Need help picking out a 5.1 system

[mikl657]

Hi all, I've read through the forums and the site and I am still slightly confused on what to buy. My apartment living room is only like 150 sq ft so its not huge or anything, so I'm not sure what kinda system I could be looking at, since its an apartment not looking for something ear popping loud just something that gives a good sound off, with a budget up to around 550

I'd mainly use it for my xbox/ps3 and 3d movies


I was thinking something like this:

Amazon.com: Yamaha YHT-397 5.1-Channel Home Theater System: Electronics


but to be honest I have no idea what I am looking at here and I was just wondering if you guys have any opinions or suggestions ?

thanks!

 

[afterlife2]

Hi and Welcome! This would be what I would get at your budget. A bit over your budget, but you can start with a 3.1 then go from there and build slowly like I did:
DENON AVR-1712 7.1 A/V Surround Receiver | Accessories4less
Center:Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker: Electronics
2 pairs of these speakers: Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics
Sub: PS10 10" High Powered Premium Home Theater Subwoofer
The Pioneers go on sale alot, so keep looking. Keep checking tigerdirect too.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would start here ONKYO HT-S7500 7.1 Channel Network Home Theater Package | Accessories4less

but you could build something nice too... With your budget I would buy...

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1513/DENON-AVR-1513-5.1ch-Home-Theater-Receiver-3D-ready/1.html
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269024&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Home+Audio+Speakers-_-N82E16882269024&gclid=CKO-z_KKiLgCFQmf4Aod-RoAuw [;us you can get $10 off if you are a new customer at new egg use code newcustomer06

If you get bit by the upgrade bug, start with the sub, then the front 3 and, and then the AVR, that is how really nice systems get started, I can honestly say that is an awesome setup for the price... that is under your budget, if you could go over, change for this receiver or the one afterlife recced http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1913/DENON-AVR-1913-7.1ch-Home-Theater-Receiver-w/AirPlay-3D-ready/1.html

My cousin has that energy system in his log cabin, he bought an extra sub on ebay for $90 and it made such a huge difference, having two of them energy subs vs 1 I couldnt believe it... You can find matching subs cheap {you dont want to mix them} if you have room in your house and budget.. {he didnt expect a huge difference he just wanted another end table on the other side of the couch, lol}

 

[shadyJ]

I know this will probably get ignored, but I would skip 5.1 at that price range and got for a two channel active speaker system, if you have audio outputs on your TV, whether digital or analogue. I would go for either the Mackie MR8 mk2 or the JBL LSR2328. If you need a digital to analogue converter, get something like this. The overall sound will be sooo much better than a bunch of tinny cheapo speakers and a boomy one-note sub. This is extremely high quality over quantity.

 

[ImcLoud]

I know this will probably get ignored, but I would skip 5.1 at that price range and got for a two channel active speaker system, if you have audio outputs on your TV, whether digital or analogue. I would go for either the Mackie MR8 mk2 or the JBL LSR2328. If you need a digital to analogue converter, get something like this. The overall sound will be sooo much better than a bunch of tinny cheapo speakers and a boomy one-note sub. This is extremely high quality over quantity.

I agree but disagree, if the op was using the system for music, sure that would be a good option, even if he just wanted his tv louder, not a bad option, but for surround sound, I have tried 2.1's and 3.1's and nothing emerses you in the content as well as a real 5+ch system, where when a car door closes off to the left rear, that's where you hear it close... I even played with them Mirage "Omni" polar speakers for a while with a 3.1 and I don't care what you do, you can not get the sound to come from where it is not coming from... No real magic to it, you want sound to sound like its coming from behind you, put the speaker behind you...
As far as the less expensive systems, not everyone can afford a $2500+ audio system, and their are a lot of people that can afford it that will not spend the money on it, the truth of the matter is I have heard $300 HTIB's that do the job, watching a movie in a small to medium sized, they get the sound to where its supposed to be when its supposed to be there and you feel more like you are in the action than if the tv speakers were being tasked. Sure the subs are boomy and untamed, the fronts are tinny and have very little definition, but the normal Joe could care less, its surround sound, its loud, small, and the most important part is he didn't have to argue with his wife or feel bad because he couldn't put more money into his kids college funds, because the thing was under $500... Anyway that's just my opinion, I would rather have a $250 HTIB than listen to the speakers that come in todays flat screen TV's..

