I am not an audiophile and I need assistance

[EddieG]

In the next few months I will be getting a new home theater. I will be getting a new TV and will want a receiver for surround sound. I really do not want to spend more than a few hundred dollars, and again I am not an audiofile who needs to spend $800-$1k for just the receiver.

So my questions are:
1. In the sub-$300 price range should I bother with HDMI on the receiver? Right now I only have the HDTV and do not know if/when I will get a blue ray player. I might just get a decent progressive scan DVD player for $100 or less. I have a Wii which uses component so no concerns there about HDMI.

2. I've searched this forum for recommendations on inexpensive receivers and wanted to know what your favorite brands are for my budget. Are there certain brands that only make good high-end models but their budget models are crap, or should I stick with HK or Devon if I can find something in my price range? How do you feel about Panasonic, Sony, and JVC? I have not seen them mentioned.

3. What are the best inexpensive speakers?

Thanks!

Eddie G

 

[Seth=L]

Boston Acoustics and Athena Tech have good deals on speakers I would look at them.

If you think you can get by without HDMI I would look at the Yamaha RX-V659 which you can get for around $300-$400 and it is a very solid performer.

 

[sholling]

I haven't used one but going strictly from brand quality and feedback I'd look at the Onkyo TX-SR605 (the real price is $399) receiver or maybe better yet the Pioneer VSX-1017TXV-K for $349. I have an older version and the Pioneer will do everything that you want to do and then some.

Then if budget allows grab the deal of a lifetime on Boston Acoustics speakers.
A pair of VR3 towers will rock you world
A VRC center is the perfect compliment
A set of VRX surrounds are the best way to go for surrounds but CR57s ($70/pr) will do the trick if money is tight.

Think of the speakers as a 10-15 year investment that will flat blow your friends away.

 

[Deathwish238]

The Panasonic SA-XR57 is quite amazing for its price. It doesn't have as many features as other receivers...but its sound quality is quite awesome. My parents have one and I'ld say it compares to the sound quality of my much more expensive Denon AVR-3805. They're running some Def Tech bookshelves and they sound quite good together.

Honestly, you're not gonna hear as much difference between receivers as you will between speakers. You'll hear some difference...but generally speaking if you stick with a decent brand you'll get a decent sound from its amp

 

[Seth=L]

I haven't used one but going strictly from brand quality and feedback I'd look at the Onkyo TX-SR605 (the real price is $399) receiver or maybe better yet the Pioneer VSX-1017TXV-K for $349. I have an older version and the Pioneer will do everything that you want to do and then some.

Then if budget allows grab the deal of a lifetime on Boston Acoustics speakers.
A pair of VR3 towers will rock you world
A VRC center is the perfect compliment
A set of VRX surrounds are the best way to go for surrounds but CR57s ($70/pr) will do the trick if money is tight.

Think of the speakers as a 10-15 year investment that will flat blow your friends away.

I will second this motion, the Bostons are tight speakers.

Being that the Boston VR3s are very efficient and have very good bass responce the Onkyo TX-SR605 will power them to very high levels of output with ease.

Note: After shipping cost is included the Boston VR3s come to about $640, the VR2s, while a tad smaller are about $500 after shipping I believe (they still offer the same stellar midrange and tweeter on the VR3)

 

[rnatalli]

Like Seth and Sholling said, Boston Acoustics are great speakers for the money. Athena's as well. There are also some deals out there for Mission speakers which I would add to the list.

 

[Seth=L]

Like Seth and Sholling said, Boston Acoustics are great speakers for the money. Athena's as well. There are also some deals out there for Mission speakers which I would add to the list.

I saw Polk LSi series speakers for good prices at Onecall (out of OP's price range I would bet and require more power.)