New House - Installing Entertainment System

[exorr]

I bought a TV from Tweeter 6 months ago and due to some issues that I won't bother going into, I am going to give it back to them for a refund (total refund is going to be about $1,500). My wife and I are closing on a house and I figured now was the time to get what I really wanted, so I'm going all out (as all out as I can go for about $5,000, including approximately $1,000 for the install).

Please reply with what you think as well as if you recommend anything different. My cost limits are about what you see per component, so no need to recommend a TV that's $1,000 more. However, if you know of a better receiver for the money (a little more for that is OK) let me know as this is the only portion of the setup I don't know much about.

I plan on wall mounting the TV as well as putting the speakers in the walls for a sweet clean look.

I am looking for a wall hanging or nice tall cabinet for all my electronic equipment (DVD Player, XBOX, Receiver, iPod, Cable box, etc.). I want it to look sexy, so I don't mind spending a little extra on this.

My wife agreed to do this as long as it looked nice, so that's the reason for the Plasma on the wall, speakers in the walls, etc. It adds about $1,500 to the cost of the system due to the install fees and extra component to mount the TV but it's worth it

Here's my setup, let me know what you think.

Samsung 42" Plasma
Link
Price = $2298.00 (going to try and get this cost down, as it can be purchased for less elsewhere)

5 In-Wall Sapphire Audio IW40 Speakers
Link
Price = $649.95

Polk Audio 260 Watt 8" Subwoofer
Link
Price = $299.00

Pioneer VSX-72TXV 7.1 Channel A/V Receiver
iPod Ready
XM Ready
Link
Price = $788.00

Sony 5-Disc DVD/CD Progressive Scan Changer
Link
Price = $149.00

Wall Mount for Plasma = approximately $100

Install Fee = approximately $1,000

Ethan

 

[Neurorelay]

Make sure a proper calibration is done on video and audio levels. Cabling should be nicely hidden and speaker wires run through walls if possible.

 

[exorr]

Thanks Neurorelay. Part of the install cost is exactly that. All cabling will be run through the walls, no external cabling will be seen. I can't wait...

 

[PurdueRy]

Your paying them to install...::sigh::

Also your receiver costs more than your 5 main speakers...not the way to go. Go out get a Denon 2105 or 2805 and use the extra money for a SVS PB-10.

 

[exorr]

Purdue,

Neither of those receivers is iPod or XM ready. I want both of those features. It's worth the extra $200 to me to have those features in my Receiver as I will use both constantly.

Ethan

 

[exorr]

Oh and yes, I am paying for the install, but I can't imagine trying to do this myself. I am not about to cut holes in my walls and run cabling throughout my brand new house...I want an expert to do it.

It sucks, to pay for the install, but I just can't do it myself...

I have loved Tweeter, they have gone so far out of their way for me and the issue I was having with my old TV that I know that I can trust them to fix any issue altogether. Plus I get a 5 year warrantee on all parts of the system, so anything goes wrong in 5 years, they fix it, no issues.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: exorr
Purdue,

Neither of those receivers is iPod or XM ready. I want both of those features. It's worth the extra $200 to me to have those features in my Receiver as I will use both constantly.

Ethan

Take a look at this one:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control...0BL&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=423248

ipod ready means nothing to me because you can always use a splitter to do the exact same thing.

Also I wouldn't get that CD/DVD player. Get a quality single disc player instead.

 

[exorr]

Thanks for the info Purdue, I'll research those.

The more I think about the in-walls the more I think I may not go with them. We plan on finishing off our basement in a few years and once we do that will probably turn into the entertainment room. So getting in-walls in a room that 2-5 years from now may no longer be the entertainment room isn't probably the smartest thing to do. Also, if for some reason we have to sell the house, the in-walls could actually be a negative for prospective buyers that wouldn't want to use the room that way. Some will like it, some won't (like an in-ground pool).

Anyone have any regular speakers they recommend? Would you go with Bose or something else?

Thanks so far,
Ethan

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

YGPM x2

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: exorr
Thanks for the info Purdue, I'll research those.

The more I think about the in-walls the more I think I may not go with them. We plan on finishing off our basement in a few years and once we do that will probably turn into the entertainment room. So getting in-walls in a room that 2-5 years from now may no longer be the entertainment room isn't probably the smartest thing to do. Also, if for some reason we have to sell the house, the in-walls could actually be a negative for prospective buyers that wouldn't want to use the room that way. Some will like it, some won't (like an in-ground pool).

Anyone have any regular speakers they recommend? Would you go with Bose or something else?

Thanks so far,
Ethan

One speaker I often suggest in your price range is the Axiom M22ti and the M3ti. Check them out at www.axiomaudio.com

 

[oynaz]

$150 for a DVD player is a lot, especially with Blu-ray and/or HDDVD just around the corner. I would defenitely get a cheaper player.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: oynaz
$150 for a DVD player is a lot, especially with Blu-ray and/or HDDVD just around the corner. I would defenitely get a cheaper player.

I have to agree, I'd suggest getting a quality single dvd player just to hold you off for Blu-ray Disc/HD DVD. You will be able to play DVD's in a Blu-ray/HD DVD player.

 

[exorr]

Cool, I'll find a new DVD player. That one was thrown on at the last minute...

 

[CalvinHobbes]

BR and HD/DVD are out now. I'm not an early adopter, I'll wait for most of the bugs to be worked out and for the prices to come down.

 

[JCKC]

For your budget, I would recommend a quality home theater speaker package rather than piecing it together. It's important that your speaker components are matched and you don't want to end up with a sub-woofer that's too boomy for your satellites. Check out the Infinity TSS-1100 speaker system: http://manuals.harman.com/INF/HOM/Product%20Information/SV12%20INFINITY-3.pdf Whatever speaker system you decide on, please don't waste your money on Blows...er, I mean Bose.

 

[djnsmith7]

Being a Home Theatre enthusiast myself, I'll put my suggestions together in order.

Speakers: For your speakers, I suggest you go to a local store (Big name if you want, ie, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. or a smaller HT store). Listen to several different speaker sets & pinpoint what you like. Your speakers are one of the most important components in your HT, if not the most important. Take your time in making your selection, then buy what you want.

Reciever: This is a tough one. I recommend you check out the AVS Forum (www.avsforum.com) & read the reviews & recommendations on Receivers there. Those guys have a lot of experience with HT equipment (there's a Receiver category). Spend the money & get what you want. You'll want to keep this receiver for years, so don't skimp on it.

DVD Player: I've seen the latest & greatest Toshiba (HD-DVD) & Samsung (Blu-Ray) players & haven't been impressed yet. I think the upconversions are terrible & have yet to see more than a 5% increase over my Sony Progressive Scan player. Don't just take my word on this, read the reviews. (http://www.dvdtown.com/messageboard/topics/10/)

Widescreen TV: This one's always fun. Samsung makes very good HD sets. I love my 55" RPTV. It's twice as heavy as whatever LCD or Plasma you buy, but I love the picture quality. They know what they're doing with th DNIe & DLP technology. You'll know when you like what you see (sounds like you already do).

Sidenotes: There are a few other things to consider here. First off, take your time with your decisions. Don't rush through the process just to do it. Make sure you end up with what you want. If this is your 1st HT, make it an enjoyable learning experience. It's really cool that your wife seems to be involved in the process. She can learn a few things with you while you're at it. Make it fun!