[bobby_t1]

I going to be buying a Sony GWIII LCD RPTV in the next month or so, after which I will want to buy some better speakers and an amp/receiver.

I am a geek at heart and need to research everything to death.  You don't want to know how much research I've done so far to decide on my TV

I was initially thinking of doing a 5.1 surround sound setup right out of the gates and was thinking of the Bose Acoustimass. Luckily I found AVS forums, or else I would have made a mistake.  Reading these reviews on here saved my wallet!

After reading lots of threads on here, it seems that I could perhaps go with a good solid 2.1 setup (i think that means 2 speakers and a sub) and a good amp/receiver, then later on upgrade to a 5.1 by adding a center channel and 2 rear speakers.

Here's my situation:

• 90% TV (DVDs, regular TV)
• 10% Music -- all kinds -- Electronic, Classical, Rock, Rap
• Size of the speakers is a huge issue. "We" don't want to put up with huge speakers, and being such a small area, don't want to reduce its effective space by having huge speakers.  Running cables across the room to rear speakers is not cool with us at this time, hence even more support for 2.1.
• Room: 13' x 20', but it is split in 2 -- half for eating area (kitchen table) and the other half is the TV area.  So the subset TV area is about 12'x 10' in reality.
  
• Budget: Would like to keep is less than $1200 for 2.1 + amp/receiver.  Maybe a center channel too? (not sure if I can even do that.. would that be a 3.1 system?)  I'm considering this because I've heard a center channel can really bring out dialog in movies.
  
• I live in a townhouse, but am an end unit that only shares one wall. The TV wall is not shared luckily.  However, I don't really need gut wrenching bass or insane volume levels.  But I like my audio clear and full sounding (if that makes any sense).
  [/list:u]
  
  I was getting a bit discouraged when reading through the forums, because I thought that in order to get good quality speakers I had to get ones very large in size.  
  
  However, I stumbled upon a cachet of threads that discuss the Anthony Gallo speakers and was very intrigued by a A'Diva and Due speakers.  I have no idea how much these cost or where to even get them. I checked out their website and it says the Good Guys supposedly is a local dealer. However, when I called they had no idea what I was talking about.
  
  Questions:
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• Are the Gallo speakers good?
• What is approximate cost on the A'Divas?
• Is their sub worthwhile to get, or is there something that performs better?  Remember, I don't need bass to shake the neighborhood :)
• Could I buy 2 A'Diva for L+R, Due center channel and a sub? (see previous bullet point about the sub).  Would I even want this so-called 3.1 setup?
• What receiver? I know this is a broad question, and there are a ton of answers, but I'm cost conscious and don't need to go overboard here. But i do want a good amp/receiver that will handle current needs + future expansion to 5.1 if i decide to do that. Heck, from what I've read, supposedly there are amps/receivers that have"virtual" modes that simulate 5.1 so well that I may not need to upgrade?
• Am I completely crazy for considering only a 2.1 setup instead of a 5.1?
• Really newbie question: is an amp and receiver the same thing?
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[earlmarc]

First of all, you need to decide how much money you want to spend. After you have decided what your budget will be, members on this forum can better assist you with recommendations.

[bobby_t1]

First of all, you need to decide how much money you want to spend. After you have decided what your budget will be, members on this forum can better assist you with recommendations.

In my original post I mention that I would like to keep it under $1200 for a 2.1 + receiver setup. But I'm reading that since most of my watching is cable + Movies (10% music, maybe less), that I really should go for a 5.1 setup.

[Eric D]

There are all kinds of good choices for your budget.  The one think I'd first suggest is trying to get you up to at least bookshelf speakers rather than miniature satellites.  You'll get a full-sounding speaker down to the sub crossover, and with a good sub it will just sound like robust full-range speakers.  You don't have to turn it up loud and annoy the neighbors, but you'll enjoy drums, bass guitars.  You might even find yourself listening to more music.

If you're going to go sub/sat systems, do yourself a favor and learn about bass management, and carefully look at the the specs for the satellite and sub frequency ranges and for the crossover in the receiver.  Also, get in and learn about and buy yourself

Here's a couple of ideas from online dealers.  Both are bookshelf size, but you'll absolutely love the results:

Ascend Acoustics:  A pair of CBM170s and a Hsu VTF-2 sub is a great 2.1 system and leaves you plenty of money for a good receiver.  This matches your original request.

AV123 (the ELTs) - these have a special going on where they will sell you a good receiver as well - right in your price range for the entire 5.1 setup.  You'll have to call about the receiver.

If you're set on the satellite size, in the brick&mortar world I've seem people have good experiences with  the Polk RMs or JBL satellites.

enjoy!

[bobby_t1]

There are all kinds of good choices for your budget.  The one think I'd first suggest is trying to get you up to at least bookshelf speakers rather than miniature satellites.  You'll get a full-sounding speaker down to the sub crossover, and with a good sub it will just sound like robust full-range speakers.  You don't have to turn it up loud and annoy the neighbors, but you'll enjoy drums, bass guitars.  You might even find yourself listening to more music.

If you're going to go sub/sat systems, do you ...

