The $500 HT challenge!

[gmichael]

I have a coworker who wants to buy an HT system. His budget is $500 (+/- $50) Smallish room of about 12' x 13'. Mostly for playing games and a little TV. He doesn't want to buy used and wants a warranty. That leaves out EBay etc.
I know, I know. It's not enough for a very good system. He's 21 and logically challenged. He's already shot down the whole idea of just getting a good pair of speakers and then building from there. He wants it all and doesn't want to pay for it. But don't worry, he did tell me that he knows that he can't get anything good "like a Bose system" for that kind of money. I'm thinking that even for just $500 we can do better than a Bose system. He already has a 360 Xbox and a PS3 so we don't need to worry about a source. He's also not interested in HDMI, up upgradeability (even though I've told him that he will want more)
Here is what I put together. Does anyone have anymore ideas that I can give this guy?

$150.00 for the sub http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635
$110.00 for 5 speakers http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-680
$205.00 for this receiver http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-6040BL-5-1-Channel-Digital-Receiver/dp/B000O3OFA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222711274&sr=1-1
$465 total (leaving him room for cables & wires from Monoprice.com

I'm thinking that this will be a decent system that has the funds fairly balanced. Went with Yamaha and Dayton Audio because I know that these are decent. He is open to other brands but values longevity over small improvements in audio.

Who's got ideas (other that telling him to get a HTIB)?

 

[MinusTheBear]

P.M Seth=L, he is all about finding low priced electronics and speakers. He can find you a lot of deals.

 

[alexsound]

I have a coworker who wants to buy an HT system. His budget is $500 (+/- $50) Smallish room of about 12' x 13'. Mostly for playing games and a little TV. He doesn't want to buy used and wants a warranty. That leaves out EBay etc.
I know, I know. It's not enough for a very good system. He's 21 and logically challenged. He's already shot down the whole idea of just getting a good pair of speakers and then building from there. He wants it all and doesn't want to pay for it. But don't worry, he did tell me that he knows that he can't get anything good "like a Bose system" for that kind of money. I'm thinking that even for just $500 we can do better than a Bose system. He already has a 360 Xbox and a PS3 so we don't need to worry about a source. He's also not interested in HDMI, up upgradeability (even though I've told him that he will want more)
Here is what I put together. Does anyone have anymore ideas that I can give this guy?

$150.00 for the sub http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635
$110.00 for 5 speakers http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-680
$205.00 for this receiver http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-6040BL-5-1-Channel-Digital-Receiver/dp/B000O3OFA4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222711274&sr=1-1
$465 total (leaving him room for cables & wires from Monoprice.com

I'm thinking that this will be a decent system that has the funds fairly balanced. Went with Yamaha and Dayton Audio because I know that these are decent. He is open to other brands but values longevity over small improvements in audio.

Who's got ideas (other that telling him to get a HTIB)?

Looks like you put together some good stuff. Here's another suggestion on the electronics. Go to the following site:

http://www.accessories4less.com/

They sell new and "factory re-conditioned" Onkyo and Marantz. They are listed on both Onkyo and Marantz's site as an authorized dealer. I have dealt with them recently ( got a 6 disc DVD changer, Onkyo 704)and they are good. They currently have the Onkyo 505 receiver, re-con, for 159.00. I know your freind doesn't "need" HDMI, but I believe the 505 is better than the Yammy your suggesting just on other specs, like power, connectivity, etc, and if he ever want's to add another 2 speakers, he can,, because it's a 7.1ch receiver. With this receiver, he'll have more money left over so he can at least get cheap HDMI cables for his 360 (assuming he has a newer one) and his PS3.

 

[gmichael]

Looks like you put together some good stuff. Here's another suggestion on the electronics. Go to the following site:

http://www.accessories4less.com/

They sell new and "factory re-conditioned" Onkyo and Marantz. They are listed on both Onkyo and Marantz's site as an authorized dealer. I have dealt with them recently ( got a 6 disc DVD changer, Onkyo 704)and they are good. They currently have the Onkyo 505 receiver, re-con, for 159.00. I know your freind doesn't "need" HDMI, but I believe the 505 is better than the Yammy your suggesting just on other specs, like power, connectivity, etc, and if he ever want's to add another 2 speakers, he can,, because it's a 7.1ch receiver. With this receiver, he'll have more money left over so he can at least get cheap HDMI cables for his 360 (assuming he has a newer one) and his PS3.

Thanks, I forgot about them. Was looking at their KEF speakers a couple years ago.

 

[mazersteven]

Lots of buzz about these speakers lately.

Behringer TRUTH B2030P
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-TRUTH-B2030P-Passive-Monitor-Pair?sku=600602

$390 for 6. Sell one and get $65 back. $325 total.

Dayton SUB-100 HT Series 10" 125 Watt Powered Subwoofer $124
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=300-633

Onkyo TX-SR506 $159
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR506/Onkyo/TX-SR506-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

$50 bucks over budget.

 

[alexwakelin]

I think an upgrade on the speakers you suggested would be the JBL tour venues, I own them and ordered them from B&H. I was blown away at the quality for the amount I paid. 5 of them would cost a bit more then the ones you listed and would mean cutting back on the sub or receiver though. I own the Dayton 8" sub and unless your friend is a bass nut, I think it is plenty for a small room. These speakers are being offered with free shipping right now, and I didn't see shipping factored into the prices you listed.

Center channel $90
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428981-REG/JBL_VOICE_VOICE_2_Way_Dual_5_.html

Surrounds $60/pr.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428968-REG/JBL_TOUR_TOUR_Venue_Series_2_Way_.html

 

[Seth=L]

P.M Seth=L, he is all about finding low priced electronics and speakers. He can find you a lot of deals.

