I believe the center channel is physically separated in the 5.1 signal. So yes, giving certain audiostreams a dedicated channel+amp+speakers will make it more separated. This doesn't attest my preference though (hq stereo > weak multichannel). Because in order to have all that, you need a multichannel system from the base up. If you spent the same amount of dollars/energy on getting a good stereo setup, what will the voices be like then? Maybe they will be less centered (if you aren't sitting exactly in the middle) but they will probably be more lifelike.

For example in my home, even though my system isn't centered perfectly for watching dvd concerts, people have commented that the voices are so precise, so articulate, that it's like the artists are right in the speakers. This makes the experience very intimate.

ok bear with me cuz i know nothing....but with my current setup and w/o having to return anything....is there anything i can add/do to make my system do that?

Start by reading page 11 through 15 of the manual of your speakers.

I'd recommend at least 2 meters behind the speaker to back wall. Make the room and placement symmetrical, if at all possible. Figure 4 of page 11 is what I'd recommend as well as far as where the speakers should face. i.e. they face in, but the point where the triangle meets is somewhat behind you. Experiment in order to find the brightness/softness you like.

Notice that your speaker has a manual bass adjustment. Try this bass sweep (careful, don't put your system too loud before you play it). See if you notice any standing waves.

How large is your room? A picture of the setup would help.

One thing that is possible with your setup is to add a separate stereo amplifier (connected to the pre-out of your receiver).

Can you check how your speaker is connected? You see, the bass has it's own amplifier built-in. I don't quite understand how that would work if you connect the thing to an amplifier out. Is it connected like in Figure 2?

Sorry for being lazy.

What the best tv out right now in the 800-1000 range. No preference as far as LCD, Plasma, DLP.

Thanks

Dude, it's like saying "What's the best car in the 15K-20K range?" We need to know:
a)What are you going to be using it for
b)What type of room/viewing distance will it be at

etc. and then it will still come down to your personal preference at some level.

i am thinking of buying this.

couple of noob questions:

1. decent choice for a guy who's not an audiophile?

2. what else, if anything, do i need to buy to make it work? i have a 1080p tv. my cable box and my ps3 are hooked up with hdmi cables and my wii is hooked up with component cables.

thanks.

edit: thoughts on the item linked above vs. something like this (a 5.1 theater system) in terms of sound quality, ease of setup, etc.? i'm currently renting a studio apartment fwiw. not sure how long that will be the case.

Eh... I don't think it's really that open ended of a question. Viewing distance is really the most important thing here. As long as your sitting 8ft from the set or more, I'd start by looking at 720p 50 inch plasmas. I do agree, however, that it will always come down to personal preference.

RBK,

If your receiver has pre-outs, I'd suggest getting a separate amplifier. That would make a good improvement on your sound quality. I'm not sure how much more of an improvement you would get from a higher quality processor (read DAC). Neilsio seems to know quite a bit about DACs.

Neilsio,

To someone with a discerning but maybe not a "golden" ear, how noticeable is the difference in the output from a DAC found in a $800 receiver vs a $2000 dedicated pre/pro?

In my bedroom I have a 32" LCD with Klipsch 2.1 PC speakers driving the audio. When the rave reviews started pouring in on that Sony sound bar I decided to check it out in person. I was VERY underwhelmed and didn't buy.

This isn't a lot to go on, but I'd probably default to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00142MUDI

Panasonic TH-50PX80U 50" 720p plasma with 3 HDMI inputs for $900.

If you buy that you will make baby Jesus cry.

The difference will be 3.78 Dodelyaps.

(I kid)


I ordered this today:
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/DEQ2496.aspx
(to replace an older version of the product, the Behringer 8024)

I also have a seperate DAC. The DEQ has good DAC also. I'll be doing some good comparing and will be able to give some insight next week on differences.

Hopefully someone will be able to help me with an issue I'm having with my sub. I have a Pioneer Elite receiver. The sub only plays when the sound is formatted in Dolby Digital. For every other format, the sub will not bump. Is this a wiring issue or a receiver issue?

can you (or someone else knowledgeable) recommend a sound system that you think would suit my purposes?

what are your purposes? i didn't see them listed above.

i'm looking for a basic system. i'm far from an audiophile. the system will be used to supplement cable tv and blu-ray content.

You'd probably be VERY happy with something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3100...3769107&sr=1-2

Low on snob quality, but high on non-audiophile enjoyment, IMO. And yes this is coming from someone who spent $5k+ on a 2.1 setup for himself.

tannen,
yeah, twp pretty much nailed it. as astro recommends in the top post, the onkyo theater in a box things are pretty quality, especially if you're looking for "i want to watch tv and movies and not reproduce the philharmonic or a U2 concert or something" type experience. the one astro recommends costs a bit more, and i don't know what the differences are because i haven't looked.

thanks guys

Yeah, this:

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4405.asp
http://whathifi.com/Review/Denon-D-M37DAB/

(or alternatively this:
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-CS-325-C...3771438&sr=1-2
http://whathifi.com/Review/Onkyo-CS-525UKD/ )


It appears these systems generally have two analog stereo audio inputs.

I might ask to be a stealth mod of this forum just so that I can edit the OP because the info is getting more outdated by the second, heh I have a Denon AVR and SVS speakers/sub now, but for HTIBs Onkyo still has a great rep.

Hi,
i have a sweet audio setup at home in australia but i can't bring it to canada where i'm now living.

i live in a 2 story townhouse and i'd like to have speakers connected to my computer in 2-3 rooms, preferably in my bedroom where the computer is, downstairs in the kitchen / living room, and in the bathroom maybe.

whats my best play? if anyone has any wireless speakers recommendations that would be great. i'd like to spend $500 CAD, but if there were some really good solutions around $600-700 i would consider them. i'm only planning to stay here for 1 year. or should i just get 2 sets of standard speakers and an ipod dock at the one downstairs? (less cool but probably wiser). i get that wireless speakers will automatically be much ****ter quality, but how much worse are we talking?

Try www.avsforum.com. There could be a thread dedicated to your receiver and you could ask there.

I would look online and try and find the best home theater in a box type speakers in your price range. This would come with 6 speakers and receiver.

My bedroom TV died recently (it was very old, served its purpose). Even before hat happened, I had planned to get a reasonably priced 32" - 40". The more I've kicked the idea around, I'm starting to consider moving the TV from my front room (42" Pioneer Elite PRO-920) to the bedroom and replacing that TV. I love that TV, but it's only 1080i (4 years old) and I would like to get a Blue Ray player soon.

I don't read any of the magazines anymore or pay as close attention to the latest electronics as I used to, and have no interest in paying the $4K it costs for a new Pioneer Elite. In fact my original budget was $1K. I can probably justify spending $1500-$2000 if it's for a new 40"-50" for my main TV. Will I be able to find a TV in that price range that has the picture quality of my current TV? What are some recommendations? If not what are some recommendations for my bedroom TV for under $1K? Finally, would it be worthless to get a blue ray player if I plan to use it with my 1080i TV?