Advice on first HT equipment and setup.


First of all I am a total newbie when it comes to HT. I have been a two channel analog guy for the last 30 yrs. I have no intentions of dismantling my two channel system to make room for an HT system. My two channel stays on one side of the cabinet and the HT will be on the other. When I want to watch a movie my thinking is to simply pull the bananas from my L/R speaker (two channel amp) and plug into the HT receiver. I'm not looking to break the bank here...I already did that with my 2 channel stuff. Looking to pick-up a good used receiver and DVD player. I will also need a center and two rear speakers. My room is 16x24x8high. Budget $2500. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
128x128freddy50

Showing 2 responses by shadorne

If you get a DSP you can phatom the center channel and save yourself trouble trying to find a center to match the timbre of your excellent speakers. (Centers are over-rated IMHO unless you have large audiences watching movies all the time. Plus centers don't work all that well unless you can match tweeter height exactly with L&R, such as placement behind a screen)

If you want a fully covincing enveloping sound it is best to stick with the same speaker all round....find a JMLab monitor that is closest in sound to your mains and you will be happiest.

Sub woofers ....JL F113 fathom and SVSsound PB Ultra are awesome value.

Receiver/DSP...your choice depending on what sources you have.

DVD player...something real cheap until you are ready to go High Definition (Blu-Ray)

Good Luck
This DVD will keep you up to date with the latest and greatest in Hollywood Production.
Toshiba HD-A20 1080p HD DVD player - like new ($200-$250)

I would not recommend going HD-DVD - at this time it looks like HD-DVD is a dead duck.

Go Blu-Ray if you go High Def...or go cheap DVD and wait for Blu-Ray to come down in price...