Starter speakers, or some sort of solution?

[xtraorange]

Howdy folks,

Background:
So my Phillips 5.1 HTiaB finally bit the dust... and while I could get it repaired, frankly it's time to upgrade. I have my eye on the Yamah RX-V671 for it's features and current price point (I like the networking abilities of it, 7.1, dual zones).

Problem:
After some reading, I'm finding out that the speakers from my old system are 3 ohm, and apparently that's real bad for my new receiver?

Question:
What I need is a very, very cheap tip for some starting speakers that I can use for the next year or two until I can afford to upgrade that next. Either that, or some way to use my old speakers? Ideally, I'd like 5.1... but I'd accept 2.1 if that's all I can afford. What would you suggest?

Thank you!

 

[HexOmega]

What is your proposed budget for said cheap speakers??

 

[bikemig]

I plan on buying relatively inexpensive speakers for a garage where I plan on setting up a work room. I'm seriously considering buying a pair of the Boston Acoustics A-25 (at $150 a pair) or the A-26s (at $200 a pair): Amazon.com: Boston Acoustics A 25 Compact Two-Way 5.25-Inch Woofer Bookshelf Speaker (Each, Gloss Black): Electronics You can buy them at a discount if you don't mind refurbished from accessories4less. If you really want to go cheap, check out the Dayton bookshelf speakers for $45, ww.amazon.com/Dayton-B652-2-Way-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B002RMPHMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335186064&sr=8-1.

 

[CDogg]

Instead of buying cheap and then dumping them later, why not buy something good now that you can afford with the plan to use them either for the rears or somewhere else in your home. This is what I would do instead of wasting money on something you do not plan on using for the future.

 

[xtraorange]

Instead of buying cheap and then dumping them later, why not buy something good now that you can afford with the plan to use them either for the rears or somewhere else in your home. This is what I would do instead of wasting money on something you do not plan on using for the future.

Simply stated, because I CAN'T afford them, ha ha. I wasn't expecting my old box to die, it's been out for a while now, and I'm dying for a new receiver. The original plan was to just pick up a replacement receiver and use the old speakers until I had some more money to start replacing those. It wasn't until doing some research last night that I discovered it's a bad idea to use 3 ohm speakers on an 8 ohm receiver.

My intention was never to buy speakers at this point, and I plain just don't have a budget for them. That's why I want to get something cheap I can just make due with for the time being, until I can actually afford some quality speakers. I'm already paying more for the receiver so that I can get something that I can use long term, since it's the unit I need most right now... I can't afford to do that with the speakers to.

Of course I'd rather buy quality stuff now, wouldn't anyone? But I've got bills to pay!

 

[CDogg]

I meant no disrespect. With your current situation and having 3 ohm speakers, your best bet is to work towards getting the speakers first before you get anything else.

 

[templemaners]

You might want to see if you can get some Infinity P362 or P363 speakers on the cheap. Fry's just had a sale on them for like $120 each. I got mine for $300 a couple years back. Behringer B2030P's are also good speakers, but they aren't the bargain they used to be - Amazon has them for ~$220 now; I paid around $130 for mine.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Problem:
After some reading, I'm finding out that the speakers from my old system are 3 ohm, and apparently that's real bad for my new receiver?

What speakers do you have that are 3 ohms?

 

[templemaners]

What speakers do you have that are 3 ohms?

I'm guessing those are the ones from his Phillips HTiB.

 

[xtraorange]

I meant no disrespect. With your current situation and having 3 ohm speakers, your best bet is to work towards getting the speakers first before you get anything else.

Speakers don't really do much without a receiver though? I'd like to be able to listen to music and what not in the meanwhile.
Also, I know you meant no disrespect, I was just clarifying my position. It was meant to be toned with a playful tone, not a rude reply. I didn't project that very well, sorry!

You might want to see if you can get some Infinity P362 or P363 speakers on the cheap. Fry's just had a sale on them for like $120 each. I got mine for $300 a couple years back. Behringer B2030P's are also good speakers, but they aren't the bargain they used to be - Amazon has them for ~$220 now; I paid around $130 for mine.

That's a good tip!

I'm guessing those are the ones from his Phillips HTiB.

Yup, apparently that's kind of common with HTiBs... well, so says google... so who knows, lol.

 

[ARES24]

Give out the actual details;
current receiver -
desired receiver -
current speakers -
budget -


Then the audio gods will have answers! (even if the answer is just plain 'No, you can't have that' )

 

[xtraorange]

Give out the actual details;
current receiver -
desired receiver -
current speakers -
budget -


Then the audio gods will have answers! (even if the answer is just plain 'No, you can't have that' )

Well, I did give that info in my post, but I can again if you like:
current receiver - Old, completely shot Phillips HTiB.. no model number, it's not here any more.
desired receiver - Yamaha RX-V671
current speakers - 3 ohm 5.1 speakers from said Phillips HTiB
budget - The receiver ($365) plus as little as humanly possible for the speakers, as I was intending to buy speakers. $365 is already a lot to spend for me at the moment, but I'd really like to get a long-term receiver.

 

[jonnythan]

How little is "as little as humanly possible"?

Where are you located? I'd start looking at Craigslist and eBay.

 

[bikemig]

soundbars

If you want to keep your total cost close to $400 and want something that sounds pretty good, you can always go for a soundbar or a soundbar and woofer. Zvox, Polk and Boston Acoustics all make soundbars (or soundbars plus woofers) within your price range.

 

[xtraorange]

How little is "as little as humanly possible"?

Where are you located? I'd start looking at Craigslist and eBay.

I don't really know how else to explicitly say it.. as I mentioned, I wasn't planning on buying speakers to begin with, and I can only barely afford the receiver, but I'd rather it didn't just sit there and do nothing... so again, just looking for some really cheap speakers that will get me by. 84 is the cheapest I've seen so far with some monoprice speakers.

If you want to keep your total cost close to $400 and want something that sounds pretty good, you can always go for a soundbar or a soundbar and woofer. Zvox, Polk and Boston Acoustics all make soundbars (or soundbars plus woofers) within your price range.

I'm really trying to get this receiver, I've been wanting a real receiver for a long time, and this one should last me a while. Thank you for the thought though!

 

[bikemig]

Accessories4less is one of your better sources if you want a decent receiver and don't want to spend a lot of money. You can get a refurbished Denon AVR 1312 for $119: DENON AVR-1312 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less. There are other choices in that price range.

And then you need to pick up some speakers to go with it. The Pioneer SP BS41 have gotten good reviews and cost around $150 I believe. I've been looking for a pair of inexpensive bookshelf speakers for a workshop and I'm leaning towards getting the Boston Acoustic A26 (around $200 a pair).

 

[jonnythan]

Get these for $50:
Newegg.com - Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair

You'll really need a sub with them though..

 

[xtraorange]

What do you guys think about these:
For only $78.30 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers & Subwoofer  - Black | Home Theater Speaker Systems

They're reasonably priced, have a pretty decent review with cnet, and are a full 5.1 that I could replace bits at a time.

 

[jonnythan]

Don't waste your money.

 

[Seth=L]

I recommend buying an Onkyo home theater in a box system. The supplied receivers are feature rich and they're full scale receivers unlike the Philips you had. The supplied speakers are better than the package you linked above. Bang for buck you are not likely to find anything new that comes all together that will over their level of performance. If you ever wish to upgrade to better speakers at a later time you can do that.

Best Buy sells an Insignia brand home theater in a box system with a rather large powered subwoofer (considering it's a home theater in a box). The system is made by Onkyo for Best Buy.