Best custom home audio setup. ~$5,000 >>>>?

Question

Looking to do my new home theater. Not going ALL out but want a nice setup. Price range under $5,000. Can go more if worth it ;-) Room is not small but not big. About 14x13. Looking to get a a 52" Samsung HD LCD ($2k). Want to go the selective component route due to better sound options. (such as purchase all the components separately, receiver, amp, etc. etc.) Want THX certified as well. Heard BOSE, Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer, and some others were decent. Best setup if you were going to do this. Looking for a 7.1 perhaps a 7.2, looking for a good deal of loudness, but also want it to be clear. Basically want it to be like "Oh my god, this sounds amazing!" Definitely want great sound quality at a decently loud volume. Movie theater quality. Perhaps give me your setup details if you were to do a system. Also want to integrate a HTPC (Home Theater PC) into the whole thing eventually but we can save that for later.

Thanks in advanced!

Answer 1

There is a Lot to this issue, more than can be handled by Yahoo Answers. Please make sure you are scanning dedicated sites like HomeTheater Fourm.

One thing that impresses people is a good Subwoofer. Two of the better brands are "SVS" and "HSU Research.  These both run about $800 - but will give you great, impressive bass.

Separates can eat up your budget, but "Outlaw Audio" sells a pre/pro system that runs the same as a mid-level receiver.

I have to warn you: most decent equipment and speakers will exceed THX specifications, but they dont want to spend the $$,$$$ for the certification.

If it was me, I would go with a mid-level Yamaha or Denon receiver, a SVS subwoofer and 5 speakers from a well-know and respected speaker company. Names like Paradigm, B&W, Polk, Energy, Definitive Technology, etc - will all give great sound without breaking the budget.

One thing to keep in mind about speakers: Music is about accuracy and the prices are high for audiophile quality speakers. But Home Theater is about IMPACT. As long as you have a good sub, properly placed, less accurate (less expensive) speakers can be used.  HT sound is actually DIFFERENT from music.

Some other things to consider:

- Radio Shack SPL meter: $45. & Avia or Digital Video Essentials

- Harmony/Logitech remote

- Good 12 ga speaker wire from PartsExpress (not exotic, just decent)

- Cables from a custom site like BlueJeans (Pro quality but cheaper than retail).

- Make sure you have a phone line and Internet connection behind your rack.

- Make sure you upgrade your CATV or Sat service to HD signals. (Lots of people forget this).

DVD PLAYER:

If you decide to go BluRay - get a PS3. It's one of the best players out there.  If you go HD-DVD, get a stand-alone Toshiba like the HD-A3. Do NOT get the xBox360 with the add-on drive.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

If you want THX Certified Equipment, it will cost you. It doesn't sound any better, it just gives you bragging rights. First your TV. The two best big screen TVs, in my opinion, are; Pioneer Elite, and Mitsubishi.

Now for the gear. Check out receiver brands like B&K, B&W, Krell, Rotel, Poineer Elite, Denon, Yamaha and maybe even Harmon Kardon. Don't give a second glance to Sony, unless it's the Sony ES line. Look for a receiver that has MOSFET amplifiers. If you want to go with separates, pre-amp, and tuner, I'd go with B&K. Speakers to look at (listen to) are; Klipsh, Mirage, Boston Acoustics, and maybe even Polk Audio. Higher end speakers to listen to are; Sonas Faber, Vienna Accoustics, Martin Logan, Mark Levinson, Focal. Subwoofers to listen to;  REL, Boston Acoustics, Klipsh,  Mirage. You should plan to spend 20% of your total on good cables. I recommend Monster Cable.

You don't need 7.1 or 7.2 unless you are hooking up 7 sets of speakers. The 'point one' in 7.1 is the subwoofer, 7.2 would would be 7 sets of speakers, and 2 subwoofers. I'm referring to the center channel as a set, as some multiple speaker systems have a front and a rear center channel speaker. Happy shopping!

Answer 3

Where are you located?

There are a great deal of different solutions for your situation.  

The wow factor is usually associated with two things:

1) BASS - as the first person who answered suggested.

2) Clarity/Sound Stage- When you are playing a movie you can actually hear things coming from different locations.

Its difficult in words to describe the differences in speakers.  Its much easier to listen to them in person.  I suggest going to a nice store such as a Magnolia Audio Video to test out some systems.

Definitive Technology makes great speakers for what you are looking for.  I suggest their Bi-polar towers.  They have built in subs and sound amazing for movies.  I personally have the Supercube Reference and it is amazing.

Message me and maybe I can help you further!