HT component recommendations
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
I’ve been mostly lurking around here for a while figuring out what speakers to buy. I think I’m ready to take the leap but just wanted to get opinions/recommendation and a reality check. I based my initial research on the Audioholics recommended 5k budget system but have made some changes and upgrades. This is where I first saw the Axiom line.
Presently I live in an apartment with neighbors left, right and below but may be buying a house in the next year or two if the right one comes along. The volume of my HT room is 2640 cu ft (15 x 22 x 8), however, about 25% is taken up by the kitchen leaving a usable area of 15 x 12 ft. The whole floor is carpeted with only the furniture I choose to put in there. When I buy a house the only thing I wont be willing to do in making a dedicated HT room is knock down any load bearing walls.
I’m willing to pay about $8,300 to $10,000 USD for all my HT components right now more to upgrade later. The following is what I have and/or am thinking of getting. Recommendations on changing, adding or deleting anything are welcome.
Already Have: HDTV: Samsung HL-S5687 $1,740 HDDVR: DirectTV HR20 $100 TV stand $280 Cables: $25 Total $2,145
What I need: Speakers: Epic 80 - ??? 5.1 plus 2FMSQS stands $3,172 (factory outlet) Receiver: looking at a Denon AVR-2807 $950 DVD player: looking at Oppo-981 $229 Calibration: Avia HT setup DVD + Radio Shack SPL meter $80 Power conditioner/Surge suppressor: ??? Cables ??? Total $4,431
What I might want: Universal remote: ??? Tactile transducer: Clark model ??? Amp for transducer: ??? Media center computer: Dell ??? Game machine: Xbox 360 or PS3 ???
My current plan is to get the Epic 80 - ??? components plus 2 FMSQS stands from the factory outlet right now. I know this is overkill for an apartment but if I do buy a house I don’t want to feel the need to upgrade the speakers so soon. Later I will upgrade with two additional QS8 and stands, and perhaps another VP150 and subwoofer.
My questions are:
7.1 SURROUND: Is there any great advantage in a 15 x 12 room to having two rear speakers if I’m already using two QS8s as LH/RH surrounds?
SUBWOOFER: EP350, EP500 or EP600. Ultimately, I would like to have the EP600. Considering that for now I’ll have to run all these speakers at fairly low levels most of the time is there any advantage to getting the EP600 now, or get a smaller sub and add the EP600 later?
HDDVD: Is it really worth getting one? My gut tells me to wait for more models and titles to come out and for HDMI to get it’s act together meaning my money is better spent elsewhere for now.
Again, any and all recommendations are welcome. And thanks in advance for all the great info I’ve already found searching this forum and Axiom site.
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,344 |
First off take all my answers with the proverbial grain of salt. Having said that I'll go ahead and try and answer your questions. You Asked: Is there any great advantage in a 15 x 12 room to having two rear speakers if I’m already using two QS8s as LH/RH surrounds?My experience says "no" for movies as there isn't a lot of info in the back channels and in a small room the QS8s do a stellar job of filling in the sides and back of the room. Possibly for music you might make a case but I feel that you need a large room before you really "need" a 7.1 setup. I'd wait until you get a house with a larger room before going to 7.1 You said" EP350, EP500 or EP600. Ultimately, I would like to have the EP600. Considering that for now I’ll have to run all these speakers at fairly low levels most of the time is there any advantage to getting the EP600 now, or get a smaller sub and add the EP600 later?I think I'd get 1 EP500 now, and another EP500 or EP600 when you move on to a larger room. Just my opinion. You asked: HDDVD: Is it really worth getting one? My gut tells me to wait for more models and titles to come out and for HDMI to get it’s act together meaning my money is better spent elsewhere for now.I have to say wait for a while, I'm sure I'll be alone on this one. Sounds like a great system, good luck putting it all together. BTW think Monoprice. Wayne
Getting to 2,000 posts; one year at a time vp160/qs8/qs4/SVS 2000/m60/Monolith 3x200 amp
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,177 |
I've got to agree with Wayne on this. All you need is 5.1 for now. Re-consider the 7.1 once you get the house.
