help! need a decent setup. on a low budget

[Brooklynchild07]

I need some help getting the best home theater system for my low budget of $300 dollars. I want to use it for watching dvd, tv, and xbox 360. I'm in an apartment and the living room is 14 X 11. I was looking at getting the z-5500's for $279.00 shipped but I'm sure if this is the best thing to get for what I want which is good sound quality but deep hard bass. as well. I know the budget is tight but I don't have anything right now!

 

[Halon451]

I need some help getting the best home theater system for my low budget of $300 dollars. I want to use it for watching dvd, tv, and xbox 360. I'm in an apartment and the living room is 14 X 11. I was looking at getting the z-5500's for $279.00 shipped but I'm sure if this is the best thing to get for what I want which is good sound quality but deep hard bass. as well. I know the budget is tight but I don't have anything right now!

Welcome to Audioholics.

I hate to break it to you, but you're not very likely to find deep, hard bass for $300 or less. But, for the fact that you live in an apartment, the kind of bass most members here would give their seal of approval on, wouldn't be a good idea anyway.

There are some okay HTIB sets on the market, but I find it difficult to recommend any of them. The best way to a great system is to save up and purchase a good set of speakers and a good receiver that will drive them; also a good sub, of course - for that low end.

I was just posting in response to a decent HTIB system earlier: The Onkyo HT-SR600 system. If anyone is truly set on purchasing a HTIB, this may not be a bad option.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/502299608

Is waiting a while and saving up the dough an option? Remember, for great sound, patience and research needs to be your first priority.

Good luck!

 

[Brooklynchild07]

Thanks alot. I appreciate the advise but I kinda need something now. I was trying to figure out if the z-5500's would serve me well for the time being. also wanted to know any alternatives to the 5500's. thanks

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Halon451 speaks the truth. All in good time. I'm helping a friend build an A/V system, and its piece by piece, starting with an old but awesome set of my speakers, 80's vintage JBL L-100 T Studio Monitors. The first piece they are buying is an Onkyo 605 receiver.

HTiB are all junk IMO. Maybe not the Onkyo Halon mentioned, and for $299.00 its the one I'd buy if money was burning a hole in my pocket.

But if it were ME, I'd buy a Onkyo 605 first for under $400.00 shipped, buy some cheap speakers first, then upgrade, maybe using the cheap speakers as surrounds.

Check out Craigs List.

 

[WifesPissed]

Find a Denon AVR-3600/3600dts on eBay for around $200-$250. And, yes, you need the remote. Now go around and look at a few garage sales and thrift shops for some vintage Infinity or JBL speakers. L-100, L-112, RS-4,5,6000, etc. You will likely need about $30 for a foam surround kit so try to keep the speakers to as little as possible.

Run AC-3 5.1 with a front L&R and a phantom center (no center). Save up for some small rear speakers.

But trust me, this system will really rock the place and it will do what ask very, very well.