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 Post subject: surround sound - help
PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:48 pm 
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I have a 48 inch LG HD flat screen, and am currently using the TV sound. I want some surround sound, with a few speakers and decent quality.

I cannot justify spending a lot of money on this, so please don't get carried away. I know how you geeks are ;)

The sliding glass door to my deck and pool is about 30 feet away. I want outdoor speakers as well. There should be a way to turn these off so when I'm indoors I'm not annoying the neighbors.

I'd like something that I can modify (add speakers if my budget doesn't cover what I want, or speakers in other rooms).

I'd like it to be good for movies and music indoors and outdoors (obviously not movies outdoors).

Wireless speakers might be nice, but I'm skeptical on quality of these. Would prefer not to have to run wires though.

I currently have $500 for this. :/


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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:55 pm 
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While you're waiting for the geeks to arrive, check this out: http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-sound-buying-guide/
There is a list of links on the right of the article to get you started.

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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:58 pm 
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I assume you don't currently have any speakers, or a receiver?

How many speakers do you want inside? 5.1 or 7.1?

How many speakers are you going to want outside?

This could be all you need: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BEDQRG/


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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:16 pm 
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I'd look for a 7.1 receiver that will do two zones. You stick the left/right speakers out on the deck, and have a 5.1 system inside.

I don't do enough watching to recommend a unit without essentially shopping for you, though, but that's what I would suggest you look for.

The one Lenas linked looks about right. Zone 2 support, and I think it shares some of the speakers with what my Onkyo has; no complaints from me.

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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:06 pm 
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Onkyo's ok?


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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 9:11 pm 
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One of the best. Kaffis and I both own 'em.


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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:30 pm 
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Yeah, they're very well regarded in the "I don't shop for my sound equipment at WalMart, but the sound system in my home theater didn't cost more than your late-model used car" market.

You can get better if you're a serious audiophile, but you'll pay out your nose to do it. It's also generally nice enough that you get very full featuresets. Mine does pass-through HDMI switching, too, for instance, and the two-zone thing is very well suited to situations like yours.

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PostPosted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 11:22 pm 
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I also think highly of my Onkyo Receiver.


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PostPosted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 8:17 pm 
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Thanks for the advice guys


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:39 am 
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Ditto on the Onkyo gear. I've got an 805 and it's excellent.


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