I'm planning on purchasing either the Epic Grand Master or the Epic 60 Home Theater package. The room the system will go in is about 200 sq. feet (12 x 16 approx.) so I'm leaning towards the Grand Master.
I'm trying to decide what TV, receiver and DVD player to buy. Does anyone have any suggestions? My personal preference for TV's would be to stay away from a big screen TV, I prefer the widescreen tv's (ex: Sony 36HS510 36" Widescreen TV). For DVD players and receivers I don't really have a preference.
Money is not really an issue as I plan to keep all of these products for a while. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated. Thank you!
This is becoming a standard reply to your question: "Did I hear Sushi say projector?"
But if your room setup limits you to rear projection TV's Sony and Mitsubishi are good choices. Although I bought a Sony for picture clarity but if I am going to do it again, I would buy a front projector.
There are few brands of receiver that are often mentioned in this forum. I bought a Denon.
If you search this forum for those topics you will get a good basis for your decision.
Thanks for the quick reply!
My room really doesn't allow for a projector. Is there any specific TV that you suggest? Which Sony do you have?
With regards to a receiver, what do you think about the Harmon Kardon AVR-525? I've heard many good things about it.
Robin
You really can't go wrong with the AVR-525. Just be aware that is is one of the longer (deeper) receivers out there. If your AV furniture has a solid back on it, it might not fit.
If I'm looking at the AVR-525, what other receivers should I be looking at too? What Denon receiver is comparable? Is there any other manufacturers that make receivers comparable in price and performance?
Thanks again for all of your help!
There are too many to list. However, if you keep your choices down to Pioneer Elite, Denon, Harman-Kardon, and (for spiffnme's sake) Rotel, then you should be able to find a great performance/feature/price balance to fit your needs. Yamaha and Onkyo also make great receivers in that price range, but you have to draw the line somewhere.
I had one of those thick cardboard type of backs...I just cut out a hole where my receiver sits so that it would go in far enough and not hang off the edge.
I've got a lovely Danish entertainment center that is completely open in the back. It also doubles as a speaker stand. It was never designed to hold a TV, though. Notice the thick round dowel I wedged under it between the VCR and DVD player...
I bought a Sony KP-65WV700. When you feed it with HD signals, the picture quality is superb. Like you, I also prefer the widescreen.
If you visit the Sony site, you can see what are available. As far as prices are concerned, dealers close to you could give you good price breaks, maybe better than what Sony internet site could give you.
The new Sony ES series receivers are now out, the ES3000 looks really nice with component video upconversion like the Denon AVR-3803. The 1000 and 2000 both do composite to S-Video upconversion.
Be aware that it has rather prodigious cooling needs (bear in mind that I changed from a late 70s/early 80s Toshiba analog receiver that fits under my 27" TV nicely) and needs to breath on the sides, top, and back. This probably applies to everything out there. It also weighs a ton, and has a sucky remote. Other than those items, I really like mine. (525, if you lost the thread)
what are those dead soldiers sitting on the window sill?
Ken, why do you dislike the remote? I saw a VERY good deal at ecost for the H-K 520 (~$350) and am sorely tempted. I know it only has 5.1 power, but it does decode neo:6 and has pre-outs for zone 2 and the two rear channels. But I'd like to get a decent remote; that's part of what has turned me off about the Denons.
Well, let's start at the top of the thing.
1. 3 buttons on the top: On Off Mute. Why the Off button? Oh yeah, and the Off button does not function with other components. But the On button doesn't turn off the AVR. Whee!
2. Going down the remote, we find all of the source buttons. Cool. But when you press one of them, the remote automatically changes to control that component. Which would be fine if it didn't suck as a universal remote. It also changes the volume button to the component (you have to program it to patch back to the AVR. So after changing components, you must press the AVR button (also in the same grouping of buttons) to change it back to a useable state. There is NO OTHER WAY on the remote to change the source. I've taken to walking across the room to change the source on the receiver itself, just 'cause it's easier.
3. Crappy labels. The buttons are also all the same size. Some buttons do not appear to do anything!
4. Moving on down, past the joystick thingie (the circle with the enter button in the midde; not a joystick, but I don't know what else to call it), we eventually get to the number buttons. You'd think that in FM or AM mode, you could type in the numbers for the frequency. Nope! And those big arrow keys that have a subtext that says channel near the top of the remote, next to the volume controls? Those won't change the radio either. No, the radio frequency change buttons are two tiny arrow keys buried down near the number keys that serve no function whatsoever when the remote is in AVR mode.
5. At the very bottom of the remote, where it has narrowed to about an inch wide, about 6 inches from the weight of the batteries and the center of gravity of the remote, and about an 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the remote, we find the carrier control buttons (play, rewind, etc) which are all absolutely dinky. (we're talking less than a 3/16 inch wide!) You try and hold the remote with one hand and use those buttons. These are the main reasons the remote stinks as a universal!
