Help me get a cheap set of 5.1 speakers

[Phatferd]

Now that I have got help about my PS3 and it's audio capabilities and limits I now call upon you to help me with the rest of my setup.

Like I mentioned in my previous thread, I am getting married in a year so I am on a very strict budget. The fiance has given me the ok to spend about $500-600 on our setup. I know for you audiophiles that is a "cheap" setup, but it is what it is .

I am going to get the onkyo605, so that is about $400 of my budget. What is the best combination of speakers or a speaker system (without the reciever) to get for about $200?

[Kruzifixxion]

Dude, don't marry!

[ruvic]

Your onkyo receiver is going to be worthless without a good set of speakers.. why not just build them slowly than buying those cheap speaker set. You can start with a good 2-front speakers then a sub woofer.. then the rest later on.

You need to spend more on speakers than the receiver and please try to avoid those HTiB systems if you can.

You can get these set of speakers for $599 or $225 a pair

Then later ... a good sub for $429

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Now that I have got help about my PS3 and it's audio capabilities and limits I now call upon you to help me with the rest of my setup.

Like I mentioned in my previous thread, I am getting married in a year so I am on a very strict budget. The fiance has given me the ok to spend about $500-600 on our setup. I know for you audiophiles that is a "cheap" setup, but it is what it is .

I am going to get the onkyo605, so that is about $400 of my budget. What is the best combination of speakers or a speaker system (without the reciever) to get for about $200?

[Rike255]

Lol. If I were you I wouldn't skimp on the speakers. Maybe you can get your fiancee to up that by a couple hundred dollars and you can get a pretty decent pair of fronts for $400. If $200 is non-negotiable and you want speakers now, then I'd look for a pair of $200 fronts.

Consider that and if you still want 5.1 Onkyo has a Home theater setup (which includes the 605 here:
http://onkyo.ca/model.cfm?m=HT-SP908&class=Systems&p=i

You MAY be able to find it for $600 (especially used). There are some systems selling on amazon for $700 new. Remember that includes the receiver you want.

[Beta Man]

Not even married yet, and she's giving you ultimatums...... that's a tough spot to be in, but I'd suggest striking up some sort of arrangement with her, and explain that you will spend more in the long run if you don't buy quality the first time.....

[Phatferd]

It's not an ultimatum. We have a wedding we have budgeted for and it's really expensive. She just doesn't see the point in spending $1000 on audio equipment when we have to worry about our wedding costs. She thinks it could wait, which really it could, but I am a nerd and want to watch Black Hawk Down, Shoot 'Em Up, Casino Royale, Across the Universe, etc... with surround sound!

I was thinking I can just get the cheap speakers for a year, then after the wedding and we settle down for a few months and the wedding shit is paid off, then I would just go spend some cash on the speakers I want.

I was looking at these options:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU78Z4/ref=s9_asin_image_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s= center-3&pf_rd_r=1Z6WYZYYT2G07JEPG1F5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p =320448801&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B0002WTK4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1203108865&sr=1-1

Or something like this (building as I go along):
Center Speaker - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Fronts - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

or these - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If I do build it slowly, when should I get the sub? I assume the the front 3 speakers I need to get at the beginning.

[NewBluClu]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

It's not an ultimatum. We have a wedding we have budgeted for and it's really expensive. She just doesn't see the point in spending $1000 on audio equipment when we have to worry about our wedding costs. She thinks it could wait, which really it could, but I am a nerd and want to watch Black Hawk Down, Shoot 'Em Up, Casino Royale, Across the Universe, etc... with surround sound!

I was thinking I can just get the cheap speakers for a year, then after the wedding and we settle down for a few months and the wedding shit is paid off, then I would just go spend some cash on the speakers I want.

I was looking at these options:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU78Z4/ref=s9_asin_image_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s= center-3&pf_rd_r=1Z6WYZYYT2G07JEPG1F5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p =320448801&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B0002WTK4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1203108865&sr=1-1

Or something like this (building as I go along):
Center Speaker - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG


Fronts - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

or these - http://shop3.outpost.com/product/496...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

If I do build it slowly, when should I get the sub? I assume the the front 3 speakers I need to get at the beginning.

I just got the 605 and polks that you mentioned. You can get silver set for $200 (fry's i think still has'em). you can't go wrong, especially on budget.

[Phatferd]

Do you mean these?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/418...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I'm really thinking of doing this, so I can enjoy surround sound for the next year or two. Otherwise I will be stuck listening to 3.0 for the next year, because we just don't have the budget for it. I just got my 1080 LCD and PS3, I just can't rationalize spending another $1k+ right now. I would love to get killer speakers, but for the time being, it's not going to happen.

So you think these Polk speakers are a good bang for the buck?

[NewBluClu]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Do you mean these?

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/418...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I'm really thinking of doing this, so I can enjoy surround sound for the next year or two. Otherwise I will be stuck listening to 3.0 for the next year, because we just don't have the budget for it. I just got my 1080 LCD and PS3, I just can't rationalize spending another $1k+ right now. I would love to get killer speakers, but for the time being, it's not going to happen.

So you think these Polk speakers are a good bang for the buck?

