The $5000 Audio-centric System

How do you approach the mid-priced system? Well, first of all you start by understand that this system is meant to be a step above the basic approach, allowing for a greater flexibility, higher fidelity and a satisfying audio experience on a budget. One important thing to realize is that, at this price point, competition is fierce and there are a plethora of options. We'll outline one path that you might take to have a very satisfying audio/video component system under a $5k budget restriction.

Originally, we developed a single mid-priced system. This year we finally migrated into two dedicated audio-centric and video-centric systems. This gives those readers who favor the loudspeakers over the display a chance to see what we feel are some excellent bargains in the marketplace.

System Goals

• This system offers the best bang for the medium budget. It will look and, especially, sound great. It will focus on achieving 7.1, and have the ability to expand to extended formats at a later date.
• Whenever possible, universal players are utilized as well as devices meant to have a pretty lengthy shelf life so this system will not go obsolete too quickly.
• This system yields ultimate flexibility and provides all the latest formats: Dolby TrueHD, DTS MA, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital-EX, DTS, DTS-ES, Prologic IIx and have the ability to decode DVD-A or SACD and display high-quality component video.
• This system is assembled with reliable components all offering good warranty policies.

Following is our recommendation for an Audio-centric system around $5000

Equipment & Product Recommendations

AV Receiver: Yamaha RX-A1000

Price: $999.99

The RX-A1000 A/V Receiver supports 3D and Audio Return Channel, with 8 in/2 out HDMI, new GUI, new YPAO, network functions and control via web browser. The RX-A1000 decodes all the latest audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD) natively and offers more than enough audio and video connections, including 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs - all v1.4 with 3D and Audio Return Channel support. The RX-A1000 also includes 4 component video inputs and 1 output), S-video (4 inputs/2 outputs), and composite options for connecting a variety of video sources. All speaker connections are via high-quality 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 Audi
• 7-channel 735W powerful surround sound (105W x 7)
• Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels
• Analog and HDMI video upscaling to full HD 1080p

• HDMI (V.1.4a with 3D and Audio Return Channel) - 8 in/2 out)
• Symmetrical power amplifier layout
• Ability to change HDMI input while in Standby Through mode
• Preout terminals for front, center, surround and surround back, and dual mono subwoofer out
• DLNA V.1.5 certified
• High quality 5-way binding posts
  

Alternates: Harman Kardon AVR 3600 ($999); Marantz SR6005 ($999)

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Speakers: Atlantic Technology System 2400 5.1 System

Price: $2500

Atlantic took their best compact speaker and improved it. Building on the System 2200's attributes - superb sound, small size for easy, unobtrusive placement, mounting flexibility, high-class materials and top-notch build quality, the System 2400 delivers an even more impressive performance than its predecessor. This 5-speaker system includes a pair of Atlantic Technology's 2400 LR Front Speakers, a 2400 C Center Channel, and two 2400 SR Surround Speakers. It also includes Atlantic's 334 SB Subwoofer. All of the speakers and the sub come in Satin black. This will be a surround system worthy of two channel music as well as chest-pounding theatrical use.

Useful Features

• Incredible build quality
• Nicely designed with exemplary aesthetics - high WAF
• Excellent frequency response

2400 LR	2400 C	2400 SR	334 SB
90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	90Hz – 20kHz ±3dB	30Hz – 250Hz ±3 dB
90dB/1W/1m	90dB/1W/1m	90dB/1W/1m	104dB SPL into 2000 cubic Feet
8 ohms	8 ohms	8 ohms	- -
10-140W Rms	10-140W Rms	10-140W Rms	220W RMS
(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (1) 1" low resonance tweeter	(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (1) 1" low resonance tweeter	(2) 4.5" GLH woofer (2) 1" soft dome tweeters	10” Super Heavy Duty long-throw composite cone w/2" voice coil
12.9" x 6.4" x 7"	14.6" x 7.5" x 7"	11.4" x 10.4" x 7.5"	15.25" x 15" x 15.7"
7.5lbs	8lbs	7.5lbs	35 lbs
2-way Sealed	2-way Sealed	Sealed Di-Pole/Bi-Pole	Sealed
$650/pair	$400/ea	$700/pair	$750

Alternates: Klipsch RB-81 5.1 System ($3374)

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Subwoofer (Optional): Velodyne DLS-3750R

Price: $499

When shopping for a ~$500 subwoofer we had to really rack our brains to decide on which one to feature. Velodyne now brings the power and precision of Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to a new series of very affordable, high-performance, remote-controlled subwoofers. This Distortion Limiting System (DLS-R) Series subwoofer has a 10" forward firing driver (8.2" piston diameter) and features four presets on its remote control for movies, rock music, jazz/classical and games, allowing you to select the perfect bass without ever leaving your chair. All the adjustments of these subwoofers can be made using the remote including volume control, night mode, low-pass crossover and phase. The DLS-R Series deliver bass the way it was meant to be heard - loud and deep with incredible impact and lower distortion.

