[Inuyasha]

This question is for those home entertainment buffs. I just purchased a Sony 52" LCD HD TV, and I'm looking for a small 5.1+ speaker set-up.

I would prefer the best bang for the buck, $500 or less (possible?). Sony has a set-up for $799 and those speakers are really small like 2X2", but it's a bit pricey.

What would you guys recommend? Oh and the room size is about 500 sq ft.

Thanks

[mayanh8]

Originally Posted by DarkAgent

This question is for those home entertainment buffs. I just purchased a Sony 52" LCD HD TV, and I'm looking for a small 5.1+ speaker set-up.

I would prefer the best bang for the buck, $500 or less (possible?). Sony has a set-up for $799 and those speakers are really small like 2X2", but it's a bit pricey.

What would you guys recommend? Oh and the room size is about 500 sq ft.

Thanks

You won't find much at $500 except the small all-in-one packages.

You sound like a first time home audio'r. My advice...? Spend the least amount of money possible on a surround sound setup, listen to it, then decided whether it's something you want to dump more money into. Some people can't/won't be able to tell the difference between $40 KLH speakers and $1000 Polk's.

[phantomcoupe]

i have heard the sony speaker system you are referring to and it is impressive for its size. larger speakers will always out perform small speakers (bose included). it is physically impossible to reproduce all frequencies with tiny speakers and a subwoofer. you will lack the all important midrange. i would recommend a bookshelf size speaker and if you cannot afford all five with the sub purchase the surround and/or sub at a later date. good luck.

[Inuyasha]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have another question though. I have a 1080P tv and blu-ray player, so I should get a system that supports 1080P? Will I notice a difference if I don't get it? The sony system supports 1080i.

Update: I did some more reading and the 1080 upconversion is for dvd to HD format which I don't really need since I have that set-up already.

The sony is looking good though, but I dislike the wires running to the rear speakers.

Thanks.

[TurboFan]

I don't think the sony speakers are worth the money at any price, except maybe free.

The cheapest system I could recommend is this:
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...&product=109.1

for about $999. I have their higher end equipment. It's also worth noting that you're probably better off putting the money into a decent receiver with a good amp section. But for $500.....put it back in the bank, wait until you can spend a little more. You'll be much happier. The TV is pretty good, do it justice and give it a good audio companion.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by DarkAgent

Thanks for the advice guys. I have another question though. I have a 1080P tv and blu-ray player, so I should get a system that supports 1080P? Will I notice a difference if I don't get it? The sony system supports 1080i.

Thanks.

At this price point, I wouldn't route the video through the receiver. It's going to degrade the quality. Not until you start spending $2000-$3000 on a preamp/processor will you get a video processor that can do the 1080p justice.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by Varise

DA, I have had the Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 system for about a year and a half and I love it. It has been widely praised on audiophile forums and websites as one of the better "system in a box" set ups. If the sky was the limit, I would suggest to purchase each component separately, but if you're on a budget, you can't go wrong with this one. Let me know, and I can go into a bit more detail about it...but to summarize it's a great system. Circuit City actually has it on sale for $449.00, check it out:

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

I've not sampled the Onkyo, but I have heard good things about their entry level product. It does color the sound a bit, but for under $1000, you're going to be limited in the receiver / processor department. Everything is going to color the sound a bit, but the Onkyo does it in a reasonable way.

Also check the Marantz equipment. I've gotten great deals at www.accessories4less.com. They are an authorized refurb dealer for Marantz, between my friends and I we've probably purchased 8-10 units for ourselves and family. They are very good, and about half the price of retail. They may have some HTIB as well.

[ontopofm]

go to etronics.com
you might find something good there
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[AndrewAZ]

Dont cheap out on sound.. One thing about speakers is if you invest in a good set they will last 10+ years... A tv is outdated every 4-5 years or breaks. Right now I probably have $6k in sound which is my 5 speakers (paradigm) 2 subs(yamaha) and denon receiver. I know I can count on a new tv ever 5 years or so but my speakers are 10+ years old and still great, the only new additions is the receiver since my old one didnt have HDMI.

[Inuyasha]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I don't have the funds to do a serious set-up like some of you have, so I'll have to stick to an all in one package.

What do you guys think about the DVD "HD upconverting" is it worth it to get in a system?

My train of thought is I have blu-ray and some movies do not come in that format so I can always play dvd on a HD upconverting if I get that set up.

I can now watch all movies in HD right?

[djmatty]

Doing your homework can't hurt. I spent around $600 putting my system together, and it sounds much, much better than many $2000-3000 systems I've heard.

[ZBMW]

The real advantage of HD/Blueray is that you now have true 5.1 surround sound. The picture is nice if you're within 5 ft. or so but beyond that your eye cannot discern the difference.
So, if you go to a $500 set of speakers you are essentially throwing away the best part of HDTV.
Sound and Vision mag reviewed several surround speaker sets in the October and November issues. All more than $500, of course.
For viewing regular DVD's on your set you need the $229 Oppo DVD player. It has a top rated conversion/ scaling chip. You can read reviews at Projectorcentral.com or Audioholics.com.

