Newbie here, need help with choosing Audio!

Hey, I've decided to go with a Panasonic Plasma tv (probably the p46S1 or p46G15) and need a receiver/speakers for it. Will primarily be using it for gaming and am looking for a 2.1 setup. I will not be blasting the speakers to concert levels because I live in an apartment building, but may turn them up a fair amount when I hold a Rock Band party or something. Want the most bang for my buck possible. I live in Canada so everything is significantly more expensive (the P46S1 is about 12/1300 in the states, 1700 here) because this country has idiotic laws on selling electronics.

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Anyhow, it's all relative. The guy at futureshop recommended a Bose system that costs about 7 or 800 dollars (again, CAD) for speakers/sub/receiver but I know that a lot of audiophiles say Bose is overpriced. The nice thing about TV speakers is they don't have to be overly large so I don't mind ordering online. Anyhow, what have YOU found to be the most bang for your buck when purchasing Audio for your home theater system?

Again, please don't recommend 5.1, I have enough research and experience behind me to know that two great stereo speakers are more than worth their weight than 5 mediocre surround sound speakers. Would prefer the receiver has capabilities for 5.1 so I can add in the future, but if this significantly increases the price of a receiver I will be just fine with a 2.1 receiver. Thanks in advance!

This would rock your world, blow the doors of anything Bose sells and you can just set it up as a 3.1 system. The reason I say 3.1 is for the lower end and the center channel is absolutely crucial for any multichannel audio you would play from TV, cable, sat. and movies.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS7100/Onkyo/Ht-s7100-7.1-channel-Receiver/-Speaker-Package-Black/1.html

You will be amazed at the sound of this...

Thanks! Unfortunately I live in Canada and that does not ship outside the US. Other websites are selling it in Canada for an eyerolling 900 dollars (including speakers). Currently considering the Onkyo Ht-rc160 as it's the only one I can find that is a decent price and ships outside the US on that website. I also found a buttload of 5.1 Polk speakers at a secondhand store here in Toronto for about 250 bucks..... I wonder what the other canucks here do?

I have, and LOVE polk audio speakers. I've had a number of different models, and have heard most. Let me know if you need any help figuring otu what would be best. What models were available to you?

Pycroft

Here's what's listed in the ad for the Polk speakers

Includes: 4 Satellite Speakers (RM1300), Center Speaker (RM1600S) and Subwoofer(PSW350)

$250 bones for a 5.1 speaker setup is pennies...... Apparently experience has given me a nice kick in the pants :error

Those speakers are a basic polk setup - For 250, it can't be bad - especially if they are in good shape. Depending on what your plans are for them, you may want to be patient and hold out for something a bit heftier. Some of the polks that are good for a beginner system - The monitor series (Has both floor standing and bookshelf speakers), the TSi series which basically took over for the Monitor series. If you have more money, look at the RTi series, or some vintage polks used (Older monitor 10's, RTA's, etc.). If you have a big budget, you can't go wrong with the LSi series or some vintage SDA's (HOT STUFF).

Pycroft

well, 250 for those (listed in the ad as "excellent condition) plus about 500 for a good Onkyo receiver puts me at about 750. I may just pull the trigger on the Onkyo 7100, or at least the 6100 (for $850 in this lovely country). Although with some research I could probably find it for a bit cheaper, though still a royal ripoff compared to you lovely chaps in the south. The tomes I have come across since beginning my journey for a bang/buck system has really opened my eyes.

Luckily, I managed to find a BNIB tv for $850 on kijiji, a Vizio Model VW42LFHDTV, which significantly lowers my costs (and thereby ups what I can put towards a receiver/speakers). Either that or a Panasonic P42S1 for 1100, probably plus tax and warranty. I know, I know "GET THE PANNY", but I'm really not a huge corksniffer when it comes to this stuff. I'm a musician so I'm actually more into the sound than the picture.......

Thanks for the advice, your knowledge sharing has definitely belted me further along on my search!

*edit* hmmmm, the S6200 is $779 with free shipping..... I think I've found my receiver
*edit 2* andddddddddd pulled the trigger :D

well, 250 for those (listed in the ad as "excellent condition) plus about 500 for a good Onkyo receiver puts me at about 750. I may just pull the trigger on the Onkyo 7100, or at least the 6100 (for $850 in this lovely country). Although with some research I could probably find it for a bit cheaper, though still a royal ripoff compared to you lovely chaps in the south. The tomes I have come across since beginning my journey for a bang/buck system has really opened my eyes.

Luckily, I managed to find a BNIB tv for $850 on kijiji, a Vizio Model VW42LFHDTV, which significantly lowers my costs (and thereby ups what I can put towards a receiver/speakers). Either that or a Panasonic P42S1 for 1100, probably plus tax and warranty. I know, I know "GET THE PANNY", but I'm really not a huge corksniffer when it comes to this stuff. I'm a musician so I'm actually more into the sound than the picture.......

Thanks for the advice, your knowledge sharing has definitely belted me further along on my search!

*edit* hmmmm, the S6200 is $779 with free shipping..... I think I've found my receiver
*edit 2* andddddddddd pulled the trigger :D

Glad you made the choice. Now just wait until you get it all hooked up and be prepared to be dazzled...