good low priced surround sound set, any suggestions?

dave600000 · 09-15-2006, 10:48 PM

im going to be buying a new hdtv set sony 50xbr1 and was thinking of getting a set of surround sound speakers to go with it. i know absolutely zero when it comes to whats good and whats bad in audio. my cousin had a set of bose split level speakers and i always thought they were good but i dont know what "good" is. i might be into getting one of those home theaters in a box if you can suggest something. although i dont need a dvd player, it wouldnt hurt me to get a htib that includes 1. basically im looking for the best i can get on a limited budget(im not an audio nut so i probably cant tell the difference between a good and great set of speakers). id definately like to stay under $500 and would even prefer to be in the $2-300 range if there was a decent set for that price. room size is about 11.5 feet by 15.5 feet. any suggestions? thanks!

iserum · 09-15-2006, 11:37 PM

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IYaKiOl...0&I=108TSS450P

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IYaKiOl...0&I=033AVR1506

Bigloww · 09-18-2006, 12:27 PM

Just an option since you mentioned HTIB. I love my Onkyo HT-S790.
I still think it is the best bang for your buck HTIB system out there. And it is on sale for $425. They still had it at CC a couple weeks back, so give it a look and listen.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

bmwcyle · 09-19-2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave600000

im going to be buying a new hdtv set sony 50xbr1 and was thinking of getting a set of surround sound speakers to go with it. i know absolutely zero when it comes to whats good and whats bad in audio. my cousin had a set of bose split level speakers and i always thought they were good but i dont know what "good" is. i might be into getting one of those home theaters in a box if you can suggest something. although i dont need a dvd player, it wouldnt hurt me to get a htib that includes 1. basically im looking for the best i can get on a limited budget(im not an audio nut so i probably cant tell the difference between a good and great set of speakers). id definately like to stay under $500 and would even prefer to be in the $2-300 range if there was a decent set for that price. room size is about 11.5 feet by 15.5 feet. any suggestions? thanks!

Cheap :

http://www.ubid.com

µCOM-4 · 09-26-2006, 05:15 AM

Best quality HTIAB are the Yamahas and Onkyos. I'd stay away from the cheap SONY and Panasonics.

Mark M · 10-02-2006, 01:29 PM

I would take a listen to the JAMO A102 HCS 5 system

http://www.jamo.com/Default.aspx?ID=...roductID=17643

daleb · 10-02-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by µCOM-4

Best quality HTIAB are the Yamahas and Onkyos. I'd stay away from the cheap SONY and Panasonics.

Depends on what model and how much you can spend.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-12698_7...edRating7+desc

I would stay away from all of them and look for names that specialize in quality speakers like Energy, Infinity, Polk, Bostons, etc. if it's in your budget. Then buy a separate receiver and DVD player.

Reviews are helpful but your own ears should make the final decision.

µCOM-4 · 10-03-2006, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleb

Depends on what model and how much you can spend.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-12698_7...edRating7+desc

I would stay away from all of them and look for names that specialize in quality speakers like Energy, Infinity, Polk, Bostons, etc. if it's in your budget. Then buy a separate receiver and DVD player.

Reviews are helpful but your own ears should make the final decision.

If you had read the OP, he said less than $500.

He also needs a receiver for that price unless his TV can magically output 5.1 to the surround sound speakers...LOL.

daleb · 10-03-2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by µCOM-4

If you had read the OP, he said less than $500.

He also needs a receiver for that price unless his TV can magically output 5.1 to the surround sound speakers...LOL.

500 is very limiting. I 'suffered' with used equipment but good sounding audio in the early days. Good sound was the priority.
but then I did not have to spend money on a microdisplay either.
Given a good HD presentation, sound is a good half of the experience.

crfrider · 10-04-2006, 03:03 PM

You must check out these great speakers made by Axiom
Audio. You'll love the sound and the craftsmanship is number one.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/

tanaka · 10-04-2006, 08:04 PM

It always amazes me when I read posts like this.
This is what I see when I read these:

"Hi, I just spent 3k on a new display and I'm looking to spend around 300$ for a new sound system to go with my new tv. You know, one of those ones that come all bundled in a 2' x 3' box."

I realize that not everyone is an audio nut like me but it just strikes me as odd.

I would never say,

"I just spent about 5k on a new audio system and I'm looking for a tv around 400$ to go with it."

I'm not trying to pick on you dave600000. Please don't take it personal.

Better to buy an all in one for 300$ than to buy a bose.
(yes, I took the opportunity to bash bose yet again, I'm so bad I know)

daleb · 10-04-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crfrider

You must check out these great speakers made by Axiom
Audio. You'll love the sound and the craftsmanship is number one.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/

See the title of this thread? That is definitely out of his price range. There are modest systems that provide good audio quality for a lot less money. The Axiom, and others, are something he can aspire to in time.

