Home Ent System

[rastaFarai]

I'm in the process of buying a house.. closing end of month. I'm buying a 52" Sharp Aquos (84U most likely).

For my receiver, I'm looking at a 7.1 with 1050 watts (150 watts per channel).

Pioneer VSX1017TXVK
http://www.6ave.com/shop/Product.asp...PIOVSX1017TXVK

What I need is some advice on the 7.1 speaker setup. I'd like to stick to pioneer speakers, but I'm open to other suggestions.

Any other suggestions on what I can do to enhance my home theater let me know. My wife already shut down my plans of an HD projector and screen (said it's overkill with a 52" TV).

[Major04]

My first question on the speaker set-up is: Do you want your speakers to be seen? I always like the Bose system set up: http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=s urround_subcategory

Currently I have Cerwan Vegas but, will be getting some MartinLogan VISTAB Vista 200W Floorstanding. Because I like my speakers to stand out.

Oh - that Pioneer is pretty good for the amount...Does that Pioneer have only one HDMI input? If not try to find one that has 2 or 3 HDMI input

[ncx]

Just my .02 cents... speakers matter more than anything in your HT audio setup, and you will not get bang for the buck with Pioneer speakers. If that is what you choose I am sure you can find something that will sound good. In my opinion, run quickly away from Bose. There are far better options for the money (I won't go on about Bose here).

The 1017 rec'r will be fine, although it does not put near the power you think it does. It's max AC power consumption is 450w so you can get an idea of what it can output with all channels driven. It will have no problem driving efficient speakers to reference levels. Is the 1017 the one that only has HDMI pass through? - no processing and no upconversion from other inputs. That may not matter to you.

If you want to list your budget for speakers and size/type requirements, I am sure you will get some good recommendations. Also run a search, we have had a few of these discussions recently.

[rastaFarai]

Originally Posted by Major04

My first question on the speaker set-up is: Do you want your speakers to be seen? I always like the Bose system set up: http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=s urround_subcategory

Currently I have Cerwan Vegas but, will be getting some MartinLogan VISTAB Vista 200W Floorstanding. Because I like my speakers to stand out.

Oh - that Pioneer is pretty good for the amount...Does that Pioneer have only one HDMI input? If not try to find one that has 2 or 3 HDMI input

I don't mind my speakers being seen - it will be in the basement, and the previous owner decided to put built in speakers into the roof, so I may just replace those and utilize that. Only problem is the speakers are in 3 areas of the basement - so I was thinking of an HT setup for the TV. For music, I can use the built in speakers.

The pioneer has only 1 HDMI input, to my knowledge - HDMI doesn't do audio anyway. So I don't plan to use the HDMI input on the receiver. Does this make a difference? I would just run my HD box audio output, to rcvr audio input, blu-ray (probably going with ps3) audio output to rcvr audio input.

[rastaFarai]

Originally Posted by ncx

Just my .02 cents... speakers matter more than anything in your HT audio setup, and you will not get bang for the buck with Pioneer speakers. If that is what you choose I am sure you can find something that will sound good. In my opinion, run quickly away from Bose. There are far better options for the money (I won't go on about Bose here).

The 1017 rec'r will be fine, although it does not put near the power you think it does. It's max AC power consumption is 450w so you can get an idea of what it can output with all channels driven. It will have no problem driving efficient speakers to reference levels. Is the 1017 the one that only has HDMI pass through? - no processing and no upconversion from other inputs. That may not matter to you.

If you want to list your budget for speakers and size/type requirements, I am sure you will get some good recommendations. Also run a search, we have had a few of these discussions recently.

Thanks, great info. As far as upconversion - the PS3 does upconversion. I also have a DVD player that does upconversion. Here's my question though, if I run HDMI from my cable box through the receiver and I have one that does upconversion - will my standard TV channels get upconverted? If so, then this is a huge benefit. I would definitely consider spending more $ to get a receiver that will do upconversion.

As far as what I'm willing to spend - most of my $ is going into buying the TV lol. So I figure to spend $2200-$3000 for the 52" Sharp (84u or even Special Edition 94U).

For audio setup, I was looking to spend $500 on a receiver, preferrably 7.1 - let me know if this is worth it, can I get similar output from 5.1?

For speakers another $750.

Thing is, I don't have to purchase my top of the line speakers now.. I'd rather spend the $ on the TV, and I can invest in the speakers later. Another option I was thinking of is replacing the speakers in the ceiling and using them as the surround. I have 2 front floor standing speakers already, all I would need is a sub.

[MrLabGuy]

Originally Posted by ncx

Just my .02 cents... speakers matter more than anything in your HT audio setup, and you will not get bang for the buck with Pioneer speakers. If that is what you choose I am sure you can find something that will sound good. In my opinion, run quickly away from Bose. There are far better options for the money (I won't go on about Bose here).

