how to get a nice home theater?

[EricK]

hello everyone i'm totally new at this, trying to put together my first home theater system since i got a 3D TV. so my budget would be no more than $1500.00. i've been looking on line doing my researches about this but, is confusing since i hove no experience with home theaters also i have and idea now. 3 on the market that got my attention ONKYO , KLIPSCH and HARMAN/KARDON so anyone can tell me if is better to buy the receiver and the speaker the same brand or will they work nicely even if are not the same brand. cause i believe KLIPSCH make good speakers and H/K make good receivers or both i don't know. about ONKYO i heard is good but they said it may not be well supported here in the USA. thanks very much and pardon for my taping. english is my 2nd language

 

[Maniac]

The best systems are composed of multiple brands. No single company makes both the best receiver and the best speakers. In fact, companies that make receivers pretty much never make speakers that are even listenable much less good. Generally companies that make decent speakers just don't make receivers at all. So, it's a very big plus to have a different brand receiver and speakers.

Pioneer Elite, not just Pioneer. You really need to step up to the $900 one http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/AV-Receivers/Elite+Receivers/VSX-52 As for speakers, Klipsch should be ok. In reality none of the mass market brands like this are really any good but Klipsch has the advantage of having high efficiency. Because they are more efficient, the amplifier doesn't get pushed into clipping as much so the net result is that they can sound better than other speakers that are actually better if the receiver doesn't have the power to properly drive the better speakers.

There are much better subwoofers than Klipsch. Look at subwoofer kits on the Parts Express web site. http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=536 Also look at SVS but SVS is going to throw you out of budget all by itself.

mk

 

[KevinL]

There really is allot of poor quality midfi equipment on the market these days, and people should choose wisely if they want to get a decent system.

Sorry to say but Klipsch is not a good sounding product and most of the brands most people are familiar with are of very poor quality.

First you want to go to your local independent high end audio video store as they carry the better brands of equipment and the salesmen at these stores generally have many years experience designing and installing these types of systems.

Right now the only brand of receivers I am recommending these days is NAD, for the reason of build and parts quality. NAD is one of the only receivers still using discreet components, higher grade parts, and it shows both in sound quality and reliability. One way of telling is by looking at there specifications, they are one of the few capable of driving lower impedance loads, and delivering a significant amount of current.

These independent high end stores also carry the better brand of speakers, like Vandersteen, Magnepan, etc which offer significantly better sound without breaking the bank.

Check them out you will thank me later

Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist

 

[bbt91945]

I would recommend you go online to read the reviews on receivers and speakers. Pioneer and Onkyo are the top brand for receivers, with 3D make sure it is capable of the 1.4 HDMI cable. Klipsch is indeed a very good speaker system. I currently use Onkyo receiver and Pioneer Elite for my home along with Martin Logan Speakers, Infinity, JBL, Klipsch and Energy. Harmon Kardon has not been one of the receiver that Home Theater Magazine recommends. Hope this will help you out.