Jw_Leonhart

I'd agree. Gamecube for a 4yr. old and save something like an XBOX or PS2 for later, or if you want to use it as well then the Xbox or PS2 might be useful. XBox and PS2 both have some games that are centered around things for younger children, but they don't have the huge selection that GameCube does. (Mostly because Nintendo owns Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, etc.) all the kid stuff. Take a look around and see what you think is best... Maybe just get him a Gameboy.

Blah, Sony doesn't make many good products like they used to.

"Suppose that, for some reason, you either decide not to purchase Bose speakers, or you wish to compare Bose with other speakers. What other speakers should you consider? A complete answer to this question is outside the scope of this FAQ --- consult the "Good Sound for Cheap FAQ." But as a short answer, some brands names worth considering include PSB, Paradigm, Theil, Mirage, Definitive Technology, B&W, Radio Shack LX5 (designed by Linaeum), Magnepan, RDL, KEF, NHT, Signet, Infinity, Spica, Energy, Quad, Martin-Logan, Celestion, Vandersteen, Acarian Alon, and dozens of others. This is not to say that everyone loves all of these brands --- some people love them, some people hate them, and you should listen for yourself --- but most people on the audio newsgroups would rate most of these brands above Bose. Some brands names generally considered worse than, equal to, or at least not consistently superior to Bose include Polk, Klipsch, Sony, Kenwood, KLH, Pioneer, Cerwin-Vega, Advent, DCM, and dozens of others. Of course, again, opinions vary (Klipsch, in particular, has some strong proponents). Given the long list of worse speakers on the market, its actually rather surprising that only Bose receives such criticism on the audio newsgroups. Boston Acoustics and AR have produced some excellent budget speakers in the past, as well as many mediocre speakers; I have heard nothing about the performance of recent models." . . Now from my reading of this it is saying that Klipsch doesn't offer an advantage to Bose and is just another big marketing gimmick? Someone correct me if I am wrong here. I ran across this trying to help my friend steer his father clear of Bose... Someone please shed some light on this and make me understand if this guy is smoking crack? Thanks for any responces, please also give alot of input. By the way, I own Klipsch and stick by it... and I know the specs on Bose, but I am curious why this guy is stating this. . . The quote from above was taken from this site below: http://www.fiendation.com/300zx/bosefaq.htm

Does anyone know what type of amp it uses? A, AB, etc.?

Very nice. Oh by the way I didn't like the SA-HE70k that much... one reason I upgraded. It also stopped working right when it went out of warranty. Back channels just blew... Other than that I thought it was a nice reciever, just the life-span wasn't that great on it. Another 2yrs. would have been nice. LOL

Actually I found that hilarious. The boots are my cousins and get forbid someone moves them he goes anal wondering where they are in the morning because all his clothes are right in front of the couch for him to get changed... don't ask why. also, I had just finished settings it up when I had taken these pictures and I just couldn't hold back taking pictures of it. Right now the setup is a little different actually. I cleaned most of it up and the subwoofer is moved behind the couch which makes a much better effect.

Hmm thanks guys. Now without the mounting on the walls I have to take this into consideration? How would it be if perhaps I put them on the outside of the system, right nex to both equip. racks, then have the rears on the walls facing in? Good idea or bad in terms of sound quality? Thanks guys.

Thought about it but no... the TV was my fathers and had some sentimental value too it, ontop of that it is real wood, not some cheap plastic crap. Anyways, as you can see I have a Quintet satellite in each corner of my room, I am looking to upgrade the fronts to SB-1's perhaps or maybe SB-2's. Is there someway to wall mount them without them lookin' too out of place? I hope there is something I can do to put them on a wall otherwise it will be awfully wierd. I don't like how the satellites only get down to about 200Hz or so, it annoys me sometimes because it just seems like they give off too much treble and they don't get down low enough.

www.angelfire.com/nj4/tvpics/index.html

My room is about 10x15 and isn't really all that big... I am also on a budget and since my friend works at Bestbuy he can get a deal on them... so that is why I am considering this.

My friend works at Bestbuy and I currently own the Klipsch Quintets... I am looking on a possible upgrade to maybe a pair of SB-1's and an SC-1 keeping two Quintets as surrounds? Are the SB-1's a good idea or should I maybe go for the 2's or 3's? What about the center channel? I know these are going to be alot bigger than the Quintets in the back and output a little bit more. I am curious to get some ideas, below is a link to pics of my Home Theater.... thanks for any replies, I will take everyones idea into consideration into my decision. By the way, specs of my Theater are on the link below, incase that is a factor for decision? www.angelfire.com/nj4/tvpics/index.html

Thanks, any other places anyone knows of?

I know this probably might not be what you want to do but from my experience I would recommend this: Yamaha RX-V440 reciever Klipsch Quintets Klipsch KSW-10 I currently use the Quintets and I must say they are just awesome. They don't provide great sound you would find in a more expensive Klipsch loudspeaker but they still sounds pretty big and they don't let you down. The reciever is $300 at list price, the Quintets run about $550-600 usually WITH the sub included. Also, the reciever has an A/B switch so if you want you can always run your stereo set-up on there as well. The Quintets are very small so they could just be mounted on the wall or hidden in with your furitue, only standing about 7" tall and about 4" deep it makes them pretty easy to hide.

http://www.acephotodigital.com/sc/main_item.asp?id=964587546&rf=cn&dfdate=08_11_2003 Is the Sony DVP-NS715P a good dvd player? From what I have heard people who have it love it. I am wondering if the progressive-scan on it is any good and all the other features it offers. I think about $130-150 is reasonable for a DVD-player but any more than that for a single-disc is crazy.

