Suggestion on a Good Home Theater System to Buy

[tulsiyan]

I want to buy a home theater system for my living room which is about 100 sq.ft. I don't want an out of the box home theater system and rather prefer to buy a good AV Receiver, Good Speakers and a separate sub woofer if need be. I want the system to play movies, music and even regular TV viewing. I can stretch my budget to Rs.4 lakhs but ideally would prefer to keep it within Rs.3 lakhs. I would like suggestions for a good set up. Thanking everyone in advance.

 

[tulsiyan]

Hi everyone! An early response shall be appreciated

 

[elangoas]

I want to buy a home theater system for my living room which is about 100 sq.ft. I don't want an out of the box home theater system and rather prefer to buy a good AV Receiver, Good Speakers and a separate sub woofer if need be. I want the system to play movies, music and even regular TV viewing. I can stretch my budget to Rs.4 lakhs but ideally would prefer to keep it within Rs.3 lakhs. I would like suggestions for a good set up. Thanking everyone in advance.

You have a very good budget...There is no need for HTIB Solutions.....

For a 100 Sqft room, Floor standers might be too huge...Rather you can't get the best out of them...Bookshelf /satellite speaker combo would be the best....

Consider Sonodyne Avant LCR 250 x 5 pieces.... Should be approx 70K...Subwoofer you can consider Roar 108 & other brands... An 8 - 10 inch subwoofer would do well in you room...That will be another 15 - 20K Max... (Approx 1 Lakh for speakers)

Regarding the Receivers, you can look @ Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz & Pioneer... ( 70 - 80K)

You can consider the midrange receivers - Onkyo 818/ Yamaha Aventage RX - A 1020 / Denon 3313...All of them around 80K...

Hope your budget is including the TV also....40/46 incher TV should be ideal.... (70 - 80k)...

You can also add a Blu-ray player / Media player depending on your source material....(10K) Max...

 

[tulsiyan]

Thanks for the reply. I already have a 46 inch 3D LED TV and Samsung Blue Ray so the budget is only for the Home Theatre. I had also narrowed down on Denon 3313 but am confused about speakers and sub woofer. This is a temporary home and in a couple of years I will be moving into a larger home with a 200 sq ft space so I am keen on buying floor standing speakers which will be appropriate for the subsequent shift. Of course the same would apply to sub woofers too. Can you pls suggest something accordingly. Thanks a ton

 

[shuv]

Wow, nice budget!

For the AVR you could look at the Marantz SR 7007.

Audition speakers from different makes and choose whichever floats your boat. Some options would be the Focal Chorus 7/8, Usher V - 60x, Triangle Colours, DALI Ikon Mk2s, B&W 68x.

SVS subs are supposed to be amazing and you should take a gander.

For a 100sq.ft room stand mounters make more sense. And the SR 7007 would be an overkill. The SR 6007 hell even the SR 5007 should suffice me thinks. Factor in the price of stands and wires. Nicely doable well within your budget.

In your shoes, I would go for the following:

Marantz SR 5007 56k

Usher S520 + S525 58k or Usher V -601 + V-603 68k
DALI Ikon 2 Mk2 + DALI Ikon Vokal 90k+
B&W 685 + B&W HT62 90k

A small sub
Surrounds from Polk Audio 15k (not sure)

 

[tulsiyan]

Thanks for the suggestion both of you. Between Marantz SR 5007 and Denon 3313 which one would be more preferable ? As for the speakers would the satellites/book shelf speakers be still advisable as compared to floor standing for a 200 sq ft living room where i intend to place the system in a couple of years when I move to a larger house ? Accordingly should I then also get larger sub woofers ?

 

[jagdish_p]

For a 3 to 4 Lacks budget here is what you should be buying.

a) A 5.1 Speaker system
b) An AVR with preouts to connect an Amp for playing music in a 2.1 mode
c) An Amp for music
d) A CD player
e) A good DAC and a media player if your files are on a HDD.
e) A blu ray player

Regarding what exactly to buy the choice is wide and you will need to to some ground work and then seek specific guidance on your short listed items.

