Topic: Home Theatre Setup Help

[gtramil]

Hi guys,

Im not sure what to buy. Im currently using a Logitech X540 and decided it's time for an upgrade. Emulated 5.1 surround sound doesnt make me happy anymore. Tunog lata talaga  yung rear speakers

I plan to place this in my room lang. but I need at least a long wire for my rear speakers so I can "hide" it from sight. Room is rather small (edit:2-3 burger machine stands)

Choices are:
1. Onkyo 5.1 Reciever and speakers bundle (optical input) for 23k
2. Onkyo 5.1 Reciever and speakers bundle (HDMI input) for 31k
3. Onkyo 7.1 Reciever and speakers bundle (HDMI input) for 39k
4. Onkyo 7.1 Reciever only and some custom speakers(HDMI input) if meron mahanap na speakers and sub which will net 30k(i doubt)
5. Logitech 5.1 Z5500 THX certified for 15k

Now this will be used mainly for gaming and movies.

I prefer the Logitech brand because it is cheaper, and i can buy a two seater lazy boy with the extra money I will save, but im afraid baka tunog lata rin siya like the x540 and the rear cables are as short as well. If someone can confirm that the sound is WAY better than the x540,sound quality near as close as the choices setups above, and the cables are long enough to "hide" it i will buy that instead

if not, which one do you suggest I should buy?

your expert advise would be much appreciated

[blued888]

I plan to place this in my room lang. but I need at least a long wire for my rear speakers so I can "hide" it from sight. Room is rather small  mga 60-70 sq meters lang

Is your room really THAT big? Big yan, hindi small.

Your choices seem pretty vague but here's my suggestion.

Get a 5.1/7.1 receiver. Decide if you really need the two additional speakers at the rear, if you're not sure, get 7.1.

Speaker choices, based on your budget, I believe Wharfedales and fellow forumer Anthony's speakers will fit the budget. IMO, the Wharfedales and the custom speakers done by Anthony would sound much much better than the Logitech Z-5500.

Subwoofer choices, based on your budget, you can either look for something at the marketplace or look into one of pilyo168's offerings.

Wire length shouldn't be a problem since you can easily purchase spools from Raon or whereever.

[gtramil]

haha yeah, the numbers might be wrong (not really good in math haha) regarding my room. pero made a description nalang that everyone might  know. so as you can imagine, not really much room (isisiksik ko pa kama diyan and the lazyboy lookalike recliner seats, if there's a will there's a way haha)

choices are onkyo HTS5100(7.1 bundle) HTS105(5.1 bundle) HTS506(5.1 stand alone reciever)

main problem is, if i get the bundles and the custom set-up route, feelling ko hindi magagamit yung "what I paid for" feature

and by sound quality, are you referring to the sound imaging or sound clarity? I usually tend towards to good imaging kasi.

[blued888]

haha yeah, the numbers might be wrong (not really good in math haha) regarding my room. pero made a description nalang that everyone might  know. so as you can imagine, not really much room (isisiksik ko pa kama diyan and the lazyboy lookalike recliner seats, if there's a will there's a way haha)

choices are onkyo HTS5100(7.1 bundle) HTS105(5.1 bundle) HTS506(5.1 stand alone reciever)

main problem is, if i get the bundles and the custom set-up route, feelling ko hindi magagamit yung "what I paid for" feature

and by sound quality, are you referring to the sound imaging or sound clarity? I usually tend towards to good imaging kasi.

I would say, both imaging and clarity. And, room acoustics has great effect on the speakers. Based on my experience, the greatest effect room acoustics has is on the subwoofer.

I've placed my HT subwoofer in 4 different locations and it sounded way better in bigger rooms. You would think that you would get enveloped in bass effects when in smaller rooms but in fact, that is not the case.

When you decide to get speakers, you should also give them an audition because some may sound warm (laid back, like Wharfedale), neutral (like Infinity), forward (emphasis on highs, like Klipsch).

I would stay away from the Onkyo bundle since Onkyo is not a well known speaker manufacturer.

How much is the standalone optical or HDMI receiver if you don't mind me asking?

[gtramil]

the standalone Onkyo 506 costs 23k cash price. Im not sure if that's a good price though. but if you can point me to the right direction, that would be great

im thinking, with the inputs you have given, I can always take the upgrades slowly. and a 7.1 receiver would be greatly appreciated in games as well, since for movies, konti lang naman talaga ang 7.1 dun.

regarding the speakers and subs, im willing to buy DIY products provided they are really competitive naman ang hindi sirain (unlike cd-r king stuff)

I couldnt find sir anthony's selling thread in the forum but I found pilyo's. Sad part is, i do not understand what they are talking about. and regarding the speakers i would be able to define those types of description as well. this is primariliy the reason why i am relying heavily on the "THX" branding of logitech Z5500 instead

will a 30k net(subs,5.1 setup speakers, reciever) could actually be a possibility?

[Beefy]

I would suggest getting a reciever that can handle BOTH video and audio via HDMI. Also try getting something that can decode HD audio. If you want onkyo, get the 507, 606 or if available, 607.

[blued888]

the standalone Onkyo 506 costs 23k cash price. Im not sure if that's a good price though. but if you can point me to the right direction, that would be great

I think you can import an Onkyo 607 from the US for around 26k, via TOY 01 or anya618. Yun nga lang syempre di valid yung warranty dito. I got my Yamaha RX-V663 for around 24k last year, but I believe that model's phased out already.

im thinking, with the inputs you have given, I can always take the upgrades slowly. and a 7.1 receiver would be greatly appreciated in games as well, since for movies, konti lang naman talaga ang 7.1 dun.

Yes, you can always upgrade slowly. You can start with getting the fronts and just generate a phantom center or get the fronts and center at the same time. Rears can be added at a later time.

And, as many people say, mas maganda ang 5.1 setup compared sa pilit na 7.1 setup. Ideally for 7.1, you have to have at least 3ft distance from the listening position to the rear back speakers.

regarding the speakers and subs, im willing to buy DIY products provided they are really compe***ve naman ang hindi sirain (unlike cd-r king stuff)

I couldnt find sir anthony's selling thread in the forum but I found pilyo's. Sad part is, i do not understand what they are talking about. and regarding the speakers i would be able to define those types of description as well. this is primariliy the reason why i am relying heavily on the "THX" branding of logitech Z5500 instead

Here's Anthony's speaker thread. Link

I believe he also has cheaper alternatives. I haven't heard his speakers personally, but based on what fellow PDVDers have been saying... They're bang-for-the-buck speakers.

I also do not fully understand the DIY stuff, but that's the cheapest route you can go with.

You can also ask if other members have the Z-5500 for their setup.

will a 30k net(subs,5.1 setup speakers, reciever) could actually be a possibility?

30k is a bit impossible if you're gunning for separate components, given that the receiver you are looking at is already 20k+. If you'd be open to getting used receivers, I believe that can lower your costs greatly (but you may not get a HDMI receiver).

A HTIB setup is very possible with 30k budget.

[gearhead000]

working on your max quoted budget of P39k and given room size, i can suggest the 5.1 Cambridge Azur 340R i saw in the marketplace for P15k!
then you can get either the diamond 9.1 as fronts, 9.cs for center, and 9.dfs or 9.sr for surround.

there's the mission mv4, mvc, and mv-ds too as viable alternatives that won't break the bank.

you can find sub bargains here in the pdvd marketplace. abang-abang lang.