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Tre4ISU

Tre4ISU

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2008
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Estherville
I'm just about done completely remodeling a basement. It consists of a large living room an office, and one other free room. I'm a single guy to now I'm beginning to think about the electronics. There are going to be three TVs, a computer, a home theater system and everything that goes with all of that. Has anyone ever seen anywhere that does a discount when you're buying that much stuff. I tried talking to Bestbuy but nothing there. Then, I need help on the home theater. It looks like you can spend as much as you want. The absolute limit would be $1000 but I'd like it to be closer to $500. I'm thinking I'm going to do a receiver and all wired speakers as there's a suspended ceiling but I'm open to any suggestions on 5.1 vs. 7.2 or whatever. I don't know anything about that stuff. I do think I'm going with Samsung TVs as I've had two and loved them both. If someone has good evidence to change my mind there, I'd also accept.
 
I would go as wireless as possible if it were me. In my old house with the home theater basement it got to the point where I wanted new stuff and the optimal wiring situation became a nightmare. I had speakers everywhere though. In the ceiling, in the walls, external. Sounds like it’s going to be a great spot though.
 
Look around for non-corporate chains. I know it's tough to do, but there still are a few out there. I can't remember the last time I ever bought anything at Best Buy and similar places. Although I'm in a highly populated area, so that probably helps, but where I shop for that stuff has a much better in stock selection, has people who have studied about and know everything about what you are buying, will always price match and never hesitate to reduce price when doing multiple large item purchases at once.
 
Tre4ISU said:
I'm just about done completely remodeling a basement. It consists of a large living room an office, and one other free room. I'm a single guy to now I'm beginning to think about the electronics. There are going to be three TVs, a computer, a home theater system and everything that goes with all of that. Has anyone ever seen anywhere that does a discount when you're buying that much stuff. I tried talking to Bestbuy but nothing there. Then, I need help on the home theater. It looks like you can spend as much as you want. The absolute limit would be $1000 but I'd like it to be closer to $500. I'm thinking I'm going to do a receiver and all wired speakers as there's a suspended ceiling but I'm open to any suggestions on 5.1 vs. 7.2 or whatever. I don't know anything about that stuff. I do think I'm going with Samsung TVs as I've had two and loved them both. If someone has good evidence to change my mind there, I'd also accept.
Click to expand...

If you aren't completely done with the remodel, I'd recommend putting power and HDMI ports on the wall so that you can mount the TVs without having cables showing.
Gives it a nice clean look.

As for the hardware, if you aren't in a hurry, I'd just keep an eye on deals and buy things as they go on sale.

I read a blog called Gizmodo. They have a daily deal post that is mostly focused around electronics. The post is pretty long, but if you scroll to the bottom, they have all the deals listed out by category.
Here's the deals for today: https://kinjadeals.theinventory.com...la-1826134386#[ks|streamshare[ks|nativestream
There isn't much in terms of what you'd want today (although there is a Yamaha 5.1 receiver for $280 at Best Buy).
 
You are going to struggle to get decent speakers, a sub, and AVR for under $1,000.

Maybe start with a pair of speakers and an AVR. Then when you get more money buy the surrounds and sub.

Something like this

Sony STRDH770=$250
ELAC B6 Bookshelf Speakers=$250

I'd go wired

When I was finishing my home theater I wired for 7.1 but I've never felt the need to go past 5.1. ATMOS makes me wonder sometimes but I probably won't.
 
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You can cheap out on the AVR but don't on the speakers. I use the same speakers for 20 years ago and I have no urge to upgrade.
 
There is a company called Fluance that I am a big fan of. They are the "cheap, high-quality" speaker manufacturer that I would recommend. You can get their "AVHTB" package for $249.99 and that comes with Center Channel, 2 floor-standing front-channels, and 2 book shelf speakers for the rear channels. The Center Channel is a little weak, but what I did is used it for the rear channel, used the book case speakers for the side-channels and then bought their Reference Series center channel speaker for $120. You would still need a sub, but if you went this route you would have a 6.1 speaker setup for under $500 and that would leave you plenty to purchase a decent home theater receiver.

https://www.fluance.com/
 
DSMCy said:
I know I can google it, but can you briefly describe the difference between 5.1 and 7.2?
Click to expand...

5.1=2 pair of front speakers, 1 center channel, two rear/side speakers, and 1 sub

7.2=2 pair of front speakers, 1 center channel, two rear speakers, 2 side, and 2 subs

Anything after the dot is the number of subs. Anything before the dot is number of speakers.
 
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You can usually get away with bookshelf speakers if you have a sub. Your AVR will be smart enough to only play low frequency sounds to the sub(cutoff).
 
Cyclone.TV said:
Oh good, another elitist thread. SMH.
Click to expand...

Elitist in the A/V world would say "You need to spend $10K to just get started". This type of setup would be like buying a Toyota Corolla". It will serve your basic needs and sound good.

You can do a home theater in a box(HTIB) for $500 but I think money is better spent on seperates and it will allow you to add on at a later time. For my living room I just run a cheap AVR and a non powered center channel and a sub. So 1.1 but that's all I need for my living room. I just needed something a little more than the TV speakers, which you almost had to have maxed to hear the dialogue. A side benefit is that my AVR will also power my outdoor speakers (zone2).
 
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Gunnerclone said:
I would go as wireless as possible if it were me. In my old house with the home theater basement it got to the point where I wanted new stuff and the optimal wiring situation became a nightmare. I had speakers everywhere though. In the ceiling, in the walls, external. Sounds like it’s going to be a great spot though.
Click to expand...

I've had wireless stuff before and I'm just not a fan. I haven't had great luck. Plus, with a drop ceiling, it's a matter of making a few holes.
 
3GenClone said:
There is a company called Fluance that I am a big fan of. They are the "cheap, high-quality" speaker manufacturer that I would recommend. You can get their "AVHTB" package for $249.99 and that comes with Center Channel, 2 floor-standing front-channels, and 2 book shelf speakers for the rear channels. The Center Channel is a little weak, but what I did is used it for the rear channel, used the book case speakers for the side-channels and then bought their Reference Series center channel speaker for $120. You would still need a sub, but if you went this route you would have a 6.1 speaker setup for under $500 and that would leave you plenty to purchase a decent home theater receiver.

https://www.fluance.com/
Click to expand...

Like this?

Amazon product ASIN B078HKMPZN
I'm think 5.1 right now because the room is narrow and the furniture will be against the one wall. I suppose I could mount speakers to the ceiling but I don't think I'll gain much and that will be a pain.
 
Don't think there is a discount for buying a lot of stuff at once, but almost all of my basement home theater came from monoprice (monoprice.com). Usually cheaper then most other places and the box stores for sure and if you spend enough, they have membership levels so future purchases are a little cheaper.
 
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