Useful Features

• Woofer size: 10-inches
• Bass extension 30 Hz
  
• Crossover: Continuously variable 30-90 Hz, defeatable, 24 dB/oct
• Phase switch: 0/180°
• Dimensions: 16” H x 15” W x 18.25” D
• Ship-weight: 55 lbs
• Amplifier Power: 100 Watts
• Finish: black

Alternates: Boston Acoustics PV700 ($499)

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TV: Samsung UN46C6500 46" LED LCD

Price: $1,399 w/stand

We've reviewed both the generation 1 Westinghouse displays and found them to be exceptional. Since then, the company has resolved some of the 1080p resolution issues they had in the earlier models and presented a very nice evolution of affordable 1080p LCDs. This display features native 1080p with support for 24p frame rates. An integrated QAM and ATSC tuner means that you'll have no difficulty receiving the best possible HDTV channels - even without a cable box. To top off the features, Westinghouse include two down-firing 10W speakers and 4 (four) HDMI inputs in addition to the pair of component video inputs and available legacy connectivity (composite/S-video/HD15). High definition LCD has never been cheaper.

Useful Features

• 1080p (1920x 1080) LCD display
• 1.2" thin
• LED Backlight
  
• 24p (24Hz) support
  
• 4 x HDMI inputs
  
• 5 gazillion:1 contrast ratio (can you tell how much this number doesn't matter to us?)
  
• Web-connected Samsung Apps
  
• 2 x 10 watt speaker
• 240Hz Clear Motion Rate technology
• 43" x 28.5 " x 10.8 " (with Base)
• 40.3 lbs (with Base)

Alternates: LG 47LE5500 47" LED TV ($1279); Panasonic TC-P54S2 54" Plasma ($1299) 

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Universal DVD Player: Oppo BDP-80

Price: $229

The BDP-80 is a full-featured universal Blu-ray Disc player that supports BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live and BonusView), DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), HDCD, CD and other popular media formats such as AVCHD, MKV video files, digital photos and music. Sharing the same decoder and similarly optimized firmware as OPPO’s award-winning BDP-83, the BDP-80 features fast disc load times, quick response to user operations, and robust audio and video controls. In contrast to the BDP-83, which utilizes an onboard VRS by Anchor Bay video processor, the BDP-80 design has been optimized for use as a digital audio/video transport, emphasizing the accuracy of its digital audio/video outputs. At the same time, the BDP-80 is versatile enough to be used as a stand-alone universal Blu-ray player, thanks to its full array of output connections and audio/video decoding capabilities.

Useful Features

• HDMI 1.3 output with scaling to 1080p
  
• DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD/DVD+-R/RW, HDCD
  
• Digital bass management for SACD and DVD-A formats
  
• Anchor Bay VRS video processing
  
• Analogue 5.1 outputs with basic bass management
  
• Coaxial & optical digital output for Dolby Digital/DTS/PCM

Alternates: Samsung BD-C6500 ($219.99); LG BX580 3D Blu-ray Player ($279)

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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: $5,267 (w/o optional 2nd subwoofer)

Any system recommendation at this price is going to have compromises and this system is no exception. However, with that said, this system will truly outperform its price point by a wide margin. This is a system that will get you set up nicely and leave you content - until the next upgrade! With a little time and effort by using the tools recommended, Avia or Digital Video Essentials, and the Radio Shack SPL meter, you will learn about your system and have a slick home theater that will work just as well for music as it does for movies.

Brand	Model	Description	Street Price
Samsung	UN46C6500	46" LED LCD TV	$1,399
Yamaha	RX-A1000	A/V receiver	$ 999
Atlantic Technology	2400	5.1 speaker system	$2,500
Velodyne (optional)	DLS-3750R	10-inch subwoofer	$ 499
Oppo	BDP-80	Universal DVD Player	$ 229
Various	Various	Interconnects & Cables	$ 140
Total System Price (w/o optional sub):			$5,266

Enjoy the home theater!!!