Can i get a nice sound under $700.00

[ChoosyLobster]

Hey guys can i get a nice sound system under $700.00 dollars. i am in college studying to become a RN so yea but i would like to have a nice sound system atleast with DTS-HD. i was looking around and i saw some polk speakers. can you guys giving some suggestions.

[X-Ninja]

Prepare for a good 50 out of 53 posts telling you to get the Onkyo 605.
Ill make the first one-

Get the Onkyo 605.

[blitz6speed]

Onkyo SP-908

999 MSRP but sells for 700-750 online.

Comes with a Onkyo 605 (hdmi 1.3a) and 8 speakers and a upscaling Onkyo DVD Player (sell it to offset the cost).

[X-Ninja]

Theres two.
Ill shut up now...

[ChoosyLobster]

lol my girlfriend is going to kick my ass LOL. i might get that sounds really good. i am also thinking about upgrading my tv when i get the chance now. i have a 32" full 1080p sharp Aquos. i want to go for a sony. i was thinking about a samsung tv but i heard they are giving to much problems is this correct???

[X-Ninja]

Originally Posted by ChoosyLobster

lol my girlfriend is going to kick my ass LOL. i might get that sounds really good. i am also thinking about upgrading my tv when i get the chance now. i have a 32" full 1080p sharp Aquos. i want to go for a sony. i was thinking about a samsung tv but i heard they are giving to much problems is this correct???

Whaaa? Whats wrong with your Aquos? Every time i see one of those things i druel over it.
Your insane!

Ive got a friend with one of those Samsungs with the circular button in the front... and more buttons on the side. It seems to be a really popular TV, but i personally think that your Aquos looks much cooler. :/
My opinion though obviously.

[surfdude12]

yeah i'd spend the $$ on the onkyo 605 and some speakers first, and if that means $700 + 1000, do it!! i believe sound is 60% of the blu experience

[ChoosyLobster]

Well i want a sony because i want to have the 120 mhz thing that just came out. every time i go to the store and i look at it i fall in love with it!!! but now let me ask you guys, which one do you think is better Sony or a nice 120mhz Sharp Aquos??

[ChoosyLobster]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

yeah i'd spend the $$ on the onkyo 605 and some speakers first, and if that means $700 + 1000, do it!! i believe sound is 60% of the blu experience

and i agree with you sound is everything. when you have a nice sound system you really get into the movie. it has to compensate good tv and good sound. if not you are missing out. to me sound is a really big part of movies.

[ChoosyLobster]

i was just checking out the onkyo receivers and i ran into this what do you think about the price?? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...503&CatId=3418

[Ectoplasm]

You're in the same boat I was in about 8 years ago, and I'll tell you what I did.

Purchase used Paradigm Mini-Monitor speakers on E-bay. You might even get a deal on a used pair of Monitor 7's. I've seen them go for between $175 and $250 per pair plus shipping (about $40 for the Minis). Get either used Minis or used Atoms for the rears. They cost $80 to $120 used. Anything version 1, 2, or 3 is going to match pretty well. If you want to spend more later, get a center channel that matches (that's what I did).

Stay away from Monitor 3's and 9's... larger and slower cone response never excited me.

I eventually added a 12" Paradigm sub (bought that one new) for thundering bass.

I purchased a used Onkyo reciever back then, and these days, I'd probably buy a newer low-end HDMI Onkyo reciever or Yamaha to go with the system.

The Paradigm Mini-monitor speakers are incredible -- oddly, I find I enjoy the older used models better. I purchased mine used in 2000, and they are still running great now. Phenominal for the money, and a huge bargain if purchased used. I just added two older Paradigm Monitor 7s yesterday, and moved the Minis to the rear, where they work very well.

Seriously, don't waste your money on a new albiet low-quality speaker from an electronics store. You're much better off buying a quality used speaker from a company like Paradigm. And don't be put-off by older generations (stay away from SE's though, as that's really old).

Seriously, Mini-monitors put out a stunning level of quality for the money. After hearing them in a full 5.1 system, you'll laugh at people who have the bose cubes.

[tabasc07]

ChoosyLobster the Onkyo TX-SR705 is an amazing piece of machinery. I actually own one of those. There is enough power to run nice speakers at a pretty low distortion. Many other members of avsforum have the PS3 & 705 combo and they seem to love it.

If you look at shoponkyo.com and sign up you can get $10 off your first purchase and they have sales every now and then. However, since the 705 is pretty popular, you will have to check constantly as they update their inventory numerous times a day. I missed my chance at the 705 a few times because as soon as they were in stock, people pounced on the deal and I was SOL. I bought a refurbished one for less than 500 which was a great deal back then.

