Suggestions for a home theater?

[KamiAmaya]

Ok so I've never owned a surround system. I used to have a Sony stereo hooked up, which was very nice sounding, but I got rid of that when I got my new tv.

The main reason I"ve never bothered with a surround system is because I'm a night owl. I usually don't wake up until 4-5pm or later some days. And I'm in the attic, above both my brothers bedroom and my parents (yes...I still live at home... ) so when I watch movies/tv or play video games I always use headphones so I don't wake anyone up. (I'm probably missing out listening to BDs with headphones right?)

But recently I've been thinking about getting a surround for when I am up at a decent hour and when I have friends visiting and watching movies.

So I'm looking for suggestions, probably a 7.1, headphone jack is mandatory.

And Bose is bad right? Always wanted a pair of their computer speakers but I'll look for something else.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

Ok so I've never owned a surround system. I used to have a Sony stereo hooked up, which was very nice sounding, but I got rid of that when I got my new tv.

The main reason I"ve never bothered with a surround system is because I'm a night owl. I usually don't wake up until 4-5pm or later some days. And I'm in the attic, above both my brothers bedroom and my parents (yes...I still live at home... ) so when I watch movies/tv or play video games I always use headphones so I don't wake anyone up. (I'm probably missing out listening to BDs with headphones right?)

But recently I've been thinking about getting a surround for when I am up at a decent hour and when I have friends visiting and watching movies.

So I'm looking for suggestions, probably a 7.1, headphone jack is mandatory.

And Bose is bad right? Always wanted a pair of their computer speakers but I'll look for something else.

Budget?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Budget?

A veeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy important detail.

[KamiAmaya]

No more then $700 I'd say or else I would have to save up for two or more months

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by KamiAmaya

No more then $700 I'd say or else I would have to save up for two or more months

Yuck! Save up! I'd try and get at least $1500 if you want to make it worth your time, money, and effort.

Start by looking at Onkyo receivers (the 605 or 705 models should be plenty for you).

[Dagger]

Is that $700 for everything, receiver + speakers?

Frankly, a decent HT receiver starts just around that price. My suggestion, save up for two to three more months and get the best pair of fronts you can afford. Then save up for a receiver, receivers with HDMI, DTS-MA are getting more commonplace and cheaper and should continue in that trend.

IMO, in the long run you'll be much happier with your set-up.

[SkillzthatKillz]

idk guys, he isnt trying to blow everyone else in the house away...he just wants a decent set up. if i were you, id make sure youre gonna use it enough to justify purchasing a good set up. but trust me, dont get cheap audio equipment

[Colglizity]

C'mon, you don't need to spend 1500 on a pretty respectable setup... Look at either the Onkyo 605, 606, 705 or Yamaha 663, sometimes you can find them for less than $400, and then buy this Polk 5.1 system and add two more speakers for 7.1 if you want it, but it's not crucial.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cha...9129974&sr=8-2

[Iceman_85]

Originally Posted by Colglizity

C'mon, you don't need to spend 1500 on a pretty respectable setup... Look at either the Onkyo 605, 606, 705 or Yamaha 663, sometimes you can find them for less than $400, and then buy this Polk 5.1 system and add two more speakers for 7.1 if you want it, but it's not crucial.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cha...9129974&sr=8-2

I agree with you, Colglizity. You in no way need to spend 1500 on a surround sound to be happy with it. Its going in an attic bedroom, not a hoytes theater. i would say go with the yamaha rx-v663( ive been very impressed by it), and a set of either polk(rm75) or even the klipch quintets sounds nice, though the polks for my money would sound better.

[Driver_King]

For about $700, you can get the Onkyo 605, the Polk 5.1 system, the Polk Monitor 50's, and Polk CS1 center speaker. That gives you 7.1 for about $700. Don't forget to get your cables at Monoprice!

P.S. The links are below in my sig.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Dagger

Is that $700 for everything, receiver + speakers?

Frankly, a decent HT receiver starts just around that price. My suggestion, save up for two to three more months and get the best pair of fronts you can afford. Then save up for a receiver, receivers with HDMI, DTS-MA are getting more commonplace and cheaper and should continue in that trend.

IMO, in the long run you'll be much happier with your set-up.

I disagree, "decent" is obviously subjective. I think DK's offerings are really good. I kind of wish he'd been around suggesting those polks back when I was looking- I went with the cheaper Polk RM6750 which are a great deal for the price, but they aren't as "good".

[Xerios]

Suggestion.. save up, re post when money is greater

or buy a soundbar

[mustang-gt-2002]

start with a YAMAHA RX-V663 and YAMAHA speakers and go from there with the components.

[Riff Magnum]

Don't be afraid to get your speakers used either. I would steer away from used receivers, but most audiophiles take good care of their speakers and are always upgrading to "better" ones.