dumb and simple questions from a noob

It you can, go to stores that sell the stuff. Let the sales people hustle you. Just stay strong when the sales people put the pressure on for a quick buy.

Neither dumb nor simple....

You can build an incredible system from 3K, if you do your research and are willing to buy used. Take advantage of https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/ and Amazon and Crutchfield’s 30-60 day trials. You best value would be around 1K for an integrated amp and $1500 for speakers which leaves 500 for the source.

Just figure out your priorities, what type of music, how much detail, bass, clarity, imaging, brightness, neutral sound you desire to accomplish and that would determine your speakers which would then narrow down you amp choices.

PS: most members here can’t suggest anything for you for 3K, they spend that much on a speaker cable upgrade 🤣 - my rig cost about 3.5K too

As far as #1 goes I have 2 surround systems.

Cables through the floor in one. Tiny rears hanging from a drop ceiling with homemades in the front on the Severance (basement) floor.

Also could research the many rca to  wireless/bluetooth  transmit/receivers for surrounds, wides, height etc. Get a nice pair of speakers that sound good to you for 2ch stereo listening.  They will then be fine for fronts for the HT.  Look at an onkyo or denon for the receiver.  Good midfi and not break the bank.  I did all klipsch 11.1 for HT I’ve had for years that was, all in, probably more than $3k, but not by much.  
I built an entirely separate system for stereo though.

Here’s a complete system that’s more than adequate for your room and includes everything (except cables) for $2500.  IME for HT you need a really good center speaker and subwoofer, and this nails them both along with a great supporting cast including wireless surround speakers so no messing with long cables.  This will blow you away, and you’ll have $500 left over for cables although you really don’t need to spend near that much (lemme know if you want recommendations there).  Hope this helps, and best of luck.

https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-bookshelf

https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-center
 

https://www.svsound.com/products/sb-2000
 

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa2a-rb/yamaha-rx-a2a-7.2-ch-x-100-watts-a/v-receiver/1.html

https://audioengine.com/shop/factory-refurbished/a2-wireless-speaker-system-refurbished/

https://www.svsound.com/products/soundpath-tri-band-wireless-audio-adapter

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=31263

You can setup a really nice 5.1 system without having to run cables to the rear speakers from your receiver. Check out THIS LINK.

If you want to get a great set of speakers see JBL. You could get 5 matching 580 towers for around $1500 and the matching 550P sub for $189.

As for a receiver I like the new Onkyo’s with Dirac room correction and my second choice would be a Marantz at a discount at accessories4less.com. Anthem is very good but might be above your budget.

As for a source Sony makes great blueray players.

The more money you spend on power cords, the better the music. The fatter the cord the fatter the sound. A thin cord sounds weak.

@raysmtb1 You’re not helping here with someone who’s honestly looking for help. Go away.

I'm brand new to this sub and have some extremely dumb questions (I'm talking i was about to buy jbl 9.1 soundbar for 1500 before i found this sub lol). ive tried to answer my own questions by digging around the sub but honestly am still a bit lost:

1. if you have an actual surround sound system (5.1 or more), how on earth do you manage all those cables? are newer setups wireless (as in there's only power cords?). i'm trying to figure out if i could even have a nice audio setup without cables running all around my room which is a no go for me due to the gf. any basic info / website links would be great

2. tv aside (not willing to do projector at this point in my life), how much does a nice audio setup cost (mid-range, not entry level but not ultra high end)? I'd be willing to spend 3k on a nice system (including receiver) and build as i go. any suggestions on what to priortize would be great. for some context, I have around a 12x12 space for my media setup. and again, i don't really care about aestehtic but it cant be an eyesore

3. any general websites about the basics of home theatre setup would be awesome...really trying to dive deep. i've been producing music for many years and my favorite part about it is being a gear junkie....and i'm becoming a gear junkie all over again for all this home theatre equipment....this sub is awesome xvideos

thanks in advance.

I got this,..

1. Sony makes a GREAT wireless system for HT, watch this:

https://youtu.be/eHcjvdGbaa0

2. and the Sony receiver:

https://youtu.be/jikjmJKmhEA

Re: HT setup please check out my "How To" thread here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/how-to-setup-your-room-for-atmos-and-immersive-audio

what is up with these spams?

+1 @grislybutter Looks like a bot that just copies the OP and includes a very suspicious link.  A’gon should get on this because it’s happening more and more. 

@soix yes, I saw 5 or so of these last week. I will send an email to them so they are aware

Under the carpet or in the walls for speaker wires.

A good sounding budget system around $3,000 - $5,000, Mid-range system from $5K to $10K, high end $10 - $20K or much higher. A system anyone would be really incredibly rewarding  $10K - $15K.

I would recommend a separate surround processor, amp, and speaker set. Then when you want to upgrade you can do one at a time. I’m thinking $2K, $1K, and $1K Look at Rotel, and NAD.

I have developed my home theater starting about 30 years ago. Continually improving and upgrading. I would get a large LCD screen, they are incredibly cost effective. Worth the research and effort to put into place and upgrade over time. Stay away from “popular” home theater mags that advertise the ultimate HT for a couple grand. It will not happen.

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