I need to build a home theater system need advice?

Question

I want to build a sound system for my living room (i had a Bose Lifestyle 18 Series 3 system but was unhappy with the sound, especially bass).

I already have a receiver which is a 5.1 and has a subwoofer output (it requires a powered sub). im looking for exellent sound and not too big of speakers. im also interested in having a very powerful subwoofer since i was so disapointed with what my bose sub sounded like.

right now i only want to get 2 front speakers and the sub, i will work on getting the rest at a later time.

i was looking at these Boston speakers and this subwoofer but im not sure if there any good:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Boston-Acoustics-Horizon-Bookshelf-Speaker-HS40MDNT/sem/rpsm/oid/190812/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Boston-Acoustics-HPS-10SE-Horizon-Subwoofer-Black-HPS10SEMDNT/sem/rpsm/oid/190814/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

thank you in advance!, Cherry

Answer 1

Just a small word of advice for the sub.  Bigger doesn't have to mean better.  You can perform little tricks on your sub, depending on the model of course, that can give you deep, hard hitting bass at a great price.  My advice would be to find a sub that has a built in crossover as well as independent volume control.  You can set the crossover to a relatively high level and direct most of the low frequency effects it's way.  It's not ideal and you'll lose some clarity but hey, it'll pound.  You can also tweak the volume level to help achieve the desired bass.  And of course, let's not forget the oldest trick in the book.  Place your sub next to a wall if at all possible.  It'll shake your house to it's very core.  Uh, don't do this if you live in an apartment or share any common walls.  It's a good way to p**s off your neighbors.

Answer 2

Hi Cherry...

First you have to tell us are you trying to create a Music system or a HT system?

Here is the issue - Music is about accuracy.

The goal of a music system is that the speakers should be very sensitive and accurate so believe you are in the audience of a live performance and can see the color of the fingernail polish on the musicians from the sound alone.

HT sound is highly artificial, highly compressed and second to the video.  A good HT system is about IMPACT.

You can get away with less expensive, less sensitive speakers for a movie system.

Boston is a decent speaker company, but those mini speakers may not be music quality.  The only way to tell is to take a favorite CD into the store and audition.  

The sub looks decent. But you do not have to buy a matching subwoofer to match the others. In fact - some of the better subwoofer companies only make subwoofers.

Once again - take a favorite bass-heavy CD to the store and listen.  

One of my favorite test tracks is the "Cones & Rods" song from the Blue Man Group CD.  Lots of fast, percussive bass.

Answer 3

This advice may or may not work depending on the configuration of the room or even the receiver you have.  BA makes awesome speakers but since you are looking for good bass go with Denon 3way speakers.  You will have a subwoofer and each speaker will have its own built in bass.  These speakers will be floor standing though.  If you want deep bass though, this is the way to go.  You will need to buy a center channel though.  In most cases you should anyways.  The center channel will carry all the voices and is probably the most important out of all the speakers.

If you want clarity though with a strong sub.  Go with a Denon sub and Martin Logan Clarity speakers.  With these you won't need a center channel.  They function as a straight up 2 piece set.  The speakers are floor standing but very very thing.  Expect to pay a decent amount of money though for either option.  You pay for what you get in audio still.