IMO surround is a must. I am not sure what you heard but in a movie with a good surround track it changes the way you feel.

Within that price range, I suggest you get one of the Panasonic digital receivers, XR55 or XR57. They are slim, they are light and they sound great. I know these are not the right attributes to describe a good receiver, but you will get most bang for your bucks. I also know Panasonic is not known for good receivers, however I suggest you give them a try. I don't think you will be sorry. However they are hard to find in Canada.
And listen to everybody and get 2 surrounds, makes a huge difference.

ok guys i am taking all of your advice and i will indeed go with your advice because after i thought about it all the "friends houses" had htib so maybe that was the reason for shi**y sound lol. Anyway i will need some advice on where to put the surrounds, that said i have uploaded some pix of the basement where all this will be, basement is still in construction process, but drywall is up tmrw taping guys r coming and next week floors and paint will go up, i have included a few pics sum of them with my ideas on them so plz advise me where and HOW to wire the surround speakers, its too late for inwall wiring so what other options do i have??? http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/edited1.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/edited2.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/IMG_0541.jpg

THIS is the weird triangular corner...
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/IMG_0543.jpg

To give u an idea of the size of this room for like sound purposes here are two pics firts one is hallway leading up to main room, and second one is view from where tv will be standing to the bakc fo the room couch will be infrton of the pillar.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/IMG_0544.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/staffpro/IMG_0545.jpg

thankyou everyone once again...

Hang them from the ceiling and run the cable attached to the ceiling

Another option could be, you know the ledge on top of the couch where it runs across the room. Maybe somehow you can attach a shelf to it and put it there

I'd just run the wires under the carpet along the wall. (assuming your putting in carpet anyway). You could also get some good wireless rear speakers for now. The quality ones are quite good now (the first ones were pretty crappy).

name one!

name one!

Well they are nothing I would use, but if your REALLY don't want wires... Products from Neosonik (http://neosonik.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=37) are supposed to be quite incredible, but a up to $15000 for a full system, a little out of the ballpark!

The OP could try something like a wireless amp (many brands eg Amphony (http://www.audioholics.com/news/trade-show-coverage/2005-consumer-electronics-show-ces/amphony-wireless-audio-transmitter-amp), kenwood (http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-RFU-6100-Wireless-Surround-Speakers/dp/B000278KJE))

For someone who didn't care about surrounds anyway I think the sound quality would be fine.

i think i will just put the surrounds on stands and run the speaker wire under the baseboard or quarter round and tha should conceal everything or i mite ceiling mount them if i can find speaker wire that isnt very visible, oh btw floor is laminate with 3mm underpad, no carpet sorry...

** Rumor **

NAD to release the new line of receivers next week - My God Im excited. If you head NAD sound, you'll never go back.

I'm looking to buy a new reciever and i have a budget of about 500-600 dollars. 'm wondering if anyone has any good ones that i shoudl pick up. i'm looking to buy one that has at least 2 hdmi ins and 1 hdmi out to minimize calbe use and if theres one that will do audio through the hdmi out. the only one so far i've been able to find that does audio out through hdmi is a 2000 dollar H&K.

I've been looking at the Harman Kardon AVR245 anyone tried it and like it?

Thanks,

Adam

Hello, I'm new here and hoping for some advice. I'm looking for a 5.1 channel receiver for my setup.

I have the following speakers:
- Monitor Audio Bronze B4 towers
- Axiom Audio M2 v2 bookshelf speakers for surround channels
- Axiom VP100 v2 centre channel
- Axiom EP125 v2 sub.

I do not plan to go to 7.1 channels nor do I have a HDTV. In fact I am very happy with my newish 20" CRT SONY tv. I do want decent sound out of my speakers as I understand they are quite pricey. I received these speakers as a gift from a relative who's hearing has degraded significantly due to a illness.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Feel free to comment about this speaker combination as well as I appreciate the Axioms may not be perfectly matched with the Monitors?????

wkon, I took a look at your speakers and noticed the Monitor audios have an impedance of 6 ohms, while all of the others have eight. This would put a slight strain on some entry level receivers, but wouldn't be a problem for your typical Yamaha or Denon. As well, with differing brands, you would lose out on timbre matching on the front, which basically means you might be able to hear a difference from what the 2 brands sound like across your sound stage, say as a person is talking in a movie and walks across the screen from right to left.

