Ok you have $5K, build me a kick@$$ home theater

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Old 05-20-2010, 03:00 PM
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Ok you have $5K, build me a kick@$$ home theater

Here are my requirements....

Here's the room (sorry don't have a better pic)


16x13 living room
TV will be placed in bottom right corner of that picture (across from couch) (long wall) there are french doors to the family room behind where the person is that took the picture, BUT at some point we will probably open that short wall up to the family room

Will be going with Verizon Fios for TV service

TV: ~50"-55" leaning towards Samsung or Panasonic but open to ideas, plasma or LCD doesn't matter

Receiver: (always been a Denon fan but the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K gets great reviews
Surround sound speakers: (5.1? 7.1?)
Blue ray player (like the LG BD390) really don't want a PS3 (have Wii already)
Remote: like the Logitech Hamony 900
Old 05-20-2010, 03:43 PM
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TV: 55" or larger Samsung LCD; I have a 52" in a 12' room, and after having lived with it for a couple of years, I think a 55" would be very doable. You're 13' away...you'll appreciate the extra screen.

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K; this the 2010 model that replaces the 1019. It just came out, but preliminary reviews are quite high. It has an ethernet port to allow for internet radio and has direct connection for your iPod (with some special app that lets you use your iPod as a controller or something...admittedly not a feature I'm versed on as I don't have an iPod). Disclaimer - I'm biased; this is the receiver I will be buying in the very near future.

Speakers: I'd get 5.1 and expand to 7.1 once there's more content that supports it. I'm going with Aperion for my speakers, but there are lots of quality manufacturers out there that make speakers that will fit your budget. Besides Aperions, Paradigms are well-thought of on the AVS forums. Don't skimp on the speakers; scale back on another area before you scale back here.

Blu Ray player: I'd say a PS3, so I can't offer much help as to a dedicated BD player.

Remote: a Harmony is a great choice.
Old 05-20-2010, 04:03 PM
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Come back with 10k for the kick@$$ home theater :wink:
Old 05-20-2010, 06:58 PM
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Blu-ray = http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/
Old 05-20-2010, 09:11 PM
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Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming. Willing to go above $5K but not sure I really have to.

With a 13' wide room do you think I could go larger than 55"?
Old 05-20-2010, 09:56 PM
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Think I'm gonna go with the Energy RC-Micro 5.1. It's $400 at Crutchfield. Cheapest I can find from any reputable authorized dealer.
Old 05-20-2010, 09:58 PM
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avsforums.com FTW
Old 05-20-2010, 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
avsforums.com FTW
Agreed and I'm looking there but man there are tons and tons of threads everyone saying there system is better than the other.
Old 05-20-2010, 11:05 PM
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Ok so we're getting closer...

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K (thanks chill_dog)
Surround Sound:Energy RC-Micro 5.1
Blueray: Oppo BDP-83
Old 05-21-2010, 06:18 AM
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I like the Panny plasmas, but that's a personal preference.
Old 05-21-2010, 06:43 AM
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Wait? Aren't you possibly moving?
Old 05-21-2010, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Whiskers
Wait? Aren't you possibly moving?
Yeah, this is for the new place.
Old 05-21-2010, 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Ok so we're getting closer...

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K (thanks chill_dog)
Surround Sound:Energy RC-Micro 5.1
Blueray: Oppo BDP-83
I would highly recommend Denon or Yamaha for the receiver.
Old 05-21-2010, 08:01 AM
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SVS Subwoofer. Call them before you order. They are smart peeps and will tell you what size/power you need.
Old 05-21-2010, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Yeah, this is for the new place.
You best invite me over....
Old 05-21-2010, 08:16 AM
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Scrib, what do you think about the Denon 3808CI ?

Last edited by NSXNEXT; 05-21-2010 at 08:21 AM.
Old 05-21-2010, 08:20 AM
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Getting closer. Receiver is still up in the air. Choice is between the Pioneer and the Denon. Am I really going to notice a $600 difference?

And for the one who said you can't buy a kickass system for under $5K, I still have a lot of room left.