Absolutely! I didn’t even get a chance to blast the volume all the way up yet. These aren’t “temporary” speakers either. I know I’m not replacing mine for quite some time and when I get a bigger place, I’ll just add 2 speakers for full 7.1 The bottom line is that if you are not an audiophile (and I know you aren’t cause you would not ask the question), rm6750's are great speakers. You can also look into Harman Kardon HKTS 15 but polk got better reviews and they cost little less too.

[richterbon23]

what do you think is better the klipsch quintet II or the polk rm6750

[Aaron]

Or...
You could get a Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) which is perfectly ok.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1170289779180

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1170290375713

[aod38]

DON'T get an HTiB!!!! Unless it's the onkyo 605 7.1 package you'll be disappointed. ESPECIALLY that LG system. HORRIBLE!!!!!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Now that I have got help about my PS3 and it's audio capabilities and limits I now call upon you to help me with the rest of my setup.

Like I mentioned in my previous thread, I am getting married in a year so I am on a very strict budget. The fiance has given me the ok to spend about $500-600 on our setup. I know for you audiophiles that is a "cheap" setup, but it is what it is .
I am going to get the onkyo605, so that is about $400 of my budget. What is the best combination of speakers or a speaker system (without the reciever) to get for about $200?

Go to Ebay and look for a miracle - they do come along every now and then.

[prerich]

[QUOTE=Aaron;615350]Or...
You could get a Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) which is perfectly ok.


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1170289779180

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1170290375713[/QUOTE
HTIB? This is not ok for BD play. If he put out the cabbage for a PS3 and 400.00 on a receiver - he at least deserves 800.00 speakers (but he doesn't have the funds). First rule in building a sound system - 1/2 of your budget should go to speakers. Seeing he only has 200.00 left, I'm advising that he takes his chances on Ebay to score some decent speakers on the cheap. He should look in the systems area and go with decent brands. I know he's not in the Martin Logan leauge but he may be able to score a Polk sub/sat system at that price, or a Boston Acoustics system. But never a HTIB speaker system - speakers are the only component in a system that you actually listen to.

[blujacket]

Sorry, but if your financier is controlling your spending now, just wait till you say I do. No more upgrades.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Now that I have got help about my PS3 and it's audio capabilities and limits I now call upon you to help me with the rest of my setup.

Like I mentioned in my previous thread, I am getting married in a year so I am on a very strict budget. The fiance has given me the ok to spend about $500-600 on our setup. I know for you audiophiles that is a "cheap" setup, but it is what it is .

I am going to get the onkyo605, so that is about $400 of my budget. What is the best combination of speakers or a speaker system (without the reciever) to get for about $200?

I've found something decent for you. If you can add 50.00 you can have an Athena Micra system with an ACT Energy Sub woofer price is 249.98 (originally 700.00)http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATMIACT. Second option at 99.99 and free shipping is the Gale HT405.1 system. Gale speakers are of British design http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...er=GAHT405%2E1. They have that "British" sound and are well known in the UK. For the price I would recommend them (they are originally 550.00) and where would you get either of these bargins - from a quality AV place - not BB, or CC, you would be buying from Audio Advisor - seller of quality upscale audio for years (I do not work there at all). I would look very quickly if I were you . I bought my first optical cable from Audio Advisor 13 years ago. I can vouch that they are a great store with great products.

[Phatferd]

Would you recommend the Gale's over these?
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/418...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Phatferd

Would you recommend the Gale's over these?
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/418...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Different sound. The Polks have a darker sound, but that may be a quality you like. Gale's sound like Tannoy or Mission. The Polks at 199.99 are a great buy also. You can't go wrong with either but on the support side - Gale is located in England. My Snells that I have in storage are one of the last speakers designed by Peter Snell himself. My tweeters got fried in a freak storm. My replacem tweeters are made only by Audio Note in England (200.00 per tweeter). Get my point - Polk is right here in the US. It's up to you now - I would recommend either speaker myself.

[moviefan]

Originally Posted by aod38

DON'T get an HTiB!!!! Unless it's the onkyo 605 7.1 package you'll be disappointed. ESPECIALLY that LG system. HORRIBLE!!!!!

I agree!
Two good choices you can live with foe a few years (so you can buy the Blu-ray player sooner!):
1. Boston Acoustics MCS 100 (Amazon.com $359). Good center channel, 4 satellites, and a 10" sub w/cable.

2. Best Buy has been running the Klipsch Quintet III (successor to the II) for $299 (reg. 499) and the matching 10" sub for $249 (reg. $499)

I put the BAs in a system for my daughter and they are very pleased with them. I had the Quintet II in my first system and use the III surrounds as my rear speakers now. I still have my Klipsch 12" sub from the original system.

ONE CAUTION! Be sure any receiver you buy will switch HDMI video and audio! This will future-proof your system for at least a few years. The new Sony DG 810 (6.1) and DG 910 (7.1) have 3 HDMI in and i out. We used the 810 in my daughter's system with the BA speakers.

[Schrute Farms]

I've never understood why women are allowed to spend whatever they want on a stupid wedding (which you can't even remember in a few months), but someone like you has to skimp on AV equipment (which you will use EVERYDAY). I can remember very little about my wedding 9 years ago, but I can tell you every detail of every home theater set-up I've had in the last 9 years. I enjoy my AV equipment every day, but in 9 years, my wife and I have NEVER watched our wedding video.

My opinion is: Your home theater budget should be AT LEAST half of your wedding cost. The bride gets a Diamond ring and a wedding, you should get a similar gift! Good luck