Best Receiver Less Than $400

[Connor]

Its time for me to upgrade my sound system and I was wondering what the general opinion as to what would be the best receiver at or below $400?
Preferably from Amazon.com, as thats where I plan to buy all my speakers.

[Almadacr]

If you really want the and great out there it will cost you more than 400$ .

The Denon-AVR-2311CI will cost you 548.89 another great receiver like the Onkyo-TX-SR608 is also 549.99 but if you go for the best of the best like the Pioneer Elite SC-35 it put up your bill up to 889$ . This are all deals within Amazon.com , take a look at Accessories4less you can find also great deals with Onkyo and Marantz

[Connor]

Well, the problem is I only have up to $400 for a receiver. Plus, it will be in a semi small room. I was hoping for a receiver that supported 3D, all the major Blu Ray HD audio codecs, and no more than 120 watts per channel.
These are the speakers I've chosen, so I need a receiver compatible with them:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cen...2850317&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-...2849056&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Connor

Well, the problem is I only have up to $400 for a receiver. Plus, it will be in a semi small room. I was hoping for a receiver that supported 3D, all the major Blu Ray HD audio codecs, and no more than 120 watts per channel.
These are the speakers I've chosen, so I need a receiver compatible with them:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cen...2850317&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-...2849056&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

don't worry about the speakers wattage rating. more then likely you will never hit those marks when using them, and even if you do, that is the constant wattage rating, it can handle peaks even higher then that.

I agree with Almadacr, you should go to http://www.accessories4less.com and get either an onkyo or marantz thats in the $350-$400 price range with all the options you want.

speakers, let me suggest that you start by just buying the L/R speakers with all the money you have for speakers, that way you can get the best speakers possible. Then add a subwoofer, center and surrounds as the money comes in. buy slowly and get the best you can, try to buy all from one brand, itll sound better that way. Newegg.com has good polk deals and is as reliable as Amazon.

Other brands to look at, Wharfedale, PSB, Energy all make good speakers that should be in your price range as well.

[Connor]

I noticed most of the receivers on http://www.accessories4less.com/ are refurbs... I've had bad luck on refurbs.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Connor

Well, the problem is I only have up to $400 for a receiver. Plus, it will be in a semi small room. I was hoping for a receiver that supported 3D, all the major Blu Ray HD audio codecs, and no more than 120 watts per channel.
These are the speakers I've chosen, so I need a receiver compatible with them:

[Show spoiler] http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cen...2850317&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-...2849056&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

I can see that you are on a budget but the Polk with Sony are a miss match and the polk sub its a no no .

If you are in the US you should take a look the link that i gave you . For the receiver you have the :

Onkyo TX-SR508 for 189.99

or the

Onkyo TX-NR708 at 399.99

or the

Onkyo TX-NR609 for 349$ + free shipping

or the

Marantz SR5004 at 329.99

For speakers you have this :

KEF C1 for L/R at 149$ the pair

and for center the KEF C6c also 149$

For sub you can get this :

BIC - F12 for 169$ at amazon

With this options you will be much happier than matching the sony`s with the Polk center and that BIC sub will put to shame the Polk .

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Connor

THX for the feedback! I am very interested in this receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html
Your opinions?

that will work on your budget and you can save for the speakers and sub . If you buy more than 1 item with them try to talk to them and see if they ship you for free everything

They are refurbs but with full warranty from Onkyo

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

[/SPOILER]

I can see that you are on a budget but the Polk with Sony are a miss match and the polk sub its a no no .

If you are in the US you should take a look the link that i gave you . For the receiver you have the :

Onkyo TX-SR508 for 189.99

or the

Onkyo TX-NR708 at 399.99

or the

Onkyo TX-NR609 for 349$ + free shipping

or the

Marantz SR5004 at 329.99

For speakers you have this :

KEF C1 for L/R at 149$ the pair

and for center the KEF C6c also 149$

For sub you can get this :

BIC - F12 for 169$ at amazon

With this options you will be much happier than matching the sony`s with the Polk center and that BIC sub will put to shame the Polk .

wow... I like your suggestions there...

If I may add to them, Id consider the Onkyo 608 for $279, and then add money to the speakers, the Kef iQ10s or iQ30s would be the start to an awesome setup. Compared to the C series of KEF speakers, the iQs offer a better mid-range and smoother sound. Plus the iQs incorporate the co-axial uni-Q driver, which is a KEF staple.

