They're back -- Celestion AVP-305s at Bestbuy.com -- $150 shipped
#101
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Originally Posted by innocentfreak
Another NEwb with questions. I am currently looking at getting a home theater setup for my bedroom, but have always been unsure of where to start.
Everyone seems to think these are a good deal, which I am always up for, but how would they compare to Onkyo HTS-770 which would give me everything I need. Now again I don't know what I would be sacrificing.
Everyone seems to think these are a good deal, which I am always up for, but how would they compare to Onkyo HTS-770 which would give me everything I need. Now again I don't know what I would be sacrificing.
Celestion speakers: $150
Onkyo receiver: $150
Dayton sub: $125 (Hey look! It went back up from $99. Who woulda thunk it?)
Shipping guess: $50
Total = $475
Pros:
* Much better sound
* More flexible for future upgrades
Cons:
* Refurb receiver
* 5.1 (rather than 6.1) speakers
Onkyo HTB
Total = $450 (plus shipping)
Pros:
* Easier to set up
* 6.1 (rather than 5.1)
Cons:
* Won't sound as good
* Won't sound as good
I know you're asking how the sounds of these two systems compare, but I doubt too many people have heard both of them. However, I'll go out on a theoretical limb. The Celestion/Onkyo/Dayton solution will, without any doubts, sound better in every possible way than the HTB. The detail, dynamic range, and every other thing (imaging, tonal balance, whatever) will be better compared to the HTB.
The fact that you can get these Celestion speakers for the equivalent $ you'd be paying for the Onkyo HTB speakers should not be taken to mean they are in the same ballpark. They are not. They barely play the same sport.
Last edited by stevevt; 01-05-05 at 08:56 PM.
#102
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I just bought the speakers and will be budgeting $1,000 to get a receiver, dvd player and sub. Currently I'm using a Sony Dream System HTB (circa 2001) which has the 5-disc dvd changer. Any suggestions for any of the three above would be appreciated.
#103
DVD Talk Hero
Thanks for the great deal! Ordered these today at the 150 pricepoint, and I'm bookmarking this thread when I receive the order so I can remember which receiver to upgrade to...
Anyplace sell the matching stands for these speakers? The ones detailed in the brochure someone linked?
Anyplace sell the matching stands for these speakers? The ones detailed in the brochure someone linked?
#104
Originally Posted by fujishig
Anyplace sell the matching stands for these speakers? The ones detailed in the brochure someone linked?
If you just do a search for AVS301 Stand, you should come up with a bunch of places selling them.
Last edited by GoVegan; 01-07-05 at 11:50 AM.
#105
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I would like to mount the rear speakers on the wall. Unfortunately I don't really have an open spot until about 8 feet up (windows,and room entryway are in the way at lower elevations). That would make the speakers about 4.5 feet higher than ear level. The fronts are up about 5 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
#106
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by X
I would like to mount the rear speakers on the wall. Unfortunately I don't really have an open spot until about 8 feet up (windows,and room entryway are in the way at lower elevations). That would make the speakers about 4.5 feet higher than ear level. The fronts are up about 5 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
8 feet is about 2 feet higher than my setup, but that shouldn't be an issue. As long as you set the individual speakers to acceptable volume levels, this should work out fine for you.
#107
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I've made a decision in the receiver:
Pioneer 1014TX: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...89717?v=glance
Still need to research the sub and dvd player
Pioneer 1014TX: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...89717?v=glance
Still need to research the sub and dvd player
#108
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by neiname
I've made a decision in the receiver:
Pioneer 1014TX: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...89717?v=glance
Still need to research the sub and dvd player
Pioneer 1014TX: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...89717?v=glance
Still need to research the sub and dvd player
#109
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Originally Posted by Big Worms
Awesome choice! I just bought this receiver from J&R for 399 shipped. Big unit! It is the Elite 52TX but without the outer skin. I haven't received it yet, but I am very exited about it.
Last edited by neiname; 01-07-05 at 03:44 PM.
#110
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Oh I see....Yeah you don't want to pay taxes. I never ordered anything from that store you mentioned, but the price is good. Oh and by the way, when I said big I should have mentioned the depth of the unit. It is a little over 18", usually units are around the 15" mark. And the 18 is not including the wiring in the back. Just to let you know.
#111
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Originally Posted by Big Worms
Oh I see....Yeah you don't want to pay taxes. I never ordered anything from that store you mentioned, but the price is good. Oh and by the way, when I said big I should have mentioned the depth of the unit. It is a little over 18", usually units are around the 15" mark. And the 18 is not including the wiring in the back. Just to let you know.
#112
Administrator
Originally Posted by neiname
I wish I could order it from J&R but I would have to pay tax because I'm in New York. Looks like my best option is a store named Wells Digital that will sell it for $375 shipped. http://store.yahoo.com/wellsdigital/vsx1014txk.html Sketchy that it is a Yahoo store.
#113
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by X
I would like to mount the rear speakers on the wall. Unfortunately I don't really have an open spot until about 8 feet up (windows,and room entryway are in the way at lower elevations). That would make the speakers about 4.5 feet higher than ear level. The fronts are up about 5 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
Is this ok? If it's good, would even higher be better? I have a lot of vertical room to work with but it only starts at about 8 feet.
