Aron Siegel Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 Hi everyone-- I've had a blu-ray player and 42 inch flat screen for about a year. I have not added a home theater sound system yet, and was wondering what most members of this group prefer for their home systems. Thanks Aron Siegel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 I recently bought a Denon HT receiver from a local big-box store. It was only about $350, included a setup microphone (to set levels and tonal characteristics) I feel it is a decent option for the price. I also have a 5 speaker setup (Paradigm) as well as an extra pair of Paradigm Phantoms for stereo listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 I use these (stolen from Pickwick Drive-In, 1963). I know it's a little old fashioned but I'm thinking of adding a sub-woofer next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 LOTD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 Sadly, I use the sound from my TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 LOTD! +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 My home post setup is my theater setup too, obviously. Older Sony SXRD projector, Denon receiver, Lipinski L-707 LCR, Some Sonus Faber on-wall for rears (due to limited space), Lipinksi L-150 sub (being replaced by B&W CT SW15 15" sub since the Lipinski doesn't physically fit in my setup) I really like B&W's new CT700 custom theater line. I think it gives a lot of bang for the buck, plus the finish quality is great. If I were building my setup from scratch today, I think I would have gone with CT7.3 LCRS up front. Small speakers are cute, but there is something missing from not having big cabinets with big drivers, or at least not as effortless to achieve the same results. Don't forget to treat the room. I have about half of the walls in my work room / theater treated. Because it is a residential setup, I recognize you can't always go hog wild, but to make it somewhat more attractive, I bought a bunch of shallow, cheap, IKEA bookshelves and lined the inside back wall with 4" Auralex foam. There is another 6" or so of foam and air gap between the back of the bookshelf and the house's wall. The front third to half of the room has some polystyrene diffusors panels, that actually don't look half bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Visser Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 also, if your just starting out, figure out what your realistic budget is right this moment. buy the cheapest receiver (I recommend Denon, Marantz, or Integra/Onkyo) that has enough HDMI inputs for your needs. Then spend the rest on just two speakers (CT7.3 LCRS in the budget?). Forget the sub, forget surrounds. Don't buy the fancy HDMI cables or speaker cables that they sales guy will try to pitch you. Use lamp cord and buy decent workhorse level HDMI cables online (from a company other than M$%(^er). I would normally say go ahead and buy cables from you brick and mortar store, but everyone, even RadioShack, has been swayed by a couple of the boutique cable manufacturers to drop their cheap cable lines and just carry the expensive s%(t. Next year you can add a sub, then surrounds, and finally a center channel (which is the least important element in my opinion, if you buy a decent quality pair of mains in the first place and actually sit down in front of the TV to watch things). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 On HDMI cables, build quality is important. I bought a pile of discount cables that worked for a few months then started producing "snow" that would get better or worse when jiggled. I just grabbed 2 x 15' cables for $5 each from Tiger Direct, they are very lightweight but feel sturdy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelo Waldron Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 Don't go cheap in your Home Theater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryF Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 I use these (stolen from Pickwick Drive-In, 1963). I know it's a little old fashioned but I'm thinking of adding a sub-woofer next year. I bow down to the master. Best post of the month. Larry F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jozzafunk Posted November 29, 2012 Report Share Posted November 29, 2012 My home post setup is my theater setup too, obviously. Older Sony SXRD projector, Denon receiver, Lipinski L-707 LCR, Some Sonus Faber on-wall for rears (due to limited space), Lipinksi L-150 sub (being replaced by B&W CT SW15 15" sub since the Lipinski doesn't physically fit in my setup) I really like B&W's new CT700 custom theater line. I think it gives a lot of bang for the buck, plus the finish quality is great. If I were building my setup from scratch today, I think I would have gone with CT7.3 LCRS up front. Small speakers are cute, but there is something missing from not having big cabinets with big drivers, or at least not as effortless to achieve the same results. Don't forget to treat the room. I have about half of the walls in my work room / theater treated. Because it is a residential setup, I recognize you can't always go hog wild, but to make it somewhat more attractive, I bought a bunch of shallow, cheap, IKEA bookshelves and lined the inside back wall with 4" Auralex foam. There is another 6" or so of foam and air gap between the back of the bookshelf and the house's wall. The front third to half of the room has some polystyrene diffusors panels, that actually don't look half bad. Ha Lipinskis for TV, awesome - I too run mine through music music system ( Bryston/Sony M5's/Boutique handmade pre ) it's great when the mix / production sound is good, but eww on most television, shows the garbage up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted November 30, 2012 Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 I use these (stolen from Pickwick Drive-In, 1963). I know it's a little old fashioned but I'm thinking of adding a sub-woofer next year. Doh! I just spit Crystal Geyser water all over my monitor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bondelev Posted November 30, 2012 Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 I use an Onkyo receiver which has the same mike system as the Denon for tuning the room. The system is called Audessey and was designed by Tom Holman when he was at USC. it's amazing how much of a difference it makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted November 30, 2012 Report Share Posted November 30, 2012 Cool! And I agree, it makes a huge difference. I use an Onkyo receiver which has the same mike system as the Denon for tuning the room. The system is called Audessey and was designed by Tom Holman when he was at USC. it's amazing how much of a difference it makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aron Siegel Posted May 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 this was over nine years ago. has anything changed in your home theater sound systems? I replaced my 42 in HD with an LG 55inch OLED UHD. I purchased the multi-region version of the LG UBK-90 blu-ray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shastapete Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 I have a Sonos beam as my primary speaker. I've learned in life that I can be of two minds – If I'm working I want my gear to be the best possible and clinical, when I'm relaxing I want it to be easy to use, and good enough – sonos is way better than the TV speakers, but it is no where near the best living room system. My TV is a 43" 1080p best buy special, I bought it because it didn't have any smart features and my Apple TV covers those needs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tourtelot Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 3 hours ago, Aron Siegel said: this was over nine years ago. has anything changed in your home theater sound systems? I've gotten older. D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RocketTreeAudio Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 I have a 85” Samsung Q80r, Devialet Phantom, and an Apple TV. Don’t have a theater room, but it’s in my living room. I really enjoy my setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glyn Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 Interesting topic. Currently my system includes the following all setup in the living room: - Panasonic 65" OLED 4k TV - Bose 5.1 surround sound box thingy (bought second hand from local HiFi store) - Marantz NR 1509 7.1 Receiver setup using the Audessey which definitely helps with getting the settings right Sound is good all round and rumbles are enough to upset the wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 Thought I'd jump in with my home setup. Magnaplanar mains powered by Carver M-500t 375 WPC power amp w/10" powered sub fed thru NAD Pre Amp. JBL passive rears with Onkeyo 110w receiver & 10" sub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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