 

[fmw]

Could you go $750? Get a bottom of the line AV receiver from a reputable company and install the Pioneer Andrew Jones home theater speaker system. It would run circles around what you are considering. The speakers are considered the best sounding available at their price point. I use a Pioneer VSX522 in my bedroom. $200. It is more than enough for what you want to do and will provide more connectivity than the home theater in a box. Wiring is available from Monoprice at reasonable cost. The total should be around $750.

 

[shadyJ]

I agree but disagree, if the op was using the system for music, sure that would be a good option, even if he just wanted his tv louder, not a bad option, but for surround sound, I have tried 2.1's and 3.1's and nothing emerses you in the content as well as a real 5+ch system, where when a car door closes off to the left rear, that's where you hear it close... I even played with them Mirage "Omni" polar speakers for a while with a 3.1 and I don't care what you do, you can not get the sound to come from where it is not coming from... No real magic to it, you want sound to sound like its coming from behind you, put the speaker behind you...
As far as the less expensive systems, not everyone can afford a $2500+ audio system, and their are a lot of people that can afford it that will not spend the money on it, the truth of the matter is I have heard $300 HTIB's that do the job, watching a movie in a small to medium sized, they get the sound to where its supposed to be when its supposed to be there and you feel more like you are in the action than if the tv speakers were being tasked. Sure the subs are boomy and untamed, the fronts are tinny and have very little definition, but the normal Joe could care less, its surround sound, its loud, small, and the most important part is he didn't have to argue with his wife or feel bad because he couldn't put more money into his kids college funds, because the thing was under $500... Anyway that's just my opinion, I would rather have a $250 HTIB than listen to the speakers that come in todays flat screen TV's..

At this price point, if you A/B'd a decent two channel setup to an equivalently priced 5.1 setup for the average guy, I think they will almost always go with the two channel. Greater dynamic range, better definition, better sound stage, it will get you a far more lifelike sound. You don't need golden ears to hear how much better it is.

Another thing the OP might consider, if he has a Fry's near him, the Infinity Primus p363 just went on sale for $214 for a pair. Get a pair of those, grab a open box receiver or maybe something on sale, and you will be set with a sound system that will destroy any HTiB. Don't get the name brand HDMI cables or speaker cables though, grab your HDMI from monoprice and your speaker cable from Home Depot.

 

[afterlife2]

Another alternative to what I suggested are these speakers. They are fantastic and you can get 5 of them and use one as a center speaker. They were reviewed by our forum member jman and he really liked them. I have them and love them. Roughly about $210 shipped: Amazon.com: Nxg Pro 4.1 Satellite Speaker: Electronics
So If you can swing 678.00 total you'll have a good system. Like I said get what you can and then save up for the other stuff.

 

[Pyrrho]

I know this will probably get ignored, but I would skip 5.1 at that price range and got for a two channel active speaker system, if you have audio outputs on your TV, whether digital or analogue. I would go for either the Mackie MR8 mk2 or the JBL LSR2328. If you need a digital to analogue converter, get something like this. The overall sound will be sooo much better than a bunch of tinny cheapo speakers and a boomy one-note sub. This is extremely high quality over quantity.

At that price, I would go with a 2 channel system as well. Sure, it won't give one sounds from all around, but one will be able to buy better sounding speakers and consequently it will sound better. In fact, I would go with a 2 channel system on any budget up to $1500, but I value quality over having crappy sounds coming in all directions.

 

[ImcLoud]

Pyrrho, the avr and speakers I suggested sound very good. I have heard them and think for the money its a great way to have a home theater experience for short money.. the soft spot is the sub, and some would be impressed with it, seeing how if they are looking into a low budget Surround sound they probably haven't had much to compare it to... This is how a lot of people got into being an "audiophile", not a lot of guys went rite out and dropped 10K on their first system, it was $700, then upgraded the sub, then the fronts, then the AVr, then maybe redid it all... its how it works...

