I am 30 years old and finally moving in with a girl. That means I am going to have to buy a TV & Sound system since using my computer as my home entertainment just wont suffic (even though it is a really kick butt computer).

So I am looking at TV's, and a decent audio setup. A friend suggested an Outlaw Receiver, and I trust his opinion and I always like to support the little guy so I have pretty much decided on the 1050.

My question is this... What the hell else should I get? I am seriously lost here, it is like a whole different language for me. If someone wants help with computer audio, I am the guy to go to, but as far as setting up a basic apartment-friendly HT system, I am at a complete loss.

The only things hooked up to the receiver will be a TV (undecided make or model), a PlayStation 2, and a purpose built computer for allowing access to my relatively large MP3/DIVX stockpile.

If I want to stick a 6.1 speaker solution that is moderately priced but reproduces full sound, where should I look? Loudness isn't anywhere near as important to me rich sound, and not just because I live in apartment.

Please, you people seem nice, don't make me rely on some cheeseball salesman to make a speaker choice.

Having lived in an apartment with a 5.1 system a few years back, I'd say the first place you can save some money is on the sub. You will be missing a good bit of punch (especially if you are going to get 'space friendly' speakers) but your neighbors aren't going to let you get by with a 400watt sub. At least none of the neighbors I've ever seen. . .

Check out Gonk's guide to home theater basics for terms and other info. gonk's info (woo-hoo, it worked!!!). There should be a lot of good general info there.

Pending budget, it is best to spend good money on the speakers. Find a local hi-fi shop and check them out, even if items there are out of the planned budget. Its good to see what is out there before deciding what is good enough for your system. I like B&W's DM303 speaker for a lower cost system. Paradigm is probably going to be the next speaker I buy for my 'big' system.

The best advice I can give is to listen to a lot of different pieces and combinations to find out what satisfies your particular taste. There is no single 'correct' solution. Finally, the radio shack sound level meter (analog approx. $30) helps during set-up and for future comparisons. Many times, you can get better results from a well set-up system costing less than a poorly set-up system of expensive pieces.

Best of luck.

S.


[This message has been edited by MrSandman (edited February 28, 2002).]

It sounds like MrSandman has things well in hand here. My guide may be a good place to start, but it may also generate questions -- this forum and a few others around the 'net can be good places to get some answers, so ask away. Most of all, though, find the gear that you prefer; people's tastes are different, and you may like Paradigm speakers where a friend prefers B&W (for example).

(Oh, and if Smart Little Lena happens through here, you might appreciate an addition to the "cables" section that I cooked up a couple weeks ago about cabling/connections after some of the discussion in the 950 forum about connections between components -- something that I think many people just getting started in home theater sometimes wonder about.)

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Gonk

I’m
Roving
Rambling
Drifting
Nomadic
Wandering
Restless
Oh, Thanks Gonk I’ll go read now.!

Uniballer,

First thing first, I would stay away from the typical chain stores like circuit city, best buys, rex and the like when deciding on speakers. Also be very careful with HT packages.

If I was you, find out where there are dedicated HiFi stores in your area and go and audition speakers there. You won't find Paradigms, B&W's, Mission, and others in circuit city but will in a HiFi store.

Personally, I have built my speaker system. Started with the fronts then came sub … Center … Rears.

As mentioned, try out the B&W's 303's. It really all depends on how much you budget. If you have $500 to spend on speakers, consider the B&W 602's. Very nice speaker for the money.

BTW, stay away from bose.

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Born once die twice,
Born twice die once

You might check out the Axiom line of speakers. The M3ti bookshelf speakers seem to get rave reviews from the pro reviewers. Generally comparing the sound of these 275.oo/pr speakers to 1000.oo/pr speakers.
Axiom has a great price on brand new "B-stock" M3ti speakers with "minor cosmetic blemishes" @ 220.oo/pr, including the original full 5yr warranty. They have centers, subs, surrounds also available as B-stock.
Axioms prices include shipping and taxes, no additional hidden costs.


AXIOM AUDIO

[This message has been edited by Steve_C (edited March 01, 2002).]

As has been said, you definitely want to find speakers that sound the best to YOUR ears. After all, you're the one who will be listening to them. Don't let a salesperson talk you into something that you don't really like the sound of, you'll just be sour about it and you'll be more and more so as time goes on. Usually if you go to an actual audio store and avoid CC and the like, you shouldn't have too much trouble with that sort of thing (at least that's been my experience!).

Also, try to audition speakers with similar components driving them. If you listen in one place with a really powerful setup behind it, and then another with something frail driving them, it is not a fair comparison of the speakers.

