Yesterday, Two days ago (damn you Time Warner), I covered the hub of your college life – your desk. While I may have harped on just how much work you’re going to be doing, there’s also plenty of time for fun in college. This edition of Pimp Your Dorm is designed to help you have a little, and to do so in style.
Today we’re focusing on that part of your dorm room that’s sure to get plenty of attention – the entertainment system. When I say system, I mean the part of your room that’s dedicated to producing various forms of visual and aural entertainment. Whether it’s music, movies, or a little gaming you’re after, this guide will have your room set as the center of attention.
TV
This is where entertainment starts. Your TV selection is important, because it can provide you with benefits you might not otherwise see if you went with that cheap all-in-one from Wal-Mart.
I’d highly recommend the Samsung LN26C350. A 26-inch TV isn’t huge, but it’s also not going to break the bank. Frankly, your dorm room is going to be small, so sticking with a smaller TV is probably a good thing. The unit comes with 2 HDMI inputs to take advantage of the 720p resolution, which will also make the smaller image crisp enough that you won’t care about the size. Most of the time this baby will run you a cool $500, but B&H has models listed for just $385.99! Even if you have to pay full price, remember that you want quality. I replaced two TVs in three years at school because I was cheap. Total cost? Almost $450. Pay the money up front and you won’t have the headaches later.
Receiver
You need something to push your audio, right? Right. Again, don’t skimp and try to save the extra $40-50 here. Spend that money now and you won’t have to consider upgrading down the line.
I’d recommend the Onkyo TX-SR507. It’s a 5.1 receiver, which is just about perfect for most dorm rooms. With the right speakers you won’t be taking up too much space and you’ll still get great sound. Dorms are certainly not the optimal place for a home theater, but you can make do. I also like that this receiver runs HDMI audio and video, so there’s no screwing around with a optical ports. More on this later. Amazon has the latest model for $249.
Speakers
Every time someone brings up “reasonable speakers” I point them to the Polk RM6750. It’s a 5.1 system with a full-size woofer (none of that short-throw crap that’s going fart every time you watch the opening sequence from Fellowship of the Ring) and reasonably sized satellites. The woofer has a built in amp, too, so you don’t have to worry about your receiver trying to push too much bass. Pair with that Onkyo you’ll get great sound for movies, music, and any game you might want. $208 from Amazon.
Game System
Speaking of games, it’s time to discuss your system of choice. I realize that for most gamers this is a matter of deeply personal interest. You don’t want me telling you what to do. I won’t. I’ll tell you what I would do and why.
Were I headed back to college I’d be looking at a new 360. The chip is cooler, faster, and supposedly more reliable, and the RRoD is supposedly impossible now. The 360 also sports a larger installed base than the PS3, which gives you more options for getting some quick game time on the hall. There’s nothing like coming back from class on a rainy day to the sounds of Halo booming from three or four rooms. Trust me, it’s what I did for four years. The new 360 comes with HDMI, which is perfect for your setup (and again, no optical ports necessary). Your games will look great and so will the rest of your media.
That’s another great reason to get a 360. It’s really the best for moving content from your computer to your home theater. You can watch your movies, TV shows, and listen to your music with the fidelity of your full system.
For the die-hard PS3 fans, this setup is perfect for you, too. Again, HDMI support, a great sound system, and a TV to make your Killzone games look crisp and vibrant. Either way you go, I’m sure you’ll be happy.
Cabling
I’ll leave you to find your own cabling, with just one caveat – buy cheap HDMI. I know I’ve spent the majority of this guide encouraging you to spend some cash, but in some cases that’s just not necessary. HDMI cables can get ridiculously expensive and it’s usually for no benefit. Rick Broida over at The Cheapskate posted a 3-cable deal for just $10 a while back. By all accounts consumers have been just as happy with their three dollar cables as people who spend $30-40 for a single six-footer.
That should do it for our entertainment edition. Check back tomorrow (internet going to the crapper notwithstanding) for the final edition of Pimp Your Dorm Room: Everything Else. I’ll be covering the little things that will make your college life easier, more enjoyable, and make your dorm more like a home.
Do you ever look back on your first iPod and get a little tear in your eye? Do you lovingly remember the first time you took the original iPod Shuffle to the gym? Yeah, neither do I. I wasn’t all that taken with the iPod until the third generation to be honest. But for the early adopters out there, Apple has a special treat.
