zaviour Posted May 2, 2013 Posted May 2, 2013 Hi there, I need help on HT setup since I am very newb in this area.. The budget is $1K to 1.3K for the HT setup excluding the bluray player room size = 3.4 x 3.6 m2.. HDTV 55" LED TV Apple TV Starhub cable Imac I will be mainly using it to watch movies (80%) + music (20%).. the movies will be mainly from my Imac via airplay mirror or apple tv itunes sharing.. the movies type is 1.4G (720p Brip) to 4G 720p... I would like to have a value for money with decent quality to suits my needs since big screen without good sound feels something wrong.. Any suggestion will be appreciated since I am really new in this area and feels a bit blurr and daunting whenever go to the showroom since I am like no idea at all.. Thank you for reading and hope to get some advise here.. cheers..
coupe07 Posted May 3, 2013 Posted May 3, 2013 Hi there, I need help on HT setup since I am very newb in this area.. The budget is $1K to 1.3K for the HT setup excluding the bluray player room size = 3.4 x 3.6 m2.. HDTV 55" LED TV Apple TV Starhub cable Imac I will be mainly using it to watch movies (80%) + music (20%).. the movies will be mainly from my Imac via airplay mirror or apple tv itunes sharing.. the movies type is 1.4G (720p Brip) to 4G 720p... I would like to have a value for money with decent quality to suits my needs since big screen without good sound feels something wrong.. Any suggestion will be appreciated since I am really new in this area and feels a bit blurr and daunting whenever go to the showroom since I am like no idea at all.. Thank you for reading and hope to get some advise here.. cheers.. for your budget, to get the most value for money, u shld camp in the home theatre buy/sell thread. There are pretty good values over there. Theres a denon receiver which I tink is pretty good value, and a onkyo too. Speakers wise, u shld decide u wan floorstanders, bookshelves or sats. Woofers, i think there are many choices too. U may need to expand ur budget a little so that u will not have the urge to upgrade in a short time.
zaviour Posted May 3, 2013 Author Posted May 3, 2013 Hi Coupe07, thanks for the advise.. how about the brand new one? I visited 1 show room, and they recommend me the Harman Kadon sets comes with 5+1 speakers, woofer and Amp...the cost is about $1.3K..
coupe07 Posted May 3, 2013 Posted May 3, 2013 There are better setups and brands than harmon kardon......if u really want full brand new with good sound, ur choices are limited.
zaviour Posted May 3, 2013 Author Posted May 3, 2013 Okay... May I know roughly what are my choices with that kind of budget.. my budget a bit tight due to the cost of the tv and imac.. thanks once again...
coupe07 Posted May 3, 2013 Posted May 3, 2013 KEC has tannoy sfx5.1 with a marantz amp at 1350sgd. If u really have to go for brand new, i tink this is pretty good value. The reviews are not bad for a small satellite system. But u could get a much better system if u buy 2nd hand with ur budget. Ultimately, ur call.
coupe07 Posted May 3, 2013 Posted May 3, 2013 U can consider: 1. Wharfedale P10 Bookshelf Speakers - xtremeplace sales thread 2. Energy Take Classic 5 Home Theater Pack (by Klipsch) - xtremeplace sales thread. This is 5 speakers without sub. Brand new too. 3. Denon avr2310 - xtremeplace sales thread 4. http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135298.0 - clearance sales from xtremeplace sales thread, all items are brand new There are many more which could fit ur budget if u look around carefully. And u may just get a higher quality system than getting a more general brand but brand new.
zaviour Posted May 4, 2013 Author Posted May 4, 2013 Thanks the suggestion i will take a look on it.. Btw if i want to achieve 5-1 system.. How many bookshelf speaker that i need to buy?