$1625 Television: Panasonic TC-P54G25
$500 Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K or Denon 3808CI $1100
$400 Surround Sound:Energy RC-Micro 5.1
$500 Blueray: Oppo BDP-83
$300 Remote: Logitech Harmony 900

Last edited by NSXNEXT; 05-21-2010 at 08:24 AM.
Old 05-21-2010, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Whiskers
You best invite me over....
I'm sorry, you are?
Old 05-21-2010, 08:38 AM
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Love my Denon, even though it's a 'lowly' 589.

Couldn't beat the $40 price, though.
Old 05-21-2010, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
I'm sorry, you are?
Ill bring hookers...
Old 05-21-2010, 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Getting closer. Receiver is still up in the air. Choice is between the Pioneer and the Denon. Am I really going to notice a $600 difference?

And for the one who said you can't buy a kickass system for under $5K, I still have a lot of room left.

$1625 Television: Panasonic TC-P54G25
$500 Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1020-K or Denon 3808CI $1100
$400 Surround Sound:Energy RC-Micro 5.1
$500 Blueray: Oppo BDP-83
$300 Remote: Logitech Harmony 900
Well, the Pioneer does have 6 IN/1 OUT for HDMI which is pretty friggin' nice. The Denon is only 4/1.

You won't notice a difference. I've never been a fan of Pioneer. If it's really between those two units, I'd stick with the Pioneer.

Also, are you going with the Harmony 900 because it has RF? If that's not needed what about the Harmony One?
Old 05-21-2010, 10:40 AM
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The biggest seller for me in a receiver is lots of inputs and the ability to reassign them. The Pioneer fits both of those.

Old 05-21-2010, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Scrib
Also, are you going with the Harmony 900 because it has RF? If that's not needed what about the Harmony One?
Yeah our goal is to have everything in a cabinet that we shouldn't have to open. Want to make it kid-proof.

But I can see that for the price, I might be willing to give up that feature.
Old 05-21-2010, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Whiskers
Ill bring hookers...
Trying to go in on a groupbuy with drdamian for a stripper pole.
Old 05-21-2010, 02:00 PM
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Also, while not at the top of most people's list, the Pioneer is Energy Star certified. Everything I've read says it runs considerably cooler than other receivers...a good thing if you want to have it in a cabinet you don't want to open. It's already dropped to $535 on Amazon with free shipping.

Good find on the speakers, too. If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate a review of them once you've had them for a couple of months. Our rooms are very similar in size, and I'm curious how the smaller speakers will do. I was surprised how loud the little cheap speakers I picked up for my PC will get (and still be clear), so I'm really curious about these (obviously much better quality than cheap PC speakers). I want to be able to fill my house with sound, not just the room (for music listening). My house is small and relatively open, so this shouldn't be hard, but I'll need something larger to accomplish it. However, for future reference sake, I'd really like to know how these do...if I'm ever in a situation where I only need to fill a room with sound, I'd love to be able to do so with something this size as opposed to traditional HT speakers.
Old 05-21-2010, 05:48 PM
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For a home theater, I have to say that I think the most amount of money should be spent in the display and the speakers. Next in line, the receiver.

As far as speakers go, take a look at Phase Technology speakers. Small (Darts, in-wall mounts), super well constructed, very affordable and the company founder (Bill Hecht) just happens to hold the patent for the soft dome tweeter design used in nearly every other speaker in the world. Also, they are a US company (Florida).

http://www.phasetech.com/index.html

I have owned a set of their bookshelf speakers (4 Teatro4.5s) and their PC3.1 Center speaker for over 5 years and people are constantly amazed at the quantity and quality of the sound they produce. FYI, I have a Yamaha RXV series receiver (soon to be replaced with another Yamaha) and a B+W 12" sub along with the Phase Tech speakers.