[inabis]

try out avsforum.com......plus, if you check out the BF deals link you can get AWESOME deals @ CC or BB, most people wont even be going for them anyway so you're guaranteed a good set at a great price...you can get a 1080P Samsung DVD player for 70ish...which is good...trust me don't cheap out on the sound and the dvd player...

@BB there's a 1080P 5.1 Panasonic system for 389..or a sony 1080i 5.1 for 200...i'd personally skip the interlaced though (esp. for action movies)

@CC they have an Onyko 7.1 WITH reciever and speakers for 400...dude you should totally jump on that one

[inabis]

when I bought my surround sound a month ago, I looked into the small sony as well...the thing is that all the bass as well as the come from the sub (and the speaker on top) so when ppl are talking it only comes from the sub unit which means it's hard to hear it...in all honesty skip it...for they're size they're awesome but honestly u'l get MUCH better sound if you go the traditional route

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by DarkAgent

Thanks for the input so far guys. I don't have the funds to do a serious set-up like some of you have, so I'll have to stick to an all in one package.

Whatever you do, do not audition speakers you know you can't afford. It'll make you instantly unhappy with what you get.

Originally Posted by DarkAgent

What do you guys think about the DVD "HD upconverting" is it worth it to get in a system?

Well, your TV is going to be upconverting to its native display resolution no matter what your DVD player it outputting, so the question is whether you can afford a DVD player with a better up-converter than your TV has.

If you can get 480P out of the DVD player (DVD players usually de-interlace better than TVs because they know more about the content) then letting the TV upconvert to 1080p is usually just fine. If you get a really badass DVD player (ie >$1K) it'll probably do a better job than your TV would. Upconverting twice (eg 480i -> 720p in DVD player, 720P->1080P in TV) is definitely going to be worse than letting the TV do all the work.

These are generalizations, of course; there are assorted advantages and disadvantages to various specific components that I really don't know enough about to make recommendations off the top of my head.

[KaBoom]

Seems like you only want some surround sound with your screen, I recommend this.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/224&cl=us,en

It will sure have enough power for your 500 square feet room.

But the above speakers aren't good enough to my liking so I would get full Home Theater Setup.

You can start with mid-range Onkyo like TX-SR605. Then selectively chose your speaker for your taste. Don't by speakers because someone said it's good. Everyone has different ears and different taste in sound. So, go out there and listen to them before you make purchase.

You can also start with Onkyo HTIB (Home Theater in Box) which usually come with 7.1 setup and a receiver for $800 ~ $1100.

Now, if you really looking for a decent setup for your TV and Blu-Ray speakers, save about $3000 then do the shopping. Just buy the logitech one that I have suggested (about $400) and save.
This is basic break down of 3K, $600 for receiver, $1000 ~ $1200 for 5 ~ 7 seapkers, $500 for sub-woofer and TAX to uncle SAM. That for beginner setup to Audio Phile .

Also, http://www.avsforum.com/ is good place to start on reading on what you're seeking.

And if you really have the money, I like these for main.
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/vista.html

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by DarkAgent

Thanks for the input so far guys. I don't have the funds to do a serious set-up like some of you have, so I'll have to stick to an all in one package.

What do you guys think about the DVD "HD upconverting" is it worth it to get in a system?

My train of thought is I have blu-ray and some movies do not come in that format so I can always play dvd on a HD upconverting if I get that set up.

I can now watch all movies in HD right?

Any bluray player I've seen will upconvert the DVD 480p to 1080 i/p, depending on what the TV can do.

Secrets of Home Theater reviewed the Sammy BD-P1200 and called it the best DVD player they'd seen at any price. It was also judged an excellent bluray player. I bought it and have been very please with it's upconversion of DVD's. My display is a 1080p panny plasma. Your Sony should look just as good.

[Inuyasha]

Thanks for the input guys, my blu-ray player is actually the PS3. Will this upconvert my DVD's?

[DoctaM3]

Bose Lifestyle 48, but that's a few thousand $$. Love my system--have 2 of them!

[speedgod]

Originally Posted by DoctaM3

Bose Lifestyle 48, but that's a few thousand $$. Love my system--have 2 of them!

[67bmer]

for inexpensive speakers, I would check these guys out

http://www.psbspeakers.com/

I have found their stuff to live up to the reviews in the audio magazines.

I would avoid sound equipment found at BB or CC.

another great source for equipment when you find what you are looking for

http://www.audiogon.com/
http://www.videogon.com/

I have acutally purchased most of my stuff through audiogon and my amp on ebay.

[derek0480]

Yamaha YSP-1000 - no wires to run/hide and the sound is great.

Have one sitting below my 61" samsung DLP

All you need is a sub - I rock a Velodyne CHT-12 and it bumps!!!