I would like to put together a home theater system, but ...?

Question

I would like to put together a home theater system, but in a modular style, in other words not purchasing "A" system, but piece by piece. In theory this should be easy, but I would also like to keep a wireless rear/side speaker set up. Any suggestions on how I might be able to do that and keep the wattage for the rear/side speakers and sub-woofer to a nice level? It is OK for me to wire the front three speakers, but the sub-woofer and the satellite speakers I would like to be wireless, or as wireless as I can get them; I understand I will have to connect the speaker/sub-woofer to a power source and receiving device. I would also like to make it upgradable if possible, in other words make a base 5.1 system and after I recover from that investment, purchase another speaker/signal receiver system to make it a 6.1 and then up to a 7.1 as I can.

Now I can find wireless speaker systems, but the ones that I have found have all come in two's with a sub-woofer and that posses several problems. First is the extra cost for sub-woofers that I do not want and they do not appear to be able to be set up with a home theater system to take the different channels of a 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 receiver. Plus the watts that most of them put out are just a joke, unless you get into the thousands and if I had that much I would not be here asking these questions, I would hire someone to do it for me lol.

Now ideally I would like to purchase one receiver, one transmitter (that would transmit the; up to, 5 remote signals{really 4.1, the sub-woofer is in that}) and two signal-receivers that I could have the option to purchase speakers for at that time if I could afford them or use speakers that I already have until I could afford good one,... if that is impossible I would like to be able to purchase just the two speaker/signal-receiver with a sub-woofer signal-reciever setup with the ability to expand as I could afford more speaker/signal-receiver setups.

Next best idea would be to be able to purchase one receiver and one transmitter for each speaker or sub woofer/signal-receiver setup that I needed at the time and be able to upgrade it as I went along.

Is that possible at all, while still keeping the watts to a nice level? I would like at least a 1000 system, more if I can get it, and of course if it is, how?

John B.

Answer 1

Hello John!
It appears you are nearly as detail oriented as I am... I hope this means you will read everything I have to write!

First... "Wireless" is a misnomer in speaker parlance. You have 1 of 2 options for "wireless" speakers... Totally wireless, meaning you need to have a set of charged batteries at ALL times to ensure your surround speakers are capable of supporting the rest of the system on an average of every 8 hrs. EVERY DAY!(aka, E X P E N S I V E ! ! !) ORrrrrrrr..... You have your "wireless" surround speakers plugged into the wall.... (aka NOT very wireless!) If you can justify the cost of daily replacement of batteries, or you can see yourself free of the "not really wireless" argument, then I need speak no further... however, if you are a discerning listener of audio products... (aka You like music!) then none of these options will be acceptable! Why? Because wireless also means encode/broadcast/receive/decode delays which can put the wireless speakers out of phase with your wired speakers. What does that mean? Well, in Gladiator for instance, the first scene with the trebuchet's and flaming artillery, the first volley of flaming arrows will sound spectacular as they launch, but as they fly through the air, requiring the rear speakers to keep pace with the fronts to allow a sense that the arrows are passing through space in your listening environment, the rears would actually be far enough behind the fronts that it might sound as if the archers had launched 2 volleys (which isn't the case) because the front speakers sent a signal first.. the rear speakers waited patiently for their signal, and by the time they received it, the front speakers had already moved on to the next thing.... That is just ONE example of HUNDREDS I could offer as to why "wireless" speakers are NOT worth the money wasted on them!
The money you would waste on a "adequate" wireless speaker system would be MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH M U C H better spent on a lower end WIRED speaker system from a brand know in the industry for their fidelity and quality of construction (dozens come to mind but Klipsch, Boston Acoustic, Vienna Acoustic, Definitive Technology, and MANY others!!!) will serve you FAR better!
Notice I have NEVER ONCE mentioned bose (notice I DON'T capitalize their brand... it's for good reason, TRUST ME!) because they DO NOT make a quality speaker, and their wireless technology (which is no doubt what got you on this discussion in the first place!) is shoddy at best, and attrocious at worst, is beyond the scope of this discussion!

In short, spend LESS money, get a BETTER system, and FAR BETTER sound by investing in a quality 5-6-7.1 WIRED surround system, and spend the additional money on having someone hide/route the wires for you in an inconspicuous way! It TRULY is for the best that
1) you DO NOT invest in a wireless speaker system, and....
2) you DO NOT invest in a hybrid audio system with both wired AND wireless speakers!!!!!!

It may not be the answer you seek, but if you value your audio listening experience, you would do best to heed my advice as it is born of MUCH experience!

Answer 2

Hi John,

I my opinion, unless you truly have no other choice but to go with "wireless" rear surrounds, you really are better off going with a traditional pair of surround speakers.

First of all, the wattage of these things are minimal and are going to sound no better than maybe a pair of computer speakers at best and will not balance out well with your front three speakers.

Second, aside from a few that do run on batteries, you still need to plug them into a wall outlet so you have a wire running from them anyways, so whats the point? And the battery powered ones??? Please, that'll get old after one month, if not sooner.

The following is a set up consisting of smaller book-shelf speakers, a good sub, and a low-mid range A/V reciever, that will SMOKE any Home Theater in a Box, and anything Bose will sell you for way too much money, for around a grand.....



Main speakers = Paradigm Titans , MSRP $220 (you can get them for $200) review below.

Surround speakers = Paradigm Atoms , MSRP $190 (you can get for $170) review below.

Subwoofer = HSU STF-2, MSRP $400 Very good bang for the buck, review and specs below.

A/V reciever = Onkyo TX-SR504 Home Theater Receiver, MSRP $300 (you can get for $260) Good reciever, my Father-inlaw owns this. Price and specs below.



You might notice I didn't list a center channel. You know what? You really don't NEED one, at least need it right away. Most Recievers including the Onkyo listed have a "phantom center" setting that does a great job of recreating a separate center sound. You really can get away without having one!

I also didn't list a DVD player. There are so many that pretty much do that same thing for the same amount of money. However, avoid the El-Cheapo $39 models at Wal-Mart, they last 12 months if you're lucky. spend at least $80 on an OK model by a brand name maker (ie Panisonic, Toshiba, etc)

Everything I listed came to $1030. Of course you'll need speaker wire, and interconnects, but avoid the over-priced stuff. Monster Cable brand is a big rip-off, you can get away with the cheaper types that come with equpiment. Also, use at least 16 gauge speaker wire, not that thin stuff that you can floss your teeth with. That WILL make a big difference, but again go cheap, Radio Shack wire is fine.

I'm telling you, this little system will sound fantastic!

Good luck

Answer 3

i think of u ought to decide for a 40 two' liquid crystal demonstrate television from samsung or panasonic. and for residing house theatre decide for pioneer or jcb and decide for a hometheatre with at leastr 10' sub woofer and rear cand front of a minimum of 100watts