 

[shanmune]

Thanks for the suggestion both of you. Between Marantz SR 5007 and Denon 3313 which one would be more preferable ? As for the speakers would the satellites/book shelf speakers be still advisable as compared to floor standing for a 200 sq ft living room where i intend to place the system in a couple of years when I move to a larger house ? Accordingly should I then also get larger sub woofers ?

Between SR5007 vs Denon 3313 - It is a very subjective when it comes to SQ. Denon 3313 is slightly more powerfull. SR5007 should be costing around 55k and 3313 around 75k to 80k. SR6007 comes at the same level as Denon 3313. Also, many say that both Denon and Marantz receivers share the same platform as both belong to D&M holdings. Again, let us leave these talks. YOu shouldn't go wrnong with either Denon or Marantz. What I suggest is - pick/select your speakers first and then audition both SR5007/6007 and Denon 3313 with the same speakers and decide what combination sounds great to your ears.

 

[elangoas]

Am not trying to confuse you, juz giving you more options to consider & choose....

Onkyo TX NR 818 Upwards, Yamaha Aventage RX A2020/3020 have Video processors (HQV) which upconverts anything less than 1080p -> 1080P thru HDMI only.... Am not sure if Denon & Marantz receivers have this feature.....Nice feature to have..Will enhance your Video watching experience...

Since you own half the stuff already, 3 Lakhs is a budget in excess....Consider 9.2 Channel receiver.....

Since you are lnclined towards FS, consider Sonodyne Avant 345 FS also in addition to other FM suggestion....

 

[prosenjit]

tulsi brother communicate with me in gmail
[email protected]
..i would be happy to help..
i would be happy to go with you for audio hunt...
by the mean time you visit
harmonie audio,new alipore....Mr vasu..
his mumber...8697095512, 9830085043
I bet you such wonderful shop of hi end stuffs is the only one in kolkata..guranteed..

you have a very good budget..
on sub i can say its one choice onlyu and only one.....it is svs...no other sub at your budget....
and yes get finest bookshelves inshetad of fs as others suggested..

rather than avr try this
emotiva pre processor
XMC-1 Processor | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers



emotiva power amp...
XPA-5 | 200W x 5 | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifier
as you have pletly of budget...so get real powerful stuff like this...not avr..

 

[shanmune]

Am not trying to confuse you, juz giving you more options to consider & choose....

Onkyo TX NR 818 Upwards, Yamaha Aventage RX A2020/3020 have Video processors (HQV) which upconverts anything less than 1080p -> 1080P thru HDMI only.... Am not sure if Denon & Marantz receivers have this feature.....Nice feature to have..Will enhance your Video watching experience...

Since you own half the stuff already, 3 Lakhs is a budget in excess....Consider 9.2 Channel receiver.....

Since you are lnclined towards FS, consider Sonodyne Avant 345 FS also in addition to other FM suggestion....

Hi elangoas,
Good to a see a different perspective and thanks for that. Yes, there are two different school of thoughts.

First school of thought: Investing more for the latest features like video upscaling, 9.2 channels, new auto-room correction, network features, etc.

Second school of thought: Investing more for the pure Sound production and great SQ and least on the features.

By the way, most of the brands (Yamaha/Marantz/Onkyo/Denon/Pioneer) advocate for the first school of thought. There are only few brands which opt for the 2nd school of thought (Emotiva/NAD/Arcam). As you right suggested, OP can have different options to consider and choose for the budget. It is better to confuse new buyers right now by throwing more options rather than they regretting their choice at a later point in time :lol:
By the way, I want to be part of the 2nd school of thought, but I don't know if I have the privilage to be there

 

[shanmune]

tulsi brother communicate with me in gmail
[email protected]
..i would be happy to help..
i would be happy to go with you for audio hunt...
by the mean time you visit
harmonie audio,new alipore....Mr vasu..
his mumber...8697095512, 9830085043
I bet you such wonderful shop of hi end stuffs is the only one in kolkata..guranteed..

you have a very good budget..
on sub i can say its one choice onlyu and only one.....it is svs...no other sub at your budget....
and yes get finest bookshelves inshetad of fs as others suggested..

rather than avr try this
emotiva pre processor
XMC-1 Processor | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers



emotiva power amp...
XPA-5 | 200W x 5 | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifier
as you have pletly of budget...so get real powerful stuff like this...not avr..

