looking for the best setup around $800

[jaywhy3]

a buddy of mine told me about this site and ive been reading tons of threads about setting up a quality home theatre. im on a budget of about $800 and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good receiver and set of speakers. ive had 2 htib and this would be my first attempt to build my own. ive read a lot of good things about the onkyo's and yamaha's but i didnt know which would be best. i know its all a matter of opinion but i really know nothing about this stuff. i would like something with at least 3 hdmi inputs. i have a ps3 for my bluray player and i game alot on my 360. so any help would be much appreciated!!!

[crackinhedz]

so a receiver and a 5.1 speaker setup?

[jaywhy3]

yeah, i saw alot of the onkyo receivers were 7.1 but all i really need is a 5.1 if that even matters

[crackinhedz]

Onkyo TX-SR606

Sony SSF-7000 (pair)

Sony SS-CR3000 Center and Rear Channel Speaker

Polk Audio PSW10 Subwoofer


---------------------

5.1 ~ $825 shipped

[crackinhedz]

for HDMI cables and speaker wire, go to monoprice.com

[jaywhy3]

thanks alot for your help!!! i was wondering about those polk 5.1's does it matter that the speakers are different name brands? sorry if i sound like an idiot. and does it sound alot better than a htib?

[s0nIc]

Originally Posted by jaywhy3

thanks alot for your help!!! i was wondering about those polk 5.1's does it matter that the speakers are different name brands? sorry if i sound like an idiot. and does it sound alot better than a htib?

As long as the front 3 speakers righ left and center match is really important.If i were you I would go with a 7.1 so you dont have to upgrade later,The new pioneer recievers are coming out soon.Ya it well sound a lot better rember a bad ass 2.1 system well always beat out a mediocre 5.1 htib.I would focus on a reciever and 2 front speakers with a sub whats your budget?http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-50004956.html

[jaywhy3]

right now my budget is around $800 give or take a little

[crackinhedz]

Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2)

Polk Audio CS10 Black Center Speaker Single

...hurry before they run out, great deal!

[jaywhy3]

so i should get those instead of the sony's?

[bluseminole]

It all depends. The polk's are much higher quality, but you'll be sacrificing surround sound for the time being. If you follow the path of the Sony's, you'll get the instant gratification of surround, but also get the upgrade bug much sooner. If you are able to take your time and build your system bit by bit, you will end up with a vastly superior setup. I tried the instant gratification, and now that I'm trying to upgrade, I am kicking myself for it.

Options, options.....

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by jaywhy3

so i should get those instead of the sony's?

as bluseminole mentioned...do it right the first time.

I would get the best 3.1 setup you can afford, worry about surround speakers later.


So in essence, find the best receiver, front speakers, center channel and subwoofer.

[bluseminole]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

as bluseminole mentioned...do it right the first time.

I would get the best 3.1 setup you can afford, worry about surround speakers later.


So in essence, find the best receiver, front speakers, center channel and subwoofer.

Even the sub could wait, allowing you to put more $$ towards a pair of full-range towers. If you get decent floorstanders, they will do bass duty adequately until you save up for a sub.

In my experience, cheap subwoofers aren't worth their weight in fiberboard. Don't bother with one until you can afford a serious one.

Just my take; you'll find some who may disagree.

[jaywhy3]

so then what would be the best to start off with? like an example of the best receiver, floor speakers, sub, and surrounds?

[Beta Man]

I'd get a Yamaha 663 for an AVR, and still have room in the budget for a pair of Totem Mites (can be found for $300 or so a pair now) or Totem Dreamcatchers.


The Mite-T Center will probably run about $300 or more by itself, so you can stretch the budget to fit it in now, or wait on it, but my recommendation is for the Yamaha or equivalent, and a good set of of front speakers....

Build.... BUILD......... BUILD!!!

[Jbald87]

I have an extra polk sub I could sell to you really cheap like 50 bucks + shipping, I just got it a few days ago, it's still in the box. I didnt like the sound of the 10 inch sub so I decided to get a 12 inch Kipsh, sounds awsome with clover feild. But yeah I got onkyo 606 and I bought 3 cheap sonys, 2 shelf speakers and a center and now the 2 sonys are my surround, untill my tsi 500's get in.

But in the long run the speakers are easier to replace then other parts of a HT, so get something that will last as a reciever, Also when getting speakers make sure they take bannana plugs they make a world of difference, in set up, and sound.

Just be sure to be ready to have neighboors and police at your door when you enjoy moives just sound to good for low volumes.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Jbald87

But in the long run the speakers are easier to replace then other parts of a HT,:

That may be true with your current setup, but in the long run, the speakers are not very easy to replace at all...... If I still had my 703's, if I decided to upgrade from that point, I'd have to replace the center too to match whatever fronts I chose to go with...... it becomes an expensive proposition.... I can throw a couple grand at a pre-pro or Amp much more easily than upgrading my speakers.


I suggest he get the best pair of speakers he can afford, or L/R/C and hold off on the sub and surrounds.....

[CosmoKid]

The Yamaha 463 is a 5.1 receiver that does audio over HDMI. Does it decode the current codecs? no. But if you are using a PS3, the PS3 decodes them anyway and sends them via PCM to the receiver.

The Yamaha is cheaper than any other mentioned in this thread and allows you more room for your speakers.

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by jaywhy3

a buddy of mine told me about this site and ive been reading tons of threads about setting up a quality home theatre. im on a budget of about $800 and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a good receiver and set of speakers. ive had 2 htib and this would be my first attempt to build my own. ive read a lot of good things about the onkyo's and yamaha's but i didnt know which would be best. i know its all a matter of opinion but i really know nothing about this stuff. i would like something with at least 3 hdmi inputs. i have a ps3 for my bluray player and i game alot on my 360. so any help would be much appreciated!!!

If you have any interest in a front-projection and screen setup, take a look at my post in this forum "Home Cinema for under $1000". I explain how I did a hi-def setup for low cost.

Good luck!

[jaywhy3]

i think im going to up my budget form $800 to around $2000 and just get a good system. any new suggestions?