Simple Speaker Setup

latituded510

Hey folks,

I've been searching around for a few weeks and reading through different forums...but I figured I'll ask the experts.

I have a decent LCD TV in my living room and I just want something to add speakers so I can watch a movie every now and then...and also play music when friends come over. (nothing to crazy). The stock speakers are useless!!!!!

I'm trying to do this on a budget and noticed that newegg has the Monitor 60 Series II (black front) for $119.

I'm looking to buy two of these and a simple 500w receiver:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115238


All of this will run me around $420...which is a lot to me ...as I didn't want to spend anything.

I thought about a sound bar...but those are easily $300-$400 and for that price I can get a receiver that allows me to expand if I choose to in the future.


Any thoughts about my set up? Should I look elsewhere?

I appreciate all feedback!



Thanks!

rooftop59

I think that you will be happy with those speakers. If you are planning on staying stereo and not moving on to a surround system, I would recommend this receiver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK3490-2-x-120-Watts-Stereo-Receiver-/220743608426?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item336558286a

it is a great 2 channel receiver that will make those monitors sing.

latituded510

rooftop59 wrote: »

I think that you will be happy with those speakers. If you are planning on staying stereo and not moving on to a surround system, I would recommend this receiver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK3490-2-x-120-Watts-Stereo-Receiver-/220743608426?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item336558286a

it is a great 2 channel receiver that will make those monitors sing.

I appreciate the link. I think I prefer the option of possibly adding a sub later on if I feel the need to...so I'd like to get a 5.1 or 7.1 receiver (just in case).

The reason I pointed to the Yamaha receiver is because newegg is selling it for $160...best buy has it for $240.

rooftop59

that HK has a sub out if that's what you are interested in. The sound quality will be light-years over that yamaha (I like yamahas, but that one is way underpowered). The hk has strong clean power, that is why I recommend it. But you are right, you cannot expand to 5.1

latituded510

Ah...I see.

Well is there anything online under $200 that I can buy that would be able to power these speakers and allow me to upgrade later?

I'm just trying to do everything on a budget...

Also...I don't know what a subout is...

Also...I noticed the HK receiver doesn't have any HDMI inputs. How do I hook up all of my HD add on's (cable, xbox, blueray, etc...)?

latituded510

I've been looking and reading all night. I guess the sub out gives you the option to add a sub for an audio only system.

There's a good deal on the next model up for a Yamaha ($100 off/giftcard):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115239


I noticed the HK puts out 120 watts per channel. The link above puts out 105 watts...wouldn't that be pretty close?


Any help would be great as I'm looking to buy within the next day or so (the sale ends on the speakers on Monday).

I'd like to stay under $300 for the receiver.

I have a decent HD TV and just want something to power the two Polk Audio Monitor 60's. :-) (but if I'm spending the cash...I'd like to buy something that I can hook up everything in HD).

wutadumsn23

I agree that the HK would be a better option over the first Yammy, but the second one does allow for HDMI and will let you expand in the future, which believe me you will want to do, lol. Don't put much stock in what an AVR says it puts out per channel, they are usually very overrated. HK's are usually pretty close, but the Yammy will power the 60's just fine, and if you decide to add to your system later, it will do just fine with that too. The Yammy is fairly "future proof" as it has HDMI v. 1.4, and also will play all the new HD codecs. Bottom line is, if you like the Yammy, and it fits your budget, then go for it. If ou can get your ears on one, or a similar model that is always a plus. It doesn't have pre-outs for adding an external amp, but if you ever decide to go that route, you can always upgrade later. Is it the best AVR out there, no. Is it the best AVR for your budget, I'd say it's a good choice.

-Jeff

latituded510

Understood.

It seems both Yamaha's offer HDMI. One is just a little more powerful than the other and includes a few options (which I have no idea what they mean)... LOL

I'm probably going to buy the first one since it's much cheaper.