JohninTenn · 10-04-2006, 09:23 PM

He may have saved his butt off. To you it's a display to him it's a huge investment. We all can't be as well off as you. Not to mention I would bet my $700 system sounds as good as yours in the same size room as I have. Well maybe the sub..

tanaka · 10-05-2006, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohninTenn

He may have saved his butt off. To you it's a display to him it's a huge investment. We all can't be as well off as you. Not to mention I would bet my $700 system sounds as good as yours in the same size room as I have. Well maybe the sub..

I may not be as well off as you think. I'm still paying my system off. I'm saving up for a flat screen plasma now. I probably won't be able to afford one until mid to late next year.
What set up do you have?

DelsFan · 10-05-2006, 07:35 PM

It always amazes me when I read posts like this.
This is what I see when I read these:

"Hi, I just spent 3k on a new display and I'm looking to spend around 300$ for a new sound system to go with my new tv. You know, one of those ones that come all bundled in a 2' x 3' box."

Reply:
See the title of this thread? That is definitely out of his price range.

I'm with tanaka on this one. Yes, the poster may have saved a while for the XBR1 but he could do so for a decent surround system too. Audio is such a large part of the television experience now, and there is such a difference between the lower end of "pretty good" (which doesn't require a huge cash outlay) and... junk! To most people, the lower end of "pretty good" is stunning because all they have ever heard is junk! Done correctly, "pretty good" sound is darned cheap, literally, and especially when compared to how good the sound is you can get by excercising just a little diligence.

Last year I did this for a friend of mine:

- Used Denon processor; 70wpc, but quality watts: $225.00
- New Monitor Audio L+R+Center speakers (B1 or B2, I forget which, with matching center) $600.00 approx.
- Some old rear speakers for free, for temporary use.
- A used, free, subwoofer, that just died! (OK, it lasted sixteen months, now I'm looking at Velodyne and M&K on ebay for $300 to $500 delivered). AND, don't forget audiogon.com as a source for any good used home theatre or high-end audio equipment.
- A necessity, good interconnects and speaker wire (better than monster, but even monster is better than nothing), maybe $100 . OK, I confess, we used crappy wire for the rear speakers until we get some better ones... But, we used a good optical cable from the DVD player to the processor and good speaker wires and connectors from the processor outputs to the three speakers and subwoofer.

For less than a grand, my friend had (I say had, because we are very temporarily sans subwoofer now) a better system than anyone he knows, period; after we get a new (used) subwoofer we will still have less than $1400 invested. Paired with a $3000 television set? Sounds reasonable to me... [His system, to me, someone with six or eight grand invested in a two channel system, sounds really really good. I go to his house to watch anything of import, any DVD*... For three times the money we could make his system sound better, but he has a quality system that does what it does really well.]

SO, I'M SAYING YOU CAN COBBLE TOGETHER SOMETHING (ANYTHING!), LEAVING ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND HAVE IT SOUND BETTER THAN A SYSTEM IN A BOX - FROM DAY ONE. Oh, sorry, was I yelling? And after not too long (and a little more $$ expended) a person can actually have a killer system.

*Recommendations: Brian Setzer, Live in Japan; Rush in Rio; AC/DC, Live in Donnington Park (better than you might think, really good audio quality, if you don't like them don't listen!); Meat Loaf, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Norah Jones and the Handsome Band, 2004; Diana Krall, live at the Montreal Jazz Festival; many more. The Go-Go's, Live in Central Park - my favorite, but the sound quality is not quite as good as the others listed... Those girls can play, and their bass player is hot, hot, hot! (Rest assured though, she's also just as good an entertainer and musician).]

09-15-2006, 10:48 PM	#1
dave600000 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19	good low priced surround sound set, any suggestions? im going to be buying a new hdtv set sony 50xbr1 and was thinking of getting a set of surround sound speakers to go with it. i know absolutely zero when it comes to whats good and whats bad in audio. my cousin had a set of bose split level speakers and i always thought they were good but i dont know what "good" is. i might be into getting one of those home theaters in a box if you can suggest something. although i dont need a dvd player, it wouldnt hurt me to get a htib that includes 1. basically im looking for the best i can get on a limited budget(im not an audio nut so i probably cant tell the difference between a good and great set of speakers). id definately like to stay under $500 and would even prefer to be in the $2-300 range if there was a decent set for that price. room size is about 11.5 feet by 15.5 feet. any suggestions? thanks!

09-15-2006, 11:37 PM	#2
iserum High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,955	http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IYaKiOl...0&I=108TSS450P http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IYaKiOl...0&I=033AVR1506 __________________ Panasonic 50PX80U/Pioneer BDP-51FD /Toshiba HD A1/Tivo HD SAMSUNG LNT-4661F/ Pioneer BDP-51FD/Dell XPS, Nvidia 9500 GT SONY BRAVIA 40V2500/40 GB PS3, WII, Intel Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 6800 Yamaha RXV1700 Def. Tech. Mythos III, V & Gems, Super Cube III Harmony Remote One Power Conditioner: Belkin PF40

09-26-2006, 05:15 AM	#5
µCOM-4 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 699	Best quality HTIAB are the Yamahas and Onkyos. I'd stay away from the cheap SONY and Panasonics. __________________ My name is David Manning.

