brown274:

Jason:

Brown. Just to follow up. I think my 5C outperforms my 5T's. It's an amazing speaker and I highly recommend it.

I know the 5 series would be better and if money was no object than I would get them, but I am upgrading from a 15yr old RCA 25" TV with no external speakers to a 50" plasma with the 4T's an a receiver. I think that will blow me away and be good enough for a few years!

You guys don't get jealous, but here is my current setup. "State of the Art" isn't it.

 

Damn, bet that thing is a pain to move!

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Russ

Joined you!

Holy moly. That's an antique. I'm sure you can sell it on craigslist and make a bit of money to help the speaker purchase. Based on that setup I'm sure 4T's with a 5C would blow you away. Remember if you want to try to make it more cost-effective you can do a 3.1 system first (4Ts plus a 5C and your sub) and then in a month or two add some 4B's for surround. Or I suppose you can try their financing option. Not sure if anybody has any thoughts if they've used it. 

I upgraded from a $40 receiver I bought on Ebay with two old 1950 pioneer speakers. I can't even describe in words the sound you will hear and how different it will be. It was like night and day. Considering I have a Sony Bravia LCD XBR4, considered a very good LCD TV.....its speakers suck. I like to mute the receiver and listen to the TV once in awhile to compare the differences. It's really fun. Now it sounds good.....now it doesn't...and back and forth...although it's not a really good way to increase the WAF..... 

 What kind of overall budget are you on? it can help to have an idea. How much is the sub you're looking at? 

Also keep in mind the open box items are 15% off. They have some 5B's and a 5C on there today. Not a bad way to keep a little extra for a good receiver. They're open but in new condition. 

I'm gonna get a panny plasma. I have 3 smaller samsung lcd's and cannot stand the black levels on them. 2 family members have plasmas and I like them so much better. My father has a 52" sony lcd and 55" DLP and they just don't do it for me.

 I really don't have a budget, I have given myself more of a limit of about $1500. Yea, I could buy the best there is but I only watch about 3 hrs of TV each week and maybe 1 movie a week. That is why I have kept the RCA for so long. My grandfather gave me his 8yr old 36" sony trinatron last year when we got him a plasma and I took it to my work since I knew it would get more use there.

I agree about the plasma's black levels. I wish I could have gotten one except my room gets way too much natural light. The Bravia has a "theater" setting which helps get the black levels darker, although not as good as a panny plasma. 1500 for all the speakers plus receiver? If so...I'd get 2 5B's (384 open box or $450 new) plus 5C (350) for a total of $800 if you're buying new. I'm not sure how much the sub is you're thinking of, say 400. Now we're at ~1200. Now you have about 300-350 toward the receiver.  That gets you right in the range of the onkyo 606. I'd suggest the 5B's because you may find that you love your speakers and then you can move your 5B's to surrounds and purchase some 4T's for the FR and FL. Going with a 3.1 system gives you the flexibility of either buying some towers ($650 for the 4T's) down the line or some 4B (which while small have great sound, for $260. You'll still need to buy some stands but those are less than 100 for the 5B's. How much is the sub you're thinking of? I'd also ask the gurus if there is any huge difference between the 605 and 705. There is a difference between the 705 and 805, but maybe they'll enlighten us regarding the 605 vs. 705. Gurus?

Panasonic is a top 2 leading manufacturer in plamas so you can't go wrong there.  Very good black levels. Highly regarded by consumer reports in terms of manufacturing defects and highly regarded by many leading HT professionals.

Your budget is $1500. What does this include? Subwoofer, AVR, speakers?

I will try to keep it $1500 for towers, center, & receiver. I will get the rears and sub at a later time.

Brown,

Lets be honest.  If you are going to be getting a new 50" panny plasma and new speakers you are going to be watching a couple more movies a week, no?

You listen to a lot of music to, right and the price has to be reasonable.  I think this is the perfect opportunity to grow into a tower system with the potential to upgrade in the future.

I am a bit confused though.  You say budget isn't a factor but you want to keep it around $1500 so let me give you my opnion

If I were you and I have that current  stoneage setup and have never had a taste of HT or premium quality speakers I would start myself out with the 4T hybrid system with the 4T's and pick up an Onkyo 605.  That 16x12 room is a perfect size for a real world audition of this system.  The 4B's are no slouch either! You are going to want a sub for movies, trust me.  Also ask the Gurus if they can give you any special pricing on the Onkyo.  I know they were talking about giving special package pricing on them one day soon. I'm thinking you can get everything under 2K.

 Now, get everything setup.  audition it for 30 days.  Chances are you may be so blown away you will never think about speakers again.  However, if you say you know I wish I got a little bit more from my center channel you could call and get a trade in on from a 4C to a 5C  etc, etc..,.  In the meantime you get a awesome complete system for movies and towers for some good 2 channel music listening...

Now if you are still unsure I would recommend picking up the phone and calling a Guru. They will get you the best setup at the best price possible that fits your needs.  I know there are soo many choices and it can get overwhelming.  So why not start small and if your not comfortable slowly work your way upward.  I think it would be a much more enjoyable ride....and you can let all of know about those 4T's..You will be the most enviable person on here for being the only one to talk about having 4T's...I wish I had a pair!

Dan.

I have a Panny 42" plasma (720) and a Sharp Aquos 52" LCD (1080p).  A few things. First, check the Panasonic product line some of them have a coating on the screen so they're no more reflective than the LCDs; they list for about $100 more but if you have a bright room it's worth it.  Second, since I have the ability to view the same cable broadcast on both of the sets, if there's a difference in the black levels I certainly can't see it.  I think a lot of the debate over plasma vs LCD is moot; technology has moved on and comparing last year's models doesn't make much sense IMHO.  If I have a complaint for the LCD it's that sometimes during a very fast moving scene (I've only noticed this during broadcast sporting events, never a DVD) there's a short time (less than half a second) where it's like looking at the picture through a screen door. It goes away as fast as it shows up but I have noticed it.  I've never seen that on the plasma.

I'm sure you'll be happy with the Panny (I am).  But, don't discount the LCDs and please don't base your decision on what you see at the store.  Unless they let you play with the set-up you have no idea what you're watching. I almost got kicked out of a Best Buy because I was adjusting a Sony :-) (they shouldn't leave the remote laying around if they don't want you to touch it right?).  Also, avoid the Amazon and Yahoo reviews; I think they're written by the people who set up the TVs at Best Buy.  I now have to go into Best Buy with a disguise but it's the price you pay.

In case you were wondering, I have the Aperions hooked up as part of the HT with the Sharp LCD (5T's in front with a 5C center, 5B's for surround and a Bravus 10D subwoofer) along with a Yamaha RX-V1800.  The Panny plasma is in the master bedroom; in there I have a Sony X1 2.1 system (don't laugh, it sounds pretty good for TV) which has a built-in DVD that upscales and connects to the Panny via HDMI.  

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Joe
If you can't have fun doing it, it's probably not worth doing.

Thanks Dan, not everyone understands that just because you can afford something, you don't always have to go out and get the best!

I work in a firehall type setting so most of my tv watching and movie watching is done there. I don't even have basic cable at home since they have it a work and I get to watch about 2-3 hours a night When not at work I am either behind a cpu, messing with the dogs, or at the gym working out or running.

I guess I'll  give the 4T system a try!

Brown,

 I think you are making a good decision getting the complete system, that subwoofer makes a bit difference!  This isn't your typical stuff you get at your local Best Buy or circuit city..

Best of luck to you!  And enjoy the whole experience of becoming an Aperion owner! I have a feeling you are really going to enjoy that stuff.