Surround Sound Help

[dukie46]

Hello. I am trying to figure out how to get the best quality surround sound for around $300-$350. I have an HD tv, HD TiVo, and an upconverting dvd player. I have an old Sony surround sound, so I have 5 basic speakers. Would I be better off getting a whole new HTIB system or getting a receiver and powered subwoofer and just using the other old speakers? (If I go with something cheaper now, I may upgrade in the future).
For the HTIB systems, I've looked at the Onkyo HT-S3100, the Onkyo HT-S4100, and the Onkyo HT-SR700.
For the receivers, I've looked at the Onkyo TX-SR304. I've also looked at the Onkyo TX-SR505 and Onkyo TS-SR575(Can you use a 7.1 receiver with only 5 speakers at first?)
For the subwoofer, I've looked at the Sony SA-W2500.
I appreciate any help you can give me. I'm just not sure which is the best way to go. Thank you!

 

[jamie2112]

I would have to ask if you want good sound or mediocre sound. If I were you I would buy a decent set of LCR speakers and use your amp for now.Unless you are set on total surround. Especially if you are gonna upgrade in the future,I think the most important component of any Ht/Music system are the speakers. For 350 you may want to consider looking at a set of used bookshelf speakers and a sub.There are so many speakers out there to choose from. I would advise going out and auditioning as many speakers as you can with your own music and dvds so you have a reference you know.

 

[Midcow2]

Here is what I would do ...

Hello. I am trying to figure out how to get the best quality surround sound for around $300-$350. I have an HD tv, HD TiVo, and an upconverting dvd player. I have an old Sony surround sound, so I have 5 basic speakers. Would I be better off getting a whole new HTIB system or getting a receiver and powered subwoofer and just using the other old speakers? (If I go with something cheaper now, I may upgrade in the future).
For the HTIB systems, I've looked at the Onkyo HT-S3100, the Onkyo HT-S4100, and the Onkyo HT-SR700.
For the receivers, I've looked at the Onkyo TX-SR304. I've also looked at the Onkyo TX-SR505 and Onkyo TS-SR575(Can you use a 7.1 receiver with only 5 speakers at first?)
For the subwoofer, I've looked at the Sony SA-W2500.
I appreciate any help you can give me. I'm just not sure which is the best way to go. Thank you!

If you want to step up from mediocre good sound to the start of great sound you need to break out of the HTIB mode. However, if you are concentrating on HTIB you might want ot look at the Yamaha systems Auditoholics offers. See http://store.audioholics.com/section/17/1 or their EMP systems see:
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1793/1/emp-ef50t-5-1-speaker-system

First the fronts are most important, then get a matching center ,then sub then surrounds. The surrounds and sub don't have to match and can be added later. If you want to have a lower budget you can get some nice bookshelf speakers to start with. The only downside of bookshelf is that the bass is limited. You can augment with a subwoofer, but you should save and buy a good subwoofer. Cheap subwoofers are just that cheap. It is better to wait and buy a good subwoofer that to buy a cheap one which sounds bad.
Some very good subwoofers are SVS and Hsu the SVS starts at $429 and the Hsu at around $300. Some very good bookshelf speakers are Cambridge Audio S30s fro around $219: http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Black/M/B00198LYMU.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

The Onkyo AVRs are a very good choice and you don't have to hook up all speakers to sound good. You can just hook up the front two to start with or got with 5.1 , you dson't have to start 7.1 right away.

Good Luck!