Hey, I was just wondering if anyone knew any good places to learn more about speakers and reviews on speakers/recievers/processors and stuff like that. If anyone knows some good websites please post them up, I would appreciate it.

Thanks everyone, I am gonna do some research on everything you have suggested and then make my final decision. So far the Denon and Yamaha look like the best deals and Harmon's are just too high priced for me.

Well something i've been looking at myself is a reciever upgrade and I would have to say the Yamaha line looks very promising. The Harmon/Kardon is also good but I don't see why spend the money as they both sound the same to me and from what I heard they are close to same wih some small differences. I was looking at the Yamaha XV-R440 and 540 and they both look incredible and offer 6.1 surround sound so you should check them out. As for speakers, you just have to basically go and hear them for yourself but I have heard both and I think the floorstandings sound like they can give a more "full" effect, such as deeper effects. If you have a sub added in though they both sound pretty good. Personally though, you should go hear them for yourself.

Curious what is better to use for my DVD player? I hear that the Digital Coaxial cables are better because there isn't as much decoding needed for it as it doesn't turn into a light signal or something like that? Could someone shed some light on this please?

Make sure you are using a Digital Coax cable or a Fiber optic cable or else you cannot get a 5.1 setup. Also, make sure you DVD player support DTS as older ones do not. Last, make sure that whichever input you are putting your DVD's sound cable into is set to the right thing in your recievers menu. Such as: Digital Coaxial for DVD player.

Well I may be able to push $400 on a reciever if I get the rest of the people in my house to pitch in a little. So far I see the XVR-440 to be a good deal but it does lack some components while the XVR-540 adds them, but it does cost an extra pretty penny. I love the way the Harmon-Kardon's look and I just can't get enough of how no reciever has the silver buttons like they do or the neat display they have. Unfortunatly Harmon/Kardon makes no 6.1 recievers and their 7.1 reciever is $500 or so... I definantly want a 6.1 reciever because I plan on upgrading my center channel and it would be nice to have somewhere to put my older center from my Quintet system. BBB I think you for your help and everyone else, right now I like the Yamaha line-up, good price and everything. Wondering if there is another good company that will make a 6.1 for about $300-400. Would like a few more idea's, and thank you for any opinions anyone gives. BBB you have been very helpful.

BBB you seem to be giving some great advice but shouldn't I be kind of weary about buying products from someone who can sell a $400 product for only $280-300? That is what I don't feel comfortable with is that they can sell it for so much cheaper. What's to say it isn't a refurbished product or one that never made it past the "standard" tests to go onto the normal market so they sold it to this place for half of what they usually charge. That is why I like SoundCity. They may have "list" prices and some "higher" than list prices but I know there is nothing wrong with there products... Just trying to get an idea, hope i'm not coming out with too many questions but I plan to buy a reciever within a week. I just noticed this btw, shipping is outrageous. I checked one site that has reasonable prices for a reciever and they charged $36 for shipping, every other place was between $60-90. I guess that is how they make their money, through shipping. But for the RX-V540 it is $280 at the home theatre philes and the shipping was $80. I can't afford $360, and if I did buy it online I would need it overnight.

Good point made BBB, but from what I can see the 440 is about the best I can do with my money right now. I have also looked at Bestbuy and 6th Avenue Electronics. Also, where I live (Bridgewater) there aren't really any good home audio places around or else trust me I would stop in. The closest place I found was in Denville where I used to live around and these guys offer which is where I am getting these prices from now. (Those are store prices but they also sell online). If someone can find a place to get a XVR-540 for about $300 that would be awesome but from what I can see the best they go for is about $400 since they are new and offer more over the 440. Also, video is not my concern as I put everything directly into my TV.

Geo I have to say that I have the Panasonic SA-HE70 and I just hate the thing. It is vey easy to use don't get me wrong but for the price I believe the Yamaha is a load better. To me the reciever has a more natural sound to it when you listen to it good. To me the Panasonic is a good reciever but I think it's amp is just not all that well made. I love the way Harmon/Hardon's look but for their price I just can't afford them? They must use some high quality amps or something. these are what I am looking at right now and I am looking to buy from this place: www.soundcity.com They are closest retailer to me and they offer great customer care although there prices are jacked with some products. I am looking from the following below: Yamaha XVR-400 $300 (not listed on there website) Harmon Kardon AVR-225 $330 (Refurbished) Onkyo TSXR-501 $300 Anyone have any suggestions on the three? I know it is a tight budget but it what I have and like I said I am not powering anything very big, just 5 Klipsch Quintets. I would prefer a 6 channel reciever like the Yamaha and also an A-B switch for when I put speakers outside eventually. Thank you for any help or any suggestions. Also, does Yamaha use good high current amps or no?

I am currently running the 5 pair of Klipsch Quintet speakers with a Polk Audio sub. Could someone please recommend a good reciever to accomodate this. I was looking at a $300 Yamaha. XVR-440. Anyone have any other suggestions for about $300?

I've owned several TV's from Mitsubishi ranging from 27" all the way up to 55" and I love them. I have also had RCA, SONY, and Panasonic and I have to say they are all awful, the Sony's are the worst. The reason Sony can get away with selling something so much cheaper is because they don't include exactly what you want while the other company's usually will. I saw this over at Tweeter when I was looking to buy myself a new TV and decided to buy the Mitsubishi instead of the Sony that I was looking at because for the price the Mitsubishi had the best picture and more offers than the Sony that was about $100 less.