Mini-monitors as Ectoplasm stated are also pretty nice compared to Blose speakers. Actually scratch that, they demolish the quality of those crappy speakers made by Blose. I built five speakers that are pretty small (10" height x 6.5" width x 9" depth) and was impressed by it. It can dig deeper than any HTiB speaker with authority while still keeping it's clarity. The cost to build these were about $200-$250. However, in your case, may I suggest starting your system by buying the fronts? You could have a nice 3.0 system until you save a little bit more to get two or four more speakers for a 5.0 or 7.0 system.

There are other options if you don't want to go that way, but the sound won't be as good as it really could be. Do you have any size restrictions? Floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers, or satellite speakers? Hahah would your girlfriend kill you if you had some huge obtrusive speakers?

[yellowblanket]

Originally Posted by ChoosyLobster

and i agree with you sound is everything. when you have a nice sound system you really get into the movie. it has to compensate good tv and good sound. if not you are missing out. to me sound is a really big part of movies.

+1

i would just start out slow, buy the thing that you will grow into not grow out of. Speakers can last 10-20 years minimum. So make sure you get what you truly want. Don't buy everything at the same time. you could start out with just 2 channel left and right and work off from there.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by ChoosyLobster

Well i want a sony because i want to have the 120 mhz thing that just came out. every time i go to the store and i look at it i fall in love with it!!! but now let me ask you guys, which one do you think is better Sony or a nice 120mhz Sharp Aquos??

Neither: a decent plasma trumps both (and I have the 32" 1080p Aquos).

[richteer]

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

Whaaa? Whats wrong with your Aquos? Every time i see one of those things i druel over it.
Your insane!

What's wrong with the Aquos? Well, I have one and it is plagued by the same problem as just about every other LCD TV out there. With no picture, the backlight gives off enough light to read by, and black is a nonexistant colour. The closest my Aquos can get is charcoal, which IMHO is not acceptable for a home theatre.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by yellowblanket

+1

i would just start out slow, buy the thing that you will grow into not grow out of. Speakers can last 10-20 years minimum. So make sure you get what you truly want. Don't buy everything at the same time. you could start out with just 2 channel left and right and work off from there.

+1
great advice. just snag an Onkyo HDMI receiver (eg. 605) and a quality pair of front L/R towers (paradigm, whatever), and then as you save up buy the other components (center, sub, surrounds). so many people dive into a mediocre 5.1 system at once and live in audio mediocrity...poor souls

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by richteer

What's wrong with the Aquos? Well, I have one and it is plagued by the same problem as just about every other LCD TV out there. With no picture, the backlight gives off enough light to read by, and black is a nonexistant colour. The closest my Aquos can get is charcoal, which IMHO is not acceptable for a home theatre.

I HATE my Aquos.....


And Why would you upgrade the T.V. and then skimp on the sound?

ChoosyLobster the Onkyo TX-SR705 is an amazing piece of machinery. I actually own one of those. There is enough power to run nice speakers at a pretty low distortion. Many other members of avsforum have the PS3 & 705 combo and they seem to love it.

I won't go too much into it, but this is borderline "Terrible" advice........

"Amazing piece of machinery" .... wow... I got a laugh out of that. You want to piss away $600 on just the receiver and blow your budget, go ahead I guess.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I HATE my Aquos.....


And Why would you upgrade the T.V. and then skimp on the sound?



I won't go too much into it, but this is borderline "Terrible" advice........

"Amazing piece of machinery" .... wow... I got a laugh out of that. You want to piss away $600 on just the receiver and blow your budget, go ahead I guess.

Oh $*!t thats funny

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by richteer

Neither: a decent plasma trumps both (and I have the 32" 1080p Aquos).

That's the gosh darned truth.

Of all the Aquos line though, I find the 32" has the best dark grey levels of the bunch.

[ChoosyLobster]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I HATE my Aquos.....


And Why would you upgrade the T.V. and then skimp on the sound?



I won't go too much into it, but this is borderline "Terrible" advice........

"Amazing piece of machinery" .... wow... I got a laugh out of that. You want to piss away $600 on just the receiver and blow your budget, go ahead I guess.

well bro ill pay 600 for the receiver and then when i get some more money ill get the left. and the right speaker. then ill go for the center channel and so forth. i am not in a hurry. i got all the time in the world. like i said i am only a student in college i am only 21 everything is little by little. only rich people can buy a system at once.