Placement Tips
Of course, it's not always possible to place your speakers exactly as shown. The diagrams give a range of placement angles, so you have some flexibility. Sometimes you'll have no choice but to mount the surrounds behind you, but if you follow the guidelines as closely as you can, you'll have good sound.
Ideally, your front speakers, high-frequency drivers, or tweeters should be positioned at ear level (when you're seated). Our recommended height for the surrounds is above ear level, as soundtracks are likely to be optimized for that location.
Beyond keeping it on the floor, there's no specific rule for placing the subwoofer, as bass sound is non-directional. However, the amount of bass may vary depending on room location. You might want to try a few different places to determine what's best for you (sometimes moving the speaker even a few inches can change the sound).
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_e...oomlayout.html
#114
Administrator
Originally Posted by Sdallnct
Ideally, your front speakers, high-frequency drivers, or tweeters should be positioned at ear level (when you're seated). Our recommended height for the surrounds is above ear level, as soundtracks are likely to be optimized for that location.
#115
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by X
Yes, I've seen that and some other guidelines. I just didn't see anything specific as to how high you can put the rears. Since it's much higher than ear level I am a little concerned.
Finally, keep in mind how movies audio is recorded. Some movies may actually benefit and sound better with really high surrounds (Star Wars, Star Trek and other SiFi movies, Top Gun, to name a few off the top of my head). One of the things I'm starting to really find out, is that it is impossible to set up a system perfect on every movie. You will find yourself making slight changes on a regular basis depending on what you are listening to.
#116
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Originally Posted by X
Yes, I've seen that and some other guidelines. I just didn't see anything specific as to how high you can put the rears. Since it's much higher than ear level I am a little concerned.
#117
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My speakers arrived yesterday, and I am just begining to mess with them now. Does anyone know where to find the wall mounting template, or did you just measue and mount?
#118
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by jon-w9
My speakers arrived yesterday, and I am just begining to mess with them now. Does anyone know where to find the wall mounting template, or did you just measue and mount?
#119
Administrator
Watch out for the washer that falls out when you do that. It's a pain to get back in the right position.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
#120
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Originally Posted by Sdallnct
You can unscrew the back plate of the mount and use it as the template.
#121
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by X
Watch out for the washer that falls out when you do that. It's a pain to get back in the right position.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
If you have only one stud to go through, you do a search for flexible drill bits. These are very long drill bits that are flexible that you can push through a small hole in the drill wall then go to the stud or top plate to drill through. I think that is what I'm going to have to use for at least two speakers along an exterior wall (where the roof line is so shallow, I can't get there from the top).
#122
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Originally Posted by Sdallnct
Can you go up and into an attic? Or do you have a 2nd story or vaulted ceilings?
#124
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Flat paintable speaker wire is a great option. It's pretty hard to detect once it's up and painted, then you can run the wire next to the baseboards.
Originally Posted by X
Watch out for the washer that falls out when you do that. It's a pain to get back in the right position.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
I'm at the point of knowing where to mount the speakers but my problem is concealing the wire. I want to put it through the wall but I have to go around a corner and there appears to be a horizontal stud between the speaker and the floor.
#125
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Well didn't have a very good experience trying to get these at Best Buy a couple of days ago. I wanted to buy these online and do in store pick up but I have gift cards and those can't be used online. So I decide to try my luck in store.
After the employee finally tracked them down, in an obviously opened box, he started to ring me up. He rang me up for $300 then asked if I wanted the protection plan. I said "no" and he gave me a smug "really you sure" and so I repeated "no." Anyways all this is just useless bacstory and not really applicable to the real point.
So I show him the online price and explain the situation to him. He said that he just couldn't match the online price. So I explained how if I clicked through and ordered online I would be paying half the price and be getting the exact speakers sitting next to us on the floor (just wouldn't be able to use the gift cards). Nope nothing he could do. I asked if there were any way I could order online and then use the gift cards when I came to pick them up. Nope not possible.
I just don't get it, why is this so hard. Am I crazy or is this whole situation just silly. What's the point of getting someone a gift card if they are so difficult to use/work around.
Sorry had to vent, you guys can all continue enjoying your speakers.
Any advice would be appreciated.
After the employee finally tracked them down, in an obviously opened box, he started to ring me up. He rang me up for $300 then asked if I wanted the protection plan. I said "no" and he gave me a smug "really you sure" and so I repeated "no." Anyways all this is just useless bacstory and not really applicable to the real point.
So I show him the online price and explain the situation to him. He said that he just couldn't match the online price. So I explained how if I clicked through and ordered online I would be paying half the price and be getting the exact speakers sitting next to us on the floor (just wouldn't be able to use the gift cards). Nope nothing he could do. I asked if there were any way I could order online and then use the gift cards when I came to pick them up. Nope not possible.
I just don't get it, why is this so hard. Am I crazy or is this whole situation just silly. What's the point of getting someone a gift card if they are so difficult to use/work around.
Sorry had to vent, you guys can all continue enjoying your speakers.
Any advice would be appreciated.