10-04-2006, 08:04 PM	#11
tanaka Paradigm Studios' Babey! Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 210	It always amazes me when I read posts like this. This is what I see when I read these: "Hi, I just spent 3k on a new display and I'm looking to spend around 300$ for a new sound system to go with my new tv. You know, one of those ones that come all bundled in a 2' x 3' box." I realize that not everyone is an audio nut like me but it just strikes me as odd. I would never say, "I just spent about 5k on a new audio system and I'm looking for a tv around 400$ to go with it." I'm not trying to pick on you dave600000. Please don't take it personal. Better to buy an all in one for 300$ than to buy a bose. (yes, I took the opportunity to bash bose yet again, I'm so bad I know) __________________ This is audio heaven: Paradigm studio v.3 speakers- 100s up front 100 center 20s rear 10" onix rocket sub All powered by a Rotel 1067, for about the same price as my old inferior system: A bose lifestyle.

10-04-2006, 09:23 PM	#13
JohninTenn High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 596	Everyone doesn't have that kind of income.. He may have saved his butt off. To you it's a display to him it's a huge investment. We all can't be as well off as you. Not to mention I would bet my $700 system sounds as good as yours in the same size room as I have. Well maybe the sub..

09-18-2006, 12:27 PM	#3
Bigloww Shitter was full. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 5,135	Just an option since you mentioned HTIB. I love my Onkyo HT-S790. I still think it is the best bang for your buck HTIB system out there. And it is on sale for $425. They still had it at CC a couple weeks back, so give it a look and listen. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

10-02-2006, 01:29 PM	#6
Mark M High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 252	I would take a listen to the JAMO A102 HCS 5 system http://www.jamo.com/Default.aspx?ID=...roductID=17643

10-04-2006, 03:03 PM	#10
crfrider HD Novice Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 29	You must check out these great speakers made by Axiom Audio. You'll love the sound and the craftsmanship is number one. http://www.axiomaudio.com/

10-05-2006, 07:35 PM	#15
DelsFan "God Bless the Go-Go's" Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sometimes AL, sometimes Germany Posts: 92	It always amazes me when I read posts like this. This is what I see when I read these: "Hi, I just spent 3k on a new display and I'm looking to spend around 300$ for a new sound system to go with my new tv. You know, one of those ones that come all bundled in a 2' x 3' box." Reply: See the title of this thread? That is definitely out of his price range. I'm with tanaka on this one. Yes, the poster may have saved a while for the XBR1 but he could do so for a decent surround system too. Audio is such a large part of the television experience now, and there is such a difference between the lower end of "pretty good" (which doesn't require a huge cash outlay) and... junk! To most people, the lower end of "pretty good" is stunning because all they have ever heard is junk! Done correctly, "pretty good" sound is darned cheap, literally, and especially when compared to how good the sound is you can get by excercising just a little diligence. Last year I did this for a friend of mine: - Used Denon processor; 70wpc, but quality watts: $225.00 - New Monitor Audio L+R+Center speakers (B1 or B2, I forget which, with matching center) $600.00 approx. - Some old rear speakers for free, for temporary use. - A used, free, subwoofer, that just died! (OK, it lasted sixteen months, now I'm looking at Velodyne and M&K on ebay for $300 to $500 delivered). AND, don't forget audiogon.com as a source for any good used home theatre or high-end audio equipment. - A necessity, good interconnects and speaker wire (better than monster, but even monster is better than nothing), maybe $100 . OK, I confess, we used crappy wire for the rear speakers until we get some better ones... But, we used a good optical cable from the DVD player to the processor and good speaker wires and connectors from the processor outputs to the three speakers and subwoofer. For less than a grand, my friend had (I say had, because we are very temporarily sans subwoofer now) a better system than anyone he knows, period; after we get a new (used) subwoofer we will still have less than $1400 invested. Paired with a $3000 television set? Sounds reasonable to me... [His system, to me, someone with six or eight grand invested in a two channel system, sounds really really good. I go to his house to watch anything of import, any DVD... For three times the money we could make his system sound better, but he has a quality system that does what it does really well.] SO, I'M SAYING YOU CAN COBBLE TOGETHER SOMETHING (ANYTHING!), LEAVING ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, AND HAVE IT SOUND BETTER THAN A SYSTEM IN A BOX - FROM DAY ONE. Oh, sorry, was I yelling? And after not too long (and a little more $$ expended) a person can actually have a killer system. Recommendations: Brian Setzer, Live in Japan; Rush in Rio; AC/DC, Live in Donnington Park (better than you might think, really good audio quality, if you don't like them don't listen!); Meat Loaf, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra; Norah Jones and the Handsome Band, 2004; Diana Krall, live at the Montreal Jazz Festival; many more. The Go-Go's, Live in Central Park - my favorite, but the sound quality is not quite as good as the others listed... Those girls can play, and their bass player is hot, hot, hot! (Rest assured though, she's also just as good an entertainer and musician).] Last edited by DelsFan; 10-05-2006 at 07:43 PM.