Comments on: Home Theater Systems to fit most any budget….

By: Side Show Bob

Side Show Bob — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:12:28 +0000

I’m a newbie kind of just starting out with a sort of limited space to work with. My first purchase was the Olevia 747i which is kind of (what I consider at least) the “best bang for your buck” LCD in MY particular price range, but actually after doing the research, found out that I got it at a price that was abnormally low for it’s specs. The next purchase that I have not made yet but plan on making in the next upcoming month or two (2) is an SVS sub, which is another item that I kinda consider to be a good if not great “best bang for your buck” item. That’s after hearing what it can do in my friends bedroom. He has an older model, the cylinder type, and with all of the stuff he has in his room, very limited walking space, and size of his room, any normal person might consider it overkill. If someone could help me figure out a “best bang for your buck” receiver and 5.0 speaker system, that would be great. Of course, price IS an object but since my LCD might wind up being my least expensive “single” item in the set-up, I don’t mind spending like close to $1000 on one (1) SVS middle range sub or $500 each on two (2) low range subs. Would also like the receiver to not be over the $1000 range, even if I have to get an older model. So long as it has all of the bells and whistles (THX cert., etc. ) that I’m looking for. As for speakers, I guess, $200 max per speaker for five(5) speakers would prob be a limit for me. ANY help would be appreciated.

By: John Crockett

John Crockett — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:37:25 +0000

Budget systems in the $1000-1500 range would be great. Some of us starting out may wish great sound but still not break the budget.

By: Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:47:33 +0000

I think I goofed a bit when suggesting sub-$1k. The assumption there was that most people are starting off with a screen, and filling the sound. A $500 recommended system including a display would be tough to stand by in any regard.

There’s a lot of respectable front projectors in the market, unfortunately it’s hard to go dynamic iris once you’ve been spoiled. So I’d probably say pinch those pennies to get a JVC. On the screen side, while I enjoy my Stewart, the performance of a fixed Carada is probably +90% there at a fraction of the price. If only they started making retractable units.

By: muzzman

muzzman — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:20:35 +0000

Sorry if this doesn’t format very well…

I’ve recently done quite a bit of investigation into this. Note these are Australian dollars and don’t include any screens or other ‘accessories’ like furniture. I realise that ‘Low-Mid’ range might be different for others - these classifications were for my situation only.

• Option 1 - Low-Mid Range - $14,050
○ Main Receiver
§ Marantz 8002 - $4000AUD or
○ Speakers
§ Paradigm - $6000AUD
□ CC-390 x 1 (Centre)
□ Monitor 11 x 2 (Front)
□ Mini Monitor x 4 (Surrounds)
□ DSP-3200 (Sub)
○ Projector
§ Panasonic PT-AX200E - $2,500
○ Universal Media Player
§ Oppo BDP-83 - $800
○ Power Conditioner
§ UltraLink PGX-500 - $750

• Option 2 - Mid Range - $20,050
○ Main Pre/Pro
§ Arcam AVR600 - $5000AUD
○ Speakers
§ Paradigm - $6000AUD
□ CC-390 x 1 (Centre)
□ Monitor 11 x 2 (Front)
□ Mini Monitor x 4 (Surrounds)
□ DSP-3200 (Sub)
○ Amplifier
§ Emotiva XPA-2 (2 channel) x 5 - $5000AUD
○ Projector
§ Panasonic PT-AX200E - $2,500
○ Universal Media Player
§ Oppo BDP-83 - $800
○ Power Conditioner
§ Ultralink PGX-500 - $750

• Option 3 - Mid-High Range - $27,900
○ Main Pre/Pro
§ Integra DHC-9.9 - $3400AUD
○ Speakers
§ B&W - $6500AUD
□ B&W HTM-61 x 1 (Centre)
□ B&W 683 x 2 (Front)
□ B&W 685 x 4 (Surrounds)
□ B&W ASW610 (Sub)
○ Amplifier
§ Axiom Audio A1400-8 - $4500
○ Projector
§ Epson Powerlite 7500UB - $7500
○ Universal Media Player
§ Denon DVD-A1UDCI - $3000
○ Power Conditioner
§ PurePower 700AC - $3000