The problem I'm having is I don't know what I should look for in an AVR. I'm not hooking up rear and side speakers...only two floorstand speakers and maybe an amp. I'm completely ignorant when it comes to audio :mad:

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

I agree that the HK would be a better option over the first Yammy, but the second one does allow for HDMI and will let you expand in the future, which believe me you will want to do, lol. Don't put much stock in what an AVR says it puts out per channel, they are usually very overrated. HK's are usually pretty close, but the Yammy will power the 60's just fine, and if you decide to add to your system later, it will do just fine with that too. The Yammy is fairly "future proof" as it has HDMI v. 1.4, and also will play all the new HD codecs. Bottom line is, if you like the Yammy, and it fits your budget, then go for it. If ou can get your ears on one, or a similar model that is always a plus. It doesn't have pre-outs for adding an external amp, but if you ever decide to go that route, you can always upgrade later. Is it the best AVR out there, no. Is it the best AVR for your budget, I'd say it's a good choice.

-Jeff

wutadumsn23

I wasn't able to check out the first AVR you were talking about, so all I was able to comment on was the second one. If the first one has HDMI, plays the new HD audio, has a sub out, etc. it sounds like it may work as well. I will caution you though, that this "hobby" is adictive, and in no time you will be wishing you had bought this instead of that and so on. In the end it is up to you rand you wallet, but I say get whatever you can afford, and don't get one just because it is cheaper than the other.

-Jeff

latituded510

Addictive huh...

Your talking to the guy who has purchased three salt water reef tanks in the past two years. I now addiction far too well ...ask my wife...:mad:

I've consider HTIB's but unless you go near 1k...they all have wires. I have hard wood floors and the wires would drive me crazy. I'm kind of set on floor standing speakers as I think with my current set up...it'll be fine.

The question is with AVR...

Here is a quick comparasion between the two I'm looking at:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/?mode=compare&tab=product_lineup&selected=66062_66061_


I noticed that the more expensive one allows for HDMI Standby-through...does this mean when the receiver is off I don't get any volume?




I appreciate your help...and I know how much of a PITA a newb can be.

wutadumsn23 wrote: »

I wasn't able to check out the first AVR you were talking about, so all I was able to comment on was the second one. If the first one has HDMI, plays the new HD audio, has a sub out, etc. it sounds like it may work as well. I will caution you though, that this "hobby" is adictive, and in no time you will be wishing you had bought this instead of that and so on. In the end it is up to you rand you wallet, but I say get whatever you can afford, and don't get one just because it is cheaper than the other.

-Jeff

wutadumsn23

No sweat man, I was once in your position too, lol. As for the two AVR's one thing I did notice is the RX-V367 doesn't have the ability to play the new HD codecs, so I don't know if that would be an issue for you. Since you are starting small, it may not, but IMHO there is a big difference with the new HD codecs, but I have a 5.1. They are pretty similar units overall, but the RX-V467 has a few things the 367 doesn't. I started with an Onkyo HTIB, and I quickly outgrew that, so I would recommend staying away from those if you have any desire at all to upgrade down the road. If you can use the $100 gift card toward the purchase of the 467 (which I doubt you can) it would be a no brainer. Still, if I was in your spot, I think I would spring for the 467. Any more questions, feel free to ask, that's why we are here.

-Jeff

rooftop59

If you really are against wires and want to stick to 2 towers and possibly a sub, I would go with the hk or a similar model. Here is under your price
http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3490-Radio-ready/dp/B00198F89A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298749091&sr=8-1

It has digital inputs, dual subwoofer outputs, and virtual surround which will sound good for movies and hdtv. It puts out 2-3 times as much REAL power as either of those yammies, and the bass will be much stronger and tighter (I have owned both hks and yamahas. the higher end yamahas are great, the entry level ones not so much). But having said that, I set my friend up with his first system, and pair or polk r150s, a dayont sub, and a yamaha rx-v363 and he loves it. So if you don't have a certain level of experience or expectation, then I think that you will be very happy with either setup.
Good luck!