Home Theater

dave330i

Any audiophile on TE? I need to put together a receiver/speaker system for a small living room (15' x 12'). Looking for something with HDMI input/output to connect TV, DVD, xBox etc and wireless speakers would be nice, but not must have.

PC509

How big of a TV? Going for a real theater experience? Dolby Atmos, etc?

dave330i

This is going to be a budget setup. TV is a 55" 4K. I was thinking about putting together a HTPC, but couldn't find a solution to connect the surround sound speakers w/out a receiver.

EANx

For a budget setup, you might want to forego the receiver, plug everything into the TV via HDMI and use a good 2.1 or 3.1 soundbar with subwoofer. You can also do the entire thing as a full surround system in a wireless fashion without a receiver using something like the Sony HT-XT2.

Queue

I spent months researching trying to find something that was somewhat future proof and had all the features I desired.

Ended up with the Yamaha RX-A660 Aventage receiver.
It has an RJ-45 connection, WiFi, it has an app that let's you control it from your phone through your network. It has HDCP or whatever for pass through for 4k. You can create zones for playback in multiple rooms, Phono input in case you ever hooked up a turn table, Bluetooth, Pandora, AirPlay, Music Cast, etc. 7.2, but I'm using it as a 5.1. Thing is awesome no buyers remorse this time.

Paired it with a set of Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 600. This is not wireless. Something of this caliber wireless would be too much $$$.

Too loud for the house so you never have to max it out. Video games are awesome with surround sound.

I need a 4k TV!

DoubleNNs

Recently, Ive been starting (and often stopping) almost all my research on thewirecutter.com

istiase

i have purchased just before a week ago from amazon, search it on amazon.

DatabaseHead

EANx wrote: »

For a budget setup, you might want to forego the receiver, plug everything into the TV via HDMI and use a good 2.1 or 3.1 soundbar with subwoofer. You can also do the entire thing as a full surround system in a wireless fashion without a receiver using something like the Sony HT-XT2.

Went with a Samsung audio set up with sound bar and sub. It sounds great! Completely changes the experience. Like the OP mention must get 4K.

mzx380

It may not be the best choice for an audio file but have you ever thought about using a single cabinet sound system? They are relatively inexpensive but do a pretty decent job

https://www.amazon.com/ZVOX/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_2530848011?ie=UTF8&node=2530848011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=ZVOX

NetworkNewb

dave330i wrote: »

This is going to be a budget setup. TV is a 55" 4K. I was thinking about putting together a HTPC, but couldn't find a solution to connect the surround sound speakers w/out a receiver.

Yea, I looked awhile when I put in my home theater in my basement and ended up purchasing a receiver. Was trying to go without one, but didn't find good options. Set up mine about a year ago. For whatever its worth I bought this receiver and have had zero issues so far... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YAO43YG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Paired it with the Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers (here is the link to just the ones that are on the side of the TV, did the 5.1 setup with them). Tried to look a bunch of reviews and these seemed like a good bang for the buck. I have zero complaints.
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-Designed-standing-Loudspeaker/dp/B008NCD2S4/ref=pd_bxgy_23_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B008NCD2S4&pd_rd_r=R5WZWV70HJWTDK2BEBMT&pd_rd_w=SbZQu&pd_rd_wg=bGhcD&psc=1&refRID=R5WZWV70HJWTDK2BEBMT

My carpet was being re-done at the time and just ran the wiring underneath it along the edges for the back speakers.

GSXR750K2

IMHO a receiver is the only way to go for audio options, and I have a few devices so it just made sense...Xbox One S, Sony Blu-ray Player (I don't like using the Xbox for that), Apple TV, cable box, and a spare HDMI for miscellaneous devices or my laptop. Easier hitting an input button than cycling through inputs on the TV, and the audio source is consistent.

I'm still rocking a 70" Sharp Aquos I got many years back (1080p) paired with a Harmon Kardon AVR-1700 receiver (now fairly inexpensive) and connected to Klipsch Icon towers, center, rear surrounds, and 10" 400W sub. The receiver doesn't come close to being able to give the speakers the power they want at high volumes, but it's just fine for "regular" use.