• Option 4 - High Range - $56,500
○ Main Pre/Pro
§ Denon AVP-A1HDSP - $13,000AUD
○ Speakers
§ B&W - $6500AUD
□ B&W HTM-61 x 1 (Centre)
□ B&W 683 x 2 (Front)
□ B&W 685 x 4 (Surrounds)
□ B&W ASW610 (Sub)
○ Amplifier
§ Denon POA-A1HDSP - $13,000AUD
○ Projector
§ JVC DLA-HD100 - $10000AUD
○ Universal Media Player
§ Lexicon RT-20 - $7500AUD
○ Bluray
§ Denon DVD-3800BDCI - $1500
○ Power Conditioner
§ Nordost Thor - $5000

• Option 5 - Ultra High Range - $110,850
○ Audio Processor
§ Cary Audio 11a - $5,200
○ Video Processor
§ Cary Audio 11v - $5,200
○ Speakers
§ Paradigm Signature - $23,000AUD
□ Signature C5 x 1 (Centre)
□ Signature S8 x 2 (Front)
□ Signature ADP3 x 4 (Surrounds)
□ Signature Servo (Sub)
○ Amplifier
§ Halcro MC20 x 5 - $22,450
○ Projector
§ Panasonic PT-DW7000U - $30,000
○ CD/SACD/DVD-A Player
§ Linn Akurate CD - $12000AUD
○ Bluray
§ Denon DVD-2500BT - $3000
○ DVD Player
§ Cary Audio DVD 7 - $6000
○ Power Conditioner
§ Nordost Thor - $5000

• Option 6 - Ultra High Range 2 - $145,850
○ AV Pre Pro
§ Krell Evolution 707 - $45,000AUD
○ Speakers
§ Paradigm Signature - $23,000AUD
□ Signature C5 x 1 (Centre)
□ Signature S8 x 2 (Front)
□ Signature ADP3 x 4 (Surrounds)
□ Signature Servo (Sub)
○ Amplifier
§ Halcro MC20 x 5 - $22,450
○ Projector
§ Panasonic PT-DW7000U - $30,000
○ CD/SACD/DVD-A Player
§ Linn Akurate CD - $12000AUD
○ Bluray
§ Denon DVD-2500BT - $3000
○ DVD Player
§ Cary Audio DVD 7 - $6000
○ Power Conditioner
§ Nordost Thor - $5000

By: Jim Clements

Jim Clements — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:24:56 +0000

It looks like Walt is interested in systems in the $35k range while Patrick feels that $10k is a good budget level. Andrew would like to see low-priced systems and I agree with Kieren: It is difficult to make good recommendations for budgets below about $2,500. He does recommend a really good set up for $3,500. Yes, the price of plasmas has certainly dropped over the years! Lastly, Cory describes some interesting bargain-hunting skills. Great feedback, everyone!

I think this is a really good time to look for great deals on used high-end equipment. You can also get awesome deals on new equipment right now.

I do have two more questions - what do you think is the best deal in front projectors? What screen would you choose on a budget?

By: Larry Hryshko

Larry Hryshko — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:42:03 +0000

I really enjoyed your blog, Jim, as you’re touching upon one of my favorite reasons for staying knowledgeable about hi-fi. I’ve been a budget-conscious audiophile for years and continue to employ every trick in the book for acquiring better/cheaper/finer audio gear for myself, my family and friends. This includes DIY, buying used hi-end gear, fixing broken gear, “barn finds” or garage sales, hunting for close-outs, specials, Ebay, Audiogon, etc. When life is good, I’ve even been known to buy at full retail from my local hi-fi shop, which also provides a great deal of satisfaction, albeit of a different type. Almost invariably, full retail purchases only occur when I MUST have a new technology that isn’t available by less expensive means.

