Need help on a super tight budget.

[CertainMage]

Hello, as the title says I need stereo help while being on a super tight budget.

What I'm looking for:

A/V receiver.
Speaker system.

I'm a college student, hence the tight budget. I have about $400 total that I can spend on everything I need (excluding S&H). The room I'm in now is 15'X13'X8'. I want a stereo system to hook up to my t.v. I mainly watch movies via Blu-Ray or Netflix, some video games and a little bit of music. Right now it's all played through the PS3 via HDMI through the t.v. What I'm looking for is something better then my t.v. speakers for movies and music. I want dialog over booming stuff, but would take both if possible.

I know on this budget, I'm very limited and thought of looking into a HTIB, yet I'd rather get something I can upgrade when cash is free rather then a HTIB with limited upgrading. Though if you know of a really great HTIB I won't say no.

Question is, do I get an okay receiver like the Denon AVR-1613 refurbed at $219 and buy a cheap set of speakers like these:

5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers & Subwoofer  - Black - Monoprice.com

Or do I buy a subpar receiver in the $150 range and buy the $220 monoprice speaker system?

I'm having research overload which is why I came here looking for help. I don't need some theater quality system right now, just don't want to max my t.v. out to hear things either. I'm happy to buy okay equipment then upgrade when I have a career and some spare cash. I just need a pointer in the right direction.

I'm open to any suggestions and am okay using accessories4less (Where I saw the Denon receiver), eBay, or Amazon. My Craigslist is very limited so I'd rather use these three sites or if you know of a better route that's fine.

Things I do/don't require:
Must have at least 4 HDMI slots.
I don't need all the bells and whistles from much more. Just a stereo system that is sub-par that will get upgraded with time.

Thank you for any help!

 

[slipperybidness]

These are getting pretty good reviews
HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

 

[zieglj01]

Denon E200
DENON AVR-E200 5.1 Channel 3D Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Cambridge S30 speakers
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Dark Oak | Accessories4less

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

+1 to previous posters, and to explain their point - rather than getting crappy 5.1 you'd better off spending money on ok receiver and a pair of solid bookshelf speakers like above mentioned S30 or HVL-1

When you have more spare money (about $400-500) you could get a nice sub - till then 2.0 will be huge improvement over tv speakers

 

[slipperybidness]

+1 to previous posters, and to explain their point - rather than getting crappy 5.1 you'd better off spending money on ok receiver and a pair of solid bookshelf speakers like above mentioned S30 or HVL-1

When you have more spare money (about $400-500) you could get a nice sub - till then 2.0 will be huge improvement over tv speakers

Yup, that is the idea.

Also, look at any of the Andrew Jones Pioneer speakers for good budget options.

On such a tight budget, start with good 2 channels or the front 3 (matching). Maybe even look at thrift shops/goodwill for the surrounds if you think you want that.

 

[markw]

Clarify your post.

When you say "stereo", and you do, you imply two speakers yet you show a small 5.1 system.

So, which is it?

You will get more bang for your budget with two speakers.

 

[CertainMage]

Totally forgot where I posted this until another thread showed up in a google search. Since I last posted this topic, a few things changed.

I ended up buying a complete 5.1 speaker system (set-up?) from eBay yet that old adage "If it's too good to be true...." So, until they get here I'm not going to waste time posting what I got.

Anyways, going off of the information that I now have 5.1 speaker system, on another site they keep pushing the $219 refurbed Denon 1613 down my throat.* For me, I don't care about network stuff but if it's there it's there. I have no clue what all of this Auto-Eq stuff means. I know it equalizes your speakers/sub but not sure why I need it personally? I'm a complete rookie whenever it comes to any in home speakers not in my t.v. Yet, with so many 2012/2013 receiver options out there I'm still feeling over loaded. I don't know what bells and whistles I need/want/desire beyond the HDMI input/output. I don't want to mess with an optical input for sound though, I'd like it all video and sound coming through the HDMI stuff. I have a few older game systems using the old Y/W/R wires but I doubt hooking them up to a receiver is needed. I'd say my budget is maxed at $250 for the receiver. If those speakers are a dud or the seller screws me over, I'll have to worry about new speakers when that time arises.

*At time of posting this accessories4less is sold out but their stock changed every business day it seems. Thank you for the prior help and hopefully a little help in the future also.