Equipment & Product Recommendations

AV Receiver: Yamaha RX-A1000 | Info

Price: $999.99 | Buy It Now

The RX-A1000 A/V Receiver supports 3D and Audio Return Channel, with 8 in/2 out HDMI, new GUI, new YPAO, network functions and control via web browser. The RX-A1000 decodes all the latest audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD) natively and offers more than enough audio and video connections, including 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs - all v1.4 with 3D and Audio Return Channel support. The RX-A1000 also includes 4 component video inputs and 1 output), S-video (4 inputs/2 outputs), and composite options for connecting a variety of video sources. All speaker connections are via high-quality 5-way binding posts and the amplifiers are assignable - meaning that you can choose to bi-amp the fronts, or send a couple of powered channels to Zone 2. It also includes dual subwoofer outputs. This is a great feature that we see creeping down product lines to appear in lower-priced models.

Useful Features

• HD audio format support: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audi
• 7-channel 735W powerful surround sound (105W x 7)
• Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels
• Analog and HDMI video upscaling to full HD 1080p

• HDMI (V.1.4a with 3D and Audio Return Channel) - 8 in/2 out)
• Symmetrical power amplifier layout
• Ability to change HDMI input while in Standby Through mode
• Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out
• DLNA V.1.5 certified
• High quality 5-way binding posts
  

Alternates: Harman Kardon AVR 3600 ($999); Marantz SR6005 ($999)

Speakers: Atlantic Technology System 2400 5.1 System | Info

Price: $2500 | Buy It Now

Atlantic took their best compact speaker and improved it. Building on the System 2200's attributes - superb sound, small size for easy, unobtrusive placement, mounting flexibility, high-class materials and top-notch build quality, the System 2400 delivers an even more impressive performance than its predecessor. This 5-speaker system includes a pair of Atlantic Technology's 2400 LR Front Speakers, a 2400 C Center Channel, and two 2400 SR Surround Speakers. It also includes Atlantic's 334 SB Subwoofer. All of the speakers and the sub come in Satin black. This will be a surround system worthy of two channel music as well as chest-pounding theatrical use.

Useful Features

• Incredible build quality
• Nicely designed with exemplary aesthetics - high WAF
• Excellent frequency response

2400 LR	2400 C	2400 SR	334 SB
90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	30Hz – 250Hz ±3 dB
90dB/1W/1m	90dB/1W/1m	90dB/1W/1m	104dB SPL into 2000 cubic Feet
8 ohms	8 ohms	8 ohms	- -
10-140W Rms	10-140W Rms	10-140W Rms	220W RMS
(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (1) 1" low resonance tweeter	(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (1) 1" low resonance tweeter	(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (2) 1" soft dome tweeters	10” Super Heavy Duty long-throw composite cone w/2" voice coil
12.9" x 6.4" x 7"	14.6" x 7.5" x 7"	11.4" x 10.4" x 7.5"	15.25" x 15" x 15.7"
7.5lbs	8lbs	7.5lbs	35 lbs
2-way Sealed	2-way Sealed	Sealed Di-Pole/Bi-Pole	Sealed
$650/pair	$400/ea	$700/pair	$750

Subwoofer (Optional): Velodyne DLS-3750R | Info

Price: $499 | Buy it Now

When shopping for a ~$500 subwoofer we had to really rack our brains to decide on which one to feature. Velodyne now brings the power and precision of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to a new series of very affordable, high-performance, remote-controlled subwoofers. This Distortion Limiting System (DLS-R) Series subwoofer has a 10" forward firing driver (8.2" piston diameter) and features four presets on its remote control for movies, rock music, jazz/classical and games, allowing you to select the perfect bass without ever leaving your chair. All the adjustments of these subwoofers can be made using the remote including volume control, night mode, low-pass crossover and phase. The DLS-R Series deliver bass the way it was meant to be heard - loud and deep with incredible impact and lower distortion.

