Ben Nelson
Grip
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2006
- Messages
- 23
I'm just getting started in building a Home Theater again after 12 years. I was wondering what the general consensus was on the order of which part of the Home Theater you should address first.
Currently I have bits and peices of home theater from a time when I used to upgrade every six months. Much of it is really poor and out of date as I sold the only good stuff.
Here's what I have right now: (Don't laugh)
HDTV: Mitsu 52 inch DLP
Receiver: An old Technics SA-GX690
Speakers main: Advent Pearls
Center : MTX AAL 525SB
Rears : none
Sub : Polk Audio PSW450
DVD : Toshiba SD-4980SU
Cable/DVR : Motorola Dual Tuner HDTV DVR (from cable company)
Room: (Condo) Combination Living Room/Dining Room that's connecting to an open Kitchen/bar. Not ideal acoustics at all. This is the thing that concerns me the most.
Goal: Mostly movie enhancement. Accuracy, imaging, soundstage, dynamic range most import characteristics I'm seeking.
Preliminary Budget: $1000 for speakers, $700 to $1000 for Receiver
(Tell me if you think these numbers are disproportionate)
I was thinking that I'll probably keep the sub for now. It does a fairly decent job. I think the more immediate need is the other unmatched speakers. I was thinking it might be better to buy the speakers of my home theater first. That way, after some time, I can just buy the newer model receivers when they come out. Speaker design doesn't change nearly as much Receiver design so I think this might be a better first step. If anyone disagrees with that, please let me know.
The speakers I'm currently looking at are:
Mains: (2) Ascend CMB-170 SE
Center: (1) Ascend CMT-340 SE
Rears: (2) Ascend HTM-200
Cost: 828 + 60 dollars shipping.
I've heard nothing but good things about these speakers but that's the only thing I really can hear since there's no way to listen to them without buying.
After I get these, I then plan to get a Receiver.
Any suggestions to go with these speakers?
The members of the Ascend forums seem to rave over HK's. Apparently they are a good match together.
I was looking at some of the HK refurbs and the idea of getting a $2000+ model receiver for $1000 is pretty tempting.
I don't know.
This is alot of money and I'm still not really sure what to do yet.
I'd appreciate any advice from guys that have been in the game for the past few years. I'm just now starting to re-educate myself on the Home Theater scene again. Starting to get that itch!
Thanks in advance.
Currently I have bits and peices of home theater from a time when I used to upgrade every six months. Much of it is really poor and out of date as I sold the only good stuff.
Here's what I have right now: (Don't laugh)
HDTV: Mitsu 52 inch DLP
Receiver: An old Technics SA-GX690
Speakers main: Advent Pearls
Center : MTX AAL 525SB
Rears : none
Sub : Polk Audio PSW450
DVD : Toshiba SD-4980SU
Cable/DVR : Motorola Dual Tuner HDTV DVR (from cable company)
Room: (Condo) Combination Living Room/Dining Room that's connecting to an open Kitchen/bar. Not ideal acoustics at all. This is the thing that concerns me the most.
Goal: Mostly movie enhancement. Accuracy, imaging, soundstage, dynamic range most import characteristics I'm seeking.
Preliminary Budget: $1000 for speakers, $700 to $1000 for Receiver
(Tell me if you think these numbers are disproportionate)
I was thinking that I'll probably keep the sub for now. It does a fairly decent job. I think the more immediate need is the other unmatched speakers. I was thinking it might be better to buy the speakers of my home theater first. That way, after some time, I can just buy the newer model receivers when they come out. Speaker design doesn't change nearly as much Receiver design so I think this might be a better first step. If anyone disagrees with that, please let me know.
The speakers I'm currently looking at are:
Mains: (2) Ascend CMB-170 SE
Center: (1) Ascend CMT-340 SE
Rears: (2) Ascend HTM-200
Cost: 828 + 60 dollars shipping.
I've heard nothing but good things about these speakers but that's the only thing I really can hear since there's no way to listen to them without buying.
After I get these, I then plan to get a Receiver.
Any suggestions to go with these speakers?
The members of the Ascend forums seem to rave over HK's. Apparently they are a good match together.
I was looking at some of the HK refurbs and the idea of getting a $2000+ model receiver for $1000 is pretty tempting.
I don't know.
This is alot of money and I'm still not really sure what to do yet.
I'd appreciate any advice from guys that have been in the game for the past few years. I'm just now starting to re-educate myself on the Home Theater scene again. Starting to get that itch!
Thanks in advance.