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General discussion

Size of Home Theatre System

Dec 15, 2004 4:20AM PST

I am trying to decide what size system to purchase. My TV room is very large (16 x 2Cool with a high vaulted ceiling. The TV is at one end and we sit in the middle. I am looking at a Sony Dream System (DAVFR1) with 750 watts. I am on a limited budget. Will I be disappointed with this size of a system since the room is so large?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Pibby

Discussion is locked

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size
Dec 15, 2004 5:07AM PST

I think you'll be disappointed, but I can't say for sure. My guess is that to get any kind of real movie-level volume in your room, you'll have to buy some real speakers (large bookshelves or towers) and a decent receiver to drive them.

I mentioned Athena in a previous post because they are relatively cheap and perform considerably above their price. In your case, I'd look at either the Point 5 Series or the Auditions (AS-B2 or AS-F1, matching centre for the front and B1s for the rear). You could always buy the sub later. I read somewhere that Best Buy or one of the larger chains was blowing them out, so the price may not be as prohibitive as it appears.

Pair these with one of the lower-power Yamahas or the Panasonic XR50 and a DVDp of your choice and you'll have a nice system that will fill the room (with sound, not just speakers!).

I'm not sure how it works in the States, but at Future Shop here in Canada, everything comes with a 30 day return policy - you could get the Sony and see how it works and then make your decision from there.

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Size
Dec 15, 2004 9:15PM PST

Thanks for the advice. I want to get the right system. I am not expecting the best but I do want something decent. I am in Canada also so maybe I'll slip into Future shop and see what they have.

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Canada
Dec 15, 2004 10:50PM PST

My pleasure. Unfortunately, I don't think Future Shop has the same kind of closeout deals as US Best Buy dealers, but at least you'll have the opportunity to hear the Athenas v. competitors.

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I Agree w/ Bent
Dec 16, 2004 1:21AM PST

The sony systems sub is very weak also. You wont get that booming effect w/ such a open area. I have been searcging myself for a good system and when I heard the sony set-up it wasnt very good. If you are on a budget Klipsch has a good system called the quintet??
Also Onkyo makes a good set up for about $700...
Hope it helps