Which Satellite 5.1 System to Buy for UNDER $500

[Cytomax]

Hello all my name is Eddie and i have a very sad/pathetic/frustrating story and am going to be replacing my bose cube system with something worth my time/money...

A year or so ago i read a "Recommended Systems Guide" and it mentioned that for under $550 the Athena Micra 6 are the speakers to get. Well that was May 18, 2004 and this is now....

According to MIKED33 they were at $289 and j_garcia they were at $239 on 10/03/06. My friend bought those speakers for $325 SHIPPED New In Box off Amazon before Christmas of 2006 and recently the price jumped to $420 shipped.

My question is ... are these STILL the speakers to get at the price of $420 or are there other speakers out there under $500 that are worth getting instead....

Main use is going to be for games and movies... these are going to be hooked up to my HK AR 310 receiver which is hooked up to my computer in my bedroom.

I was reading this thread
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30042
and they mentioned

Definitive Technology Pro-Cinema 100

[Davemcc]

i have a very sad/pathetic/frustrating story and am going to be replacing my bose cube system with something worth my time/money...

I've been there. My Bose 321 is back in its box in the basement facing an undetermined future.

I've never heard a bad word about Hsu Research, so I think I'm going to give this set a try for my bedroom system some time in the future. It's under $500, but you can upgrade the sub very inexpensively by moving up packages.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

[zumbo]

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATMICRA6

Another option.
NOTE: Sub cable, speaker wire, and connectors included.

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/moshmospsy30.html

[johndoe]

I've been there. My Bose 321 is back in its box in the basement facing an undetermined future.

I've never heard a bad word about Hsu Research, so I think I'm going to give this set a try for my bedroom system some time in the future. It's under $500, but you can upgrade the sub very inexpensively by moving up packages.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

Please report after you get this system. It seems as a viable option for my room size, intended use and budget.

[Davemcc]

Please report after you get this system. It seems as a viable option for my room size, intended use and budget.

It may be a while before I get that system. I just dropped almost 4g's on my system since January. Including the new TV last November brings my total up to about 7g's in the last 6 months, so I think I'm going to stop and breathe for a little bit. But that's Canadian money, so it's what, about $50 USD.:D

Really, I'm just basing my decision on Hsu's reputation and the awesome price. Maybe you could buy the system and report your results for me.:p

[mazersteven]

I've been there. My Bose 321 is back in its box in the basement facing an undetermined future.

I've never heard a bad word about Hsu Research, so I think I'm going to give this set a try for my bedroom system some time in the future. It's under $500, but you can upgrade the sub very inexpensively by moving up packages.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html

Good recommendation. :D

[Cytomax]

Thanks for the Reply.... I am looking into the Performance 1 which are about ~ $485 Shipped
I noticed it came with 6 speakers.. i guess thats a plus but i most likely wont be able to use the 6th speaker since i have a massive window behind me also my HK receiver is for 5.1 but i noticed they mentioned the 6th channel can be "matrixed" or something like that
I also noticed the wiring diagram is little more insane than the Bose Cube system...
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vt-12.pdf

As for mounting it on a wall ... they have a simple system where all you do is hang it on a screw... which is nice i dont have to play like $200 in mounting brackets

Also how would this stack up against the Athena Micra 6 ($420) i know they are most likely MUCH better than the Athenas BUT... the HSU are ~ 40% more expensive...

Thanks in Advance
Eddie

[billy p]

I've recommended the Micra system to some friends at work and they are totally happy. The AH review here gave them high marks as well as best system recommendation under a $1000.00 I don't think their quality has changed since that review. The only thing the hsu system will have on the Micra is the sub:)!

[Davemcc]

The only thing the hsu system will have on the Micra is the sub:)!

And getting an Hsu sub is a big factor. Visit the Subwoofer forum for more info on that point.

[billy p]

And getting an Hsu sub is a big factor. Visit the Subwoofer forum for more info on that point.

Hey thanks:rolleyes:. I have recommended both systems on different occasions! The hsu system is a 6.1 speaker set up and he mentioned his avr is 5.1 and for that reason the micra @ less then $400.000 is a good buy.

[billnchristy]

I would buy this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7758562&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&id=1141762944225

Regift the DVD player, reciever and sub, sell on ebay, yard sale whatever, maybe get 100 bucks back.

Buy a HSU sub with the leftovers.

I have one of these systems I picked up for $260 open box, the speakers alone are worth the $300. The sub is crap and the other stuff is decent.

[Cytomax]

I must not be seeing this correctly but

is this

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7758562&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&id=1141762944225
for $299.99

the same as

http://buysls.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=6
for $1,095.00

Because something is just not right here...

Thanks for recommendation because if its the same i may just buy it tomorrow...

Thanks in Advance
Eddie

[billnchristy]

It is the same, and they used to charge $695 for it at BB and were blowing them out over Christmas, last night I was suprised that they still have them on the website.

The speaker system is no joke, the rest of the stuff more or less sucks but it is a rebranded Sherwood reciever, sounds ok but is a pain to navigate, its only plus is assignable digital outs so you arent stuck with say dvd/sat as your only digital out choices.

Like I said, I would keep the 5 speakers and ditch the rest unless you want to set up your kids room or garage with the other stuff.