Hi prosenjit
As always, you are dead right on the target
Anyway, I will be missing you in going for auditions :sad: Just in case you and tulasiyan go for audition, you have a obligation to share your experience

 

[elangoas]

It is better to confuse new buyers right now by throwing more options rather than they regretting their choice at a later point in time :lol:
By the way, I want to be part of the 2nd school of thought, but I don't know if I have the privilage to be there

Everyone who has spent some time around the 1st school of thought will graduate to the 2nd school of thought...Atleast ppl who appreciate good quality sound will move towards that...:clapping:

 

[tulsiyan]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, they have been very helpful. I checked on Onkyo receivers yesterday. The dealer suggested to opt for 616 instead of 818. Need your views on that. I still have to try Denon though which I shall be doing over the weekend. He also suggested Energy floor standees and was against bookshelves which I was more keen on trying since all of you had suggested that. He said the floor standees will be better equipped to play music CDs in 2 speaker mode. Need your views on that. Also need your opinion on Energy speakers. Will be asking for more opinion over the weekend after I have tried more receivers and speakers. Thanks everyone for all your opinions and effort.

 

[prosenjit]

yes for pure 2 ch music from dedivceted sourec fs is better..true

why onkyo 616 just 35k avr for a 3 lakh budget!!!!!!!
where have you been..promises,therater road??

any specific reason for the dealer to suggest 616 instead 818...i belive he dont have 818 stock now...hehe..dont go by dealer suggestion..belive your ears and forum suggestions..

go harmonie audio and discover what a real hi fi shop is...

 

[bpranay]

with such a good budget how about Anthem AVRs? Please check the link

:: > Welcome to Kripa India <::

 

[tulsiyan]

yes for pure 2 ch music from dedivceted sourec fs is better..true

why onkyo 616 just 35k avr for a 3 lakh budget!!!!!!!
where have you been..promises,therater road??

any specific reason for the dealer to suggest 616 instead 818...i belive he dont have 818 stock now...hehe..dont go by dealer suggestion..belive your ears and forum suggestions..

go harmonie audio and discover what a real hi fi shop is...

Hi Prosenjit. Yeah I went to Promises and the guy who showed me the system said 616 should suffice though I did tell him I would prefer 818. I also plan to check out Harmonie Audio over the weekend along with a new audio shop opening on Ballygunge Circular Road over the weekend. Will only make final decision after I have tried out a few more.
What are your views on Energy Speakers ? How about B&W speakers ? If fs give better music for pure 2 speaker music then would it be advisable to go for fs or still opt for really good bookshelves ?
Thanks

 

[vsg]

Couldn't agree more with the previous post ...why onkyo with a 3 lakh budget? Incase you can source something like Anthem AVR then nothing like it...

 

[saikatbiswas82]

+1 to tulsiyan. Go for B&Ws. Considering your budget... it would a a wise choice.

 

[shanmune]

It is good that you got very good suggestions and options from our forum members. It helps.
Just my thoughts here to keep things simple:
1. First decide on the speakers
2. Then decide on the AV receivers.

There are multiple options available for AVR. So first select the speakers. Though you have a good budget, please be cautious in not over-spending it on things which doesn't matter a lot. A general thumb rule: Of the total budget, 50% for speakers and 50% for AVR.amps. Again, this is just only a guide line.

Again, do several rounds of audition and don't be in a hurry. Also, build step-by-step. As part of that, first select Front-L/Front-R, centre and a very good sub-woofer. Then choose the receiver.

While you might find easy to get the best speakers, you will have lots of confusion in choosing AV receivers. The reason is - there are so many models available in the market. YOu need to see what your preference is. Is it a balance between SQ and features ? Or do you want to focus only on SQ ?

For a good balance between SQ and features, you can choose from Yamaha, Denon, Marantz and Onkyo. If you want more focus on SQ, then you can choose NAD, Emotiva, Arcam, Anthem, etc. If you want the best out of both SQ and features, you need go for the high end models from Yamaha (RX-A3020), Denon 4520CI, etc. In my opinion, the very higher end models of all the brands are too costly. So be aware of your spending. So first you decide what your preference (Pure SQ vs features+SQ).

In fact you have guys like prosenjit to help you in audition. So all the best.