OT: Stereos

[Christina M]

Ok... I admit I am now 48 years old... and am kinda iliterate when it comes to technology stuff..... but I have a question........ hopefully someone who can say it in layman English will answer :o


My hubby and I just bought a new entertainment center and a great new 40 inch LCD TV..... there is room in the entertainment center for a nice stereo system. The only one I have is one I bought about 15 years ago at Price Club that has an LP player, two cassette tape players and an AM/FM receiver (don't make any smartaleck remarks or you will pay.............:D )

If you had $700-1,000 to pay for a new system that would be very nice for your living room........what would you buy???????????

We have a lot of music CDs (and we already have a nice DVD player for the TV). So we'd like to play lots of CDs and use AM and FM radio.

This is the center we bought - obviously the TV takes up the whole TV space, but we have the whole glass door area for a stereo system:
http://jeromes.com/images/spec/GFD02WS9.T.jpg (http://jeromes.com/cgibin/specials.cgi?dept=O&page=4&sale=#)

[BearerBob]

Do you want surround?

[probinson]

There's a lot of BOSE haters out there, but I absolutely LOVE my BOSE speakers!

Of course, that might be a bit pricey if you're only looking to spend $700-$1,000.

[Tenebrae]

Its a toughie because of different stuff avaliable in different countires

Sony are a good middle of the line name

[Christina M]

Is it still the norm to buy a "set" or is it best to buy individual components?

[Tenebrae]

Is it still the norm to buy a "set" or is it best to buy individual components?You can buy individual components, however the price starts getting up, quite alot

I would go for a set personally. Make sure the speakers have a decent wattage. I'm not sure if you like loud music, however speakers with piffly wattage dont give a good sound if you like music loud

I wouldnt go for anything under about 50 watts, 75w is a good wattage I think

[probinson]

Is it still the norm to buy a "set" or is it best to buy individual components?
I prefer components. Usually, if you buy a "set", you won't get as high quality (unless you spend an arm and a leg). Plus, if you have a single unit, if one thing goes bad, you're screwed.

When you buy components, if one piece goes kaput, you only have to replace it.

The single most important piece of your home theater is arguably the Audio Receiver. EVERYTHING in your set-up will run through this, so it's important not to skimp here. Make sure you get something with at least Dolby Digital 5.1. You'll be glad you did when you watch DVD's, or if you can pick up any broadcasts in HD on that new fancy LCD TV of yours.


My set up:

Technics/Panasonic 5.1 Surround Receiver (100w per channel) with 5 video inputs - Approx. $200 (although this was a GREAT deal that I found on clearance...)

Sony 200 Disc CD Changer - Approx $180

Panasonic dual cassette deck - Approx $150 (I haven't used this thing in over 5 years)

Front R-L Speakers - BOSE Acoustimass 5 - Approx $400

Center channel speaker - BOSE VCS-10 - Approx $200

Rear R-L Speakers - BOSE 301 Bookshelf speakers - Approx $250

So let's see, all together, that would be.... $1,380, but as you can see, most of the cost went into my speakers.

IMO, it's important that you get a nice Audio receiver, and nice speakers. If you don't skimp on those pieces, you can add just about any other component you like, and it will sound just GREAT!

Go to a store where they'll let you listen to the speakers before you buy, and choose speakers that YOU like. Walk around the room and listen to them. Make sure the sound fills the room, and there aren't any "dead spots".

The other concern is SIZE. That's why I love my BOSE. My R-L speakers are 2 x 2 and my center channel sits nicely atop my TV, blending right in. You can hide the bass module (the big box in the picture below) anywhere. Ours is right next to our entertainment center, but many people put them under or behind a couch. It doesn't matter where you put it.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/petesarah/p_am5_m_b.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/petesarah/p_vcs10_m_s.jpg

Any more questions? :D

[BenAdam]

There's a lot of BOSE haters out there, but I absolutely LOVE my BOSE speakers!

Of course, that might be a bit pricey if you're only looking to spend $700-$1,000.
bose = urine

[Christina M]

Any more questions? :D


WOW! Thanks for that info, even pics! It really helps!! :thumbsup:

[BenAdam]

Is it still the norm to buy a "set" or is it best to buy individual components?
Christina, what do you want it for? There are a couple of decent HTIB out there. (Home Theater In a Box). Do you want kick butt sound from your dvd's? You should at least get a Receiver that accepts digital input from your DVD player. This is an awesome system right here:
http://www.svsound.com/products/systems/lts01/system-med.jpg

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs.cfm

But it is only speakers and is $999

[probinson]

bose = urine
Don't tell me....

Klipsch?

[BenAdam]

Don't tell me....

Klipsch?
Axiom ;)

[probinson]

Axiom ;)
Well there's a first. Every BOSE-hater I've run into was a Klipsch fanboy.

BOSE stands behind their product with a 5-year unconditional warranty. I ABUSED my speakers when I first got them, pushing more wattage through them then they could handle (I hooked them up to a 500W amp, just to see what they would sound like :doh:) and I took them back to the factory store and they replaced them, on the spot, with a brand new set.

Are there better speakers than BOSE? Absolutely. But the bigger question is, are there better speakers than BOSE that will blend in with your décor and keep the wife happy? ;)

[Christina M]

Geewhiz......... even an OT thread is turning into a debate..... :doh: ;)

[probinson]

Geewhiz......... even an OT thread is turning into a debate..... :doh: ;)
My fault. I shoulda never brought up BOSE.

