7.1 sound system

[ryu4000]

Hey need some help i wanting to get this system http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
but before i buy i wanna see if this one i put together is better

Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer
Onkyo HT-RC160 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver
Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer (Pair)
Sony SSF-5000 Floor Standing 3-way Speaker (Pair) x2
already brought my center Sony SS-CN5000 Dual 5.25" Center Channel Speaker

 

[Adidas4275]

well not sure of the sony speakers you have picked but HTIB are usually fairly crappy...

also for a AVR look at Onkyos real like.... the 707, 605, 606 or better.

the HT-RC series are for HTIB and not as good...

 

[EndersShadow]

Hey need some help i wanting to get this system http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
but before i buy i wanna see if this one i put together is better

Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer
Onkyo HT-RC160 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver
Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer (Pair)
Sony SSF-5000 Floor Standing 3-way Speaker (Pair) x2
already brought my center Sony SS-CN5000 Dual 5.25" Center Channel Speaker

Overall most people would suggest its better to put together your own setup rather than get a HTIAB. One of the advantages of the HTIAB however is that everything is timbre matched so you don't have to worry about the audio sounding funny.

I would do what your are trying to do in building your own setup. It gives you more flexibility. I know a lot of folks here really like some of the Internet Direct brands like Energy and The Speaker Company for speakers. You can put together a very decent setup using their speakers and from what I hear they sound really really good.

For example TSC has a 5.1 system that is around 840 that would be a great place to start. You could then add a set of small surrounds or bookshelves later on.

If budget is a concern I would suggest starting with a quality 5.1 system now and then later on adding the back 2 as 5.1 is what you need for a home theater whereas 7.1 is what we all want. Most of your cash should be spent on the front 3 speakers and then the sub.

For sub recommendations I suggest some other Internet direct places like SVS, HSU(either the STF-1 or STF-2 based solely on price), Outlaw Audio. Some of these subs are probably out of your range, but wanted you to be aware of them.

I would suggest you head over to AVSFORUM as they have a lot more info on specific speakers/receivers and can help guide you with your choices. Just be sure to be very specific on what your goals are as well as your budget.

Personally I would try to stick with the following brands for your receiver (in this order): Onkyo, Denon, Harmon Kardon

 

[IDversusEGO]

how big is your room? if it is a normal sized living room I would suggest skipping the 7.1 and investing your budget into better 5.1 components. later you can add two more if you really want 7.1. Personally I have used 7.1 in a medium sized room and didnt get a great benefit over 5.1. As far as your speaker choice, I am not a fan of sony. you can do better for the money usually. however, if you have already committed to the center channel you should find left and rights from the same model line if possible. don't worry about going big on them if you are using this for mostly home theater. the large majority of the sound comes from the center. If there is any speaker you should devote the most money to it would be the center. for specific brand recommendations, EndersShadow has some good names for you to start with.