. I am scanning forums to get more information about Yamaha HTR-6063, recommend online/offline store to buy this product. Any ideas who still have got it brand new once in Sydney? (do not want the second hand)

[ucwepn]

my parents sony system like the one pictured it was a few years older reciever blew some channels and the panel in the back that has the connections got loose and kept cutting out, was probably a dud unit but all this happened after the warranty finished lol they have a cheapish sherwood reciever now and it does them fine.

I run a pioneer vsx819h (5.1 but thats all we need), wharfdale xr4000 fronts, xr1000 rears, infinity c250 centre and 2x8" powered subs (yamaha and jamo). For a mix and match system it sounds great for everything we use it for, we run foxtel iq2 and ps3 thru hdmi all sounds great for what it is thumps hard and is clear at loud volumes

do lots of research and audition anything you are planning to buy.

[vicarious]

my brother has custom speakers by this mob & they are the best that i have heard
Adelaide Speakers - Ascension