Accept he doesn't want used (that's where I find all my deals. Plus my stuff is all mismatched. It sounds like this guy is a hardnose for one brand brand spakin new.

My store has Bose 321 GS Series II system available for $599, if he likes Bose and simple stuff. It's lightly used and comes with remote.

 

[gmichael]

I think an upgrade on the speakers you suggested would be the JBL tour venues, I own them and ordered them from B&H. I was blown away at the quality for the amount I paid. 5 of them would cost a bit more then the ones you listed and would mean cutting back on the sub or receiver though. I own the Dayton 8" sub and unless your friend is a bass nut, I think it is plenty for a small room. These speakers are being offered with free shipping right now, and I didn't see shipping factored into the prices you listed.

Center channel $90
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428981-REG/JBL_VOICE_VOICE_2_Way_Dual_5_.html

Surrounds $60/pr.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428968-REG/JBL_TOUR_TOUR_Venue_Series_2_Way_.html

Thanks,

I have 6 of the JBL E-20's making up my bedroom system. I believe that the Venue Series are the ones that replaced the Northridge series I have. Very nice for the price IMO. I put these on the the first list I gave him since I couldn't find the Northridge matching center to go with the E-20's I found. I've been trying to get him to go for these. They seem like a great deal.
Thanks for the links.

 

[j_garcia]

$500 is a tough budget to fill, and speakers is where you have to take the hit IMO, that is unless you go with the Behringers I'd call Musician's Friend or wherever and see if they sell single speakers so he doesn't have to buy 6.

 

[jostenmeat]

$500 is a tough budget to fill, and speakers is where you have to take the hit IMO, that is unless you go with the Behringers I'd call Musician's Friend or wherever and see if they sell single speakers so he doesn't have to buy 6.

+1. I believe they sell KRK monitors as singles. Pretty affordable, well liked, if not quite as cheap as Behringers.

 

[Phil Taylor]

How about the Onkyo HT-S4100 HTiB system - 200w 8" powered sub - 110w per channel and includes an iPod dock - with component switching - under $340 shipped from Amazon = way under budget and almost enough money left over for an Oppo 980H DVD player @ $169.99 with free shipping.

 

[jamie2112]

I am going to third the Beringer route. They sound great for the money and guitar center will most likely sell just one as well....

 

[Seth=L]

I am going to third the Beringer route. They sound great for the money and guitar center will most likely sell just one as well....

Touche', very well regarded in terms of SQ.

"I suggest a new strategy, let the wookie win"

 

[Highbar]

Well it's late, I'm tired and I'm going to go there. Why not just tell him to wait until Best Buy or someone has a receiver/speaker set on sale for around that? I did that, and Liked it until I found out what REAL audio was. I wanted something then and didn't want to spend a lot on it. It sounds pretty good and most people like, that is until I switch to the Digm's and the 2.0 sound blows away my 5.1 set up... who would have ever thought it If he doesn't want to wait and get something good he'll more then likely be happy with anything. If you want to try and get him to get something good you are going to have show him the difference in audio that is out there.

 

[gmichael]

Thanks guys. Great ideas. I'll put all the info on the table for him and let him make up his own mind. The one good thing is that he seems willing to wait. He doesn't want to rush into it and end up regretting his choice. Got to give him credit for that much.
Keep those ideas coming.

 

[MidnightSensi]

He should save up and buy something that he likes. Two channel he could get away with some cheap monitors, but for five channel it doesn't really make sense.

He should figure out how much money he spend on food, and dedicate 80% of that to his home theater budget. That leaves tap water, ramen noodles, bumming food and cigs from friends and family, and occasionally going hungry. It is also a fantastic way to clean out your place from old drinks and stuff.

The trouble with my strategy, which I have done in the past, is that it ends up being easier than it looks and you start doing it for everything you want and pretty soon you loose enough weight where you have to buy new clothing and that offsets the money you saved by not eating very much. So, don't do it too much, just for a few things a year.

Happy saving.

 

[Gatsby191]

He should save up and buy something that he likes. Two channel he could get away with some cheap monitors, but for five channel it doesn't really make sense.

He should figure out how much money he spend on food, and dedicate 80% of that to his home theater budget. That leaves tap water, ramen noodles, bumming food and cigs from friends and family, and occasionally going hungry. It is also a fantastic way to clean out your place from old drinks and stuff.

The trouble with my strategy, which I have done in the past, is that it ends up being easier than it looks and you start doing it for everything you want and pretty soon you loose enough weight where you have to buy new clothing and that offsets the money you saved by not eating very much. So, don't do it too much, just for a few things a year.

Happy saving.

A seasoned veteran I see. I've gained so much weight over the past year and a half, that I am considering your strategy. At least I'll have some thing(s) shiny and new to look at and play with when I can't find any frigin Oreos in the house! LOL!
Joe B

 

[FirstReflection]

Since he's already got a PS3, it would be a darn shame not to take advantage of it's PCM audio capabilities and TrueHD, DTS-HD decoding.

$580 and the Onkyo HT-S6100 package is available from Amazon. That includes a TX-SR606 receiver and a 7.1 package of "slim" speakers, so it would seem a pretty good match for his room size and allow him to upgrade his speakers later if he ever wants to while keeping the very capable 606 receiver.

Another option is to get the TX-SR576, which can at least accept multi-channel PCM via HDMI. That's $292 at Amazon.

Then there are the SKS-HT540 speakers you could add for $270 for a total system price of $562.