Thanks for the recommendations, but at first glance, these speakers are WAY too big.  Are the Gallos really not worth the money?  Is a 5.1 system good to buy right away since movies are my main application?

[Tonto Yoder]

I'm not sure about the price of the A'divas, but the Due's are $600 each.
You might try A'gon dealers for prices--I see Quest for Sound advertising there, but they don't list $$.

You MIGHT check out Cambridge Soundworks site
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=ht_package
Corey Greenberg recommended them on the Today Show (but I've never heard them); they have package systems that would give you an idea of prices and some general guidelines that might be helpful even if you bought a different brand.

[MaxCast]

nOrh 4.0's are small and stylish.  They have great reviews for HT.  As mentioned, the thing about very small speakers is that they may only go down to 120Hz.  Some receivers bass management is this high, but most people would recommend 80hz.
Subs:  The Rava $400, The Yamaha that Jerry recommends, forgot model and price but it is around ~$200.
Receivers:  Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo.
If you need a dvd player too I'd consider the Sony or Panasonic models with built in DVD players and the digital amps.  They have gotten excellent reviews for price and performance.

Center channel.  That will depend on how many people will be watching and seating location.  You can get by with out one if you sit in the sweet spot.  There is nothing wrong with starting with 2.1 and going to 3.1 or 5.1 as time and money allow.

It is often recommended getting the best for the money now, meaning, get the best 2.1 for your $$ and adding more later.  You say you live in a townhouse.  does that mean you can't run rear speaker wires above the ceiling or in the basement?

[OBF]

Maxcast mentioned the Sony and Panasonic digital units if you need a DVD player, and in the other thread you got a couple recs on the Outlaw 1050.  Personally, I'd recommend the Sony whether you need the DVD player or not.  The Outlaw seems to have more beef, but if you don't intend to blast the movies/music, the Sony is very hard to beat.  And it fits right in the budget.

[Tonto Yoder]

This might interest you--

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3055103562&category=14991

eBay seller has Due speakers (sold singly) and some of the other models.

[bobby_t1]

Maxcast mentioned the Sony and Panasonic digital units if you need a DVD player, and in the other thread you got a couple recs on the Outlaw 1050.  Personally, I'd recommend the Sony whether you need the DVD player or not.  The Outlaw seems to have more beef, but if you don't intend to blast the movies/music, the Sony is very hard to beat.  And it fits right in the budget.

Speakers

From people's replies, looks like I could go for a good 2.1 setup now and upgrade later to 3.1 then 5.1.  Intesting combinations I"m considering based on ppl's replies:

-Ascend Acoustics CBM170s and a Hsu VTF-2 sub
-NOrh 4.0's + some type of sub

The CMB170's reviews look great, but I"m going to have to check their size out to really see how big they will be.

Receiver:

Sorry, I'm a total newbie, so I'm not sure which models you guys are referring to in the sony + panasonic lines.  I'm guessing there is some new technology they've released?

i have a pansonic S35 480p dvd player right now that I specifically bought awhile back because of DVD-R support which is a neccessity for me.  Do these "new" model panasonics and sony's support DVD-R format?

For receivers, these recommendations have been made so far:
-Onkyo 595
-Outlaw 1050
-Panasonic (new model?)
-Sony (new model?)

I will primarily be doing my video switching through my TV, as the TV i'll be buying will have several S-video, component and DVI inputs.  I will only have a DVD player, digital cable box and a ReplayTV.

Availability and best price:

Where is best place to buy this stuff? Internet dealers? B&M?

[Vic]

The options before you are limitless regardless of your budget. Everything you've said reminds me of the agonizing I went through over surround. If you currently have a two channel system for music, keep it. Forget about  2.1 because the full 5.1 effect is good with inexpensive gear and absolutly a blast with a little more juice.

The heart of any surround system is the subwoofer. A good powered sub will blend with a wider selection of speaker systems and sound more correct when playing music. Earthquake, Velodyne, HSU, and not my favorite, REL are just a few to check out. Beware of subs that start rolling off at 40Hz.

You mentioned Gallo speakers, great choice for the bedroom. Your dollar may go farther with some Paradigm Atoms, anything Triangle, don't laugh...JBL.

Recievers. Here's where people usualy blow alot of needless dough on DSP BS that may never get used.  Or how bout' that extra 25 watts per channel? Do you honestly think it makes that big a difference? I went bottom of the line and am glad I did (remember that big sub?). The new Sony Direct Drive or Integra used.

Most importantly save a little more money, Take Your Time! I'm positive you'll find everything selling for a great used price on Audiogon. Shopping retail? Remember what your mother said about paying retail. At least 20% off retail.

If your married I suggest the very first thing you play is her favorite artists music video.

Of course that's just my opinion.

[Tonto Yoder]

Just saw some Gallo-like Cabasse speakers on a UK site--

https://www.audiophilecandy.com/prodet.asp?pcode=SP-AUD-XO&0=More+Info

I didn't even know Cabasse made a system like this, but I'm not sure what the 895GBP buys??? Can't be the whole set-up?? A PAIR of modules??