Low Budget surround sound system help

[jman74]

Hey everyone. Newbie here looking for some advice.

Im no expert by any means but have done some reasearch into upgradeing my current antiquated surround sound home theatre system.

Since as of right now i cant pour a ton of money into making a sick and pure sounding system (I also live in a townhome so i can't jack it up too high), I am looking to get the best bang for the buck and 5.1 speaker set for under 400.

Some history first........

Completed Purchases/What it is replaceing:

1. Replaced my 32" Sharp CRT TV with a 46" Sharp Aquos for $999 from Sears on Black Friday. To date i have not seen ANY deal that touches this and the TV works fantastic. The only caveat is it's 1080i but since no deal came within 300 of this in 1080p (at the time) AND very few stations broadcast in 1080p currently , I went for it. Plus IMO the difference between p and i on a 46" is small to moderate but not drastic enough to make me want to spend the extra $$$ for the p.


2.Replaced my 9 year old Yamaha Reciever with an ONKYO TX-SR575 7.1 channel reciever for $299 shipped from Amazon.com. It's next step up, the TX-SR605 got great reviews on CNet.com (best budget reciever with most features but still pricey for me at $400) and Onkyo seems to get great reviews in general from multiple sites and people.

Whats left:

SPEAKERS . I have a 9 year old 5.1 speaker system package from Sony (the SAV-500 or something like that) . The speakers are adequate not great (a little tinny) and the subwoofer that came with it is horrible. Right now staying budget concious, I have narrowed my search to:

Complete systems

A.Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System for $249.99 at Amazon.com. Best selling complete system on amazon and great reviews from Amazon.

B. Infinity Home Theater Speaker System (TSS 450) for $199 at Amazon.com. Got CR's best buy award (in 2006) but doesnt seem to sell as well as the Polk.

Or buying pieces seperately:

Subwoofer

Sony SA-W2500 Performance Line 100 Watt Subwoofer
$99.00 @ amazon.com and very good multiple reviews.

JBL Venue Series SUB10 10-Inch 250-300-Watt Subwoofer @ 134.58.
------------
Center

Sony SS-CN5000 Dual 5.25" Center Channel Speaker @ 74.25


JBL Venue Series Voice Center Channel 5-Inch 2-Way Dual Speaker @ 100.56. Leaning towards this one.

Yamaha NS-C225 2-Way Acoustic Suspension Center Channel Speaker @ 129.99
------------
Front

Sony SS-B3000 Bookshelf Speakers with 8" Woofer (Pair) @ $99 from Amazon. great reviews, good price. Also previous model was CR best buy.

-------------
Rear

Sony SS-B1000 5.25" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)@ 49.00 at amazon for my rear/back pair. Also very good reviews.

-------------

Im wondering if making these seperate purchases rather than buying the complete speaker packages in a box would make a better overall system or if either of the two complete systems in a box would be the better buy.


Any additional help in terms of other options, which is best of remaining choices, pricing, or even critiquing choices already made would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mazersteven]

How large is this room? Do you need a sub right now, or can you do without till funds are available?

 

[jman74]

How large is this room? Do you need a sub right now, or can you do without till funds are available?

The room is 21 X 15 and I would prefer to include the sub if possible (i.e still get a decent sounding set including a subwoofer at or under 400) .But if it makes a signifigant difference ill hold out.

Are the above speaker options I mentioned pretty bad?

 

[mazersteven]

The room is 21 X 15

Are the above speaker options I mentioned pretty bad?

I have seen those systems recommended before. I have no experience with them sorry.

I was thinking you put a system like this together without a sub. For $400 bucks total for a system the sub that would be included would perform like a "fart" in that size room.

Polk Audio RTi8 mains $300 a pair
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3753286;jsessionid=fAWM+gAM+ZcDVzlo-yEl2A**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Polk Audio Polk Audio R50 surrounds $59 each
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4005092?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Or these

POLK AUDIO R150 surrounds $49 each
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4965491?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG



Or you could use the R50's as mains and the R150 as surrounds.

 

[jman74]

I have seen those systems recommended before. I have no experience with them sorry.

I was thinking you put a system like this together without a sub. For $400 bucks total for a system the sub that would be included would perform like a "fart" in that size room.

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! if your memory serves which one of the systems i mentioned previously did you hear the best and/or most about?

 

[mazersteven]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation! if your memory serves which one of the systems i mentioned previously did you hear the best and/or most about?

I don't want to steer you the wrong way. I really can't answer that.

Look at this post. (Free Sub)


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=966731

 

[jman74]

Hmmmmm

'Or you could use the R50's as mains and the R150 as surrounds.'

Since Im on 'el cheapo' budget after the holidays this may be a great option. With that said, what Subwoofer could I get for 200 or under that would complete the system?

 

[mazersteven]

'Or you could use the R50's as mains and the R150 as surrounds.'

Since Im on 'el cheapo' budget after the holidays this may be a great option. With that said, what Subwoofer could I get for 200 or under that would complete the system?

The RTi8's are awesome speakers. And for that price a once in a lifetime deal.

But you could go with the R50's and R150. If it's me, RTI8's.

Dayton SUB-100 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-633

You could purchase 2, and split the signal. Stack the subs together.

 

[jman74]

The RTi8's are awesome speakers. And for that price a once in a lifetime deal.

But you could go with the R50's and R150. If it's me, RTI8's.

Dayton SUB-100 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer


You could purchase 2, and split the signal. Stack the subs together.

Ok your getting me stoked for the RTI8's...maybe Ill figure a way to do it.

As for the other rec. Im still on 101 level here LOL.

How exactly do I split and stack, and do i really need two?

 

[mazersteven]

Wow Im still on 101 level here LOL.

How exactly do I split and stack, and do i really need two?

Like I said. Your room is decent sized and choosing subwoofers you need to consider the total volume of the room it's in including openings to other areas in the house.

You don't have to purchase 2, but please don't expect 1 $100 sub to give you that WOW HT experience.

Y-Adapters (splitters)

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&CAT_ID=56&ObjectGroup_ID=88

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/index.htm

 

[jman74]

Like I said. Your room is decent sized and choosing subwoofers you need to consider the total volume of the room it's in including openings to other areas in the house.

You don't have to purchase 2, but please don't expect 1 $100 sub to give you that WOW HT experience.

Y-Adapters (splitters)

http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpage_id=3&CAT_ID=56&ObjectGroup_ID=88

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/index.htm

Thanks maze thats some good stuff....Im getting real pysched for this system. Now I assume when you say stack im putting the subs on top of each other? And if so why don't I just get one at 200? Probably another dumb question but thanks for the serious education!!!

 

[mazersteven]

Now I assume when you say stack im putting the subs on top of each other? And if so why don't I just get one at 200?

You can stack the one on top of the other, or just put them side by side.

I'm thinking you might get more out-put with the 2 instead of 1 $200 sub. If your budget was $300-$400 then I would recommend 1 sub.

 

[jman74]

You can stack the one on top of the other, or just put them side by side.

I'm thinking you might get more out-put with the 2 instead of 1 $200 sub. If your budget was $300-$400 then I would recommend 1 sub.

Awesome. Im getting amped for this and may buy the other system POLK-RM6750 for the basement since it's a great price at 250.

Whats the center channel speaker you'd recommend for this set up?

 

[mazersteven]

Awesome. Im getting amped for this and may buy the other system POLK-RM6750 for the basement since it's a great price at 250.

Whats the center channel speaker you'd recommend for this set up?

The Polk CSi5 if you can get a good price, or the CSi3.