Home theater surround sound system suggestions?

[BoosTT]

My mom wants me to setup a nice home theater surround sound system. She already has a 1080p plasma, but has nothing as far as stereo/receiver/speakers goes. She asked me to set something up for her for xmas with a budget of around $800ish.

I started looking and it seams like $800 is stuck right between a junky receiver setup or a very high end all in one setup. I would greatly prefer a receiver setup, but am open to suggestions.

From the little research I've done, it looks like $300 to the receiver and $500 to the speakers is the only real option for 7.1.

Suggestions??

[tommyt5078]

Bose 3.2.1

[Got Boost]

Maybe do a 5.1 system and save yourself some money... Stay away from Bose..

[05caddyext]

a $300 receiver won't do what you want it to do. you should pick a system based on the size of the room and what you have for options on how to set it up.

[Nix]

Maybe do a 5.1 system and save yourself some money... Stay away from Bose..

What's wrong with Bose? I've heard them before and they sound good but cost a shit ton.

[BoosTT]

Yup. It looks like a good receiver is going to run $450ish at best. I think you guys are right that a 5.1 system is the way to go.

I'm not a fan of bose either. I've had them before... they are nice, but for their cost, they suck.

[deuceWI]

Blows (aka Bose) car audio generally blows.

Bose home audio isn't a bad brand, but at the price point there are usually much better options available to you.

Receivers seem to go obsolete almost as fast as PCs and cell phones lately. Find something with as many features as you can afford / need, and maybe think about swapping it out in 2-3 years when the today's top end models become the affordable models.

[PureSound15]

I do agree hat BOSE is one of the worst electronics manufacturers that designs their equipment to perform for the "average ear," markets to the otherwise unknowing and does a phenomenal job at all of it. Big dollar for crap.

I disagree that you need to spend a ton on a receiver. If this is for general listening/ TV with some movies here and there... I'd stick to 5.1. The value of 7.1 to me is only found in a perfectly designed room where he speakers can be located and tuned to the perfect listening position. 5.1 is easy to setup, and you've got less location/timing to worry about. Of course if you're going the multi-zone route, then I understand the 7.1/

7.1 - http://www.centraldigital.com/Product/?12118814&l=Froogle


For speakers, it's all up to your Mom, really. Women generally prefer a very different sound then men. But for bang for your buck, stay away from any of the box store home theatre in a box options.

I have B&W speakers and denon setup in my home theater which takes the cake as far as I'm concerned. In my family room I have another Denon receiver and the highly reviewed, but very cheap Fluance speakers -

http://www.fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/fluance_2119_466695

Seriously - $300 for 5 speakers, and I'd gladly put them against any of the crap at Best Buy. Pick up a sub and you're set. Look up reviews of the Fluance stuff on audiophile sites and you'll be shocked.



Picture of said B&W's, for my fellow audio junkees
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i34/puresound15/th_ee5f903d.jpg (http://s68.photobucket.com/albums/i34/puresound15/?action=view&current=ee5f903d.jpg)

[BoosTT]

^^^ Awesome info.

I'm leaning to a Yamaha RX-V667 7.1 1080p upconvert receiver at about $450 vs. a 5.1 non upconvert for around $275 ish. I have to ask her if she is willing to spend more for the upconvert. I think she would be willing to bump up overall total cost to $1000.

[badass88gt]

I bought my 7.1 setup from shoponkyo.com, unfortunately my living room isnt very good for 7.1 so half my shit is in boxes since we moved. I like my Onkyo receiver, the sub is pretty weak but thats fixed easily enough.

[Russ Jerome]

I always thought I was picky on electronics,a $300 Sony suround will drive your mom out of the house, action movies like Blackhawk down are incredible. Any store bought Samsung or Sony these days has dedicated bass, crystal clear center speaker and satelites that will rattle windows IMO.

[UnderPSI]

Bose is one of those companies that spends a lot of money in marketing to make everyone think they have a high end system. They are pretty shitty compared to any other audio choice.

[hrsp]

best advice just like buying a tv is to listen to the speakers...what sounds great to you might sound like shit to me...wish i had 1k for a home stereo...then maybe i could reite my dual 15"inch mtx loudspeakers!!! lol