The 1017 rec'r will be fine, although it does not put near the power you think it does. It's max AC power consumption is 450w so you can get an idea of what it can output with all channels driven. It will have no problem driving efficient speakers to reference levels. Is the 1017 the one that only has HDMI pass through? - no processing and no upconversion from other inputs. That may not matter to you.

If you want to list your budget for speakers and size/type requirements, I am sure you will get some good recommendations. Also run a search, we have had a few of these discussions recently.

That wattage is as thin as the paper it is written on. However, for your price point I suspect it's as good a choice as any sub $500 receiver. I also agree on the Bose in terms of price and quality (too much and not enough).

[MrLabGuy]

Ceiling speakers don't make bad surrounds. Usually the information sent to the rear speakers is filler so you can get away with some cost cuts. The mains are important and also critical is get a center channel that matches the front mains as close as possible.

When considering Movie mode 90% of the movie will emanate from the center channel. Dialog is critical and most people scrimp on the center channel for large mains and wonder why they can't understand what is being said in the movie.

[rastaFarai]

GREAT POINT!! That is one of our pet peeves - is not being able to understand what is being said in movies and all the other action is really loud (with no surround - just TV audio).

So what would you suggest for a good center? Or center and main combination? And when you say get mains that "match" center - do you mean in output wattage etc?

Just trying to understand what specs I should be paying attention to when shopping...

Originally Posted by MrLabGuy

Ceiling speakers don't make bad surrounds. Usually the information sent to the rear speakers is filler so you can get away with some cost cuts. The mains are important and also critical is get a center channel that matches the front mains as close as possible.

When considering Movie mode 90% of the movie will emanate from the center channel. Dialog is critical and most people scrimp on the center channel for large mains and wonder why they can't understand what is being said in the movie.

[MrLabGuy]

It's really tough at that price point but as you can see from the JBL's below which are in your range the speakers match and would keep a uniformed sound across the middle of your spectrum.

Add a sub and your existing in-walls and you've made your mark.

[ncx]

Originally Posted by rastaFarai

Thanks, great info. As far as upconversion - the PS3 does upconversion. I also have a DVD player that does upconversion. Here's my question though, if I run HDMI from my cable box through the receiver and I have one that does upconversion - will my standard TV channels get upconverted? If so, then this is a huge benefit. I would definitely consider spending more $ to get a receiver that will do upconversion.

If your cable box is already HD, then it has a video scaler in it and can already upconvert. Check your settings and make sure you have 720p and 1080i selected in the output section. But keep in mind upconverted crap is still that... crap. Analog TV that has been upconverted is never going to rival even a compressed HD signal.

How are you planning to switch HDMI sources with one input? PS3/DVD/Cable box, that's 3. You will need a diff rec'r or else an HDMI switch. And HDMI does carry audio. DVI does not.

As far as what I'm willing to spend - most of my $ is going into buying the TV lol. So I figure to spend $2200-$3000 for the 52" Sharp (84u or even Special Edition 94U).

For audio setup, I was looking to spend $500 on a receiver, preferably 7.1 - let me know if this is worth it, can I get similar output from 5.1?

For speakers another $750.

Your rec'r budget is fine. Speakers will be tight. You can get the same levels from a 5.1 as 7.1 so don't let that point bother you. To date, most movies are 5.1, maybe 10% are 6.1, and maybe 3% for 7.1 ( I made those % up but you get the idea). So you can determine how important 7.1 is. Keep in mind you can also emulate 7.1 from 2 channel or 5 channel sources if you care. I have a 5.1 and 7.1 setup, and if you can't get the front effect channels placed perfectly, it sounds no better (to me) than 5.1 in my opinion. Check and see if you have proper placement options for a 7.1 system before you buy all those speakers.

Thing is, I don't have to purchase my top of the line speakers now.. I'd rather spend the $ on the TV, and I can invest in the speakers later. Another option I was thinking of is replacing the speakers in the ceiling and using them as the surround. I have 2 front floor standing speakers already, all I would need is a sub.

Like Lab said, how about using your ceilings for surrounds for now to save money? (cross them over high, like 90-100hz if you like it loud). IMO, put ALL of your speaker budget into the front three: left, right, center. Get the beefiest timbre-matched center you can afford.

Like the JBLs shown above, most speaker companies offer matching centers for the mains so the voicing is the same across the front. Same driver design, etc. So sounds that move across the front all sound the same. Very important for HT. If possible, the same exact speaker as your 2 mains will make an excellent center. Later on get some better surrounds and add a sub when you can afford a decent one... a cheapie will not play low enough or loud enough to act as a real HT sub and will just waste your money.