Home Theatre Equipment - Thoughts?

[Bixby]

Well,

I think my research is mostly done. I am looking to buy the following setup. Any testimonials, (good or bad), on the following kit?

Main Television:
52" Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6

Receiver:
Yamaha RX-V1800

Speakers:
BOSE Acoustimass 10 (with Floor Stands)

Xbox 360 Elite will be used for game console, watching movies, and streaming media from PC.

I am very interested in any opinions or thoughts on the above. Thanks.

[Magic Rat]

I would pass on the overrated, overpriced Bose speaker system and go with something from Def-Tech, Paradigm, B&W, Mirage, Klipsch, SVS, etc instead.

[wyatt880]

No testimonials, but a question - what made you pick the receiver you did? What options/features/etc. were you looking for?

I'm asking b/c I'm in the market for a new receiver as well, but am having a bit of a hard time doing some research.

Sorry if this is a threadjack!

[Bixby]

No worries. I narrowed it down between the Yamaha and an Onkyo and it was pretty much a wash between the two. In the end, the place where I can order everything sells Yamaha and not Onkyo. The wattage, upconverting, multi zones, performance ratings, and HDMI ports were the main driver.

[Bixby]

I know BOSE is a bit pricey, but the speaker size really appeals to the wifey. Is it just price or are there sound fidelity problems that you have heard about? Price is one thing, but if there are performance problems, well that is a concern for me.

[Magic Rat]

I know BOSE is a bit pricey, but the speaker size really appeals to the wifey. Is it just price or are there sound fidelity problems that you have heard about? Price is one thing, but if there are performance problems, well that is a concern for me.

Here's a search thread on "acoustimass" over on home theater forum....it ain't pretty.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/search.php?searchid=960046

[syklopz]

The Bose speaks you list are well... acoustically SHITE. do you have the space to do a set of in walls? JAMO and KLH make killer in walls.

[Bixby]

Here's a search thread on "acoustimass" over on home theater forum....it ain't pretty.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/search.php?searchid=960046

This is why I love this place. I did not know about those forums. I have been using other review sites. Thanks man. I will have a look!!!

[Bixby]

The Bose speaks you list are well... acoustically SHITE. do you have the space to do a set of in walls? JAMO and KLH make killer in walls.

Can't do in walls. Will not work well in the area I am using. :(

[wyatt880]

Inadvertant threadjack... plz see:

http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?p=49505#post49505

[syklopz]

Can't do in walls. Will not work well in the area I am using. :(

OK, are you looking specifically for small footprint? Can you hang them at all?

[CRAW]

Main Television:
52" Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6

Why Sony Bravia? For the price of this TV, I would go with the Pioneer Kuro 50" plasma (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/pioneer-kuro-pdp-5020fd/4505-6482_7-33002523.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody), but that's just me.

[Bixby]

OK, are you looking specifically for small footprint? Can you hang them at all?

Can't hang them either. Not a good room config / shape for in flush mount or hanging. I am going to start looking at larger footprint, I will take wifey out for a nice dinner and it will all be ok. :)

What models of Klipsch or JBL should I start looking at?

[syklopz]

Can't hang them either. Not a good room config / shape for in flush mount or hanging. I am going to start looking at larger footprint, I will take wifey out for a nice dinner and it will all be ok. :)

What models of Klipsch or JBL should I start looking at?
Price point?

[Bixby]

Why Sony Bravia? For the price of this TV, I would go with the Pioneer Kuro 50" plasma (http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/pioneer-kuro-pdp-5020fd/4505-6482_7-33002523.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody), but that's just me.

I suspect the PLASMA / LCD debate to rage on for awhile. I think that LCD is a much better fit for me. Lots of Media Center stuff and static information on the screen. Most of the reviews said that Bravia was expensive, but hands down the best picture quality.

[syklopz]

Bix,
I've never been the biggest fan of JBL home speakers. Their Pro Audio stuff...TOP NOTCH.

My Choices.
Klipsch - RB-81 Home Theater System msrp$3,374, or it's little brother, the RB-51 MSRP $1,605.

Boston Accustics: MCS 130 Package $899.99 (Always been a big fan of Boston's stuff)

Infinity: TSS-1200CHR-Z $839.00

Harman Kardon: HKTS 18 $899.00

These are only speakers. See my review here (http://perfectmancave.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7303) for one of the best amps on the market.

