Home Theater Systems

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve got a DVD Player with Dolby Digital and DTS outputs, and component video output. I’m looking to start building my home theater. I don’t need anything top of the line but I don’t want anything cheap either.

What kind of specs should I look for. I’m not that much of a gearhead in this type of thing but I am familair with the basics. I just want to make sure I don’t miss out on something.

I want the 5 speaker hookup with the surround sound, dolby, etc.

What do ya’all reccomend? If it matters, I have a Sony DVP-S360.

Many thanks

2

When people ask me questions like this, I usually just suggest they go for the features they like. I bought the Sony HTD-DW830 system for $350. It’s only serious drawback is that is comes with Sony speakers :wink: That was not going to be a problem for me because I don’t plan on doing any window-shattering experiments.

3

I’ll focus on a couple things I know for sure.

  1. Don’t buy Boze speakers.
  2. Most people buy a much bigger amp than they need. You will rarely, if ever, need more than 50 watts per channel.
  3. Unless you’re willing to spend a LOT of money (more than $1000) you’re better off getting an integrated system with the proper inputs, than mix and match components.
  4. If you want expand your entertainment, get a high-end monitor that you can feed your computer vid into, and a wireless keyboard/mouse. I haven’t heard of a wireless joystick, but they’re probably around somewhere.
4

What in the hell is that supposed to mean. Bose speakers are top of the line, sound perfect, and are extremely compact. BTW I am a developer for the Bose Corportation. Our products are not the cheapest but they are the best.

5

Well, they are compact, so I guess one out of three ain’t bad.

Too bad the audio community doesn’t agree. In more than 30 years of listening to audio equipment, and reading the reviews and opinions of the experts in the field, I can’t ever remember a third party review that said that Bose speakers were “the best”. Certainly I don’t think so, and neither do any of the other audiophiles I know. Various models have been called good, even impressive, and possibly the best of given group, but not “the best”. They’re just not anywhere near playing in that league.

For much of the audiophile community, Bose speakers are an anathema. Personally, I don’t agree with that, and think Bose makes some good speakers, but not “top of the line” or “perfect”.

My biggest beef with Bose is that you can, generally speaking, buy the same quality sound for less money, or better sound for the same money. That’s not the worst thing in the world, and since several of their systems sound pretty good, you’re certainly not buying junk. Just not the best deal, on average.

Bose has some strong points in some areas, and if these are important to you, they can be a good product. The 901 series, for example, have a fairly unique sound stage. And although most audiophiles would say that the imaging and sound stage are artificial, if you like the sound, there aren’t many others that sound just the same way. The Accoustimass systems are very compact, and if you want some decent sound in a small package, they could be good for you.

Again, I don’t think Bose speakers are junk, far from it. For medium level stereo or home theater speakers, they make some good stuff. But “the best”? Not exactly.

Ugly

6

Yeah, I have to agree from hearing them, Bose aren’t that good, and neither are any of the little baby speakers out there. In fact I believe its been shown that acoustically the best speaker design is spherical but those are hard to find and expensive so don’t worry about them.
But Sony used to make good stuff, as in about 12 -15 years ago. Their speakers were even ok. Now they’re pretty terrible in a number of aspects. Their mechanical parts like to fall apart (CD trays, and their portables are noticeably bad). And Sony is now synonymous with bad sound quality.
Some Harmon/Kardon stuff is good, Polk usually is fine and JBLs are standard run of the mill utilitarian sound, but not bad. Actually Harmon/Kardon is JBLs high end brand. I bet you can do fairly well for your money with Polk. But if you aren’t so worried about sound quality you can buy jsut about anything, also I’d avoid kenwood. We have a panasonic home theater system with 5.1 and a total of 240 watts between the 6 speakers. Its the 5 DVD/CD changer with the tuner built in. It actually sounds fairly nice although I haven’t tested it much. In my dorm room I brought my 5 yr old Aiwa sound system which has 240watts along with my Acoustic Research 140 watt sub. It sounds good and is compact. My speakers which stand a foot and a half outblast my neighbors huge Sonys and my sub digs a hole in the concrete. Sound systems can vary incredibly. In fact, in yoru situation I would suggest a JBL i remember seeing earlier this year. Its a CD player with a Sub and 5 speakers at about $400. The CD player is actually the amp and has all the appropriate inputs and a tuner built in. I think there was a more powerful version for about $500. When my system finally dies (which may not take too long because of travelling and abuse and because its not top o da line) or when I feel like moving on I might get one of those sorts of things. Quality on those has gotten so good you don’t need to buy anything fancy anymore in many cases. And of course I wouldn’t buy a Bose but if someone gave it to me I’d put it somewhere for fun (my room) etc.