Complete Home Theater Systems
When my 16 year-old Sony and Infinity Home Theater setup turned belly up a year and a half ago, I was glad. I’d been itching to upgrade my system for over ten years, but felt I couldn’t justify spending the money until I really had to. And no, I didn’t abuse it to end it’s life sooner, though I considered it. It lasted pretty long for a consumer level system that cost less than $800. I started my research with magazines like The Absolute Sound, and online, haunting review sites and forums like Audioholics, Ecoustics, and AV Science Forum. Couldn’t find a pocket protector, but I put on my glasses and geeked out with some of the most insane audio and videophiles you’d ever meet.
I found a plethora of great information and advice, and also learned when to turn on my b.s. detector. While information on HD features and performance charts for subwoofers can be pretty straightforward, some people get a little weird when you venture into the more arcane areas like tube amplifiers (very popular among analog fetishists still nostalgic for distorted, e.g. “warm” sound of vinyl), thousand dollar cables and $2,000 to $15,000 CD players. If your speakers aren't going to be located three floors and over 800 feet away, you can get just as good conduction with a coathanger as some of the overpriced crap up there. 16 gauge is plenty for most rooms. As for pricey CD players, I just have to shake my head.
After auditioning a dozen brands in listening rooms around town, I bought my main front speakers that would specifically be good for music in a somewhat cramped studio apartment (front driven Rega R3s that would sound good pushed against the wall). I got a bunch of Wharfedale pieces at great prices via eBay. I’d already begun plotting what I’d get when some day I move into a larger space. I conducted a couple polls on favorite tower speakers under $3,000 and B&W was the overwhelming favorite. However, it's difficult to find the speakers at anything less than list price. And having heard them, I don't think they're even as good as comparably priced models by Revel, Onix, Energy, Gallo Acoustics and Wharfedale. Once I decided the best value for me was to continue expanding my Wharfedale setup, I started an amps for Opus thread. There’s a lot of solid options for power amplifiers.
Due to the fact that high end manufacturers are usually smaller companies, there’s a longer lag time in incorporating new technologies like HDMI in preamplifier/processors. Currently, HDMI 1.3 capable pre/pros are limited to NAD T175 ($2,000); Rotel 1069 ($2,200); Cary Audio Cinema 11a ($3,500, March 08); Anthem AVM50 ($4,700); Anthem D2 ($6,700); Denon AVP-A1 HD ($7,000); B&K Reference 70 (April 08). It may still be worthwhile to use a consumer level AVR until things settle down, or Outlaw, which will likely offer good upgrade deals.
I recently helped a friend research a new system for his specific budget and room requirements. Interestingly, I found out after the fact that what we eventually came up with was exactly what the Audioholics buyer’s guide recommended in their updated recommendation for a $12,000 setup (he just got the Emotiva separates and Mordaunt-Short speakers, no projecter and subwoofer). While there are a few similarities with the Audioholics recommendations, I came up with my own mini-guide. Rather than use list prices, I listed the lowest possible prices I could find on the web for new pieces. Many pieces can be found even cheaper on auctions on eBay or Audiogon, although many may prefer to avoid the risk. I think the risk is worth it, especially for deals like a $12,000 Lexicon MC-12 flagship pre/pro for $2,000. My suggestions aren’t meant to be the last word, just what I feel is the best value. As far as my own biases, I believe in using substantial floorstanding tower speakers for the front main speakers, so they’re not too anemic when listening to two-channel music. And generally, speakers are beautiful. They should not be hidden as tiny four inch boxes or inside a wall. Nothing beats a pair of large, bold speakers that promise to sound even better than they look. Rear and surround speakers, eh, who cares.
I realize that the $2,750 super budget is still a lot of money. At least for most of us. While there are enthusiasts out there who drop $30K to $150K on gear, your average music fiend is more likely to spend their money on music rather than gear. I always laugh when articles talk about a new custom installation of $30K wortth of speakers, and they try it out with some Celine Dion or Kenny G. I personally couldn't normally drop even $2,000 all at once. I've been upgrading incrementally. I started with a temporary AVR receiver, a Yamaha HTR-5730 for only $65, rawk! My new condo came with a Panasonic TH-42PHD7 42" Plasma. Last summer I did some research into the LCD versus Plasma issue. The gist is that LCD is slightly more mature technology yet still more expensive, 15-25% more efficient power, and technically has higher resolution than the average plasma. Yet somehow almost everyone who's compared thinks the plasma looks better, and has a cool 3D effect. The glass on plasma screens is more susceptible to glare from light sources, just like old CRT tubes. There's concern about images being burned into the screen, but with proper break-in procedure, no users complained of it actually happening, even those who play video games and watch sports with the network logo constantly on one corner of the screen. So if I were to upgrade today I'd get the Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 50" plasma (1080p), just over $2,000.
DVD/HD/CD players aren't included because the dust isn't settled from the format wars and it makes sense to wait to upgrade your CD or DVD players. Netflix's February 2008 announcement that they're dropping HD-DVD was pretty much the checkmate in favor of Blu-ray in my book, though. Prices should drop on Blu-Ray players by Christmas '08.
Super Budget: $2,408 to $3,189There’s actually a lot of options to choose from in this range. Smaller budgets often are combined with smaller rooms, so this is a 5.1 surround sound setup. Yamaha's HTR series offers great value for the money, though at this point I would recommend something with HDMI 1.3 capability unless you're pretty certain you won't be getting an HD display for many more years. Denon, Outlaw and Harmon/Kardon make great entry level receivers. If you hunt for refurbs and used equipment, you can save even more money, or even move up to Rotel and NAD. Polk, Onix, and Paradigm also made good speakers in that price range.TV - Panasonic TH-42PH10UK 720p 42” plasma, $850 AVR Receiver – Denon AVR-1708 (HDMI 1.3), $390; Yamaha HTR-6030 (no HDMI), $168.