Vader1624705883 Posted May 4, 2013 Posted May 4, 2013 Bro, It depends. If you want to use floor standers for your Front L & R channels, you will probably need just one pair of bookshelf for your surround. Alternatively, you can also opt for book bookshelf speakers for your Front L & R channels. Hope that helps bro. ;D
zaviour Posted May 4, 2013 Author Posted May 4, 2013 Can a pair of bookshelf speaker able to support both C-L-R channel and also the surround function? Or you really need a 5 physical speaker to get the 5-1 system? Thanks for the help so far.. Indeed open up my idea about HT.. Great forum!
wizardofoz Posted May 4, 2013 Posted May 4, 2013 No i think he meant you can use bookshelves as your surround speakers, not a pair of bookshelf speakers to replace a full 5.1 setup. You could use all bookshelf speakers for the 5 channels...but typically the centre is bigger than the rest in a basic 5.1 setup, and often the l and r are bigger again if you use for stereo or can afford the space for them 5.1 implies 5 speakers and a sub woofer. L R C LS RS AND A SUB
zaviour Posted May 4, 2013 Author Posted May 4, 2013 So in short, i need 5 speaker right? As for the L/R, is there any specs that i should keep an eye for? And how about the surrounds? Can a satelite speaker sufficient for surr, or you need a bookshelves size?
m0j0_vin Posted May 4, 2013 Posted May 4, 2013 You can use 2 bookshelves for the LCR which is how stereo works. There's also virtual surround which uses your 2 bookshelves (stereo) speakers to generate surround. However, it can't match physical surrounds. If your budget is being constrained because you recently bought the other equipment, I would urge you to wait if it will allow you to increase it later. As others have said, it will cost you more if you end up upgrading right after. What I would suggest is get a good LR, sub and amp for now. Then later add the center and surrounds. You have to factor in the cost of stands/mounts for bookshelves ad well.
wizardofoz Posted May 4, 2013 Posted May 4, 2013 Try to keep the brand at least of your speakers the same to maintain a good blend of tonality at the very least for your front speakers (lcr) ideally using a matched setup of lcr and surrounds if its available from your preferred manufacturer/brand. A good stereo setup can give a reasonable phantom centre image too....but pay attention to the avr processing setup to match with your actual speaker setup 2.0/2.1 etc
tane0019 Posted May 4, 2013 Posted May 4, 2013 Base on your inputs : The budget is $1K to 1.3K for the HT setup excluding the bluray player room size = 3.4 x 3.6 m2.. I will be mainly using it to watch movies (80%) + music (20%).. the movies will be mainly from my Imac via airplay mirror or apple tv itunes sharing.. the movies type is 1.4G (720p Brip) to 4G 720p... I would like to have a value for money with decent quality to suits my needs since big screen without good sound feels something wrong.. The best VF$ that still fix you budget : (provided that you'll be satisfy with this & will not later hit by urge to upgrade). KEC has tannoy sfx5.1 with a marantz amp at 1350sgd. If u really have to go for brand new, i tink this is pretty good value. The reviews are not bad for a small satellite system. http://hifibargain.com/promo.html
zaviour Posted May 4, 2013 Author Posted May 4, 2013 yes you are on point of the VF$.. i am not thinking to upgrade soon, so will try to get the best with the budget I have at the moment yeah will try to consider that... I guess I will try to head down to Alelphi and try to listen it..btw any shop to recommend? and also meanwhile try to read up more about HT and also keep and eye on the sales thread here.. oh yeah, regarding the denon AVR 2310, is it has the airplay function and also what speaker best to pair up with this AVR? thanks guys! really appreciate the input so far..
kopidilo Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Bro i was in the situation 2 years ago as u. Same budget. Same questions My sincere advice is that w this budget, get used sets as u are able to get a 2k + set at same price. Later on more budget then slowly build w new sets. And in the end i was thoroughly satisfied w the sq i managed to get at same price point. As some bros have mentioned, focus ur monies on front n centre speaker n sub. Surround can get a simple one will do. And u are quite lucky. There are many good sets in the used section of the forum bow. Quickly grab b4 it disappear. i followed this advice from kind people here that time n trully no regrets.
