hi everyone,

I was looking to buy a 5.1 surround sound system in components instead of a whole package deal. In components i get to pick what i want and how i like it instead of it already in a box. It will cost more though so i will just buy a few items at a time when i save up. How many speakers do i need for 5.1?? how many sub woofers do i need for 5.1?? how many receivers?? I wanted a receiver that could hook up TV, VCR and my DVD Player. I wanted to purchase everything separate only at bestbuy. To get an idea i wanted to look online at http://www.bestbuy.com/ but i dont know which is high or which is low quality the same with the bass.. nothing to expensive and nothing to cheap. Im always poor. Thats why i have to buy items at a time. I have a small room so i need something or want something that will not blow out my room or the room mates. If you guys have any questions just ask me. Please reply back ASAP. btw please list in order what is the most important to get to the less important and show me on the bestbuy website. thanks.

Derek,you could start from here
www.shopping.com search for Home Theater Receivers and Home Theater Speakers.

JJ Bugsy

Best Buy is a poor place to learn about stuff. And also a poor place to purchase this stuff. Strangers on the internet are not likely to do your shopping for you. List stuff to buy at BB? That's your job.

Here's some help:
You need 5 regular speakers and 1 subwoofer for 5.1. You need only 1 receiver. Speakers are most important to sound quality, but the receiver matters, too. Listen to speaker systems in your price range to find what you like. It's true that most in-the-box products are poorer in quality than separate purchases. But that's not always true. Some better stores will combine a nice speaker package with a nice receiver for a lowered price.

I'll agree that BB isn't the perfect place for buying equipment, but they do offer some good listening options for people looking for reasonably priced systems. There are many higher end options, but some of us can't afford to drop that much coin...

I used BB to pick out my system. I got a Yamaha HTR4550 receiver and a set of JBL speakers. Total cost was about $1500. I think JBL makes excellent speakers for the price. I listened at BB and then scoured the internet for the best price on each component. The BB near me has a listening room where you can try different configurations side by side.

Some people recommend matching the surround speakers, but I listen to music on my system, so I opted for 2 large front speakers, and 2 smaller bookcase speakers for the rear. Since most of the sound for TV/movies comes from the front channel, I'd suggest a 3-way speaker instead of a 2-way speaker. I had a pair of JBL's side by side, and the 3-way made a huge difference. The last piece is the subwoofer. Take a look at the 10" from JBL.

Just my opinion, but I'd spend the most money on the fronts, and go for the 3-way center channel. The rear speakers can be much smaller.

When people talk about matching speakers, they don't mean the same cabinet, drivers, etc.

The thing you want to match is the Tonal quality of the speakers. The idea is that if you use speakers with different tonal qualities for the front's and center, you'll get some strange effects. Think about a actor walking across screen from left to right. They start out talking in the left speaker, move to the center, and finally the right. If the tonality of the speakers are fairly different, the pitch of the voice will change as they move across the soundstage... not a desireable effect.

You are usually ok if you choose all your speakers from a single manufacturer. Manufacturer's usually seem to have a fairly consistent tonality across their line.

I would suggest you try: [Link: audioholics.com]

This website has a fair amount of information on surround formats, receivers, etc. A good place to start your education!

Good Luck!

That isn't bad if you plan on doing a lot of 2 channel music listening. But if you want to get into high-rez music or at least surround music (not to mention movies), you should make the center just as important in your shopping. It gets a huge amount of the work in surround modes.

What the FuK is wrong with U people??

I needed answers two weeks ago not today. U are not helping ME!!

-Derek

If you look at when they posted there answers to you, it WAS 2 weeks ago.

Derek,

Sorry that we weren't able to boot your computer, pull out the chair, and make you come to the site to look at the answers. As a result of your "Tude" we'll be happy to never give you so much as the time of day!

Derek,

You just totally screwed yourself. I may not have much knowledge, but others on this forum are a wealth of info.

You have now lost your ability to get than info from most of us. I for one, will never look at or spend my time responding to your posts.

Nice going..., I hope the idiots at Best Buy can answer all of your questions!

whatta dick! may your equipment break that was purchased without warranty off the net. moron!

This post should be required reading for anyone signing up. Put it under the heading: "What not to do."

What a wanker.

This dumbass was stupid enough to leave his e-mail address on his profile after acting like that. So I e-mailed him letting him know we appreciated it.

Mark

Here's his e-mail in case he deletes it: dereksanta@epix.net

Gee Guys what did you expect, He has no money, shops at best buy, and wants an itemized shoping list prepared for him as if we have nothing better to do than kiss his feet.

Shame on you for even responding to this thread.

Hello all,

First of all, thank U to all of U for putting up with ME over the last year or 2.

I apologize for being a pain in the ass to U.

I apologize to all of U, for I have bugged many, many people, all over the internet, for hours and hours and hours to help my lazy ass learn things anyone with an elementary education could pick up. I apologize for using my "learning disability" to browbeat you into helping me, even though I am living on welfare and spending your tax money on computer equipment.

I apologize for sending U countless PMs.

I apologize for sending U countless Instant Messages.

I apologize for sending you countless emails.

In general, I apologize for wasting your time begging for your help, then when the nicest of you patiently help me, I snap at U and treat you like a jerk.

I apologize to U, for I realize that I have done this not only on this board, but also all across the internet. In fact, I have done this so often, on so many boards, that frankly I'm surprised that someone hasn't finally gotten sick of my shit and figured out a way to put a stop to it. ;)

Once again, I deeply apologize for being such an ass to you over the last year or 2.

Your friend,

Derek Santamassino