2. home-theater
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Starting an HT System for Cable TV viewing

I have HBO, Starz and the like. I rarely, if ever, watch discs. I just want to set up a surround sound system primarily for watching HDTV with enhanced sound. I just inherited a monster set of Kef Reference Series Twos, which are 4 ohms and I'll use some older Polks for the rears. I need some front end electronics, a center and a sub. 5.1 is good enough, I think. I'll need something beefy to drive those Kef's with. This may double as an occasional 2 channel system but primarily for TV.

My 2 channel system is completely separate.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
hammergjh

Showing 2 responses by eclipse911t

eclipse911t
6 posts
 
What's the display? How large of a center channel will fit into the room? Do you have a budget?
eclipse911t
6 posts
 
Forget about HDMI until you get a serious TV.
There is no need to find some virtual center setting. Any pre/pro or AVR has the ability to turn on the center. This will route the material through the front speakers.

If you're goal is sound quality, then get separates. That way you can get a real amp for your real speakers. Don't get hung up on watts per channel. Just look for a name brand amp. Krell, Lexicon, Bryston, Proceed, ADA, B&K, Anthem, even Rotel, or Adcom all of these will have balls, some more than others. This list of amps will all have better control of a driver than any receiver rated at 140wpc, even if they're only rated to 80wpc.

To answer what speaker to get as a center: Anything Kef Reference that will match your fronts. Don't look anywhere else. The current model is a 204/2c or 202/2c. Find the previous year's model used for a deal.

A sub's ability to fill a room cannot be rated in inches. 90% of the time you get what you pay for. If you want a scale to rate subs on do it on price. The DD15 is a great! subwoofer. It's probably a bit on the pricey side for your needs. I'd focus more on a HT type of sub and not Audiophile type like a DD-15. Look for something in your price range from Paradigm, Klipsch, Snell, Velodyne even Earthquake if you can demo it in your room and make sure it will work with your speakers.
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