But for a set of powered monitors and no room correction, You may even have to turn them on everytime you want to watch tv {unless they have sensing}, sure for a music system, they are great, but for home theater, I am surprised to see it here...

I own a $1200 pair of JBL studio monitors, and they sound great, but not for surorund sound in movies, you need a sub, surrounds of some sort, and an avr of some sort to figure it all out for you... A pair of monitors is just a louder {granted better quality} set of tv speakers... The OP asked about a 5.1, lets not try to reinvent the wheel, what have you guys been doing while I was gone, lol...

Im not trying to bust balls, just being honest, giving you my opinion, I don't mean to offend anyone, but telling new guys to buy a set of studio monitors when they ask about surround sound and have a specific HTIB in mind seems counter productive to me... Lets show them a decent {maybe not all in once box} system inside their budget and hope we helped them spend their money better, the AVR and Take 5's are a very good setup, and you can build from their if they get interested, which will most likely happen because it went from being a "best buy, 1 box purchase" to something they had to get into, then when they hear the results, which will be good because the take5 and avr are impressive for their cost, the upgrading will start when they free up the cash... This will keep our hobby strong, and other that they talk to interested into... Is it me, or did I think about this too much? I tend to think about everything from a business standpoint, since thats what I do all day....

 

[Pyrrho]

Pyrrho, the avr and speakers I suggested sound very good. I have heard them and think for the money its a great way to have a home theater experience for short money.. the soft spot is the sub, and some would be impressed with it, seeing how if they are looking into a low budget Surround sound they probably haven't had much to compare it to... This is how a lot of people got into being an "audiophile", not a lot of guys went rite out and dropped 10K on their first system, it was $700, then upgraded the sub, then the fronts, then the AVr, then maybe redid it all... its how it works...

But for a set of powered monitors and no room correction, You may even have to turn them on everytime you want to watch tv {unless they have sensing}, sure for a music system, they are great, but for home theater, I am surprised to see it here...

I own a $1200 pair of JBL studio monitors, and they sound great, but not for surorund sound in movies, you need a sub, surrounds of some sort, and an avr of some sort to figure it all out for you... A pair of monitors is just a louder {granted better quality} set of tv speakers... The OP asked about a 5.1, lets not try to reinvent the wheel, what have you guys been doing while I was gone, lol...

Im not trying to bust balls, just being honest, giving you my opinion, I don't mean to offend anyone, but telling new guys to buy a set of studio monitors when they ask about surround sound and have a specific HTIB in mind seems counter productive to me... Lets show them a decent {maybe not all in once box} system inside their budget and hope we helped them spend their money better, the AVR and Take 5's are a very good setup, and you can build from their if they get interested, which will most likely happen because it went from being a "best buy, 1 box purchase" to something they had to get into, then when they hear the results, which will be good because the take5 and avr are impressive for their cost, the upgrading will start when they free up the cash... This will keep our hobby strong, and other that they talk to interested into... Is it me, or did I think about this too much? I tend to think about everything from a business standpoint, since thats what I do all day....

I endorsed shadyJ's idea of going with two channels, not shadyJ's particular choices of speakers. I would probably not go with powered speakers, but that is beside the point of my post.

As for the rest, "good" and "bad" are relative terms. I prefer better main speakers that cost more, and would forgo surround sound up to a pretty high level. In my poorer days, I did just that. The fact that you and many others would choose otherwise in no way offends me. Anyone reading these pieces of advice should consider what matters to them, and choose accordingly. It is not me who will be listening to the results, so I don't need to be happy with the choice that is made. Likewise with the advice one gets from others; the individual reading the advice should consider for himself or herself what matters to them, and not worry about whether or not the people giving the advice would choose likewise. But it still is useful reading about other people's choices, as it may give someone an idea that they did not consider on their own, and it may be that one's own preferences do line up with a selection that one had not previously considered.

But, again, your post is in no way offensive, and it is totally fine for you to have a different opinion on this matter from me.