Some Help Would be greatly Appreciated!

[linkoaljara]

Well first off, did i spell Appreciated right.... didn't know if it was one 'P' or two. Oh well. Time to get on Subject.
I have a SONY DVP-S360 DVD player. Im looking to get some surround sound hooked up to it. For a long time I was using the TV speakers on the 25" that it's hooked up to. But I plugged it into my stereo (2 speakers) and i was like WOW! It must have sounded at least 5 - 10 times better. I figure if I upgrade to a 5.1 or even 6.1 surround system... it will be even better. I have a feq questions though. Should I buy a seperate reciever, and buy seperate speakers? Or should i get a speaker package and buy the reciever seperately? Or Would a Reciever + Speaker package be best?

I think the reciever + Speaker package is the cheapest.... but the sound quality will be greatly sacrifived.

I think buying a reciever.. and then purchasing a speaker package seperately would be best, not sure though.

My DVD player says it can do DTS and Dolby Digital. I would Like a reciever that can do at least 5.1 in DTS and Dolby Digital. But would purchasing one that can also do DTS ES i think it is (or is it EX) be wise for future movies? (I am a huge fan of action.... 55/60 of my movies are action pretty much)

There is on fatal blow to this plan here. I can not spend over $300. $350 may be stretching it...... so anything around or below that price range is acceptable. Thanks!

[linkoaljara]

I have done some looking and this system looks interesting:
http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11101296&m=1&cat=1552&scat=242#details

I would be willing to put up the $400 for it........ any comments?

[BMAG]

In your price range I would recommend a home-theater-in-a-box system, such as the Sony system. The Kenwood HTB's offer good value too. A lot of Forum members will tell you to go the separates route, but at your price range it really is not feasible. One downside is that after you upgrade to surround sound you will probably find that the audio overpowers the video, and you'll want a bigger TV. Be warned -- there is no cure for upgrade-itis.

[Shon]

My package consists of a Pioneer 411 reciever (5.1,DD,DTS 100W X 5) KLH surround speakers and a KLH 100W sub. Whole Package cost me around $370. I was very impressed with the sound quality. I have friends who spent lots of money on audio like Bose and others and we can not tell a major difference between mine and there's. I was on a budget like you and could not afford any thing more expensive, but I tell you I am glad I didnt spend the extra money. My surround sound sounds great and often get complents on how good it sounds with the very little money I spent. I dont need to have my speaks have the "BOSE" logo and for myself I cannot tell a huge difference in sound quailty ( maybe just me...dunno.) I am VERY happy with my setup and even more that I only spent $370. (thanks to bestbuy) Good luck.

[JimRochester]

I've actually been pretty impressed with some of the HTIB lately. My mother got the elcheapo from BB and it really isn't bad for the price. If you have a little more, get a good receiver then a budget speaker package. You can then upgrade speakers as you desire. Get a big Center channel first, then upgrade the LF and RF, you can actually double up the rears with the extra speakers and then upgrade those as money allows.

[audrey]

Originally posted by JimRochester
(snip) you can actually double up the rears with the extra speakers and then upgrade those as money allows.
Uh…you need to be a bit careful in doubling up on speakers as the connection chosen may adversely affect your amplifier by lowering the speaker impedance below the rating for the receiver. Connecting speakers in <i>series</i> (positive receiver out to positive speaker terminal on speaker 1; negative receiver out to negative speaker terminal on speaker 2; negative terminal on speaker 1 to positive terminal on speaker 2) doubles the impedance; e.g. 4 ohms to 8, while a <i>parallel</i> connection (receiver out to positive terminal on speaker 1 and 2; negative receiver out to negative terminal on speaker 1 and 2) effectively halves the ohms.

In most situations you should connect the speakers in series unless you are positive that your receiver can handle the lower impedance.