Newsletters
Facebook
RSS Feed
EH Store
Slideshow
View SlideshowSo you’re finally tired of your old VCR and have decided to enter the 21st century. You have an HDTV, but you’re still not rich and famous, so you’d like to experience a modern home theater without breaking the bank. Truth is, you don’t need every type of component or feature. You can have a good home entertainment experience with just a few of the basics.
The center of any home theater system is an integrated receiver. This single device provides video and audio switching, audio and video processing, and speaker amplification. You can spend thousands of dollars on a receiver, but you really don’t have to. Start with only “5.1” channels of amplification. This means your receiver can power three main audio channels (left, front, and right), two rear channels (for surround), and a subwoofer (the “.1”). Neither the rear channels nor the subwoofer are required, but having a subwoofer allows you to buy smaller (i.e., less expensive) main speakers as the subwoofer generates all the hard-to-reproduce low frequencies. Likewise, you can even start your system without surround speakers if funds are tight.
For power, 100W (peak) for each front channel and 40W for each rear one is plenty, though make sure it’s spec’d into an 8 ohm load. Still, it takes a doubling of wattage to produce a noticeable increase in volume, so don’t sweat the difference between, say, 80W and 100W, as you really won’t hear the difference. Most of the time your system will be putting out much less than its rated power anyway.
HDMI is the new standard for hi-definition video cabling, so your receiver should have at least 3 HDMI inputs (one each for your TV, cable/satellite box, and DVD player/recorder). Audio and video processing modes (which massage the sound to make it seem like a “Jazz Club” or “Concert Hall”) are fun to play with, but don’t pay for more as you may not use them that much.
Onkyo makes a variety of solid receivers at various price points. Consider the Onkyo TX-SR505 ($299) or TX-SR605 ($499), or for small spaces, the value-priced TX-SR304 ($199). The Sony STR-DG810 ($299) or STR-DG910 ($499) are also good choices. (All prices are list, shop the web for better deals).
Next on the list is a DVD player. However, DVD recorders are so inexpensive that it’s silly not to buy one. Low-end models from Panasonic and Sony can be had for as little as $150. Consider the Panasonic DMR-EZ17K ($149) or Sony RDR-GX255 ($149). They handle all formats (including audio CDs), work fine as players, and are great for letting you archive recorded shows to DVD.
Of all the decisions involved in your system, speaker choice is the most subjective, but also the most important. Whereas any well-made digital receiver or DVD player does its job, and extra dollars typically buy extra features or ergonomics, higher quality speakers directly enhance your listening experience via richer, wider-range sound. “Satellite” or bookshelf systems often give the best quality per dollar. Though deceptively small, they can produce full-range sound at surprisingly high volumes. One contender is the Boston Acoustics MCS 100 ($499). For a little more money, the Bose Acoustimass 6 Series 3 ($699) provides an excellent audio experience while taking up minimal space.
I too spent $2000 on my HT.
$475 Onkyo 705 recevier
$400 Epson Home 20 projector
$300 DIY speakers
$100 DIY subwoofer
$200 Wii w/ extra controller
$375 PS3 80gb w/ 3 games
$250 HT accessories (cables, speaker wire, lighting, BOC curtains, etc.)
And I still have to build a screen which will most likely be a sheet of Wilsonart DW laminate
I didn’t really need to spend all that, but I wanted it to look nice and not half @$$ed. All of this is in a 11 x 12 living room of my apartment. I wouldn’t really consider the Wii as a HT item, but hey it was only $200 and would be a fun thing to play if some people came over.
I agree with Jeff whenever people get shocked on how much I spent for all of this. Everyone I know has never really seen a projector in a HT environment and are shocked when they hear I got mine for only $400. They always say “aren’t projectors usually a few thousand dollars?” No my friends. The prices of projectors area falling big time and you can definitely get one in the same price range or cheaper than your 60+ inch flat screen. . I plan to upgrade to either a Sony VPL-VW40, Epson 1080UB, or maybe a Sayno Z2000 since my projector is outdated compared to the audio end of my setup.
Actually, in the words of the article, I never said the Bose system is “Better” than the Boston Acoustics system. Speakers are very subjective thing. I think there are many people who are satisfied with either system. I could do a whole piece on how to pick speakers (in fact, maybe I will sometime 8-}).
“wright” these articles? Sorry but I have to call BS on your grammar.
1,000 budget- is too little - you are cutting yourself short! You really need to spend (on the low side)
1200- 1500 otherwise you are going to have fair sounding(at best) instead of good sound system .
Why not do it right and spend a minimum or $2,000
and get it right? The system would be more future proofed- more HD switching cabability- More inputs to manage and more power NOT to mention
a real sub woofer and real speakers- This is not the place to skimp. WHY would you make a long term investment and miss the mark?
As fas Bose - well -Ask anyone who actually knows some thing about serious music systems/ audio- and you get your answer.
Saying it is a step up from Boston Acoustics is
just plain Ill informed.
+ View all comments on for this article
- News
- Cool Homes
- Blogs
- Photo Galleries
Phorus and Blumoo Offer Easy, Wireless Audio
One is a subsidiary of DTS, with the other looking to gain traction via Indiegogo.
Family Theater Beams with Durable LED Projection
A SIM2 Mico 50 LED projector and 110-inch screen shine in this room.
Brighter LCD TVs on the Horizon?
3M technology poised to boost the vibrancy and richness of colors on LCD screens.
22 Outdoor Speakers for a Sizzling Summer
We take a peek at some of the current options for outdoor audio.
I hope the reviewer doesnt get paid. What a morron! Near the end of the review ” You don’t need fancy wires or cables. Standard quality cables (sold at places like Radio Shack) are fine.” But thats just the final straw to a totally worthless review. Mixing and matching componates takes time and hands on knowledge of the equipment. Not everything sounds the same to everyone. If that were true, we wouldnt have so many choices.
Good cables can make as big a difference in sound as investing another grand in equipment! Anyone who says otherwise hasn’t actually taken the time to “listen”.
I’ve said from day one that this site must be owned or financed by Sony. I have tried many Sony products and have yet to hear one worth its price, tv’s are another matter. I have a surround system over 8grand and my cables take up about $600. Yes, I have done the tests many times for the “dis-believers” and everyone has upgraded there cable because of it.
Please dont do any more “advice” columns to mis-inform anyone.