ALTK Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Buying used items required product n market knowledge. Not so easy for newbie actually. Remember must do necessary research if u are going for used set. ;)
zaviour Posted May 5, 2013 Author Posted May 5, 2013 Hi, want to clarify regarding the power.. If the AVR can only supply for example 90W to the Fronts L/R, eventhough the spec for the Fronts one 140w (8ohms).. So what is the effect on having this kind of setup? Is it just the sound will be smaller or is there any other issue? Thanks for the help! Regarding the buy used item, any tips to what out or look for?
kopidilo Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 Buying used items required product n market knowledge. Not so easy for newbie actually. Remember must do necessary research if u are going for used set. ;) Just google the model can easily find tonnes of info liao. And u cant go that that wrong if u go for models w good reviews. Hi, want to clarify regarding the power.. If the AVR can only supply for example 90W to the Fronts L/R, even though the spec for the Fronts one 140w (8ohms).. So what is the effect on having this kind of setup? Is it just the sound will be smaller or is there any other issue? Thanks for the help! Regarding the buy used item, any tips to what out or look for? At your budget, most of the AVR power in manual is over-stated. So don't count on it. Instead, count on reviews and feedback. Google the model and compare it within that price-point. For used item, if first timer, best to go for speaker that is < 4years old, 8 ohms and high sensitivity (88db if can, but this is sometimes not zhun also), tweeter & driver not damaged & no distortion when u test. Electronics wise (AVR n Sub) is seriously heng-sway one, but usually, u can observe how the owner take care of it as a tell-tale sign of condition. AVR MUST HAVE HDMI & able to decode HD audio (ie. DTSHD, Dolby trueHD)
kopidilo Posted May 5, 2013 Posted May 5, 2013 U can consider: 1. Wharfedale P10 Bookshelf Speakers - xtremeplace sales thread 2. Energy Take Classic 5 Home Theater Pack (by Klipsch) - xtremeplace sales thread. This is 5 speakers without sub. Brand new too. 3. Denon avr2310 - xtremeplace sales thread 4. http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135298.0 - clearance sales from xtremeplace sales thread, all items are brand new There are many more which could fit ur budget if u look around carefully. And u may just get a higher quality system than getting a more general brand but brand new. to add on: Sub (budget < $300): - various subs $150-300 (can negotiate with econav, very nice guy): http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=122590.30 - MJ Sub: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=136292.0 (quite high, try to bargain) AVR (budget < $300): - Marantz 1501 http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=136397.0 - avr denon 1912: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=136293.0 - AVR Onkyo 808: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135761.0 - AVR onkyo 508 (high, try to bargain): http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135382.0 - Onkyo 606: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=134671.0 Speakers (budget <$500 for all 5 speakers) - Front wharfedale Pi10: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=136015.0 - Surround: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135545.0 BD player: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=135143.0
ALTK Posted May 6, 2013 Posted May 6, 2013 Hi bro sevenz, u are really a kind n helpful guy! This is what I meant by "necessary homework" n you have done most of it for bro zaviour liao! Great! Bro zavour, the next thing u could do is to check(googles) the specs n features of those models see can match your requirement or not. If kia su a bit, check the price and features of a new/current model to compare the dif n judge for yourself whether it worth the price or not. ;D
ALTK Posted May 6, 2013 Posted May 6, 2013 To add on, Important is "know what you want and understand what you are buying". :)
zaviour Posted May 6, 2013 Author Posted May 6, 2013 Hi Sevenz, Thanks for the great help! =) Hi ALTK, Yeah, that's what i am doing at the moment.. However, the question i asked regarding the power issue, i havent got any good answer yet.. If AVR spec can only output 90/100W, but the speakers spec is 130W-8ohms.. So what is the impact of this? The answer i have at the moment on the sound power, but how about the sound quality etc? Once again thanks for the help so far :)
zaviour Posted May 6, 2013 Author Posted May 6, 2013 Forget to add is the worry for newbie like me is to know or to judge on how to have a good mix and match from different brands, etc
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