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by callas01

wow... I like your suggestions there...

If I may add to them, Id consider the Onkyo 608 for $279, and then add money to the speakers, the Kef iQ10s or iQ30s would be the start to an awesome setup. Compared to the C series of KEF speakers, the iQs offer a better mid-range and smoother sound. Plus the iQs incorporate the co-axial uni-Q driver, which is a KEF staple.

They have the Q100 that are a update version of what i have but my kid ruin it , time to get my Axiom QS series

[Connor]

Just out of curiosity, what is wrong with the sub? And thanks for the suggestions, I'll look through them. Also, is it bad to mix-match the speakers or is it possible? Because I don't think I could find each type of speaker by the same brand with the same quality.

[Almadacr]

The Polk PSW-10 is rated 50W and 35hz - 200hz the BIC F12 is rated 475W and can go lower in frequencies as 25hz .

50W versus 475W ... the difference between both is only 70$ i would never looked back .

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Connor

Just out of curiosity, what is wrong with the sub? And thanks for the suggestions, I'll look through them. Also, is it bad to mix-match the speakers or is it possible? Because I don't think I could find each type of speaker by the same brand with the same quality.

Mix-matching speakers means that your Left/right and center speaker should be from same brand and series , regarding surrounds you pretty much can do what you want regarding brands .
For more information on speakers and how do they behave in sound read this sticky .

https://forum.blu-ray.com/speakers/3...ers-101-a.html

[Connor]

OK! THX! This is really helpful as my previous home theater was simply a home theater in a box sooo I've never "constructed" my own setup...

[Connor]

How about this sub: http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-...ata/B000092TT0
OR is it too powerful?

[jsr]

I got my Onkyo HT-RC360 (basically a TX-NR609) for $272 OTD. It's an amazing AVR that supports most any common codec, etc. available. 3D ready, 7.2 capable if you want expandability, and powered B-speakers too. If you can get the TX-NR609 for $350 shipped, that's a great deal too. Just look around and some sales will come around. I had an Onkyo TX-NR509 (also a great AVR) that I got for about $220 and waited till the 360 got on sale and picked that up (and returned the 509). Any of the ones listed so far are great and support most technologies out there.

As far as subs, most here would recommend you stay away from Polk. Not that they suck quality wise, but for the money (or not much more), you get a LOT more performance as Almadacr pointed out with the Bic F12. Between the Polk 10" or 12" and the Bic, DEFINITELY go for the Bic for the slight extra change. Or look at Acoustic Audio subs...they can be had for low prices and have good reviews on here. Not the most aesthetically attractive and not much bracing or other details that add cost, but they perform well. You'll be happy you did.

If you want Polk speakers, I'd recommend newegg. They have great sales on the Monitor Series II series (slightly revamped/newer versions of the standard Monitor series you'll find on Amazon and elsewhere) such that you can have a very nice setup for very little money. Don't restrict yourself to a specific vendor as that limits your choices and sets your prices.

If you give us an idea of your budget for everything else, we can recommend you both brands and vendors to consider. If your room isn't very large, a nice set of bookshelves will allow you to move to a higher model/tier of speakers for improved clarity while costing not much more than lower model/tier of towers as callas suggested with the KEFs (though I still prefer towers for a medium to large room).

[Avond]

I have am entry level Denon that I cannot recommend highly enough. It doesn't have pre-outs but other than that it's perfect for my needs. Their newer models do 3D if I remember correctly. I bought it through Amazon so that gives you another option to consider!

[Connor]

My budget right now is $520... I think I'm going to just buy a good receiver and the L/R speakers along with a subwoofer to at least have the equivalent of a stereo system. Then expand later when I get more money...

[Connor]

AND to be honest, the room isn't even big enough for a 7.1 system and I had a 5.1 system. So I don't really have to spend the most money on a 7.1 system.

[Connor]

I think I've settled on this receiver. The price point and accessories match what I was wanting. Anything bad about this one?!
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC360...2942773&sr=1-1

[Almadacr]

Originally Posted by Connor

I think I've settled on this receiver. The price point and accessories match what I was wanting. Anything bad about this one?!
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC360...2942773&sr=1-1

That will do what you want , at accessories4less is less 24$ , you want to buy from amazon , ask before to Onkyo if the take the warranty , because with other brands they don`t carry warranty like Pioneer .