Bosskmr

I could use some help in deciding between which Plasma TV to go with and a receiver for it.

I’m looking at 2 Panasonic TV’s to decide from. I’m trying to figure out what the difference is between the 2 and why one is $500 more?


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1183767035750

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1175389260793


I also plan to purchase a receiver, speakers…etc. The home theater will be in a great room 24 x 24. I’m looking to spend around $400 to $600 on the receiver and lower end speakers. However, I’d like to get good wiring for future upgrade on the speakers (if that matters)

The reason I’m not concerned about speaker quality right now is that we have a 15mth old daughter and I will not have more opportunity to really get the full use out of the speakers right now….I’ll upgrade latter.

Any help with this is really appreciated.

Patman

Look for yourself:

Comparison between the 2 models

From what I can tell, the main differences are the extra HDMI input (3 vs. 2), and Studio Reference Mode, and Pro Setting. The 750U should look a little better.

Bosskmr

thanks for the link and input

movielib

For the receiver I think the two best alternatives at present are the Yamaha RX-V663 (or its twin, the HTR-6160) or the just about now coming out Onkyo TX-SR 606. Both decode all current audio formats. I decided on the Onkyo because it has four HDMI inputs as opposed to two for the Yamaha.

The Yamahas can be found for under $400 and the Onkyo is $450 at J&R.com.

JimRochester

I have the 750U version which is the Viera series they've been advertising. I paid around $3800 from Amazon through Vann's in February. Great looking set. I had a Pioneer Elite ordered but had to cancel when I got laid off. The Panasonic is a very nice second place and $3000 cheaper.

Sdallnct

"cough, cough* Keeping the volume down will not improved the quality of your speakers. You get crappy speakers they sound crappy no matter the volume.

It is a mistake to get crappy speakers thinking "I'm not going to turn them up loud". High quality speakers sound better then low quality speakers regardless of volume.

IMO if you are only budgeting for either a high quality speaker or high quality receiver, but not both, I'd get nice speakers first. Good sounding speakers never, ever go out of style and do not need upgrading. There is always something new coming out in receivers. So if you get a nice receiver now, then decided to upgrade speakers later, you may also want a new receiver with all the new bells and whistles. You get good sounding speakers now, they will sound pretty good even with a lesser featured receiver, then when you upgrade you can get the receiver with 6 HDMI's, newest audio format, iPod and network capable. or w/e is available then, but the speakers will still sound excellent

Bosskmr

Thanks for the input Sdallnct. Do you have any suggestions for speakers?

Sdallnct

Oh gosh, while I believe receivers sound different, IMO, nothing sounds more different then different brands of speakers. Two high end speakers may sound good (or to you they may not), but they will sound different then each other. You really need to find a good place to listen.

But I'd start with the usual suspects; KEF (a personal favorite), Celestion, Paradigm, NHT, Boston Acoustic and Maganpan (tho the Maggies can be difficult to drive) are some of my favorites. While not my favorite, Klipsch and Polk also have a big following and should be listened to. I've been itching to hear the offerings by SVS. Their sub's are legendary and with their incredible reputation, I can't believe their speakers wouldn't be top notch (and are reasonably priced overall). Want the Bose look without the crappy Bose sound and high price? Check out Orb. Have a big following and I'm considering getting some for the bar as I want something really small.