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Message
First Home Theater System--Advice and Suggestions
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:03 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:03 am
Currently, my home theater system consists of a 65" Samsung TV, a Samsung bluetooth sound bar, and a Samsung sub. I bought my house almost two years ago and the sound bar has done the job, but I'd like to upgrade to a full 5.1 system in my living room. The room isn't huge by any means, but it's a decent size and it also extends into a foyer area that leads to the front door. I don't have the exact dimensions but I could get them if that would help with suggestions. I think I know the placement of all the equipment, I'm just trying to decide on the brand of equipment. I've been going back and forth between Polk and Klipsch. Both are within my price range, with Polk being a few hundred dollars cheaper for everything. I know there are better brands out there, but I'm not wanting to break the bank on my first true home theater setup. We like to listen to music a lot (so a Bluetooth receiver is a must) and watch movies/TV.
I've been doing some research online on the two brands, and obviously it comes down to personal preference. A lot of people say you either love Klipsch or you hate Klipsch, as their horn tweeters can tend to be more "harsh" and give people headaches after listening for a good amount of time. While Polk has a "warmer" sound to them. I'm no audiophile so I don't really know what harsh and warm equate to when talking about audio. Anyways, here are the two setup options I am contemplating:
Receiver:
Yamaha RX-V379BL 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver with Bluetooth = $299.95 (I am open to other ideas here)
Klipsch Audio:
Klipsch R-1650-C In-Ceiling Speaker (2)
Klipsch RC-42 II Reference Series Center Channel Loudspeaker
Klipsch R-24F Floorstanding Speaker (2)
KLIPSCH 10" Front-Firing 250w Peak Power Subwoofer (K100-SW)
Klipsch Total = $980.96
Polk Audio:
Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling/In-Wall Speakers (2)
Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio T50 Home Theater and Music Floor Standing Tower Speaker (2) OR Polk Audio TSi300 Floorstanding Speaker (2) ($70 more)
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer
Polk Total = $573.89 or $713.89 depending on the floor speakers.
All prices are Amazon prices, as I have an Amazon rewards card that has points on it that I'd like to use if possible. If anyone has any other recommendations for a "beginner" type home audio system please give me some advice. I am a total newbie at this. Thank you in advance!!
I've been doing some research online on the two brands, and obviously it comes down to personal preference. A lot of people say you either love Klipsch or you hate Klipsch, as their horn tweeters can tend to be more "harsh" and give people headaches after listening for a good amount of time. While Polk has a "warmer" sound to them. I'm no audiophile so I don't really know what harsh and warm equate to when talking about audio. Anyways, here are the two setup options I am contemplating:
Receiver:
Yamaha RX-V379BL 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver with Bluetooth = $299.95 (I am open to other ideas here)
Klipsch Audio:
Klipsch R-1650-C In-Ceiling Speaker (2)
Klipsch RC-42 II Reference Series Center Channel Loudspeaker
Klipsch R-24F Floorstanding Speaker (2)
KLIPSCH 10" Front-Firing 250w Peak Power Subwoofer (K100-SW)
Klipsch Total = $980.96
Polk Audio:
Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling/In-Wall Speakers (2)
Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio T50 Home Theater and Music Floor Standing Tower Speaker (2) OR Polk Audio TSi300 Floorstanding Speaker (2) ($70 more)
Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Powered Subwoofer
Polk Total = $573.89 or $713.89 depending on the floor speakers.
All prices are Amazon prices, as I have an Amazon rewards card that has points on it that I'd like to use if possible. If anyone has any other recommendations for a "beginner" type home audio system please give me some advice. I am a total newbie at this. Thank you in advance!!
2
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:13 am to ZDub86
Have you listened to any? Is your room hardwoods? Brighter speakers can be harsh sometimes with a "hard" room.
Also, look into the pioneer Andrew Jones stuff.
Also, look into the pioneer Andrew Jones stuff.
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 8:16 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:15 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
I've heard Polk, but not Klipsch.
Living room is hard floors, yes.
Living room is hard floors, yes.
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 8:17 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:31 am to ZDub86
If you're cool with floor standing speakers, which have to be away from the rear wall a couple of feet for correct bass response, you may just want to put your money there and wait to see if you miss all of the other speakers. I'd rather $1000 pair of floorstanders, exactly what I have, over $1000 spread out over 6 speakers. I also have a $1000 amp, but it sounds shockingly good for movies and the epic TV series like Game of Thrones.
I know this opinion is in the minority, but a pair of perfectly positioned 2.5 way speakers can create a helluva sound stage.
I know this opinion is in the minority, but a pair of perfectly positioned 2.5 way speakers can create a helluva sound stage.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:35 am to Gaston
Obligatory downvote 
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:39 am to Gaston
Honestly, I haven't even thought about buying only the floor standing speakers.
Which brand do you have? I'll look into it at least, but I think I'd want the entire setup.
Which brand do you have? I'll look into it at least, but I think I'd want the entire setup.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:41 am to ZDub86
quote:
Honestly, I haven't even thought about buying only the floor standing speakers.
Which brand do you have? I'll look into it at least, but I think I'd want the entire setup.
You will get ZERO of the surround effects with a 2 channel setup.
After having a proper home theater setup, I can't go back.
