Need New Sound System

[Zeno]

My wimpy Aiwa sound system needs to be tossed out the window or shot into small pieces with a shotgun. What I need is a replacement system. I have small needs so all I want is one with reasonable speakers, 3-5 CD player, Radio, Diskette etc and these run about $200-$300 in warehouse stores. I looked at a few and Sony seems the best. These are the smaller compact systems. But I do not want one that looks like the bumper of a 1956 Cadillac. Any Ideas or suggestions? Up to $500 is about all I want to spend.

-Zeno

[touchfaith]

Do you mean a boombox or an all-in-one jobber?

When I think 'sound system', I think Denon.

[mblax10]

Do you really want another mini-system that will sound like crap for 5 years and you'll have to start all over again? Do yourself a favor and start piecing together components. It can be done within your budget.

From CircuitCity.com

Onkyo 8011 Stereo reciever $140
Sony 375 5-Disc CD Player $130 (Onkyo's 6 disc is $199)
2 Bose 201 Bookshelf speakers $220 (2 Polk Monitor 40's $300 are a much better choice)

Right at $500 after tax/shipping and speaker wire but a much better sounding system that will last you longer. Personally I would increase your budget, but I've spend over $5000 on my stereo which many would say is way too much.

[Zeno]

Good Points. You make sense and thanks for the recommendations. I'm searching the internet now and I'm heading out soon to check out different things and gizmos and see a movie and drink some tequila. Won't buy until the end of the month. So I have to time to make a wise choice. And I may up my spending to get better stuff ($800?).

-Zeno

[razor]

[ QUOTE ]
Good Points. You make sense and thanks for the recommendations. I'm searching the internet now and I'm heading out soon to check out different things and gizmos and see a movie and drink some tequila. Won't buy until the end of the month. So I have to time to make a wise choice. And I may up my spending to get better stuff ($800?).

[/ QUOTE ]

If you care about a quality listening experience and have (and are willing to spend) the money on a better system, it would be worth your while to go to some quality stereo shops and give a few systems a listen and see what kind of system in terms of quality vs. price suits you. If you do this, bring along a few favorite CDs.

[Ray Zee]

first is get the best speakers you can. then the best recever. all the rest is secondary in that market. plus this can be hooked to your tv for better results.

[benjdm]

Can't go too far wrong on the speakers with PSB or Paradigms. Last time I looked into the Bose, I was extremely disappointed, but I guess they may have improved in the last 7 years. Electronics don't matter too much, and if you hook up digital connection between DVD player and receiver, you can buy as cheap just about as cheap a DVD player as you want without losing SOUND quality. Some places to look at:

www.soundandvisionmag.com (http://www.soundandvisionmag.com) - Sound & Vision Magazine, formerly stereo review
www.hometheatermag.com (http://www.hometheatermag.com) - Home Theater Magazine
www.audioreview.com (http://www.audioreview.com) - user reviews of many AV products, like epinions.com
www.avsforum.com/avs-vb (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb) - forum full of AV geeks

[wacki]

Zeno. First of all there is no need for a CD player. Spend the money and get a firefly remote and then use your computer.

Use audacity (free) to compress music into high quality MP3's. You can set up the compression so their is no loss in sound quality. I haven't used a CD in years. You can also set up your computer to produce much better quality sound than any sub $1000 CD player will produce.

The polk recomendations were good. You will probably want to add a sub later. Modular systems are nice because you can always upgrade. Those bookshelves will make nice satellites if you ever want to make a movie theater.

Stay away from Bose. Bose is crap. I can not stress this enough.

Onkyo is not a bad choice for a receiver. For the low end almost all of the experts I know are huge fans of Yamaha.

If you watch movies at all Zeno a good system will make a huge difference in the movie experience.

I'm busy now. Increasing the price range to $800 is NOT A BAD IDEA. Tell me what you listen to most. Is it for classical? Rock? Is it for movies? All of the above? What kind of room is it going in? (footage of room)

Seriously Zeno, trash the CD player. If you have a computer there is no need. AND STAY AWAY FROM BOSE IT'S CRAP!!!!

[wacki]

http://www.snapstream.com/Products/firefly/


Trust me on this one Zeno when I say don't rush out and just buy anything right away. I can give you a crapload of invaluable advice. I know home audio well.

[wacki]

[ QUOTE ]
www.avsforum.com/avs-vb - forum full of AV geeks


[/ QUOTE ]

This is the only link you really need. I've been a member here for years. I'll be happy to post your request when you give me more details.

[benjdm]

[ QUOTE ]
AND STAY AWAY FROM BOSE IT'S CRAP!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Good to know things haven't changed.....

No highs, no lows, must be Bose !

[Zeno]

Thanks wacki.

And thanks to everyone for the links and advice. I now have a good base resource to plug into. And I am in no rush to puchase the system so will take my time.

-Zeno

[David Steele]

If you can find some, try some of the low end Paradigm speakers. Search Dealers (http://www.paradigm.com/Website/Dealers/Dealers.html)
Canada makes some great speakers because the government fronted a bunch of research money for this. Ah socialism.

I have some pricier ones but I was about to buy another pair for a few hundred that sounded just great but the project got nixed.

D.

[wacki]

One more thing Zeno. Go to a local high end audio shop (that has a sound room) and test the speakers. My favorite test is to bring a few of my own CD's. I bring Van Halen II (1979) and play spanish fly. If I can hear the fingers rubbing on the guitar strings (very distinctive tweek sound) I know the treble is to my liking. I then pop in a CD from glory and listen to the snare drums. I want a tight responsive bass. I then pop in a little "The Launch", "Zombie Nation" or other tracks just for kicks. It is very important that you listen to one speaker immediately after listening to a different brand. Side by side comparison is a must.


Celestion, Klipsch, Paradigm, JBL, Polk, Infinity (don't lose receipt with these guys) are all worth looking at. There are dozens of others as well.

[Zeno]

Noted, and thanks D.

You too Wacki.

Checking things out this weekend.

-Zeno

[razor]

[ QUOTE ]
Use audacity (free) to compress music into high quality MP3's. You can set up the compression so their is no loss in sound quality.

[/ QUOTE ]

You don't hear a difference between MP3s (I'm assuming you are compressing them at 320bit) and CDs?

I'm not disputing this, just curious.

I guess I'll have to do a listening test someday. One thing I do know is that 128bit MP3 sound like [censored], and while 320bit is a improvement it doesn't seem the difference is as big as that between 128bit and CDs.

[ihardlyknowher]

Off topic, but ...

Zeno, you need to change your location to "Halfway there".

[astroglide]

if you want a home theater in a box solution, i've been impressed with the onkyo ht-s580 for the price

[daryljobe777]

Go dumpster diving. I bet you will find something passable.