Subwoofer - Hsu Research STF-2 200W, $350 |
Budget: $4,448 to $5,421This has got to be the best value of all the systems. You get a 1080p 42” plasma screen, a prestigious English speaker brand with free shipping, and a real honest to goodness separate pre/pro and amplifier set! Emotiva is pretty new, less than four years old, but has done a nice job in using designs by Sherbourn (pre/pro) and Sunfire (amp) at less than a third the normal price.TV - Pioneer PRO-940HD 1080 p 42" plasma, $1,629; Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080 720p 50" plasma, $1,997 Preamp/Processor & Power Amplifier - Emotiva Ultra Theater Series, LMC-1 Pre/Pro & LPA-1 Power Amp (5x125+2x50), together only $899 (free shipping) [There are known QC issues with the LMC-1, but worth trying as their service is excellent, and LMC-2 is coming out in April with HDMI 1.3]; or Outlaw 970 pre/pro ($699) & Emotiva LPA-1 ($543) Subwoofer - Mordaunt Short 309W 10" 150W $370 ; or Velodyne SPL-800R 8" 1,000 watt $1,000 |
High End: $8,506 to $9,616Wharfedale is a well-known brand in England but not so much in the U.S. Currently a drop shipper in Texas is selling the brand new Evo2 series for 44% off list price, which is an amazing deal, particularly in the U.S. I don't think you can get better speakers for the money (see Onix Rocket set for comparison).TV - Panasonic TH-50PZ700U 1080p 50" plasma, $2,100 Pre/Pro & Amp - Outlaw Model 990, $999, Outlaw 7200 7x200 watt, $1,849; or Emotiva Professional Theater Series, $2,999 (DMC-1, MPS-1 7x200 watt) Speakers - Wharfedale Evo2 Series, $2,059 |
Super High End: $14,607 to $16,714Again, more Wharfedale. The Opus series is hands down the best I've found for the price range. It's what I plan to eventually upgrade to because they're nice and enormous and sound sufficiently throbbing and bulbous for my tastes. The Opus2 line should be available in the U.S. by Summer '08, and will be more expensive.TV - Pioneer Kuro PDP-5010FD 1080p 50" plasma, $3,075 Pre/Pro - Anthem AVM50, $4,699 Speakers - Wharfedale Opus, $3,926 Subwoofer: Velodyne SPL-1200R 15" 1,000 watt $1,699; or Paradigm Reference Seismic 12, $1,700 |
Ultra Mega High End: $29,094 to $45,875 The higher quality and more expensive the gear is, the more debatable its relative value. No one should go with any recommendation at this level without thoroughly auditioning, shopping and comparing, even if dropping nearly fifty G's doesn't phase you at all. I list this only because it is my dream system. I probably will never have a setup just like this, definitely not at the listed prices, but by lurking eBay and Audiogon, I might snag a few of these pieces eventually. There is seemingly no end to possibilities of ultra high end audio, from customized speakers to wide array of brands, like Lexicon, Parasound, Halcro, Proceed, Meridian, Mark Levinson, etc.
TV - Pioneer Kuro PDP-6010FD 1080p 60" plasma, $4,075; Pioneer Elite Pro FHD1, 1080p 50" plasma $3,700 Preamp/Processor - Theta Casablanca III, $9,000 to $15,000 Subwoofer: Aerial Acoustics Model SW12 $4,600 |
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Speakers - Axiom Audio Epic Grand Master, 
Speakers - Mordaunt Short Avant Series, Misc Extras:
300-Ft. 12AWG Enhanced Loud Oxygen-Free Speaker Cable, $77.236 ft Premium RCA 22AWG cable, $2.97 each
High-Quality Screw Type Banana Plugs, $1.50 pr
There's a bit of debate over the impact of cables on sound quality. I think as long as they're properly shielded, copper is copper. As far as I know, James Randi, who offered $1 million to anyone who proves the $300+/ft. Pear cables can outperform already overpriced Monster Cables, still has his money. Blue Jeans Cable is a step up for a bit nicer looking cables for those who care. Other cables at Monoprice, 6ft 3-RCA component video, $12; 6 ft HDMI cable (24 AWG), $12; 12ft RCA subwoofer, $6.
Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray player, $420
With HD-DVD pretty much done for by Summer '08, more Blu-ray players will continue to enter the market and hopefully start to drop in price by fall. The Panasonic is currently a popular model, but it still a bit pricey, considering the HD-DVD players were going under $200.
I don't have any recommendations for CD players. Most DVD players play CDs. I still like using carousel players, and am still using my 16 year-old Sony. I'll probably upgrade to a Rotel eventually.
System Designers:
If you’re looking at the Super High End range, and really want to do things right, you might want to get a quote from a professional who specializes in this sort of thing. They will make sure the room acoustics are appropriate to get the most out of your system, make room design suggestions and install proper in-wall wiring. The above Wharfedale Opus speakers are very large, and if your aesthetic preference is to hide the equipment, a system designer can install speakers that are hidden in the walls or ceiling, and also custom install hiding places for a 60” plasma TV, like in the photos below! Here’s an interesting do-it-yourself project.For more examples of custom home installations, see the Electronic House site, and their list of designers/installers.
