Audio Visual Home Theater Stereo Thread

[bookjones]

I can't tell you how many times I've walked by that place and wanted to walk in but haven't. It looks way over my head. They have so much cool shit but I wouldn't even know where to start or what's what.

It is way over your head.



But for reals, those guys want to move their merchandise and if you ask for their help with say a system and tell them your limit they will hook you up to the best of their abilities and stick to your budget. If you only need speakers they'll hook you up with those and keep to your budget. etc., etc. I used to bop in there when they were on Clark near The Century and I lived right there in Lakeview so it used to be a quick weekend distraction while doing shit in the neighborhood. Once they moved to Belmont I think I was already in Uptown and have only been in the Belmont location maybe 2 times over the years with friends. I always dug how they kept their operating costs down by only being open on the weekends---I think it did help them to price shit to move it.

 

[MassHavoc]

They do installs? I mean if I told them this is what I'm hoping to do can they just come in and do it and program everything?

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Have you ever gone to Saturday Audio Exhange in Chicago? It's been around so long it's an institution now and I must say, the guys really do know their A/V shit. They really do have some great deals on some sweet components and speakers. I haven't gotten anything from them but have accompanied others and also when I lived not far from there would sometimes go in just to see the deals for that week.



http://www.saturdayaudio.com/

 

[Tater]

They do installs? I mean if I told them this is what I'm hoping to do can they just come in and do it and program everything?

You want them to cook you dinner too while they're there?

 

[bookjones]

They do installs? I mean if I told them this is what I'm hoping to do can they just come in and do it and program everything?

Ummm. . .that's what the interwebs is for? Like their "Contact" page? Don't know if they will do the installs for a fee. Anyone I have known who's bought something has just taken it home/picked it up later from them.

Soooo. . .I take that to mean Saturday Audio Exchange is old news to you?

 

[bookjones]

I always like looking at the stuff on SAE's Demos page.

 

[jaxhawksfan]

I would love to own McIntosh, but I'm guessing by the time it's all said and done you'd be dropping 20-30k for audio equipment (or more).

That can be spent easily, but you can also get good equipment from McIntosh without getting the "top of the line." I would venture a guess that you could get by with 15k for a really nice system if you didn't want all the bells, whistles, components, etc.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Ummm. . .that's what the interwebs is for? Like their "Contact" page? Don't know if they will do the installs for a fee. Anyone I have known who's bought something has just taken it home/picked it up later from them. Soooo. . .I take that to mean Saturday Audio Exchange is old news to you?

No. That is the jealous drool.

I'm liking their used section. I may be looking for a center channel very soon.

 

[BigPete]

I'm liking their used section. I may be looking for a center channel very soon.

So the documentaries that you make and watch have a lot of voice over huh? Blown out the center channel with too much talky talky?

 

[MassHavoc]

Ummm. . .that's what the interwebs is for? Like their "Contact" page? Don't know if they will do the installs for a fee. Anyone I have known who's bought something has just taken it home/picked it up later from them.

Ummm... the interwebs is also for asking questions... you know like asking questions about topics that people are talking about and sound like they are familiar with? I expect everyone who asks a question in the book thread to now be directed to the internet. haha.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

So the documentaries that you make and watch have a lot of voice over huh? Blown out the center channel with too much talky talky?

Just want something with a bit more kick.

 

[BigPete]

Ummm... the interwebs is also for asking questions... you know like asking questions about topics that people are talking about and sound like they are familiar with? I expect everyone who asks a question in the book thread to now be directed to the internet. haha.

...or BJ's nook! Which I am sure some folks, ahem RK, would like to be redirected to.

 

[BigPete]

Just want something with a bit more kick.

Um, crank up the treble? Are you talking music playback or voice playback in say Dobly 5.1?

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

Um, crank up the treble? Are you talking music playback or voice playback in say Dobly 5.1?

More voice than music.

 

[bookjones]

Ummm... the interwebs is also for asking questions... you know like asking questions about topics that people are talking about and sound like they are familiar with? I expect everyone who asks a question in the book thread to now be directed to the internet. haha.

Touche, asshole.

 

[jakobeast]

I am not an adiophile at all, but I like my music clear, punchy, and and I like to feel it. Same with with when I watch a movie/game.



I have a Sony Dav-IS10, like this http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DAV-IS10-5-1-Channel-Satellite-Theater/dp/B000ROQ0YO down in the living room with the Sony Bravia 52 inch jobber do. I know many folks scoff at the idea of a all-in-one box set, but hey, it kicks some noise around. It's nice, and I know I don't have it set up perfect. It does a good job, but lately I have been thinking that the little speakers, while very nice, might not be big enough for the room. I have been considering moving that upstairs to the bedroom, and getting a new sound system for the living room.



I have a Blu-Ray player in both rooms, so I figure I would need a receiver and some speakers. I don't quite understand the point of 7.1, so I am good with 5.1.



So the question becomes, Does anyone think I can either build a system for cheap, say under 400 bucks, or is there an all in one system that could fit the bill?

 

[jaxhawksfan]

I would think you could find a good surround sound system for the 400 price range. Will it be EPIC? No, but I think you can find what you are looking for. When I bought my tv, they threw in a Sony surround 5.1 system as a bundle. It won't win any awards, but the 280 dollar system looks clean, and sounds clean, and has plenty of punch.

 

[BlackHawkPaul]

I am not an adiophile at all, but I like my music clear, punchy, and and I like to feel it. Same with with when I watch a movie/game.



I have a Sony Dav-IS10, like this http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B000ROQ0YO down in the living room with the Sony Bravia 52 inch jobber do. I know many folks scoff at the idea of a all-in-one box set, but hey, it kicks some noise around. It's nice, and I know I don't have it set up perfect. It does a good job, but lately I have been thinking that the little speakers, while very nice, might not be big enough for the room. I have been considering moving that upstairs to the bedroom, and getting a new sound system for the living room.



I have a Blu-Ray player in both rooms, so I figure I would need a receiver and some speakers. I don't quite understand the point of 7.1, so I am good with 5.1.



So the question becomes, Does anyone think I can either build a system for cheap, say under 400 bucks, or is there an all in one system that could fit the bill?

Sony's STR-DH820 is right at 400.

The STR DH520 is just over $225.

Pioneer also has a VSX 521 K for around the same price as the DH 520.

 

[BigPete]

I would recommend the Pioneer just based on my current experience. But I imagine the Sony and Pioneer are about the same thing and will get the job done at that price point.



It ends up coming down to features more than anything. Does one have something you 'need'?

 

[chasman]

I have a 5.1 Dolby system. All Sony and have Bose speakers with 2 sub woofers, one in the front and one in the back.

Also a 200 disc CD changer. The TV is a misti 65" DLP.