Over the years, I’ve enjoyed a lot of great audio gear of all different flavors with very few disappointments. In my opinion, the key to success is knowing what’s good and what’s out there. Most people have never even heard of the brands that audiophiles lust after. While audiophiles may disagree on what’s good, they don’t disagree by much. For example, I doubt that many would pass up on the Audio Research monoblocks at an estate sale just because they prefer Levinson or Krell. Audiophile friends wouldn’t let their friends buy the four letter B-word. Knowing what’s good and why it’s good can save you a fortune in this hobby and will help you buy killer gear whether you’re shopping at full retail or buying used or broken items. Furthermore, depending upon what you’re after, what’s good may not have changed that much in years, or even decades. Apportioning limited resources wisely is also a key to success in this hobby and a lot of people don’t always get the right mix. For example, KUROS and HTIBs do not mix. I think a lot of people will benefit greatly by receiving advice and examples of putting together great systems over a range of prices.

By: Ross Jones

Ross Jones — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:08:24 +0000

It would be very interesting to hear different perspectives on where that “point of diminishing returns” sits on the chart. I have definite opinions on the subject, particularly when it comes to speakers, subs, receivers and amps (almost but not quite there on projectors). But your mileage may vary.

By: Andrew Yang

Andrew Yang — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:47:28 +0000

I think it might also be interesting to hit some lower price points as well. A local shop here in Toronto often advertises systems priced slightly above the average HTiB touting (and rightly so) vastly improved capabilities. Similar to your friend’s budget of $1,000, maybe a couple tiers below the $2,500 point before moving up. I know $10k is nice, but sometimes realistic systems are nice too. As often as I read about the latest Ferrari or Porsche… I find myself lately reading about the latest Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 12:02:53 +0000

This is a great idea. Most of my friends will never buy the high end stuff because they can not justify the cost, but they do ask me for advice for “something along the lines of $XX”. For me, the break away item from chain store electronics came when I purchased my first “separates”…the Emotiva LMC-1 and LPA-1 combo (pre/pro and amp) for about $849. The price was that of a modest mid-priced receiver, but the performance/dollar ratio was a huge leap forward. I bought Kimber PBJ cables for under $25 on Ebay (along with Cardas, XLO, and Wireworld). Have slowly upgraded my speakers (ALWAYS below MSRP). Waited (a few years) for my HDTV to be at the price point I wanted (even waited for Amazon to offer FREE SHIPPING). MY wife thinks I am cheap…but she is wrong. I am parsimonious!

By: Cory Potts

Cory Potts — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:02:08 +0000

This topic always gets my blood going as it might be my favorite thing to discuss. I’ll have to admit that I’m a braggart. I LOVE to brag about how great a deal I found on this or that, I think its a genetic trait in my family. Its no secret that high end electronics (or any electronics for that matter) are just about the worst investment one can make (short of Ukranian tech stocks). I always hear people say “I bought that really over priced piece of equipment because I can afford it, I like it, and its the only piece in the world that is finished in Mars moon-rock-dust. I don’t care how much money you have, a bad deal is a bad deal, the logic doesn’t change just because you have more money…it only gets to be a little more palatable. “Now, I’ve never been a gambling man but I love to try to cheat the system when buying electronics (more on that in a future blog), the “point of diminishing returns” takes no prisoners in the world of HT, but if you look in the right place at the right time, you can find gear that is WAY out of your budget but may cost less than the big box store brand. One piece that sort of started me out was the HSU Ventriloquist from about 5 years ago. I was in college and already smitten with the HT bug, but I knew I could not afford a system. After a little looking and a lot of luck I picked up the 5.1 HSU w/sub from a store that was closing down…the next day as I was walking into a pawn shop I was almost run over by a guy storming out of the pawn shop…apparently he was insulted at what they wanted to give him for his HDTV…so I offered $50 more (a good deal for us both) and, just like that, I was into an entry level HT system for so little dough I couldn’t believe it, and just like that I was hooked on HT bargain hunting, and helping those around me not spend too much money for a nice setup.