im a newbie and i slowly want to build up a home theater sort o thing. So where do i start?
I have a samsung dvd511, now i have i connected to my stereo for some decent sound. Where do i start with building my set? I can buy a subwoofer pretty cheap, should i do it? Please help me!

Start off with a "home theater in a box" solution. This will give you the theater sound you desire now, and you can then build it up with better equipment over time if you so desire.

Here is a link to some packages: http://www.bestbuy.com/HomeAudioVide...cat=15&scat=23

I disagree that you should start with a Home Theater in a Box.

You already have a receiver and speakers, and a dvd player.

What kind of speakers are you using right now? Are you happy with them? Depending on the answer...

I recommend upgrading and/or replacing your speakers first. Then, when you can afford it, get a decent Dolby Digital and DTS receiver, and use your old speakers for surrounds. Then get a sub. Then get a center.

Of course it really depends on your expectations and budget.

I agree. Its important to realize that if there is anything that you're going to "splurge" on, it should be the speakers. Although technology and formats change constantly, speakers still perform the same (general) function.

And always... trust your ears not someone else's.

im pretty satisfied with my speakers, i wanna buy a subwoofer first and then speakers with it time by time, is this a good idea?

I'm sure you could probably get more suggestions that you ever wished for if you could expand on what your stereo is comprised of.

what are you watching the DVDs on ??? I mean if it's a 13" TV, I would save up for a bigger screen first.

Also set a budget of how much you want to spend. If you only have a couple hundred to spend now, then I would say go ahead and get a sub. But if you have more than you may be able to spread it out for other upgrades as well.

I started out w/ a home theater in a box solution from Pioneer. It was pretty decent. But for me my biggest priority was screen size, so I have a 36" Toshiba now. Speaker setup is not the greatest, but it's nice enough until I can afford more. But now, I'm already thinking of upgrading to a widescreen Mits HDTV. I've only had my Toshiba for 18 months or so.

I advocate getting a good center speaker, preferably one which is timbre-matched to your current speakers (assuming you plan on keeping them for a while), and then getting the sub

The center seems to be rather underrated - for an HT application, most of your dialog and lots of the action comes through the center channel

I would avoid HTs-in-a-box, but that's my preference. Depends on your budget, room size, future upgrade possibilities, WAF (Wife g/f acceptance factor), listening habits (if you listen to lots of music, HT-in-a-box comes up short compared to full size speakers at the end of the day), etc

Just my 0.02. YMMV

thanks for all the suggestions guys! Im moving in a month or so, so i will just wait untill i move in to my new house and check out the possibilities. Again, thanks.

IMHO, the Home Theater priority list should be...

1. Big TV
2. Good Reciever
3. Good Subwoofer
4. Good Speakers

In that order. TV is first priority. If you have a bad TV, it's not going to give you a good experience. I have one of thoose Sony Home Theaters In A Box for my little small room. Sounds fine for the price. I'm not an audiophile that much, so as long as it sounds okay, it's fine for me.

I would take a somewhat different approach, buying better speakers when funds allow because they will be with you longer, a decent TV, then a nice DTS/DD receiver. A sub should be the final piece in my mind. All the bass in the world will do you no good if you do not have a coherant sound stage to begin with. With many feature packed receivers in the 500 or less range, you can build a very nice system without breaking the bank.

J

Details?

Is your "stereo" two channel or dolby digital 5 channel. If two I would start there.

I think that the Sub should be the least of your worries. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that outstanding bass is not crucial, but come on, what good is heart pounding bass without the complete sound field? Here is my take on that subject. I have a pretty decent setup of Cerwin Vega's (matched set all around), and the bass hits plenty low for me. Now, I would LOVE to get a sub, but it is NOT a prioity. My recomondation is as follows.

1)Get a semi-good reciever. It will drive most any speakers. But if you don't have quality speakers, be careful not to overrun them. I might get shot down for this, but I feel Sony makes a pretty decent entry level 5.1/DTS receiver for around $500.

2)Get the speakers. Save up and buy ALL 5 at the SAME TIME. Try to get them all from the same lot, if possible. But at least get them all in the same series. (ex. I have all Cerwin Vega RE series.) Don't go to thin on the speaker wire. But in all my research, you don't have to buy Monster, just get a thick wire from RadioShack and you will notice a diff.

3)Get a bigger TV. (unless your's is good enough). This is where you gotta make some descions. Do you want to get one that is "just right"? Do you want to get on that will be just right in 5 years? Do you want to get a damn good one now and just be happy for a while? But the pic you watch should be good quality now that you got the sound field up to par.

4)Get a subwoofer. This is one speaker that I don't think has to match the rest. Find one that meets your requirements, and sounds good to you.

I think that is a good basic beginnig.

Let me know if other's agree or disagree...