Topic: ISO: Playback System For about $2K

[H₂O]

I may be looking to get a playback system in the $2K Range and want to get some input.  This system would be used as primary playback and part of a 7.1 TV setup.

I have the following already:
 - Playstation 3
 - Media Server (with HDMI)
 - SV-4100

What I am looking for:
2 Front channels (I can use to produce good Stereo)
1 Powered Sub
1 Center
2 Ceiling mounted Side Speakers
2 Rears
1 Reciever - currently looking at Denon 3808ci (plays FLACs, DSD over HDMI, etc) - I can get a refurb for about $1K - new about $1.3K - Also any thoughts on a new version coming out this summer?  Any other ideas here?

What speakers should I look for?

[noahbickart]

IMHO a good two channel system beats a mid-fi surround system any day. For $2k you can put together a hell of a good system. I'd think about starting with a good pair of ~$1k stand mounted speakers.

I for one, a very happy watching movies on a two channel system; my brain only has two inputs anyway.

-Noah

[H₂O]

Thanks for the input.

This is for a TV-Theatre room and I already have run the speaker wires (and I need to fill in a few wholes), so I will need 2 in ceiling sides and two rears.  I can forgo the Sub and Center and get two full range fronts (I would only be using the other speakers for Blu-ray movies).

Any issues running "7.1" with only 6 speakers?  (i.e. no center or Sub)

[BC]

For receivers the new Yamaha and Onkyo lines look pretty nice.

As far as speakers, if you want to go multichannel you might be able to get good quality in your price range with  PSB or Paradigm among others. Both have good quality, well engineered, entry level speaker lines. If you go 2 chan stereo that opens up the options in your budget considerably for speaker choices, there are some past threads in here for speaker recommendations.

[Lil Kim Jong-Il]

This is for a TV-Theatre room and I already have run the speaker wires (and I need to fill in a few wholes), so I will need 2 in ceiling sides and two rears.  I can forgo the Sub and Center and get two full range fronts (I would only be using the other speakers for Blu-ray movies).

I agree that you would be better off with a good two channel system and then later you can add surround pairs as you get the money.  A mediocre 7.1 system won't be very satisfying in comparison and there is really no where to go with it.

Buy good two channel main speakers and mount grills over the ports in your ceiling.   Your wires will still be there later. 

Any issues running "7.1" with only 6 speakers?  (i.e. no center or Sub)

Possibly.  If there is dialog that is mapped to the center channel only, you won't get that.   However, depending on the processor you are using, you can maybe mix the

[Nick's Picks]

I've got what you could consider a decent, modest two channel system, and at times it sounds like I have 12 channels, 30 speakers and sound is flying everywhere.

for music, two chan all the way.  hands down.
movies, thats another can of worms entirely, IMO, and surround is great.  nice and clear.  good separation ...and thats due to the way the DVDs are mastered w/the surround info in place to be here, or there.

the speaker suggestions given are all excellent.  I'll add the Epos ELS-3 to that list.  cheap and very highly regarded.  never heard them myself, but have owned their bigger brothers and loved them.
they have a new ELS-8 monitor that is getting good reviews in forums.  no official reviews that i'm aware of yet.
http://www.epos-acoustics.com/

advice from an old friend:
"get it right, do it nice.  If you make a mistake you're going to pay for it twice"
VERY true when it comes to building a stereo.  fuck trial and error.  been there, done that.  costs lots of money.  Just do it right the first time and dont look back.  that doesn't require going big bucks, just due diligence.

[som]

Check out the Ascend Acoustics line of speakers. I used them as my main two-channel music speakers for years, and they were great. Now I use them with my "home theatre" (if you can call it that....all I have are fronts and a sub) and they are more than satisfying.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

[H₂O]

So at this point I have ended up getting the following:
- Denon AVR-3808CI (hopefully get t this tomorrow)
- 1 pair of used Soliloquy 6.3's (pick these up on Sunday)

I went a little over but this should keep me occupied for a while 

[Nick's Picks]

nice !