The EP600 is a beast - weighs a ton, and is a pain in the arse to move around. Get the 500 - it's close enough to the 6 in performance, and a heck of alot easier on your back when you move again.
I have no knowledge of HDDVD.
Shawn
Epic 80/600 + M3's + M3 Algonquins + M2 Computer + EP125 I think I'm developing an addiction.
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,301 |
Dean Welcome Looks like you have already made some good choices, I'll agree with the others as to staying with the 5.1, I would go with the EP500 because of the size and the fact that you probably won't feel the need to upgrade it in the future. Logitech makes a good Universal Remote, cables monoprice or Bluejeans, if you plan on adding a game sytem I would go with the Xbox 360 and add the HDDVD drive for HD movies {small expense to get into HD) Just my 2 cents, good luck with your choices.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
Thanks to all three of you for the feedback, especially the reality check on the subwoofer . It seems very easy to get addicted to adding or upgrading just one more thing.
I’m very new at this so the info on where to shop and good brands is very appreciated.
@ Michael
I am leaning in the direction of waiting on an HD DVD player as Wayne suggests but your idea on the Xbox 360 + HD DVD is intriguing since the Xbox is probably going to be my game machine choice anyway.
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 295
local
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local
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 295 |
My 2 cents. I have both the Denon 2807 REFURB - GREAT Unit! I also have the XBOX 360 HD-DVD running via component and all I can say is oh my gosh.. $200 bucks for hd-dvd and it looks great at 1080i. No questions asked.
------------------------------------- Denon 4308 M80x2,VP150,EP600,4xQS8
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,854 |
Just to chime in, the EP 500 and no 7.1 rear speakers at this point is sound. (no pun intended) The Denon 2807 is an excellent price/value choice.
I might suggest you look the the MX-850 or MX-900 as your universal remote. Extremely powerful, user friendly and ergonomically sound. There has been several threads on this forum concerning the unit they replaced (search on MX-700 for detailed input). The real beauty of these things is the ability to do programming on the PC with very simple/intuitive software. None of the multitude who have purchased them here have complaints.
Don't let the MSRP frighten you. If you go to surfremotecontrol.com and give Mike a call, you will be very pleased with the price he will quote.
I've got ties to the company, but I am a happy owner of an MX-700 and MX-850.
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
One more suggestion with regards to URC remotes.
Pay for the upgrade to the MRF 300 or 350 base station. I have been fighting with remote IR flashers for days. The 300 / 350 base stations have adjustable flasher outputs. Right now I'm using black tape with different sized holes in it trying to 'tune' this IR flash. Some IR's overwhelm the sensors and the 300 / 350 can be adjusted to not do this. Or, you can do what I'm trying to do, with debatable success.
......there's always something with AV to test my patience.
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
@ TarunSince your 2 cents will help me better spend $200 it’s well worth it. I had read in the forum that any good Denon AVR would work with the M80s but it’s nice to here from someone who is happy with it. @ RayThanks for the tip on the remotes, I’m looking at them right now. I hadn’t even looked into them yet but I think you defiantly saved me some time. If I do order one from them I’ll be happy to let them know you steered me their way if it’s ok with you. Only one disappointing thing is none of them seem to have a bottle opener for my homebrew. @ MikeGood to know about the IR compatibility issue I would hate to buy a remote and find out it didn’t always work right because it was too good. Thanks again to everyone for the info. I thought I had decent research, but I had not really thought of some of this. Keep it coming if you have any more advice. Dean
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: HT component recommendations
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 353
devotee
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devotee
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 353 |
Quote:
What I might want: Universal remote: ??? Media center computer: Dell ??? Game machine: Xbox 360 or PS3 ???
Hi, I've got a Dell that I have been "configuring" as a HTPC all year. I'd suggest that when you get to selecting you HTPC to start another thread as this is a big topic all in itself! FYI - I've the MS IR Keyboard/Remote but use the Yami Universal remote that came with the V2600 which works for most jobs. Also looking forward to the PS/3 in our next fo the woods in Mar07.
HT:M80,VP150,QS8,EP500 Outside:4xM3 Office:AudioBytes, Rumpus: M60,VP150,M22 Portable:2 x Airs
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