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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: nataku on February 03, 2003, 06:05:59 PM

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: nataku on February 03, 2003, 06:05:59 PM

I recently had some cash blessed upon me and I\'ve decided I want to spend some of it to upgrade my home theater system.  The one I have now is REALLY outdated... it\'s just an old dolby pro-logic receiver with some old 80s floor speakers and cheap center/surround speakers.  All my speakers are starting to go out... the sound crackles sometimes and whatnot.

I\'ve gone around and read some forums and I\'ve kinda decided on some things I want to get, so if anyone who\'s knowlegable about these things could help that\'d be great.

Pioneer VSX-D511 (http://store.yahoo.com/letsgodigital/vsxd511.html) $167

Fluance SX-HTB 5 Speaker (http://fluance.com/fluan5speaks.html) $259

I already got a 200w sub I bought not too long ago, so I don\'t need a new one.

I don\'t have the cash to upgrade every single piece seperate, besides, I don\'t live by myself.  I don\'t need to spend that kind of cash.

I\'m not too sure on the receiver right now... kinda feel like I should get something a little better.  I want those speakers tho... from what I\'ve read they\'re great.

Also, at the bottom of the page for the Fluance speakers has an option for banna plugs... what are those?  Should I spend the 20 extra bucks to get 5 of them?

Oh and do I need an optical cable thing to plug my PS2 into any receiver I get?  Right now my pro logic receiver just goes through my TV and I get all the sound that way.

Any info or suggestions would be great.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: videoholic on February 03, 2003, 06:38:24 PM

Save another 50-100 bucks and get a yamaha in that price range.  There are quite a few in the 200 range that are all a ton better than the pioneer.  I use to own a pioneer and they are fine, but the yamaha is much better.  Also don\'t look at the DSP modes.  you will never use any of them.  I wish they would get rid of them.  

http://store.yahoo.com/letsgodigital/home-audio-receivers---tuners-yamaha.html
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/gAVR00010

I don\'t know anything about the speakers.  Never heard of them.  That\'s pretty darn cheap for 5 speakers, but they will probably work fine with the type of tuner you are looking for.

Don\'t bother with banana plugs.  You don\'t need them with the type of wattage you are pushing.  THey are just a larger more secure plug that goes into the back of your receiver.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: THX on February 03, 2003, 06:54:11 PM

That\'s hella cheap for a 5 speaker set inlcuding towers!  Do they rip you on shipping?  I just ran a search on audioreview.com and all the reviews are very positive.  Another search on HTF (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=114982) turns up that they are rebranded Goldsky speakers, a company known for using cheap materials in their products, but at that price point was it any mystery?  Even with that knowledge people still love them, one person saying they offer 90% of the performance of a more respected brand for 20% of the price.  I say go for it.

Vid has the right idea about the Yammy.  The only Pioneer receivers I\'d buy are the Elite models but they are far from budget price.  Of the Yamahas try and shoot for an RX model which are higher quality while the HTRs are the ones you can buy at Best Buy or Circuit City.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: -____- on February 03, 2003, 07:12:55 PM

OMG!!! Its great you asked!!! I got the SX-HTB set for christmas!!!  They are AMAZING!! For that price, its a steal.  The only downside is the shipping, its like....a lot from canada. lol.  make sure you get the speaker wire from them as well, its a lot cheaper from there.  I DEFINITELY recommend Fluance, I would say go with them.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: luckee on February 03, 2003, 07:26:19 PM

I also say save a few more bucks and go for a yamaha. I dont know much about those speakers so I cant really say anything. I can tell you to stay away from any Bose speaker.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: nataku on February 03, 2003, 08:10:04 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Anyone got a suggestion as to what Yamaha receiver to buy?  I\'ve been looking at some sites, but there are so many Yamaha receivers.  I\'m a complete noob when it comes to home theater.

EDIT:  Money, right.  I\'d like to stay in the mid 200s low 300s, if that\'s even possible.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: Big Log on February 03, 2003, 08:14:35 PM

How much money?  Essentially that\'s all it takes.  Get an R model like THX mentioned above.

Title: Audiophiles enter!
Post by: nataku on February 04, 2003, 09:21:02 AM

I guess I forgot to mention that the sub I have is a powered sub.  I dunno if that\'s the standard now, I seem to remember some subs awhile ago being powered and some being powerwed by the receiver.  Dunno what difference that makes in what choices I have, if it even does.

Big Log, I edited my post above yours.  I\'d like to stay in the mid 200s, low 300s.  US dollars.