6. The codes don't work worth beans, so you have to use the learning function. All well and good, except you have to stand on your head, rub your tummy, whistle Dixie, hold down 4 buttons and aim the two remotes at one another while watching the lights change underneath the button that indicates which device you're programming! Then you'd better hope you remember what you programmed for what!
7. In addition, the video ins correspond to the codes that you program. When I first got the remote, I put the TiVo in Vid1 and the VCR in Vid2, since I hardly use the VCR. Well, you can't program in a VCR code for Vid2; that's for TV or Satellite (no TiVo codes at all). VCR has to be in Vid1. So I had to go behind the thing and replug everything, with a 70 lb reciever resting on my knees.
8. The Macros don't work. I cannot get it to power on the receiver, then the TV, press the TiVo button, and switch back to AVR mode. It won't even get to the second step of this!
9. My wife is unhappy with me since now she has to press 3 buttons more to watch TiVo, when I said that a new receiver would make life easier (S-video switching, don'tcherknow).
Needless to say, I hate the remote, but at the moment I'm unwilling to pay 1/3 to 1/2 of what I paid for the reciever to buy a remote that would actually function as advertised.
Note: this above rant was only related to the remote, not the receiver itself. Your mileage may vary. Tax, license and other fees not included. Not insured by FDIC. An equal opportunity employer.
Thanks for all of your help!
I must admit, I feel a little overwhelmed with all these choices. So let me put this out to everyone...
Imagine you have approx. $8000 dollars to buy any TV, any receiver and any home theater speaker set, what would you buy? I think the only thing you all need to know is that the system will be going in a room approx 16 x 12, and a projector is not possible because of ceiling fixtures.
Maybe you'll all suggest the same thing and I can go buy that! Hahahaa...I doubt that'll happen!
Those "dead soldiers" are scented candles my wife picked up from a bargain bin for $0.75/each.
Whew! Geez, Ken, how do you REALLY feel? I guess as long as I don't have to pat my head at the same time I'm rubbing my tummy...
Thanks for your time in detailing the specifics - it is genuinely appreciated.
Robin - just so you know I'm not trying to completely hijack your plea-for-help thread into a remote-control thread...
I think the speaker system most folks seem to favor is:
M60 mains, VP150 center, QS8 surrounds, a Hsu or SVS Subwoofer.
Sushi is going to say you're crazy to not move heaven, earth and ceiling fixtures in order to get a projector. And to look at Pioneer Elite receivers.
Spiff is going to say to get Rotel separates.
The Denon AVR 3803 seems popular. Some people like Outlaw Audio separates.
Based on Ken's experience, you might want to put a universal remote in there somewhere
I just wish I had your budget.
Um? Yet another chance to show off our setup???
Okay. How about having the best of both worlds? --
screen up versus
screen down.
Ceiling fixtures? --
No Problemo! Here is our
shelf-mounted projector. Seriously, shelf/table mounting provides the best geometry to project onto a retro-reflective hi-gain screen like our Da-Lite High Power fabric.
That family room is too damn clean...
There are all kinds of options as you can see. Since a lot of it has been covered, let me suggest a remote. I have the Pronto TSU-3000 and love it. There are still a few bugs on the PC software but it really is a fantastic remote with the ability to define all aspects of the interface. Plus it has a bunch of hard buttons which the other Prontos lack.
For your room size:
Speakers: M60,VP150,QS-8,VTF-2= $2100
TV: Pioneer Elite 530 or 630 (53" or 58")= $2600-$3400- plus up to 1k rebates that end in Sep
DVD: Pioneer 536A= <$200.00
Receiver: Rotel RSX-1055= $1300.00
In reply to:
That family room is too damn clean...
You didn't think I cleaned it a bit before taking pictures?
Oh, and don't forget my strong recommendation of leaving the coffee table MESSY, in order to diffuse away early reflections! LOL
Hey Robin,
I guess it all comes down to your preferences.
TV - (Direct-View vs RPTV)
--------------------------
Direct View - Sony 34HS510 (Widescreen)
RPTV - Hitachi 46F500 (Widescreen), Hitachi 51F500 (Widescreen)
Speakers - I'm guessing since you're in this forum that you like Axiom.
---------
M80ti's (why not go bigger)
VP150
QS8's
HSU or SVS sub
DVD Player - Denon DVD2900 (there's a recent good deal for B-stock)
-----------
Receiver or Pre/Pro
-------------------
Denon 3803
Rotel RSX1055 or 1065
Rotel RSP1066/RMB1075
That should run you around the $8000 budget you're aiming for, give or take a few $100, depending on what kind of deals you can get. I know that I could get the Axiom's for 10-20% off as there's a local dealer where I live. I'm sure you can get a good deal if you do enough searching on all components. One dealer I went to is willing to give me 23% off (still comparing products) Monitor Audio speakers and Denon.
Thanks for all your help guys!
You've definitely given me a good starting point for purchasing a system.
Rob