Useful Features

• Woofer size: 10-inches
• Bass extension 30 Hz
  
• Crossover: Continuously variable 30-90 Hz, defeatable, 24 dB/oct
• Phase switch: 0/180°
• Dimensions: 16” H x 15” W x 18.25” D
• Ship-weight: 55 lbs
• Amplifier Power: 100 Watts
• Finish: black

TV: Samsung UN46C6500 46" LED LCD | info

Price: $1,399 w/stand | Buy It Now

We've reviewed both the generation 1 Westinghouse displays and found them to be exceptional. Since then, the company has resolved some of the 1080p resolution issues they had in the earlier models and presented a very nice evolution of affordable 1080p LCDs. This display features native 1080p with support for 24p frame rates. An integrated QAM and ATSC tuner means that you'll have no difficulty receiving the best possible HDTV channels - even without a cable box. To top off the features, Westinghouse include two down-firing 10W speakers and 4 (four) HDMI inputs in addition to the pair of component video inputs and available legacy connectivity (composite/S-video/HD15). High definition LCD has never been cheaper.

Useful Features

• 1080p (1920x 1080) LCD display
• 1.2" thin
• LED Backlight
  
• 24p (24Hz) support
  
• 4 x HDMI inputs
  
• 5 gazillion:1 contrast ratio (can you tell how much this number doesn't matter to us?)
  
• Web-connected Samsung Apps
  
• 2 x 10 watt speaker
• 240Hz Clear Motion Rate technology
• 43" x 28.5 " x 10.8 " (with Base)
• 40.3 lbs (with Base)

Universal DVD Player: Oppo BDP-80 | Info

Price: $229 | Find the best price online

The BDP-80 is a full-featured universal Blu-ray Disc player that supports BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live and BonusView), DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), HDCD, CD and other popular media formats such as AVCHD, MKV video files, digital photos and music. Sharing the same decoder and similarly optimized firmware as OPPO’s award-winning BDP-83, the BDP-80 features fast disc load times, quick response to user operations, and robust audio and video controls. In contrast to the BDP-83, which utilizes an onboard VRS by Anchor Bay video processor, the BDP-80 design has been optimized for use as a digital audio/video transport, emphasizing the accuracy of its digital audio/video outputs. At the same time, the BDP-80 is versatile enough to be used as a stand-alone universal Blu-ray player, thanks to its full array of output connections and audio/video decoding capabilities.

Useful Features

• HDMI 1.3 output with scaling to 1080p
  
• DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD/DVD+-R/RW, HDCD
  
• Digital bass management for SACD and DVD-A formats
  
• Anchor Bay VRS video processing
  
• Analogue 5.1 outputs with basic bass management
  
• Coaxial & optical digital output for Dolby Digital/DTS/PCM

Alternates: Samsung BD-C6500 ($219.99); LG BX580 3D Blu-ray Player ($279)

Interconnects and Speaker Cables

With the system we put together you may need to make a long run to the projector -and that alone can run from $65 up to whatever length you need. For the rest, you won't need many cables, but for the subwoofer and connecting any additional peripheral devices you may have, we suggest at least:

• 2 meter HDMI cable from DVIGear $35 | Buy It Now
  
• 1 meter Velocity optical cable from Impact Acoustics $9.55 | Buy It Now
  
• 12 foot Velocity subwoofer cable from Impact Acoustics $12.85 | Buy It Now
  
• Velocity RCA Y-cable for subwoofer $6.03 | Buy It Now
  
• 100ft 12AWG Velocity Bulk Speaker Cable from Impact Acoustics $76.24 | Buy Now

For this system we are recommending HDMI High Resolution Copper cables from DVIGear and interconnects and speaker cables from Impact Acoustics.

Total System Price: $5,267 (w/o optional 2nd subwoofer)

Any system recommendation at this price is going to have compromises and this system is no exception. However, with that said, this system will truly outperform its price point by a wide margin. This is a system that will get you set up nicely and leave you content - until the next upgrade! With a little time and effort by using the tools recommended, Avia or Digital Video Essentials, and the Radio Shack SPL meter, you will learn about your system and have a slick home theater that will work just as well for music as it does for movies.

Enjoy the home theater!!!