I am also a newbie that needs help with setup

[Wai]

I just bought a pair of floor speakers from Newegg because it was a great price but I have no idea how to set it up to my TV.
This is what I have:
TV: Panasonic Plasma 50" TCP50-G20
Cable Box
LG Blue Ray DVD Player wifi enabled.
And will be getting a pair of Polk Audio Monitor60 Series II speakers
Also bought some Audio cable (AUD-S610-50 14GA) with pins
I do not have a Receiver
I only plan to have these 2 speakers. I do not plan to buy centre or any additional surround speakers.
Do I need to buy a stereo receiver or can I hook this straight to the TV?
What Harmon Karmon receiver would you recommend for my needs? HK3480?
How do I setup my Blue Ray, Cable Box, TV to use the speakers?
I know this is basic stuff, but I am a total newbie to things like this and need your help.

[tonyb]

To hear your monitor 60's, yes, you need a receiver. The receiver manual will explain how to hook everything up.

[Wai]

Thanks Tony. Do you, or any other member recommending a receiver for my type of setup?

[tonyb]

If you never plan on adding additional speakers, any budget receiver with hdmi inputs will work from Pioneer,Onkyo,HK, and so on. The pioneer 1020, Onkyo 6 series, all are good for budget systems with connections for everything.

Kinda curious though, why no surround sound ? Bluray has those nice HD surround formats, your not interested in that?

[Pycroft]

Are you planning on using the speakers to hear the TV? Technically, you can just get a preamp, plug the speakers in and listen tomusic, and plug the cable box and blu-ray directly to the TV. If you are planning on using the speakers increase the volume of TV/Movie listening, you need a receiver. Then, you would plug the Cable Box, Blu-Ray, and speakers into the receiver. Plug the receiver into the TV, and then you are good to go. Of course, you would follow the manual for whichever receiver you get.

As for what to get, we would need a budget. If you like the HK gear, I have a HK 354 that I bought refurbished on ebay directly from the HK Store and it works and sounds great (For both music and Home theatre). If you wanted a little less expensive, you can get the HK 254 - and it has preout outputs, so if you ever did want to upgrade speakers and wanted to add an external amp to power them, you won't have to change receivers. Also, if you were interested in 3D technology, I'm not in the loop, but I'm assuming you'll have to spend a lot more. Welcome to Club Polk.

James

[tonyb]

How can he use a pre to drive speakers ?

[Pycroft]

A pre and an amp I maent, or of course an integrated. Point is, if the OP doesn't need it for movies (And usually for movies, if you want a receiver it's for 5 or 7 speakers and a weaker amp section), you can get more bang for your buck with a beginner amp and preamp.

James

[tonyb]

Yeah,maybe, but seeing that you can get budget receivers for 250 bucks these days, a pre and an amp would be hard to match that,with all the connections and processing to boot. He's only driving monitor 60's, a couple squirrels in a cage can drive them,he shouldn't be worried about power from a budget receiver, plus it's an easy route that's not too complicated for his needs.

[Wai]

I only plan to use the Speakers for TV/Movie listening experience and currently have no plans to go beyond have the 2 floor speakers. (But who knows, maybe I will get the audio bug and start experimenting).
I can only afford up to $400 or so for the receiver.
My Blue Ray Player, Cable box and TV all have HDMI inputs. I'm guessing that's the easiest/best way to go?

[Pycroft]

The HK 354 would do well - I got mine for 350, but got a bit lucky. The HK254 would do well also. Go to Ebay.com and search for it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK...item2a0cf13867

http://cgi.ebay.com/Harman-Kardon-HK...item2a0cf0b053

There's the 354 and 254, and there are tons more for bidding.

James

[Wai]

After doing a bit of researching based on all the responses I am leaning towards getting a Onkyo TX-SR608.
Can't wait to get this set up now. Thanks guys.

[tonyb]

Isn't their one for sale right here in our FS section,for like 250 ?

[Wai]

Where's that?

[polkfarmboy]

Isn't their one for sale right here in our FS section,for like 250 ?

I think thats a 607 tony

$320 608 http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

I would go for the 708 with pre outs for $469 http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

[nguyendot]

The 254 is nice, as long as you don't have HDMI handshake issues. The onscreen menu is probably the best feature.
Wai, what is your budget?

[Wai]

Up to $400 is my budget. When reading about the Onkyo TX-SR608, is it necessary to use 1.4a hdmi cables or regular hdmi cables will do?

[tonyb]

Up to $400 is my budget. When reading about the Onkyo TX-SR608, is it necessary to use 1.4a hdmi cables or regular hdmi cables will do?

only if your interested in 3d stuff.

[polkfarmboy]

Up to $400 is my budget. When reading about the Onkyo TX-SR608, is it necessary to use 1.4a hdmi cables or regular hdmi cables will do?

If you dive into 3D like I will be doing soon you can buy a bdp that has hdmi 1.3 audio and 1.4 video so you dont need it but......

If you buy a 607 or 608 they have no resale value so the 607 will soon be worth nothing because it does not have pre outs to add external amplification

The best investment would be the onkyo 707 with pre outs for $350 because it has more power and pre outs...... not a bad price for a receiver that retailed for nearly $1000 last year http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

[tonyb]

Where's that?

If you scroll down the page, you'll see a section called Flea Market, underneath that is the For Sale section where our own club members sell and buy between ourselves at darn good prices.

[mdaudioguy]

The 254 is nice, as long as you don't have HDMI handshake issues. The onscreen menu is probably the best feature.
Wai, what is your budget?

Sure is! (I've never had HDMI issues, so I don't know about them.)

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

Bid patiently (if you don't get one today, maybe tomorrow, or the next day...)

[TECHNOKID]

Thanks Tony. Do you, or any other member recommending a receiver for my type of setup?

Welcome to Club Polk Wai

A good amp could be an HK 3490 unless you are looking for a full AVR (which is not a must in your specific case case you will be driving only 2 speakers).