What is a good yet cheap home theater surround sound system?

[goalsnine]

I'm looking for a nice, yet affordable surround sound system. $150-200 if at all possible. But I could go up to 300. THANKS!

 

[j_garcia]

There is no such animal. Good and cheap don't generally go together. Do you need the WHOLE thing (including player, receiver, etc...) or just speakers? For $300, you are better off just getting a good 2.1 setup rather than a full 5.1 and then expand to full surround as funds allow.

 

[goalsnine]

I need the whole set. I just need advice and a good recommendation from someone who has what I want.

 

[templemaners]

I need the whole set. I just need advice and a good recommendation from someone who has what I want.

My advice? Save up more money. Any 5.1 system for $150-200 will be a waste IMO.

 

[GranteedEV]

I need the whole set. I just need advice and a good recommendation from someone who has what I want.

My advice, is that you're trying to buy a car with a bicycle budget.

You can get a cheap home theater surround sound system.
You can get a decent home theater stereo sound system.
You can't get a good yet cheap home theater surround sound system.

 

[psbfan9]

I'm looking for a nice, yet affordable surround sound system. $150-200 if at all possible. But I could go up to 300. THANKS!

This isn't enough information. Do you need a receiver or just speakers? Your best bet would be to search your local Craigslist, eBay, or local paper classifieds.

A Google search produced these results...

$230 - $270 Surround Speaker Systems - CNET Reviews

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Yamaha YAS-101 Soundbar today on dailysteals for $150
Is it great - not really, but it's still better than tv speakers

 

[timoteo]

Get a pair of Infinty Primus P152 speakers at $75ea then go on Craigslist.com & buy a used Yamaha or Onkyo receiver for $150. That starts you off with a decent 2.0 system. Then save up & get the matching center channel, then matching towers & then a sub. But dont get an Infinity sub. Instead, use the search here on Audioholics (up at top of page) to find the threads on a sub in your range. Figure at least $150 for the sub alone.

Sorry buddy but you chose a hobby that isnt cheap!! Even at the entry level range its still a good $1000 to get anything worthwhile.

Hope this helps ya!!

 

[sholling]

About the closest that you're going to come is a cheap refurbished HTIB. It won't be good but it's less than $300.

My advice is the same as the others, put togther a 2.0 system using Craigs List finds and add/replace bits over time as you get more money.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I just installed this in my father in-law's basement which is a approximately 16' x 18' x 7' closed room. It works nicely for movies minus the sub. The sub works well enough to give a full sound but will not "rattle" the room, of course. You could always upgrade later on.

You will still need a DVD/Blu-ray player.

DENON DHT-591BA 5.1 Home Theater System w/ Boston Acoustic Speakers | Accessories4less


Sorry, it is over budget.

 

[agarwalro]

If your expectations are reasonable, any HTIB will serve your needs. That said, if you want a system with lasting quality and some lower end bite, reassessing your budget is in order.

 

[markw]

I just installed this in my father in-law's basement which is a approximately 16' x 18' x 7' closed room. It works nicely for movies minus the sub. The sub works well enough to give a full sound but will not "rattle" the room, of course. You could always upgrade later on.

You will still need a DVD/Blu-ray player.

DENON DHT-591BA 5.1 Home Theater System w/ Boston Acoustic Speakers | Accessories4less


Sorry, it is over budget.

If he passes this up, he's a fool.

 

[sholling]

If he passes this up, he's a fool.

I agree, that's a heck of a deal.

 

[zieglj01]

DENON DHT-591BA 5.1 Home Theater System w/ Boston Acoustic Speakers | Accessories4less

Sorry, it is over budget.

A solid deal - worth the extra dollars.

 

[afterlife2]

DENON DHT-591BA 5.1 Home Theater System w/ Boston Acoustic Speakers | Accessories4less

That is a good deal! I'd get the extended warranty too.
This looks good too:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS5400/Onkyo-HT-S5400-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Package-w/USB-ipod/iphone/1.html#!specifications
Ok for a start: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS3400/Onkyo-HT-S3400-5.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Package/1.html

 

[markw]

Is Ashton Kutcher lurking around?

I think we've been Punked.

With that post count, that question, that price range, and that attitude, it was fairly obvious.

 

[its phillip]

I doubt it. I'm a member of a lot of other forums and questions like this are fairly common, both from newbies and long time members. Some people never bother to respond after their questions have been answered, particularly if the answer is not something they wanted to hear. Other people just don't have any concept of how much decent equipment costs (it doesn't have to be a lot, but $150 is obviously unreasonable). A lot of people have no experience with anything other than a $20 computer speaker system.

 

[markw]

You are a kind and trusting person, and that's to your credit.

I doubt it. I'm a member of a lot of other forums and questions like this are fairly common, both from newbies and long time members. Some people never bother to respond after their questions have been answered, particularly if the answer is not something they wanted to hear. Other people just don't have any concept of how much decent equipment costs (it doesn't have to be a lot, but $150 is obviously unreasonable). A lot of people have no experience with anything other than a $20 computer speaker system.

I could almost agree with you on his first post, but his "f**k you" response to Mr.Garcia in post #3 of this thread sort of cemented my opinion. Actually, I'm surprised that anyone bothered after that.

My later affirmitive response to that A4L system was more for the benefit of any lurkers that might actually gain something from this thread.

 

[its phillip]

I could almost agree with you on his first post, but his "f**k you" response to Mr.Garcia in post #3 of this thread sort of cemented my opinion. Actually, I'm surprised that anyone bothered after that.

Yeah, that's a good point. Oh well.

 

[HelenJ]

I bought Onkyo HT-S3500 a few days ago while it was $280. I received it yesterday and set it up. So far, I am very happy with this system. For the price, you can't go wrong. I really like the Iphone/Ipod support. You can control your music with the remote as well as see the songs/albums/etc on the receiver. It also charges through the USB. One thing to note is that the receiver gets hot. I have mine located in an entertainment center cabinet, so I keep the doors open while it is on. I think I will also buy a little fan to get some airflow just to be on the safe side. I cannot speak for reliability yet, as I have only had it for 1 day.