In home theater system what is the optimum reciever and speaker system to work with HDTV and HD blue ray DVD?

Question

What number speakers are needed 5.1 or recent 7.1? Is it better to go with "all-in-one" system like Bose or mix and match with specific receiver and speaker system?

Answer 1

All HD programming is in 5.1.

I think it is better to buy good parts rather than a HTIB, but many people just want a system w/o reading & learning what the respected equipment is.

I would suggest you focus on:

-  Yamaha or Dennon receivers

- SVS Subwoofer or HSU Research

- Any good monitor-style speaker system that fits your budget. This included Definitive, Paradigm, Energy, Polk, etc.

NOTE: Your sub can be from a different company, but the 5 other speakers should all be the same family.

Remember that speakers have 'flavor' which is why nobody can tell you what is the 'best' for X amount of money. Take a CD and listen.

Answer 2

Before you consider Bose which is well advertised but not worth the money, read this:

http://avtruths.com/bose.html

Most movies are in 5.1

As to the rest of your question, it is hard to answer without a budget and anyway, speakers have to be chosen by you. We all hear somewhat differently. Best to go to a decent (high-end) stereo store and start listening.

Answer 3

This depends on you and your environment. 5.1 does fine for most but 7.1 will be more emersive. All in one systems never match up to separates but are less expensive ( aside from Bose) If you want a system in the Bose price range look for the Energy "Classic" Take 5 system. This was called the "Bose Killer" a few years ago. It used to be $900 for the speaker system w/sub but was recently rereleased at about $500 and still hold up very well. At the time when I worked at the good guys! in the audio department 9 out of 10 people who came in asking for Bose when they came in bought the Take 5 after listening to both. You can get a fully featured receiver to go with it for about $500. The Sony STRDG910 gets good reviews. This would make a great starter system and includes great Blu-Ray connectivity. If you want to spend a little more look into Denon  or Yamaha receivers  and better Energy, Paradigm or Definitive Technology speakers.

I think what "He Who" means is that Dolby Digital is the standard audio format for HD broadcast. It isn't all 5.1 necesarily. It can be 5.1, 4.0, 2.0 or even 1.0 (unlikely but is a possibility with Dolby Digital.) DVDs go up to 6.1 and BD movies up to 7.1.