Starter HT plans... critiques?

[skygreenleopard]

Hey guys,

After years of using a 2.1 PC speaker system on my TVs by plugging them into a headphone port (actually works quite well sound-wise, these old Altec Lansings just won't give up!), I'm thinking of starting a quality budget HT.

Fry's has some Polk R50s for $60 right now - I've confirmed my store has them in stock. I'm considering pairing them with an Onkyo 605 I'll buy used. I've got a PS3 and a Samsung LN40A550 40" LCD to hook up.

I'm thinking of starting with just the Polks and the receiver for now, then adding a center and sub next. My questions are:

• 1) Is this a good basis for a first-time system, or will I want to get rid of those R50s before adding a center and sub?
• 2) If the speakers are passable with a center or sub, what do you all recommend as some I might want to keep for a couple of years? The Polk CS's look like keepers, and feel free to throw out any anecdotal experiences with subs you may have had.
• 3) When I (eventually add surrounds), would it be advisable to move the R50s back and upgrade at the front, keep the R50s and buy a new pair (maybe more R50s, or some bookshelves, or something else), or would the R50s be best sold and upgrade all 4 L/R speakers at once?

Thanks for any help, guys. Even if you don't have any direct advice, any experiences relating to a starter setup are welcome.

[rayray8]

you should start off by buying the best 2 front speakers you can afford, then when you get more money buy each piece one at a time. dont just take, for example, $500 and buy all of your speakers right now because you will not be happy over the long haul. and dont just buy polks, or any other speaker brand for that matter, just because somebody else has them. get out and listen to as many differnet speakers as you can before deciding.

[skygreenleopard]

Yeah, I definitely need to demo some speakers. The Onkyo 605 looks pretty powerful, so it might be worth it to try for some better speakers that it can still push well. Might as well considering I'll be buying a pretty decent receiver, might as well match it to some good speakers.

[Codyblaze]

second rayray8, buy the best speakers you can afford. Don't base it upon what you read when picking them as much as what you hear. Polk makes some good speakers, I considered them, but I prefer my Klipsch. Some folks hate Klipsch, but it's what I like. Everyone has their own preference here, and speakers are one of the longest lasting pieces of your home theater.