Home Theater System

[Camaro']

Hey, I am looking into buying a Home Theater system for my living room, I just need some help cause I really don't know what I am doing :)

It must have at least two Wireless speakers. I don't know much about this stuff, but they are for the back of the room(rear speakers, I think) and I think a sub woofer. They also must be good quality.

So, 3 Speakers at the minimum
Good quality
Two speakers(non woofer) must be wireless.

Under 500 $?

[Capricorn]

1) Sound Quality
2) Wireless

Pick one. Also, I highly suggest this site: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/. They will be able to answer all your questions :P. Be prepared though, 500$ is a drop in the bucket as far as audio equipment goes. I know if I had that I could spend that on a DAC or a AMP. I think your budget will hurt for speakers though.

Though I remember when I didn't have good headphones, sound quality never crossed my mind and as far as I was concerned, headphones were headphones... Ever since I treated myself to some nice headphones I wouldn't be able to go back.

[i luffs yeww]

Why go wireless? Sure, it's fine for some things, but something like a home theater system shouldn't be wireless until it's perfected, imo. Not too hard to make the wires not visible (for the most part). And it's much better sound quality. Not much else I can say about that, sorry.

[Smartzkid]

Build your own woofer. Do your research first. Personally, I'd recommend a tube enclosure. They're big and tough to disguise, but they are neigh unequaled in output power if built correctly. Plus they're very simple to build! I have a 3.5" speaker at work driving a ~10' ported tube, and you can actually hear its bass. Imagine what a 12" sub can do!

Wire if at all possible. Better quality sound, no interference.

Buy a good head unit so you can expand in the future (protip: pick up a used/scratch&dent for more bang for your buck)

If you can find an old torn up powered sub, you should be able to rip the amp out and drop it into a new enclosure with a fresh sub. Only recommended if you know your way around with electronics.

[Camaro']

1) Sound Quality
2) Wireless

Pick one. Also, I highly suggest this site: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/. They will be able to answer all your questions :P. Be prepared though, 500$ is a drop in the bucket as far as audio equipment goes. I know if I had that I could spend that on a DAC or a AMP. I think your budget will hurt for speakers though.

Though I remember when I didn't have good headphones, sound quality never crossed my mind and as far as I was concerned, headphones were headphones... Ever since I treated myself to some nice headphones I wouldn't be able to go back.

So your saying 500 isn't enough for good audio equipment?


Why go wireless? Sure, it's fine for some things, but something like a home theater system shouldn't be wireless until it's perfected, imo. Not too hard to make the wires not visible (for the most part). And it's much better sound quality. Not much else I can say about that, sorry.

How could I get speakers in the back of the room?


Build your own woofer. Do your research first. Personally, I'd recommend a tube enclosure. They're big and tough to disguise, but they are neigh unequaled in output power if built correctly. Plus they're very simple to build! I have a 3.5" speaker at work driving a ~10' ported tube, and you can actually hear its bass. Imagine what a 12" sub can do!

Wire if at all possible. Better quality sound, no interference.

Buy a good head unit so you can expand in the future (protip: pick up a used/scratch&dent for more bang for your buck)

If you can find an old torn up powered sub, you should be able to rip the amp out and drop it into a new enclosure with a fresh sub. Only recommended if you know your way around with electronics.

I'll look into some more things. Do some research on the tube.


S/Home Theater/Surround Sound, I don't know if there is a difference though :)

[Smartzkid]

So your saying 500 isn't enough for good audio equipment?


As far as consumer all in one audio systems go, its not bad. However, if you buy your speakers and receiver separately (definitely a good plan) it isn't much. And if you compare to any high quality system, it's nothing. You can make up for it by shopping smart, buying a used receiver, improvising for a sub, etc. Just don't expect to end up with a high end Denon.



How could I get speakers in the back of the room?


Wires shoved into the side of the carpet.

[i luffs yeww]

Or underneath. It's more work but you can get the wires into the walls, too. Definitely looks nice after.

[Camaro']

Guys, thanks for your help, researching stuff now :)

[Capricorn]

So your saying 500 isn't enough for good audio equipment?

I am saying that people can (and have and more) dropped that on a SINGLE speaker. The problem with audio equipment is that you can not really objectively measure audio.

Just do your research, and if possible try to find audio stores that have displays that you can test. You may like one brands sounds more than the others.

I think 500$ is enough for entry level speakers, if you were to ask an audiophile (I can't say for sure, because I was never interested in theatre setups, but headphones instead)

[Smartzkid]

IMO it's 50% positioning and room characteristics, 50% speaker quality.

WT Fakawi would be a good one to ask, seeing as he's a sound engineer.

[Camaro']

IMO it's 50% positioning and room characteristics, 50% speaker quality.

WT Fakawi would be a good one to ask, seeing as he's a sound engineer.

Yea, good point. Which is why, if I went wired it would be hard to get it in the back of the room with out wires being noticeable. I started research yesterday, if I find something worth posting Ill post and see what you guys think :)

[Becks]

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=501&name=Home-Theater-in-a-Box

Take a look there good pricing and a nice selection :)