Last edited by stogie1020; 05-21-2010 at 05:51 PM.
Old 05-21-2010, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
Yeah our goal is to have everything in a cabinet that we shouldn't have to open. Want to make it kid-proof.
To help you spend more $$$. Very nicely built stuff, top quality and definitely worth the money. http://standoutdesigns.com/

. . . and I also think a Yamaha tuner is the way to go.
Old 05-25-2010, 09:51 AM
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Noone likes Onkyo receivers? Would Yamaha still be the best option? Still designing my home theater as well. I know i'm going with a plasma 55"+ & 7.1 surround with a zone 2 for another room. All in-wall/ceiling speakers.
Old 05-25-2010, 04:24 PM
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Go Yamaha for the receiver.
Old 05-25-2010, 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by L's TL
Noone likes Onkyo receivers? Would Yamaha still be the best option? Still designing my home theater as well. I know i'm going with a plasma 55"+ & 7.1 surround with a zone 2 for another room. All in-wall/ceiling speakers.
Onkyo is okay, denon appears to be a better brand with better build quality in the AV world. I've used my onkyo a handful of times and it's already broken down a handful of times...
Old 05-25-2010, 05:06 PM
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I just picked up the Denon 990 (same as the 3310) for $699.

Onkyos get pretty hot compared to Denons or Yahamas. Marantz is also a good brand. You should be able to find the 6004 for a good price.
Old 05-26-2010, 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Go Yamaha for the receiver.
Originally Posted by csmeance
Onkyo is okay, denon appears to be a better brand with better build quality in the AV world. I've used my onkyo a handful of times and it's already broken down a handful of times...
Originally Posted by NetEditor
I just picked up the Denon 990 (same as the 3310) for $699.

Onkyos get pretty hot compared to Denons or Yahamas. Marantz is also a good brand. You should be able to find the 6004 for a good price.
You guys are awesome. You just saved me from a headache because I surely had the Onkyo in my saved cart. Thanks!
Old 05-26-2010, 07:54 AM
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Yamaha RX-V665 or Denon AVR-1910???? (links included in the names)

NSXNEXT let us know what you get!
Old 05-26-2010, 07:59 AM
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lol dont forget about hdmi cables/digital audio/wiring/installation (unless you're diy) and furniture/tv mount/speaker mounts.
heh i forgot about that while doing the basement and it ended up like... 600ish more.
Old 05-26-2010, 08:00 AM
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My dads 62" Samsung Plasma has such ridiculous contrast, watching 300 or Sin City makes your eyes bleed. Love it.
Old 05-26-2010, 08:02 AM
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Originally Posted by L's TL
Yamaha RX-V665 or Denon AVR-1910???? (links included in the names)

NSXNEXT let us know what you get!

Denon, because you can reassign inputs. Can't do it on the Yamaha.
Old 05-26-2010, 08:11 AM
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OR Denon AVR-2310CI
Old 05-26-2010, 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by L's TL
Yamaha RX-V665 or Denon AVR-1910???? (links included in the names)

NSXNEXT let us know what you get!
I'm most likely getting the Pioneer. The Denon is the other one.

Received the Energy surround sounds yesterday. Not moving into the house until the very end of June so probably won't have anything hooked up till sometime in July. I've got a lot of unpacking to do first.
Old 05-26-2010, 08:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CGP CL9
lol dont forget about hdmi cables/digital audio/wiring/installation (unless you're diy) and furniture/tv mount/speaker mounts.
heh i forgot about that while doing the basement and it ended up like... 600ish more.
Yea I do TV/Home theater/Car audio/video install as a second job. Just havent bought anything for myself in a while.
Originally Posted by n3o
My dads 62" Samsung Plasma has such ridiculous contrast, watching 300 or Sin City makes your eyes bleed. Love it.

Originally Posted by Scrib
Denon, because you can reassign inputs. Can't do it on the Yamaha.
Didnt think about that, thanks!
Old 05-26-2010, 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by NSXNEXT
I'm most likely getting the Pioneer. The Denon is the other one.

Received the Energy surround sounds yesterday. Not moving into the house until the very end of June so probably won't have anything hooked up till sometime in July. I've got a lot of unpacking to do first.
I'm in the same boat. I have ALOT of work to do before we move in, and even then I still have to finish my basement. So if I'm able to have everything in by sometime July, I'll be really lucky. My goal is to have the basement finished at the very latest by the beginning of football season


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