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 8:42 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:47 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
Wow, I just briefly looked up the Pioneer Andrew Jones equipment, all with very good reviews and affordable. I didn't even think about Pioneer originally.
Now I think I am down to Polk vs. Pioneer.
What about my receiver choice? I have heard Yamaha being very reliable, and it has good reviews and isn't overly priced. It delivers 100W/channel.
Here's a Pioneer receiver that I found:
Pioneer VSX-531 5.1-Channel AV Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth
Now I think I am down to Polk vs. Pioneer.
What about my receiver choice? I have heard Yamaha being very reliable, and it has good reviews and isn't overly priced. It delivers 100W/channel.
Here's a Pioneer receiver that I found:
Pioneer VSX-531 5.1-Channel AV Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 8:51 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 8:59 am to ZDub86
I have Monitor Audio Silver speakers. They can be a bit bright so I found a tube based (tube preamp) amplifier to take the edge off.
I don't know how people get such a thrill off of surround effects, I turn my shite up and the house shakes. Listening to a battle scene in Game of Thrones is as submersive as you could ever ask for. I'd put my 2 speakers against 6 of the same price, for any application, all day long. I guess some people are dazzled with effects, I'm dazzled with Led Zeppelin or Radiohead sounding exactly like it should. The lows and extreme stereo effects of movies sound amazing as well. It's all a personal opinion...
I don't know how people get such a thrill off of surround effects, I turn my shite up and the house shakes. Listening to a battle scene in Game of Thrones is as submersive as you could ever ask for. I'd put my 2 speakers against 6 of the same price, for any application, all day long. I guess some people are dazzled with effects, I'm dazzled with Led Zeppelin or Radiohead sounding exactly like it should. The lows and extreme stereo effects of movies sound amazing as well. It's all a personal opinion...
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 9:07 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 9:12 am to ZDub86
Amazon had all the Andrew Jones stuff on sale just prior to Christmas. Not sure how often they reduce pricing. I'm currently playing "Last of Us" on PS4 on a 60" with the Andrew Jones surround, and it is pretty darn impressive. I'm pushing them with a Denon AVR-1300.
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 9:15 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 9:56 am to ZDub86
You don't have to match the avr with the speakers. I prefer Denon/marantz for my avr.
I also look for the sound calibration in the receivers. I have an older Denon with audyssey multieq xt.
Also, I have recommended Polk owm 3/5 for the rears.. If you can put bookshelves or floorstanding for the rears, do that. If you need something up high, the Polk's are nice.
Fwiw I like Klipsch. I like a little brighter sounding. The pioneers are semi neutral.
I also look for the sound calibration in the receivers. I have an older Denon with audyssey multieq xt.
Also, I have recommended Polk owm 3/5 for the rears.. If you can put bookshelves or floorstanding for the rears, do that. If you need something up high, the Polk's are nice.
Fwiw I like Klipsch. I like a little brighter sounding. The pioneers are semi neutral.
This post was edited on 4/5/17 at 10:00 am
Posted on 4/5/17 at 10:03 am to Gaston
quote:
I know this opinion is in the minority, but a pair of perfectly positioned 2.5 way speakers can create a helluva sound stage
You do music over movies in your setup and that's ok. You like to setup a proper soundstage for your music which is directly in front of you just like a concert. Well, with movies the intended soundstage is immersive and all around. If you understand that for music, you should see why people want a 5.1 for movies.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 10:28 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
I'm simply saying that movies sound amazing on my system. I know they do tricky shite in the mixing of sound for them and it works. He says he wants to listen to music too, and is cool with floorstanders (which most people aren't), I'm just saying that GREAT movie sound can be had with two quality, well setup speakers.
The picture is coming from the front, your ears are facing forward...I'm just shocked that the ubiquitous thought is that 5.1 for a living room is a must. For a theatre room, of course...for an odd shaped living rom with foyers and halls...give me two good speakers.
The picture is coming from the front, your ears are facing forward...I'm just shocked that the ubiquitous thought is that 5.1 for a living room is a must. For a theatre room, of course...for an odd shaped living rom with foyers and halls...give me two good speakers.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 12:36 pm to Gaston
I'd say we watch movies/TV series more often than listen to music. But we do both. I don't really need a full blown concert in my living room, but I do want the surround sound effects.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 2:07 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
Andrew Jones is working with Elac and designed their Debut series which would be an upgrade to the pioneer equipment. You might also look at fluance for speakers, I use their bookshelves for home and office and they sound great.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 2:25 pm to Jack Bauers HnK
Elac is not cheap!! But I'm sure they sound great.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 4:57 pm to Gaston
quote:
Gaston
I got your back brother, have an upvote!...
Posted on 4/5/17 at 4:59 pm to Marco Esquandolas
Posted on 4/5/17 at 6:00 pm to ZDub86
He could get 4 B5s and a C5 for $640 and his choice of subwoofer after that, not that expensive.
Posted on 4/5/17 at 6:10 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
Yeah, I know...but Gaston's been takin a lickin' on here lately
So I figured I'd help him out a bit!
And I do get his point of a really good 2.1 sounding great, although it isn't 5.1, which the OP is looking for.
So I figured I'd help him out a bit!
And I do get his point of a really good 2.1 sounding great, although it isn't 5.1, which the OP is looking for.
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