Help: Speakers

[Blindpilot]

I am trying to start building a decent surround sound system. Currently, I can only afford to buy the 2 front and center speakers. The bass and rear speakers will have to wait.

Will this be a good way to start or do I just save up and buy the whole set-up at a later date (could be a few months)?

With just the front and center speakers, would the sound be noticeable better than what's currently coming out of my tv (46" Samsung LCD)?

Thanks.

[crackinhedz]

yes, getting fronts and center would be ok for now. Just make sure they are same brand and series.

It would definitely sound better than the TV speakers.

[Skulltap]

Spend the money on quality speakers, even if you get something considered entry level for high end. In the long run, you will be much happier with your system when it is complete. The speaker setup in my signature is considered entry level, and it is very nice for me for the money, and I love it. Spend the money on your center and left/right pair. Get your sub, then last, but not least, get your surrounds. Try your best to audition what you are going to buy. I love my setup, but it is easy for me to recommend them, because I own them and like them alot.

Companies to investigate and audition IMHO:

Axiom, Klipsch, Definitive Technology for your center/LR/surrounds
SVS for your sub (I am dead set on SVS... I have their most entry level of subs, and it shakes things off of my wall)

Good luck on your audio quest. Invest the money now, and you'll spend less overall than if you get something cheap and then have to upgrade everything.

[ArkGuy]

Here's another vote for taking the money you would have spent on a so-so sub and rears and plowing all of it instead into a good set for across the front. And don't be afraid of scouring Craigslist, ebay, or local pawn shops, classifieds, etc. I found a guy whose new wife didn't care much for his Montior Audio towers and matching center and I got a bargain.

And yes, even modest external speakers and a center will yield better audio than the speakers included with almost any hiher end TV. Enjoy the hunt.

[Beta Man]

What's the budget? If you have to get L/R and no center right now.... it'd be worth it.... ANY place you skimp now, will be regretted later down the road!

[mustang-gt-2002]

what are you going to power them with. I'm big on YAMAHA so I have Performance Series ns-777 got them on the net. get them for up front thay need 100W RMS/250W MAX at 6 OHMS but my YAMAHA rx-v663 is running them at 8 OHM output and doing great. with a older YAMAHA center but going to get a new ns-c444 YAMAHA soon. the two 777's I got for $200.00 each and the c444 you can get for arownd $90.00 and if you want some day the ns-333 for arownd $120.00 a pair are great for surround speakers. if they are in your price you should look at my pics. good luck

[Intamin]

I'll throw in my two cents, as I'm in/was in a similar situation. Being young and new to the surround sound deal, I got what I feel to be a fairly nice receiver, and then I just got a generic 5.1 set up from Best Buy, knowing I'd get towers and a center to do 7.1. Anyways, got my towers and center, read a lot more on the audio bit (as I was/am now hooked), and decided that I'd be upgrading all of the junk I had just purchased, and knew I wouldn't be satisfied. Long story short, I took the 5.1 back to Best Buy, and am now doing it a piece at a time. It's much more satisfying this way I feel, as it's more my own, instead of just hastily putting something together and calling it surround. By no means am I trying to put down the basic 5.1 set ups, but I think you'll be more satisfied, as will anyone, if they just do it as they go. And Beta couldn't be more accurate, as that's exactly how I was feeling when I knew I had skimped (in my mind).