The $7500 Video-centric System

Walking into a higher-end system (and believe me, we're talking to laymen here- some "high-end" systems go for over a million dollars) can be a bit intimidating. At this point you may want to consult with a local custom installer. After all, what good is a bunch of gear you can't adequately use - or a $3,500 display that ends up looking like a $1,500 display due to lack of calibration and proper installation. Still, we'll focus primarily on the equipment and allow you to sort out the rest.

We're still in 720p land, except for LCD TVs which can allow us to get into 1080p within this budget. In any case, don't expect us to flesh out plush reclining seats and AMX control systems just yet - you've got a ways to go. But if you just successfully sued the North Carolina District Attorney and have some extra funds to drop on some HT gear - you've come to the right place.

System Goals

• This system offers exceptional value for an increasing budget. We'll again stick to 5.1 in this system, but all components - particularly the display - will begin to truly blossom towards the higher-end components you won't see in many of your friends' homes.
  
• We'll utilize HD players whenever possible so that you can experience the best high definition source material on your system.
• This system yields ultimate flexibility and supports all the latest formats: Dolby TrueHD, DTS MA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital-EX, DTS, DTS-ES, Prologic IIx and have the ability to receive DVD-A or SACD (need compatible player) over HDMI and display high-quality component video.
• This system is assembled with reliable components all offering good warranty policies.

Following is our recommendation for an Video-centric system around $7,500

Equipment & Product Recommendations

Display: Samsung LNT4671F 46" LCD

Price: $3,199

It's not the size that matters. If you're not sitting a mile away from the TV, then this plasma is possibly the best thing you can sink $3,200 into this year. With a beautiful piano gloss finish, integrated TV Guide Program Guide and an Integrated Media Gallery that lets you stream pictures, video and music from your PC - this TV is almost perfect. The presence of ATSC and NTSC tuners and an included stand make for a set that can be set up right out of the box. If a larger screen size or front projection is your thing - no problem, check out the alternates listed below.

Useful Features

Beautiful piano gloss finish Unbelievable picture quality Integrated TV Guide ON Screen Program Guide Integrated Media Gallery RS-232C control

Dual ATSC and NTSC tuners 1080p support via dual HDMI inputs USB 2.0 input Absolutely black blacks Integrated 2 x 13W speakers

Alternates: Panasonic PT-AE1000U ($3,899); Sony VPL-VW50 ($3,795); Panasonic TH-58PX600U ($3,999)

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AV Receiver: Yamaha RX-V863

Price: $999.95

We were very impressed with the feature set on this receiver. It can handle up to 8-channel audio, and offers plenty of music (and video game) surround modes. The RX-V663 decodes all the latest audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD) natively and offers more than enough audio and video connections. The highlight of the connectivity options are the 1080p compatible HDMI (Version 1.3) switching (3 inputs/1 output) and 1080p upconversion, but the RX-V863 also includes component (3 inputs/1 output), s-video (5 inputs/ 1 output), and composite options for connecting a variety of video sources. All speaker connections are via 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 Audio 7-channel 735W powerful surround sound (105W x 7) Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels Analog video (480i or 480p) upscaling to full HD 1080p 1080p-compatible HDMI (3 in/1 out) Supports Deep Color (up to 36 bit), x.v.Color, a double speed Refresh Rates of 120Hz and 1080p/24Hz transmission, and Auto Lip-Sync compensation

Analog video to HDMI digital video upconversion and deinterlacing with TBC Subwoofer phase select Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with Yamaha Bluetooth® Wireless Audio Receiver (YBA-10) HD Radio™ digital broadcast reception capability

Alternates: Yamaha RX-V1800 ($1,199); Pioneer Elite VSX-91TXV ($1000); Marantz SR5002 ($749);

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Speakers: RBH Sound MC Series

Price: $1,887

This 5-speaker system includes two of the MC-6C speakers, a matched MC-414C center channel, and a pair of MC-4C speakers for the surrounds. We feel that the added dispersion provided by the MC-4C speakers is well worth the money. These speakers are phenomenal performers and will guarantee many years of great sound. This will be a surround system worthy of two channel music as well as chest-pounding theatrical use.

Useful Features

Solid build quality Small form factor without sacrificing midrange or top-end Excellent frequency response

Perform much better than HTIB solutions or cube speakers Perfect for home theater use

 

*If you can afford it, step up to the MC-616C center channel for the front soundstage. Cross the subwoofer over at either 80Hz or 90Hs depending upon which performs better in your room. In the future, add a pair of MC-44C's ($959/pair) for the side channels and move the MC-4Cs to the back channels and you are ready for 7.1.

If you've got the space for floorstanding speakers, you may wish to consider the Axiom Audio Epic 60 system which will yield a more dynamic sound for larger rooms. Feel free to throw in an extra pair of QS8's or M2is to make it a 7.1 system.

