Help with my first HT setup

[pjashish]

Dear Hifi vision gurus

Newbie here, joined hifivision to benefit and hopefully contribute in the future to this wonderful community. Would reuest your help and experience in setting up my first Home theater setup . The system will be installed in my main hall which is approx 400 sq feet. I already own a LG 42 inch LH90. The inputs to the AV receiver are going to be an HD HTPC, Nintendo Wii, DVD player (all these already available). I plan to upgrade to a Oppo Bluray player/PS3 in the near future .My Music is in either flac or high bit rate mp3 form in addition to CDs whilst the movies are either 1080p MKVs or SD avi files. The media is stored on a connected home made NAS and is streamed depending on the resolution either wirelessly/through an ethernet connection to the HTPC and then the TV through its HDMI out.

My requirements are as follows

(a) The setup with serve a 50:50 role to play movies as well as music.

(b) My music preference are inclined towards the heavier stuff as well as dark electronica and EBM (kamelot, christian death, dilinger escape plan,shinedown, psyclon nine,cadaveria and similar artists) . Though wife is a casual listener of soft rock and usual bollywood mishmash

For the receiver I have shortlisted the Onkyo NR 708

ONKYO SIGHT & SOUND - INDIA

would welcome your comments about the choice of the receiver and additional recommendations if any. I'm primarily limited by the budget in the choice of the AV receiver. Intend purchasing it through Amazon.com and getting it shipped via borderlinx.com (costing me approx Rs 38,000 using the total expense calculator). Comments on the reasonableness of price and merit of importing via this channel would also be more than welcome

(Budget Rs 40,000)

I am however totally confused and at sea about the speakers to complete the HT setting. Choices post reading several reviews online are as follows

(a) Energy RC-Micro 5.1 (yet to get a quote from RIVERA INTERNATIONAL) However, more keen on a Floor standing speaker rig within a reasonable budget.

(b) Fluance SX-HTB : without the subwoofer available for Rs. 32987 at ebay global easybuy.This would be coupled with the Polk audio Subwoofer PSW 110 quoted for Rs 13,000/- at the profx.com website.

Again, reasonableness of price, choice of the speakers and the subwoofer and merit of importing these may please be freely commented upon.

Either ways if the gurus can point me towards a kick ass speaker set up 5.1 to start with and upgradeable to 7.1 at a later date in a budget of 45,000 - 50,000 (and places where the proposed speaker setup can be auditioned in mumbai) then I shall be greatly obliged.

I know its a long post and i request the forum member's support and cooperation to complete my dream build

regards

Ashish

 

[theironhorse]

pjashish 400sq ft is a big space to fill..

also as u states that u were looking for polk audio sub. it wont do justice to ur room size and electronic music..
however lets wait for the gurus to input for the same.. as we have multiple options available for the kind of music u have

 

[pjashish]

Hey guys don't mean to sound impatient or disrespectful but please throw a bone to this poor fella who is expecting a world of advice. Another piece of input which i hope would help the gurus, the hall size is 250 sq feet not 400. My bad. Sorry !

 

[Kittu]

Please audition Paradigm 110 Ct cinema package ...... If you buy energy then go to reliance digital ... Reviera quotes higher but crazy they are the suppliers to reliance digital too and you can get good bargain in reliance.....


JBL PSW1000 sub will come for 10 - 12 k ... Which will give you earth shaking bass ...


You can even try a demo Qacoustic cinema package in 40k budget... That seem to pair well with Onkyo...

 

[pjashish]

Dear all

Would you guys suggest anything other than the Onkyo NR708 in the same budget, approx 40 k. Would request any of the NR708 owners to enlighten about their experiences with the receiver and the moolah they had to pay for the acquisition

 

[pjashish]

Another quick point. If I intend to piece together my HT system could any of the gurus let me know the map towards Nirvana

Can I start with 2 floor standers and an active subwoofer and then pair it with a good Value for money (budget approx 40k) AV receiver. Thereafter add the bookshelves and the centre to get a 5.1 followed ultimately to 7.1 channel glory

 

[elangoas]

I hope you video needs are taken care off. So only your audio content needs to be attended to..

I would like to recommend you Sonodyne FS 2605 (24K) 3-way speaker to start the HT setup and a Norge stereo amplifier 2000 (12K) Or as Sonodyne Integrated amplifier 2.1 (I believe 12- 14K) then u can add a Sonodyne Subwoofer SLF 200A (23K). It is the best sub woofer from Sonodyne. It completely beats most other sub's in the same price point.

Later when you budget allows, you can upgrade to a full fledged receiver (5.1) and then add the center (5K) & Dipole's surrounds(9K) from Sonodyne.

Not too sure if you would like Sonodyne products. Take an audition in your city and then decide. They are cheap in price because THEY are the only product made in India. I personally vouch for Sonodyne products as they are far better than other products in the similar price point. Happy hunting.

 

[pjashish]

Like I said, budget is tight but flexible. I can mix and match and sonodyne doesn't really figure in the scheme of things. Additionally, am sure I want a good receiver which is VFM and serve HT duties for some time to come. That is why i am open to spending 40k and thereabouts on it. Thanks nevertheless for your suggestions they are highly welcome