What surround sound system should I get?

Question

I think we are getting a Samsung LNT5281 52" LCD TV and want to know what's a good audio system to get with it? The room is about 11'x22'. I'm willing to pay around $2000 or more if it will be worth it. What do you recommend? I think we'll stick with a 5.1 system since the room is pretty small. My b/f will play Xbox 360 on the TV and we will watch movies and HD TV. Thanks!!

Answer 1

I Can tell you that the TV your going after is none the less perfect. Not saying that other LCD's are not its just that I have the 4681 and i can tell you that I love that thing.

But now On to the surround sound systems. You know what When i bought my System I ended up getting me a nice Bose system. And people will bash them yes they will. but Im tellin you to go with what sounds nice to you. I really like Bose and find that the people that bash them are the ones who cannot afford it. and that is fine bash them, but at the same time. No one really wants to hear it.

I can tell you that Bose has alot of clarity in there speakers and plenty of bass. for what your trying to do . There speakers are so tiny that they will dissapear in the backround and what is really cool is when you watching a movie, i mean i still cant believe all that sound comes from such tiny speakers at least that what Bose tricks the ears into believeing. But im tellin ya to go with a Bose, but please do not get a LIFESTYLE system. Go with the Acoustimass 10 or 15 and get your own reciever. here is a good package for you and your BF.

Here are the speakers = http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Bose-Acou...

and this is a nice reciever. =

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-TX-...

One thing that I reccomend you do is go look at that system that the girl mentioned above and turn it up and watch the distortion begin to settle in. and then go turn up that Bose, see how well it holds to distortion and the reasons behind them is that way the craft there speakers and how there setup. very neat to watch it unfold once you know how Bose works. there so smooth, but there good at what they do.

And the reason I say go and turn it up and listen cause the guy at best buy tried to intrest me in some Klipsch which did sound nice, but for one they were too big and when i Turned them up the distortion began and I came back  to reality and bought what I thought sounded best.

Answer 2

For the price of the Samsung, I'd recommend the Sony KDL-52XBR5.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor...

As for sound:

Harman Kardon/JBL digital surround sound package

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...

Mind you, this is but a few out of many excellent recommendations for gear.

For audio receivers, Harman Kardon, Sony ES, Pioneer ELITE, Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, Marantz, Sunfire, Outlaw Audio, Rotel, and so are excellent choices.  

For speakers, Klipsch, JBL, Mirage, Energy, Boston Acoustics, Revel, Definitive Techology, Wharfdale, Bowers & Wilkins, NHT, KEF, Infinity, Cerwin-Vega!, Martin Logan, and so make great speakers.  But, some are better than others and they have many models at several different price points.

This is why auditioning is very important: you have to listen to what these things sound like and then choose whichever one offers exactly what you want with sound quality that appeals to you and at a price you're willing to pay.

Just, whatever you do, don't buy Bose (if you're going to blow money on Bose, you may as well blow it on something that actually has decent performance along with superior style: Bang & Olufsen) and don't buy speakers from the white van speaker guys.

Answer 3

Go with your gut feeling

that sounds like a perfectly good one

Answer 4

Agree completely with the guy that never lets me have the remote. If you go with his recommendations, you will have roughly $1000 for speakers.

Go to the local stores and ask them to demonstrate every speaker system in that price range. You'll fall in love with something, and that's what you should buy.

If you want to compare receivers, in addition to Onkyo, Yamaha and Denon make good options in that price range also, but the Playstation is the way to go for Bluray, particularly since your hubby plays games.

Consider hiring a professional to calibrate your picture and your sound system for maximum performance. Let me put it this way: If the choice is buy good cables and no calibration verses buy cheaper cables and paying for calibration, you will get more mileage out of calibration. If you can afford both, better!

Answer 5

I think XMiSpy is pulling your leg. Most people will steer you away from Bose (Most reviews on Bose say that they suck but they are not that bad but almost any reputable brand is a better value)

Well done on the description of your system and needs. So many people just ask "What is a good surround sound system?"

Yamaha RXV-663 receiver (HDMI switching and newer uncompressed audio formats) $550

Energy RC-Mini fronts and Rears with a RC-mini Center $1050

And an S10.3 Energy Subwoofer $500

This will sound tremendous in your room.

You will probabably get other good recommendations here but you owe it to yourself to find someone who carries this set and listen to it.

Audition before you buy.

Answer 6

DONT BUY A SYSTEM.

Get superior equipment by buying makes/models that have good reputations.

RECEIVER: Onkyo TX-SR505 : $499

SPEAKERS: (This is like flavors of ice-cream. You may like one set while I like the other.)

Look into ProMonitors by DefinitiveTechnology, Polk RM system, Mirage Nanosat, Klipsch, etc. Take a favorite CD and audition.

BluRay Player: Get a PS3.

Dont forget - you need to upgrade your cable or Sat service to get HDTV.  Splurge to get a HD-PVR . It will change the way you watch TV.

Answer 7

I recommend a Bose system.  Bose is well known for high quality audio and they do have a surround system.

Bose Theater System:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&...

There are other systems out there that match and out perform the Bose.  Some priced cheaper too.  As long as you search for "Home Theater System" using a search engine you will find good results.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&...