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Classy 2.1 sound system on a budget

post #1 of 11
8/4/08 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
I'm setting up a small home theater for my apartment and need some advice on a sound system.

What I have right now:

- Samsung 50" Plasma (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-PN50A5...ref=pd_sbs_e_1)

- Cable Box

- PS3


I'm getting the Plasma wall mounted and would like to do the same with the sound system. Originally I was just going to use the TV speakers but I've decided I need to do this right if I'm going to do it at all. Now I'm no A/V junkie (as you see!) so I'm fine with a 2.1 speaker setup considering its an apartment. But I do want the whole setup to look sleek and classy. Unfortunately I don't have quite the budget I'd like for the sound setup so I'm willing to sacrifice sound function for aesthetics. eBay and buying used works for me too.

Bottom line, I want the best bang for my buck and need advice on 1) a receiver, 2) two on-wall/in-wall speakers, and 3) a subwoofer. All of these need to be compatible with my TV. The TV has 3 HDMI ports so, correct me if i'm wrong, one HDMI goes to the PS3, one HDMI goes to the Cable Box, one HDMI goes to the receiver.

The one receiver I've scoped out is the Harman/Kardon AVR 147 (http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...&prod=AVR+147), its on eBay for around $200. I love the way it looks, H/K is supposed to be a great brand, and it supports HDMI. Would you think this is a good choice? What speakers and subwoofer would I get with this? Or am I better off getting a pre-packaged system instead of buying stuff seperately?

Appreciate any help I can get.
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post #2 of 11
8/4/08 at 3:22pm
I see no such product.
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post #3 of 11
8/4/08 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grimslade View Post
I see no such product.
Yeah, I don't think any 2.1 system can be considered "classy."
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post #4 of 11
8/4/08 at 3:31pm
no, I think the PS3 and cable box plug into the receiver, and the receiver plugs into the TV.
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post #5 of 11
8/4/08 at 3:36pm
Thread Starter 
All I'm saying is that I'll only be using two wall-mounted speakers and a sub. For now it's all I can afford, and with the setup of my living room I don't foresee any place for 5 or 7 speakers. I understand that any decent receiver nowadays supports 5.1 and 7.1 setups, just I wont be using the extra capability (eventually I will).
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post #6 of 11
8/4/08 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Yeah, I don't think any 2.1 system can be considered "classy."

I know a lot of audiophiles who would strongly disagree with you. 2-channel is still your best bet for real quality audio listening.
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post #7 of 11
8/4/08 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Connemara View Post
Yeah, I don't think any 2.1 system can be considered "classy."

Actually, my point was much simpler. I see a 146 and a 347 model, but no 147. Anyway...

I have the Logitech z-5500 5.1 system. 5.1, gigantic (too big...) subwoofer, and speakers that are wall-mountable. Whether they're classy enough for you, I can't say, but it's all in one, it gives you surround sound, and the speakers aren't hard-wired, so it's easy to swap them out if you want. It takes an optical connector, which your TV probably has.
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post #8 of 11
8/4/08 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Douglas View Post
I know a lot of audiophiles who would strongly disagree with you. 2-channel is still your best bet for real quality audio listening.
+1 I want some tube amp for my horn driven fronts.
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post #9 of 11
8/4/08 at 10:19pm
Just get cheap Yamaha speakers and sub from Ebay. You most likely would not regret it. Yamaha speakers are pretty good for Home Theater set up albeit they are not very sexy looking.
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post #10 of 11
8/5/08 at 6:07am
ive yet to read a bad review about these. theres also a sub you can buy for the "point one" part. http://www.audioengineusa.com/store/
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post #11 of 11
8/5/08 at 5:10pm
You will connect your PS3 and cable box to the HDMI input on your receiver then connect the HDMI output on your receiver on your TV as Renault already mentioned. If you need inexpensive HDMI cables, http://www.monoprice.com is a good source. There are quite a few manufacturers of decent receivers: Harman Kardon, Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic (XR digital models). Some people had some issues with HK receivers and PS3 but they may be resolved now. You may be able to save a good deal of money by getting a last season model. You can get an even older model but make sure it has at least two HDMI inputs, if that's what you need. There are dozens of speaker brands worth consideration. What is you budget like for speakers? Any size constraints? Any speakers you listened to that you liked? How big of a sub do you want/have space for? I would recommend getting the center channel speaker together with the fronts and saving on the rear surrounds if you have to. You generally want to have the front three speakers matching or very similar sonically so you have a seamless transition when sound moves across the soundstage. Also checkout http://http://www.audiogon.com/ which is like Ebay for audio stuff.
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