:sorry:

[BenAdam]

Well there's a first. Every BOSE-hater I've run into was a Klipsch fanboy.

BOSE stands behind their product with a 5-year unconditional warranty. I ABUSED my speakers when I first got them, pushing more wattage through them then they could handle (I hooked them up to a 500W amp, just to see what they would sound like :doh:) and I took them back to the factory store and they replaced them, on the spot, with a brand new set.

Are there better speakers than BOSE? Absolutely. But the bigger question is, are there better speakers than BOSE that will blend in with your décor and keep the wife happy? ;)
You think these would blend in nice?

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/interfaces/epic50_175.jpg

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/interfaces/epic50_500.jpg

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/products/main/Epic50V500BeechBlack51.jpg

You can also request a custom stain.

[BenAdam]

My fault. I shoulda never brought up BOSE.

:sorry:
come on man, this is just bustin chops for fun :)

[probinson]

You think these would blend in nice?

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/interfaces/epic50_175.jpg

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/interfaces/epic50_500.jpg

http://www.axiomaudio.com/global/images/products/main/Epic50V500BeechBlack51.jpg

You can also request a custom stain.
Those are a tad larger than my BOSE. :P

[BenAdam]

Those are a tad larger than my BOSE. :P
They also have some nice bookshelf speakers instead of the towers.

In all seriousness, use what you like. If Bose does it for you, go for it. I am running some inexpensive speakers that sound OK, but those axioms are my dream.

[probinson]

If I had an extra $4,000 lying around, this would be nice.

(http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=ls48_dvd_index) http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h128/petesarah/p_ls48_m_b.jpg (http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=ls48_dvd_index)

That's the whole system. Receiver, DVD player, CD player, storage for 340 hours of digital music, all contained in that one sleek unit plus the RF remote control to control the system from anywhere in the house....

Click the pic for more details.

[BarbB]

Aw, I LOVE my Bose Wave with 4 CD player. It was less than $1,000 but I've not plugged the TV into it yet. Not surround-sound, but I don't watch that many movies.

Christina - if you want some hand-me-down Bose speakers, I'll mail you mine for the cost of postage. They still work great - I just wanted something small. They are the bookshelf speakers about 10x15 horizontal. You might be able to rig them up with some other ones to get the effect you want. :wave:

[probinson]

Aw, I LOVE my Bose Wave with 4 CD player. It was less than $1,000 but I've not plugged the TV into it yet. Not surround-sound, but I don't watch that many movies.

Christina - if you want some hand-me-down Bose speakers, I'll mail you mine for the cost of postage. They still work great - I just wanted something small. They are the bookshelf speakers about 10x15 horizontal. You might be able to rig them up with some other ones to get the effect you want. :wave:
Hey Tina! I'd jump on that one! BOSE bookshelf speakers ain't cheap!

Nice gesture Barb!

[BarbB]

Hey Tina! I'd jump on that one! BOSE bookshelf speakers ain't cheap!

Nice gesture Barb!

Thanks, Pete! They are great speakers - I never came close to blowing them up and even though they are from the 1980's, they still sell the same style today! :thumbsup: Also, if I sell them at a yard sale, I MIGHT get a whole $10. Not worth the argument with all the cheapskates! :D

[Andry]

Geewhiz......... even an OT thread is turning into a debate..... :doh: ;)
These days, it's hard to go wrong if you stick to a brand name. Unless you're a true audiophile - which most of us aren't - mainstream brands such as Bose, Sony, and others will work just fine for you.

The best advice is to visit the soundroom at your favourite retailer, and listen to the system that you like that falls within your budget. You might be surprised by the brand that you actually like the sound of. Also, don't be swayed by the total or peak power rating; ask instead for the RMS, or continuous, power rating. You don't necessarily want "loud", but "tonal detail", which is the ability to accurately reproduce the sound of an instrument or voice even at lower volumes.

Hope this helps some.

[BearerBob]

Well there's a first. Every BOSE-hater I've run into was a Klipsch fanboy.

BOSE stands behind their product with a 5-year unconditional warranty. I ABUSED my speakers when I first got them, pushing more wattage through them then they could handle (I hooked them up to a 500W amp, just to see what they would sound like :doh:) and I took them back to the factory store and they replaced them, on the spot, with a brand new set.

Are there better speakers than BOSE? Absolutely. But the bigger question is, are there better speakers than BOSE that will blend in with your décor and keep the wife happy? ;)

While I don't "hate" Bose, I will say that it is overrated crap.:wave:

[NacDan]

I still stand by my Optimus speakers.

Danny

[Christina M]

Aw, I LOVE my Bose Wave with 4 CD player. It was less than $1,000 but I've not plugged the TV into it yet. Not surround-sound, but I don't watch that many movies.

Christina - if you want some hand-me-down Bose speakers, I'll mail you mine for the cost of postage. They still work great - I just wanted something small. They are the bookshelf speakers about 10x15 horizontal. You might be able to rig them up with some other ones to get the effect you want. :wave:


WOW, Barb! WOW! What a kind offer! I'll PM you!:kiss: :kiss:

We are not really into music much.....tho I do love my country music ;) ...I'm a conservative talk radio show person and so is hubby. We listen all day long. But, we'd like to have something that is nice so we don't have to buy again for a long time.. and we want something small.

[flaglady]

Oh, good grief - boys toys

http://www.netministry.com/clientfiles/63882/cbrown.jpg
(apologies to Christina and Barb!!)