[Russ Parsons]

This is kind of the anti-connoisseur's question. I've got a 37-inch Sharp LCD TV that has a really great picture. But the speakers just aren't loud enough on some channels to understand all the dialogue. I'd like to get a simple amp/speaker combination that would be easy to add, that wouldn't clutter up the room (it's also my living room), and that won't necessarily provide CD-quality and theater-quality sound. I'm not interested in feeling explosions through my feet. Heck, I just watch Conchords and Top Chef most of the time anymore anyway. Any advice?

[mongo_jones]

if boston acoustics has a home theater in a box setup i'd go for that. hardcore audiophiles may scoff at boston acoustics, but they have a wonderful warm sound. i have speakers from their vr line in the front and center, and smaller bookshelves from their cr line for the surrounds. and a mighty mite subwoofer that was recommended by audiophiles over on avsforums--which is really the place to ask this question. i have the denon avr-3300 receiver. i like my setup--then again i can't afford a lot better (not that this was cheap).

[mcj]

This is kind of the anti-connoisseur's question. I've got a 37-inch Sharp LCD TV that has a really great picture. But the speakers just aren't loud enough on some channels to understand all the dialogue. I'd like to get a simple amp/speaker combination that would be easy to add, that wouldn't clutter up the room (it's also my living room), and that won't necessarily provide CD-quality and theater-quality sound. I'm not interested in feeling explosions through my feet. Heck, I just watch Conchords and Top Chef most of the time anymore anyway. Any advice?

If I understand this correctly, you're not interested in surround sound or anything close to it, just an amp and a good pair of speakers.

If that's the case, then most any amp will do just fine since practically everything is "CD quality".

The main thing then is to find a pair of speakers that you'd be comfortable with – not only in sound, but in physical size. Try to match the wattage of the speakers & amp as closely as possible (they don't have to be exact), but do match the impedance (4 ohms, 8 ohms, 16 ohms, whatever).

If there are several speakers that you're interested in, hopefully in the same store, have a rep test drive them for you. Preferably using the amp of your choice. It's the best way to narrow down your choices to those that are the most agreeable to your ears... and make sure that the demo sounds are something you're familiar with, so that there's an even playing field.

Another thing to consider, regarding speaker selection, is how/where they'll be mounted: wall brackets, speaker stands, on shelves? This actually affects the sound quality and if your intended setup is quite different from the in-store demo, you'll have a different sound (that's not even counting the room acoustics). Usually this just affects the bass response.

I know this all sounds contrary to your statement about not needing theatre quality, etc., but it isn't. You want something decent sounding to hear the stuff you're missing now. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive and if you find a receiver better or cheaper than a dedicated amp, then go for it, there's nothing lost even if you don't use the other features. (A receiver also has a built-in pre-amp; a straight amp might require one to get sufficient signal strength over background noise. Check the output specs of the TV to be sure.)

[mongo_jones]

if boston acoustics has a home theater in a box setup i'd go for that. hardcore audiophiles may scoff at boston acoustics, but they have a wonderful warm sound. i have speakers from their vr line in the front and center, and smaller bookshelves from their cr line for the surrounds. and a mighty mite subwoofer that was recommended by audiophiles over on avsforums--which is really the place to ask this question. i have the denon avr-3300 receiver. i like my setup--then again i can't afford a lot better (not that this was cheap).

the boston acoustics home theater in a box (htib) is kinda pricey. denon makes a htib as well, and it has received good reviews. there's a version without the dvd player (assuming you already have a progressive scan player) that sells for $100 less. my denon receiver has been solid for going on 8 years now--i'd buy denon again in a heartbeat (in fact i just picked up a second amp for my office from craigslist). if you don't have a progressive scan dvd player i'd suggest getting the cheaper htib and getting a good, affordable dvd player. my denon dvd player had a very fussy laser, and i ended up getting a sony player that works just fine.

[rockdoggydog]

I second the Denon receiver, mine is just rock solid, and it can rock my world if I ask it to.

Rocky

[hollywood]

Costco has some kind of setup for around $130. Don't know about the quality.

[GordonCooks]

The cost of an excellent Home Theater receiver and speaker package will be less than comparable components and a receiver. Lots of specials at Best Buy or other such places. Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo make great receivers at cheap prices. Speaker sets by Boston Acoustic, Polk, Acoustic Research, JBL, Klipsch, etc are solid products and good prices. Personally speaking, I've never been a fan of Bose - I think it's overpriced but that's just one opinion.