Surround Sound

[Ausfree]

Not a Landy topic, I know. But needing advice on purchasing a 5.1 Surround Sound system to replace my old "el-cheapo" one that is about to cark it. I am a bit of an action/war movie buff so that gives you an idea of what type of sound I am after. I have had a look around and it is a bit confusing, so I thought if any body on the Forum has a bit of knowledge that they can share with me on which type/brand to buy.:)
Budget is around about $1,000 give or take a bit which I think should lift me above the cheaper units into the mid-range type, any thoughts would be appreciated!!:D

[big guy]

Hey
I build and install home cinemas in almost every home I build(Builder).

I do need to know if you are after a full system, like speakers, sub and amp etc.

The $1k budget is pretty restricting mate, you really only get what you pay for although the law of diminishing return does come into it.

I suggest you go to Harveys and have a listen or even Ebay to see what people are selling off.

I usually buy subs that cost that much alone so I do not actually have much experience in that sector but as you said, there must be something out there.

I suggest you save some more and than start looking at $3k or more as than you get a system that actually works not just a box with a chinese speaker and nothing else.

We build a house for a guy with dedicated electrical circuits, re-inforced floor and tripple sound-check plasterboard etc. The guy used Meridian full system with digital speakers. Cost for sound system came well into 6 figures alone.

The end result was absolutely amazing, perfect sound staging and a very happy customer. Car in his garage, a Hyundai, he just cares about his music and movies.

Anyhow, good luck.

[CJT]

I have a Sony 7.2ch system that I bought for around that money.

HT-DDW7600 : Home Theatre Component Systems : Home Theatre Systems : Sony Australia (http://www.sony.com.au/product/ht-ddw7600)

It has a seperate amp for the 2 subs and seperate reciever with HDMI etc.

I run dvd's and blue ray through a Playstation 3 and my Sony XBR LCD and it works great. (Probably still one of the best LCD's Sony ever made)

[rainman]

Is that $1000 for an amp/receiver or for a "whole system" (including speakers)?

About 18 months ago my amp died so I did the research and came up with Denon being the pick in the $600 - $1000 range. As much as I hate Harvey Norman, it turns out they have special models which appear are cosmetically altered versions on the same models offered by HiFi specialist retailers in Australia. The Harvey Norman versions are of course cheaper.

AVR590 = AVR1610
AVR790 = AVR1910
AVR890 = AVR2310

My advice is spend money on speakers rather than fancy lights and tricky features. The general consensus used to be spend the same amount on speakers as you do the amp, but that was just for a stereo system (2 speakers), not a surround system.

There's some more info on Denon here (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1433842).

Speakers - I'm a big fan of B&W.


James.

[Ausfree]

Thanks for your prompt reply fella's.:D
Bigguy, I understand you "pays for what you gets" but my budget does not extend that far (I wish it could).
Rainman, I'm not into 'bling" and fancy lights, but I will take note of your tips.
CJT, thanks for the Sony link, I will have a close look at it!!

Cheers guys!!!:D:D

[Chucaro]

I have a Logitech Speaker System Z906 (http://www.logitech.com/en-au/speakers-audio/home-pc-speakers/devices/7929) (RRP $600)
The system works with my 42"TV and my Wester Digital TV Live HD Media Player hooked to a 1T HDD.
It is an excellent and cheap way to have a nice system.

[Basil135]

I bought a Yamaha system years ago.

It was about $600 from memory, and while not brilliant, I don't have the room, money or permission to set up a home theater the way I would like.

And, from what the neighbors tell me, the sound quality is pretty good. :eek:

[Tombie]

I'd suggest a Denon Amp and then the best speakers you can get :cool:

Had Yamaha etc and Denon sounds very nice..

Harveys often have 5.1 Denon units out on deals...

[MEANZ06]

Amazon.com: Sony MDRRF970RK 900 MHz Analog RF Wireless Headphone: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21m6T5clrXL.@@AMEPARAM@@21m6T5clrXL

what i use as not to disturb the rest of the home especially late night... :D

[awabbit6]

We upgraded our analogue Yamaha 5.1 amp recently. It had worked faultlessly for 14 year. The only reason for the upgrade was that our TV died and everything is now digital so new TV meant new amp.

I walked into Harvey Norman certain that I was taking a new Yamaha home with me. After much discussion about and contemplation we bought an Onkyo TX-NR609 (http://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/av_components/av_receivers/tx-nr609/index.html).
It seems pretty good so far. Could have bought the next model down but seeing as the Yamaha lasted 14 years and was only replaced because it lacked the digital processing ability, I wanted something that was a "future proof" as we could afford.
Some features that you may want to watch for is the ability to connect your amp to your home network so that you can stream music from your computer. Also worth considering is the ability to upgrade to a digital radio tuner. (The Onkyo does both). Watch for HDMI 1.4 compatibility too.

[Chucaro]

.........................................
Some features that you may want to watch for is the ability to connect your amp to your home network so that you can stream music from your computer. Also worth considering is the ability to upgrade to a digital radio tuner. (The Onkyo does both). Watch for HDMI 1.4 compatibility too.

I agree with that and for that reason I have the Western Digital WD TV Live Plus (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=320)
It cost less than $180.00 and read many diferent formats of video as well.
Very handy unit if you cannot afford an expesive system.

[Ausfree]

I agree with that and for that reason I have the Western Digital WD TV Live Plus (http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=320)
It cost less than $180.00 and read many diferent formats of video as well.
Very handy unit if you cannot afford an expesive system.Yeah mate, my current "el-cheapo" system is sub $200 ( it does have sound quality problems as you would expect) and I would LOVE to go to a $10,000 sound theatre but I have to be realistic with my budget and I figure if I look around the $1,000 mark, that should satisfy my needs!!:)

[Ausfree]

I see this Thread has been moved. Apologies Mods I flipped a coin over were to put this one and I figured this section was for electronics for cars that's why I put it in the General Section.:D

[Chucaro]

Yeah mate, my current "el-cheapo" system is sub $200 ( it does have sound quality problems as you would expect) and I would LOVE to go to a $10,000 sound theatre but I have to be realistic with my budget and I figure if I look around the $1,000 mark, that should satisfy my needs!!:)

I do not know if you understand my spanglish :D, the Western Digital is an add on to the sound system to allow the user to have the system hooked up to a PC or a HDD to see movies and hearing music.
I got it togheter with the Logitech unit and the lot cost less than $ 800.00.

[Ausfree]

I do not know if you understand my spanglish :D, the Western Digital is an add on to the sound system to allow the user to have the system hooked up to a PC or a HDD to see movies and hearing music.
I got it togheter with the Logitech unit and the lot cost less than $ 800.00.
Apologies mate, I re-read your post and now know what you meant!!!:D