Hi Everyone,

I own a old pioneer htib and now thinking about upgrading to separate home theatre systems. I hope the sifus out there can give me some suggestions on what is the best set up.

My budget is around RM5,000 for BD player, AV receiver, speakers and subwoofers. Not sure if the budget is enough - I can still raise an additional RM1k - RM2k if necessary.

I currently have a 50" Panasonic Plasma X10k. I know I won't be getting the full potential of the separate system with this TV but I plan to upgrade at a later stage. Need a set up that will likely to cater for future upgrades and additions (PS3, WDTV, etc).

Just for info, I went to Desa Home Theatre the other day and they quoted me as follows: -

Onkyo AV receiver (not sure the model name but the latest one) - Price can't remember
Pioneer BD Player (can't remember what model) - RM2,500
Kef satellite speaker and subwoofer set - price can't remember

But all of the above comes up to about RM8k.

Looking forward to hear your recommendations.

Thanks.

Since you are on a budget, why not get other brand BD player to save some cost. For example Panasonic BD player cost about 1900 only.

Panasonic BD player cost Rm1.2k and below...

For 5k..

AVR - Marantz 5003 - RM2.5k
Philips BDP3000 Bluray Player - RM600
PSB Alpha T1 - 1.3k
PSB Alpha C1 - RM500
PSB Alpha B1 - RM800
Wharferdale SW150 - should RM1k+

or get one of these 5.1 speakers set with the AVR & BDP above

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't want to have too high a budget coz I don't have a dedicated home theatre room in my house.

Is it necessary to have such a dedicated room to enjoy a home theatre set up?

By the way, what about the cables and interconnect? Anu suggestions.

Thanks

A dedicated room has some advantages, but you don't need one to start enjoying home theater. Many forummers set up their home theater in the living room.

I know you set initial budget of 5k. If you can stretch a bit to 7k then I think the setup mentioned by mpyw is worth considering. Basically you would split 4k for 5.1 speakers and 3k for AVR + BD player.

As for cables, if you buy the whole set from one place I'm sure you can persuade them to include in some budget cables FOC. One vendor I can suggest is A&L - they carry Marantz, PSB, Yamaha and Velodyne (you can try the Impact 10 sub). I normally see Yap at the Amcorp branch, others see CT Seong at Bangsar or Ricky at Puchong.

This post has been edited by jchong: Nov 2 2009, 03:45 PM

aiyoh..how come the B&W mini satellite system cost Rm10K...made of gold or what?

dont understand why they pair satelite system with PV1. the sub is super expensive.

People who buy satellite systems do so mainly because of aesthetic considerations. Hence the 5 channels must be small or discreet. However, don't want to sacrifice on bass hence B&W pair it with an expensive sub (which can be located further away).

will the bass be too powerful and the other sound become unclear?

This post has been edited by robertngo: Nov 2 2009, 08:11 PM

Much lower than that. I bought a BD60 more than 3 mths ago at only RM900/-. Now it's even cheaper, just have to search the forums here for the right seller.

If the manufacturer integrates them properly then it should sound balanced, so you have to go audition and see. I've not tested these satellite systems so I don't know.

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Added on November 2, 2009, 8:57 pmSome forummers just reported they bought BD60 at RM599 in Penang!

This post has been edited by jchong: Nov 2 2009, 08:57 PM

At RM10K for a 5.1 satellite system, it better be balanced!

I have seen a lot of forumer recommend A&L. May I know the location of it ?

below is all their branches info
A&L branches

Hello there,

I have the following setup and intend to upgrade the AVR and adding up B&W 801 and SVS subwoofer . I need all the advice and suggestion from all the sifus on the best AVR which able to drive all my speakers for 7.1 surrounds . mostly I enjoy watching movies (80% and music 20%) ,

Present setup
AVR pioneer VSX-D512 (120 watts x 5)

2 Front speakers : B&W CDM’2 (max power 120w , 8 ohm ) -
1 Centre Speaker :B&W CC’3 (25w-100w , 8ohm, , sensivity 91 db)
2 Rear Speakers : Celestion Hti – B (power 10-50w, 8 ohm , sensivity 90 db)
1 Active Subwoofer : B&W AS6 ( 100 w into 5 ohms, 12inch long throw )

Projector Sharps : XV-Z90E (DLP)

Adding : 2 B&W 801 (not yet installed) ( power handling 50w-300w, 8 ohms , sensivity 87 db)


intend to upgrade
AVR (budget 6K)
SVS subwoofer (budget 6K)

Future upgrade ( if budget permit)
Plasma or LED 50”




Looking forward to hear your advice and suggestion.


Thank you.

Thats right. I'm one of them who got it from Star Elec ( SEC) for RM599 ( 1 year Warranty) +5 years additional warranty at RM72.

No HDMI cable.

SEC is popular in Northern region. See below contact. No Shop in KL.

http://www.sec.com.my/b2b/contact/

This post has been edited by tracktion3: Nov 4 2009, 07:32 AM

To efficiently drive the 802, the pre-pro is the way to go....
take good look at the Emotiva UMC processor + XPA5 + XPA2, or min get the Denon 4310, or can squeeze a bit more to get the Pioneer LX81/82 since u are Pioneer user
6k for the SVS sub? get the PB12+ or PC12+, will rock your house

For AVR you can also consider the Onkyo 3007. I hear that B&Ws are quite power hungry, some more you're going to run 7.1 setup. Hence you need a beefy AVR or even a separate power amp.

General question regarding home theater set up - is it ok to swap front speakers with back speakers? Front ones are on a stand and way bigger than back ones.

Or is this going to mess up my sound?