But being they were a gift, its all good. Mid level Denons have a pretty good reputation and good flexibility for different options, such as HDMI switching in the 2807. They also perform better than many in all channels driven tests, I believe Yamaha still drops down to about half its rated wattage when tested this way. It all depends what features you want. If sound quality is your main issue, and you don't think you'll replace your crt in the next few years, you need to decide how much you'd be willing to spend. You can probably get something decent for $500, but it all depends what sounds good to your ears.

Does anyone have any experience, or opinions on the Pioneer VSX-917-K?

I just bought it because I got an incredible deal on it brand new, but it was sort of rush job as it was the last one in the store and I just wanted to nab it. Haven't really done a thorough comparison. I've kept my receipt and not even opened the box, as I still have speakers to buy yet anyway so can return it if it's crap.

I think it must be a fairly new model as I can find virtually no reviews or opinions on it online.

Anyone think this is an okay AVR for someone like me, who is in a small condo and appreciates good sound, but is definitely not an audiophile who would spend thousands on a system?

I have the Pioneer VSX-1016 and love it. Mine is the next model up from yours, but looking at Pioneer's website (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/kuro/album/order/compare/0,,2076_310069809,00.html) there aren't many differences between the two. Mine sounds incredible, goes WAY to loud and is crystal clear with my infinity's. I'm sure you will be very happy with it!

To find more reviews just search Pioneer VSX 917 in Google (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pioneer+VSX+917&btnG=Google+Search). These are slightly older receivers, (I bought mine several months ago.

Thanks very much DJ, that makes me feel much better. I'm amazed by how many features there are on the 917 for only $350. Many of which, I'm sure, I won't and won't know how to use! :)

Did you buy high end Infinity speakers? I was looking at Infinity at BB, but it's so hard to judge in the stores with all the speakers just laid out in front of you and a dozen other systems blaring around you at the same time. Like the receiver, I want "decent" speakers, but won't be spending a fortune.

Yes I bought the Infinity Primus P362 fronts, P162 Rear, PC250 Center all from Best Buy. They are incredible speakers! I love the clarity and they match my reciver perfectly.

Some reviews of the older models that led me to purchase them:
Stereophile (http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/605infinity/index.html)
Secrets of Home theater (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_4/infinity-primus-speakers-10-2003.html)
AVS Infinity owners thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=722636)
http://members.shaw.ca/djdiggler/Infinity%20Home%20Theater%20(Small).jpg

Looks like an awesome setup, but from the picture... if I tried to fit those speakers into my downtown condo, I'd end up having to sleep on the balcony! LOL! Something a little smaller is in my future. :)

What's out there now, or upcoming that has or will have HDMI output in 1080p?

Hi guys,

I just picked up a setup of speakers for a sweet deal.
I have:
- Polk Audio rti10 tower speakers, and
- Polk Audio csi5 center speaker
(no sub or surround - maybe one day in the future but this is more than enough for my small place).

Now I'm lookin for a receiver that will drive these well but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. I'm looking around the $300ish range (if that's possible) - what is the best bang for my buck in this range? Any suggestions? First priority is obviously good sound. 1080p would be nice, but I guess if it's usually just a switch/pass-through, then that's no biggie.

I have been reading many of the posts above and trying to look up many models that are mentioned (but many are ~$500-$1000 recievers which is outside my desired price range).

Also, does anyone know of a place in the Toronto area or online with sweet deals on receivers (any clearance sales?)? I was checking out jr.com and the prices seem very good but I read bad things about the shipping from them on this forum.

Thanks ahead of time!