Recomendation for home theatre and TV

[torcator]

Hey guys,
I'd like to ask for your expert recommendation...
I've just moved to a new city and I'm starting buying stuff for my apartment.

So. I want to buy a receiver, speakers and of course a tv.
Basically I do not care to much about the tv. I mean I'd like to watch sports, but for the movies, tv series, etc I've download everything on HD quality and use a computer or my pop corn to watch it. So I really don't care about blu-ray... may be I could buy a PS3 to get both games and movies.

I really enjoy quality, so I'm looking here to get a pretty good equipment.
I don't care to have a huge tv... I really prefer quality instead of size... so a 42-46 should be ok for I think.

Going back to the system my new space is interesting, since is rectangle, so would easier to configuration the system:
13x11x9.5 feet

I'm really not sure what do you think it's better a 5.1 or a 7.1 configuration so please feel free to suggest me.
Ok going to numbers... my inicial budget is $2000, 1k for the tv and the rest for the audio...
Do you thnk that this budget is enough? should I spend more?


Thanks in advance for you answers...
Ari...

 

[mediatrapper]

Your budget is plenty fine.

For the Sound System
I've been reading alot on this particular ONYKO system, the HT-S9100THX - a THX certified 7.1 sound system.
It's got crystal clear audio quality as reviewed by CNET http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/onkyo-ht-s9100thx/4505-6740_7-33332676.html

You can find some good prices on it if you search in google the model name and then click "shopping" under the search filters.

I found this one to be a pretty good deal:
http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop/shop.cgi?action=enter&thispage=00000Q464U01_BQ94057P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!


Remember, THX is a spec sheet and can be exceedingly difficult to certify. This indeed must be a great system.

Here's the manufacturer's page on this product:
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S9100THX&class=Systems&p=i

*When looking at other systems, make sure you notice the signal to noise ratio + frequency response as these can be huge indicators of quality*

For the TV
As you stated, the TV isn't as large of a priority as the sound - definitely a noble approach.

I've got a 32" Polaroid 1080p LCD and it's been a spectacular TV. HDMI inputs, high quality built-in speakers with surround emulation, etc. It was a great investment for only $500 USD! Hmm...obviously you're looking for something larger. I would recommend checking out some basic Samsung LCDs like the one here - http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN46B530-46-Inch-1080p-HDTV/dp/B001U3Y8OU.

Vizio is an American company if you're Union biased and they make some great TVs. Check out this model - it particularly caught my eye.
http://www.katerno.com/detail/s/121418/p/SV421XVT/Vizio-42%22-SV421XVT-240Hz-1080p-LCD-HDTV---SV421XVT

No matter what you do, make sure the TV you get has HDMI, 1080p, a decent response time with a fast refresh rate and you should be set. I'd say stay away from ANYTHING Sanyo - I've had horrible experiences with their products. Like you said, it isn't a priority - so shoot lower and save yourself some money - but remember the recommendations.

Good Luck sir.

 

[fazers_on_stun]

Dunno how big your apartment is - that Onkyo system's speakers are a bit large.

I have a home office that I'm fitting for 7.1 - I chose the Onkyo SR607 AV amp since it was on sale at Amazon.com for under $400, but for speakers I went with the Klipsch Synergy III for center and 4 satellites, and a pair of Klipsch reference bookshelf speakers for the front right & left, and a Klipsch 350 8" subwoofer as the room is not huge, just large. As you can tell, I favor Klipsch speakers .

Anyway, the Onk has 4 HDMI inputs so I can hook up an HTPC, PS3 and whatever else I might buy in the future. The video upscaling is average or worse, but that's not a problem as both the HTPC and the PS3 have superior upscaling for DVD, and none needed for Blu-Ray. The Onk is also pretty big, but again not a problem as I have a nice audio cabinet to stuff it in.

For a TV I have a Pioneer Elite 50" plasma, which for cinema is top-rated.

Wish I had run speaker wire behind the walls since I bought my house before it was completed, but Home Depot sells some paintable conduit that I can run along the baseboards for inconspicuous placement..