I'm not a hardcore audiophile, but looking for a good "bang for the buck" audio system for a new LCD I'm getting for my living room. Any good recommendations or particular setups to avoid? I'm going to check out some stores this weekend to actually "hear" some systems. The speakers should be small and be wall mounted. I want to do this as clean as possible. Budget, maybe under 1k. thanks

 

1K includes receiver and speakers? you need DVD with that? There are a lot of HTIB that are actually good. Onkyo actually makes a highly rated one, check out CNET.

 

how big is your room?
If you have a big room, those tiny speakers won't cut it.

 

I concur, I got an Onkyo s780 about 1.5 years ago, don't use it for a theater, just as a sound system, but my old man uses the same one for his theater. Def good deal.

 

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Denon...oductDetail.do

 

That one is pretty sweet!

 

the sound is amazing

 

another great one

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

 

This is what I have and it sounds awesome! Eventually I will be getting rid of the front three speakers and the surround back two speakers and replacing them with in-wall speakers.

 

I would recommend something more along the lines of a Jamo PDD340 speaker system along with a Marantz SR4001. I have installed this setup numerous times, and the quality is unmatched in the price range IMHO. You can find the items online for around $1100 if you look around. If you lived close to me, I could get that under $1000, but you are too far and the shipping would be way to much. I am not a fan of Onkyo. I have had them, but their sound is quite bland and does not offer the full range sound of other receivers. The Marantz on the other hand offers some of the best overall sound out there, for not a high price. I liked the Marantz so much I upgraded from my Onkyo to the Marantz and the difference is night and day.

 

If you can bump the budget a little, I have a Definitive Mythos and Denon combo that is really nice. I spent $2500 but they make a smaller line and you can get less expensive receivers. I bet that could be done around 1500-1700.

At my last place I had a Yamaha receiver and the smallest bookshelf speaker Klipsh makes. You might be able to get that in your budget. I think I spent around $1k on that setup.

Make sure you listen to whatever you get before you buy it. I went in for a "high end" theater in a box with a $1k budget for my last system and they all sounded like crap to me.

The budget buster might be if you want a sub. You don't need a big one, but I definately recommend at least some sort of sub with a small speaker combo. It really rounds the sound out.

I have a 8" Definitive sub I got open box for around $300 or a little less. Its not boomy but it does sound nice and adds a lot ot the system.

 

The system I mentioned above comes with a 10" powered sub that has a lot of power. I forget the power ratings but it is by FAR the best sub that comes with any htiab setup I have heard. It isn't a full HTIAB of course, since it comes with the speakers only, no receiver. The price online for the setup is typically around $700, with 4 satellite speakers, 1 center channel, and a powered sub, and mounting for the wall, or stands for cabinets. It really is a great speaker setup for the money.

 

Not sure if you have a receiver or not. But if you want some sweet speakers the KEF KHT3005 sound phenomenal. I think Circuit City sells them now, you can go check em out there.

 

they are some HEAVY speakers....if ur gonna mount them make sure u mount them on studs, lol

 

Yamaha HTIB systems work well.

 

The lil satellites? They seemed light to me

 

Sweet deal on a receiver

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=33254

 

For a couple hundred more, you could get an Orb Audio system....check out orbaudio.com.

You can either get a set w/ receiver or just the speakers and get a receiver elsewhere. I have the Mod2 7.1 speaker package and it sounds great. Best thing is they let you try it out for 30 days.

 

$399.97!!! that's a killer deal!!! and unless you're in Wa. state... tax free!! (but $42. for shipping )

 

I can beat that






Seriously though, Marantz receivers are incredibly well built, and sound quality is top notch. If I didn't already have one of the newest generations Marantz receivers I'd swoop one up.

 

Are you serious? They seem pretty nice and the price is enticing!

 

Actually, the sound is pretty good....especially with the Super8 sub that comes with it. Like the avsforum.com members, I feel that it's better than the Bose cubes.

 

Well I'm thinking about getting the KEF KHT3005 in a 7.1 setup. If I can get the same sound out of Orb Audio at a better price, why not? Hmm... I'll have to research this a lil more.

 

ill throw in my $.02

Get the Denon AVR-887, its their lowest model that has HDMI on it. You can probably find it for around $600 if you look hard. Ive been a Denon fan for 10 years now and will never switch to anything else.

 

I bought their People's Choice system in the 7.1 setup. They arrive tomorrow. Can't wait!!!

 

So how do you like the speakers? Hopefully you're enjoying them like me...the subwoofer is really nice and puts out quite a bit of sound.

 

I love the speakers! I only have the fronts, center and sub hooked up cause I ran into obstacles running the rear wires and it sounds phenomenal. Can't wait till its fully hooked up, I haven't even played with the receiver settings so I'm sure it will sound even better. Great suggestion, thanks!

 

they sound even better once they are broken in.....

i don't watch much stuff in full surround and high volume levels anymore since we have a newborn (well, 6 month old now)....i wish i could watch some movies and crank up the sound.

enjoy the speakers....they've been really good for me (had them for about a year now).