[CRAW]

Most of the reviews said that Bravia was expensive, but hands down the best picture quality.

Really...? Can you point me to some of these reviews, as I too am looking to buy a new TV early next year when we redo our family room.

Thanks.

[CRAW]

For the quality of sound, and price, I really like NHT speakers. (FWIW)

[syklopz]

For the quality of sound, and price, I really like NHT speakers. (FWIW)

Craw,
I'm not familiar, but looking at them the look pretty nice. The Stable of pros using them is awfully good.

[Bixby]

A lot of Printed Material. I pick up a magazine here and there. Checked with some local audio / visual geeks. Here are some sites I use for my searching:

www.consumerreports.org - CRAP (Cancelled my membership) Reviews are old and moldy.
www.epinions.com
www.consumersearch.com

[CRAW]

Craw,
I'm not familiar, but looking at them the look pretty nice. The Stable of pros using them is awfully good.

They sell them at a local high-end A/V store here in town, and have for some time now. I have a center channel speaker made by NHT, and it's awesome - I love it. Like I said, very good SQ, at affordable prices.

NHT's web site (http://nhthifi.com/current/index1.html)

[Gadgets]

For speakers take a look at this company.
http://www.svsound.com/

Reviews seems to be really good and I talked a friend into them a few months ago. I should have sold him my Infinity's and bought SVS.

[Bixby]

Has anyone heard or read anything on Focal Speakers (pronounced Foe CAL).

There are made in France. http://www.focal.tm.fr/

I listened to the Dome Home Audio speakers in the showroom yesterday and they were quite impressive. Can't find many reviews though.

I think I will take some CD's from my collection down this afternoon for a more detailed listen.

[vtpoker]

I've been a longtime fan of Cambridge Soundworks speakers. Check them out at http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=hometheater
My parents still have a surround set after about 20 years that stil has amazing sound.

[Bixby]

Ok Ok. I have learned more about speakers this past week than I thought I would. I think I am zoning in on some Kef speakers from Britain.

Here is a review of the speakers I am looking at...
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/1923/kef-q-series-home-theater-speaker-system.html

THANKS EVERYONE FOR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, ETC, YADA YADA YA. This place rocks.

[CRAW]

Those are pretty, Bixby! I like the black finish the best.

[syklopz]

Those are sweet looking and the specs are nice. Let us knoww how they sound!!

[Suited57]

Im not impressed with Sony's xbr series. I think asthetically they are hideous. And Quite Frankly, with that money you can get a Samsung 52a850. Much better set. Better reception from MY customers, and much more asthetically pleasing. Also- If you are looking at different speakers than bose (agreed at the above review of the acoustimass speakers, too much overpriced for how little bose brings to the table.) The Polk rs95s are nice. $500 ish for the 5 speaker set and a psw111 sub. I think is better, or the new klipsch icon products are worth a look.

Just my humble opinion as a Magnolia Manager

[Screw]

Bixby, as you will/have found out people either love Bose or hate it. The problem is the hate group is much more vocal.

I happen to be in the love it crowd. We have a house full of the stuff and while some of the stuff does have it draw backs (like EVERYTHING else), they are generally speaking navgatable.

If all you are usiing is the Acoustimas speaker system, then you should not run into any issuees at all. Find the amp/reciever you want and you're off.

The sound is outstanding and the size is great. Sure there might be other speakers out there that sound "better", but for an average joe like me, I haven't heard anything that justifies it's cost.

If you've heard the Bose and like them, get them. Don't be swayed simply because someone else doesn't like them.

Good luck.

-Screw

[Bixby]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice. In the end I decided I would arm myself with review information for 49% of the vote and 51% of the vote would be the wifey and I auditioning the speakers with our ears. With that we decided to go with an Onkyo 805 Receiver and Kef Speakers. I went a little higher end on the speakers. Tower front speakers for some kickin' music. Kickin sub to shake the house. Solid centre to give 5.1 a solid foundation and Dipole rears for a full 5.1 experience. Happy with the purchase. Still learning the ropes on setup.

Once again. Thanks everyone advice and comments here steered me where I needed to go.