Finally, gonk knows I couldn't possibly let a thread like this go by without mentioning my choice. I really like the sound of Boston Acoustics speakers. The have some pretty affordable 5.1 setups that can be adapted to be apartment friendly. My uncle and I both set up home theaters near the same time, and completely independent of each other. In fact, we didn't even know we were both setting systems up. We both chose Boston's System 9000 (retail about $1k). Mine is in a house and I can get it cranked up pretty good and it sounds/feels great. He lives in an apartment and enjoys nice full sound without blowing out the neighbors. Additionally, I got a deal on the unused match to one of the floor demos which matched the fronts in my set; so I've got a nice 6th channel as well.

I think someone else mentioned it already, but you definitely want to spend as much as your budget will allow on the speakers. You'll upgrade other portions of your system looooong before your speakers if you choose wisely.

Remember, half the fun is looking around and seeking out those hard to find pieces. Enjoy the process and happy hunting! Be sure and report back how you do. We love to hear about each other's systems! Also feel free to ask away with any other questions you might have.

And Lena, at least you're not meandering!

I don't know if I am the one who will come with a foolish response, but ...

1. Why are you not connecting cable tv to you receiver/TV?

2. Whay are you not connecting DVD to your receiver/tv?

That seriously makes me question what type of connections you will be doing ...

So, if the answer is, you are going to use DVD from the computer, then you need to have a sound card with digital output ... is the computer close enough to the receiver? people tends to like coax over optical. Anyway, it's going to be a LONG cable for the 75 ohms coax AND for the S-Video cables ...

Else, what do you want a 6.1 system for? what 6.1 sources will you have?

I used to play DVD's from my PC (it's progressive signal), but that requires a GOOD video output card, as well.

Assuming then that you are going for a DVD player instead, JVC 65K or Panasonic RP56 are good options (around $200 on circuit city)... your TV MUST have component video input on your TV ... go for it, it looks a lot better than s-video.

The 1050 will process your DVD's Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 or even Dolby digital 6.1 (with propietary algorithms) just fine, IF it gets a digital signal.

The other (more complex) road, is to output ANALOG audio from your DVD source into the 1050; for example, the audigy card can output 6 signals ... you will have to carry ALL of those and input them into the analog in of the 1050 to be able to have 5.1 audio ... but NOT Dolby Digital or DTS processing (it should be done by the sound card) ...

This is getting long, and I don't know if you still need help ...

Speakers: there's a lot of options, what do you mean sound richness? but more important, it's an apartment, how much space do you REALLY have? (think about what SHE is going to say) ... so, you have two options: the serious speaker systems (of which everybody already commented, my personal system is Paradigm Mini Monitors) or sub/sat speaker systems.

That said, there's a couple of sub/sat systems I really like (not at ALL like Bose crap) ... one is the AEGO from Acoustic Technology (AEGO 2 was highly praised by stereophile, they just released AEGO5), I have one and sounds very good ... if you can forget about lower bass (my neighbors complained all the time, so it has some bass, just not down to 20 Hz).

I've heard about a Canton System as well, but I have no personal experience with it, so I will not comment on them ... but the company is a very serious one.

[This message has been edited by nreyes (edited March 01, 2002).]

Take a look at the Aperion systems. They have anything from 2.1 to 7.1. With an 8 or 12 inch sub. I have the 12 sub, but not the speakers. I love the sub. It sounds great and it actually looks good.

They are online only, like Outlaw and are on par with outlaw's customer service. Right now they have free shipping, and 90 free financing. And if you don't like it, they will pay for you to ship it back.

I just read this over and realize that it sounds like I work for them. I promise I don't. I just had a really good experience with them. Anyway check them out.

www.aperionaudio.com

uniballer;

The other Outlaws have given you a bit to think about. Here is another point for someone "new". Do you have a spousal acceptance factor or (I guess) significant other acceptance factor to consider?

Just prior to my last upgrade, my wife had been to a friend's house who had the small Acoustimas modules by Bose. She thought that they were great and that they were what we should buy. "Great Sound" and invisible. I wouldn't budge. I ended up compromising. No, I didn't get the Martin Logans I dreamed about. But my Monitor Audios do have a sound that I can more than live with. She isn't thrilled since we have small floorstanders, but, at least she doesn't have six foot tall speakers in her livingroom. I guess what I'm really saying is that you may want your lady to have some say in the system. If you want to take a little risk, even have her go and listen to the speakers to see if she can tell a difference in the sound. "Small" things like the looks of a speaker have been known to cause relatively large spousal problems.

One point that nreyes made was about the amount of space that you'll have in your HT room. Folks at a specialty shop can probably steer you to speakers that will address your needs. From your post, it sounds like you are more interested in full HT sound rather than music reproduction. Some speakers are good at one or the other, or both. Tell the guys at the store how you intend to use the system.

Good luck with putting the system together and more importantly, in your new life as part of a couple.