Need a good audio set for an apartment

[Johnny Vinyl]

These are all really good speaker and/or speaker package recommendations, but without an AVR it's pretty pointless.

Here's my suggestion:

Get yourself a 5.1 channel AVR that decodes all of the HD codecs. If it has pre-outs, so much the better, but that'll cost more.

Hook up the JBL's you're buddy gave you and see what it sounds like. Probably won't be terrific (but maybe they are...since we don't have a model #). If you like the sound....excellent.

Be happy with this for now and start the process of deciding what you would like (based on a future budget) for speakers (brands). Once you decide on lets say POLK...figure out the line of Polks you want. For $300-$400 (maybe even less) you could get some fronts and a centre channel...moving the JBL's to the rear.

The point I'm making is this...don't fall into the trap of buying a complete package for $600 +/- ....you may as well buy a HTiB!. Go slow and buy the right stuff for you.

John