Alternate: Axiom Audio Epic 60 System (~$1,795)

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Subwoofer: Hsu Research STF-1

Price: $299

When shopping for a reasonably-priced subwoofer we had to really rack our brains to decide on which one to feature. There are quite a few, and indeed we have a hard time recommending the featured model over the alternatives. Still, Hsu has been a solid, reliable brand and it's takes up a bit less room than some of the competition. If you have the money, we recommend getting two subs. If you are space-conscious, then look to Velodyne, Pinnacle or Yamaha for some smaller models (but expect to pay a premium for the engineering).

Useful Features

Woofer size: 8-inches Bass extension 32 Hz (+/- 2dB) Crossover: Continuously variable 30-90 Hz, defeatable, 24 dB/oct Phase switch: 0/180° Finish: black and silver Amplifier Power: 150 Watts

Dimensions: 19” H x 11” W x 16” D Ship-weight: 35 lbs 120/240 V Capable: switchable with internal jumper Warranty: 7 years on the woofer, 2 years on the electronics, parts and labor included

Alternates: Axiom Audio EP175v2 ($560); Yamaha YST-SW325 8-inch Servo ($499) 

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Blu-ray Player: Denon DVD-2500BTCI

Price: $999

Blu-ray is in a state of flux. With manufacturers all but REFUSING to publish their Profile versions, consumers are left to dig around and come up with what the payers actually can do and how they will perform. Denon has a Profile 1.1 player that is one of the few players capable of outputting DTS-HD Master Audio via bitstream. One nice advantage this player has over others is advanced processing power to speed load times for Blu-ray discs and make it about as usable as a standard DVD player. This is, currently, the best DVD player on the market under $1000 in terms of pure HD performance. If you don't care about eventually bitstreaming the high definition audio formats to an HDMI 1.3a receiver (and we've only spec'd 1.2a above) then we'd heartily recommend grabbing a robust PS3. Whatever you do, be sure you have HD going to this system.

Useful Features

Profile 1.1 Single-cable HDMI 1.3a connection and Digital HD output up to 1080p Fully 10-bit processing for i/p and scaling circuit Blu-ray 1080p/24fps output capability Up to 36 bit Deep Color support via HDMI

Native bit stream output for Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, and dts-HD master audio Bonus View functionality, providing simultaneous Audio and Video options for greater interactivity. Digital media disc support: Blu-Ray, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, CD Audio WMA, MP3, Kodak picture CD, Fuji Color CD. No analogue outputs

Alternates: Samsung BD-P1400 ($369); Sony PlayStation 3 80GB ($499)

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Universal Remote PowerPak RF20 and MRF100B

Price: $149

A remote control? In a system guide? Oh yeah, this baby is important. Try impressing your friends when it takes 4 remotes to operate your home theater. I am convinced that RF remotes are the way to go. IR is a thing of the past. It's OK for the all-in-one you keep in the bedroom, but for a real theater system you don't want to worry about whether or not you pointed the remote at the proper device - and held it there long enough. Now this PowerPak system (an RF20 and MRF100B receiver unit) will just about whet your whistle with respects to RF remotes, but once you stick your toe in the pool - you're not coming out.

Useful Features

Control up to 10 components Customizable LCD screen Punch through and macros Long range RF receiver

Favorites channel support (up to 40 favorite channels) Learning-capable Pre-programmed codes for easy setup

Alternates: Logitech Harmony 670 ($149);

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Interconnects and Speaker Cables

Blue Jeans is our go to cable vendor for a simple reason: they offer high quality products at affordable prices, and unlike so many other cable companies, they hold the BS. They offer raw 12AWG speaker wire starting at $0.52/foot, though they also sell terminated cables for a bit extra. Blue Jeans also sells no-nonsense interconnects (including balanced XLR cables) and subwoofer cables. Prices will of course vary based on the lengths that you need.

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Total System Price: $7,785 (including cables)

We're getting into less compromises now and more performance. With this system you will be absolutely blown away - and so will your friends. Again, don't get bogged down by the plasma TV recommendation - that's a high-ends product and it's an incredible picture. If you want a bigger screen we've given you plenty of options - choose one (and don't forget the screen if you're going with front projection - Carada has some excellent offerings). A good shopper can take at least another 5-10% off the prices we have listed, especially if you purchase multiple products from a single retailer. This will put you further under the $7,500 budget for sure. Hey, maybe you can get that antique popcorn machine you've always wanted! With a little time and effort by using the tools recommended, Avia or Digital Video Essentials, and the Radio Shack SPL meter, you will never want to go to the CinemaPlex again.

Brand	Model	Description	Street Price
Samsung	LNT4671F	46-inch LCD TV	$3,199
Yamaha	RX-V863	AV receiver	$999
RBH Sound	MC Series	5.0 speaker system	$1,887
HSU	STF-1	8-inch subwoofer	$ 299
Denon	DVD-2500BTCI	Blu-ray player	$ 999
Universal Remote	RF20/MRF-100B	universal remote control	$ 150
Various	Various	Interconnects & Cables	$ 252
Total System Price:			$7,785

Enjoy the home theater!!!