'$1000 Bare Bones System' still the way to go?

[JoelWhy]

I'm looking to spend less than $1,000 to get a home theater system. Ideally, I'd like a system I can initially set up as a 3.1 system, and then possibly upgrade with a couple of rear speakers. I read the "$1,000 bare bones system" recommendations, and am considering just following the recommendations given. However, I noticed that the article is from 2008. So, any superior options at a comparable price?

Also, this system doesn't seem to include Bluetooth. I'd ideally like to be able to have my iTunes, Spotify, etc stream from my laptop to the stereo. (I'd also like to be able to make the rear speakers wireless.) Should I therefore consider a different receiver?

(I tried to include the link to the '$1,000 bare bones system' article, but it won't let me since this is my first forum posting. Just Google it to see the recommendations, or if someone else can post the link here, I'd appreciate it!)

 

[macddmac]

Welcome to the forum.
How big is the room, including height?

 

[jcparks]

Start with the AVR
Denon E300 at A4Less $200
DENON AVR-E300 5.1 3D Networking Receiver AirPlay | Accessories4less
Next for you front 3 speakers a set of AA tower and center at $375
Affordable Accuracy
Next your going to want a solid subwoofer...
Radio Shack has the Gem for $234 +tax shipped
NXG NX-BAS-500 12" 500-Watt Powered Subwoofer : Speakers | RadioShack.comNXG NX-BAS-500 12" 500-Watt Powered Subwoofer : Speakers | RadioShack.com
That puts you at $809
From there you can get a set of of the AA monitor speakers to use as surrounds at for $165, or possibly even a set of these for $200
Amazon.com: Fluance XLBP Wide Dispersion Bipolar Surround Sound Speakers for Home Theater: Electronics and still come in at real close to your budget...
however if you need speaker wire it may put you over...
speaking of which...
Speaker Wires - Monoprice.com
Good luck and have fun

 

[rojo]

jcparks' recommendation is a great one.

Here's another alternative. Do you mind used?

MB Quart QL C104 for L+R = $180
MB Quart QL C304CTR center channel = $80
Denon AVR-X1100 = $370-ish shipped (?) -- It has Bluetooth!

This leaves you more than enough for the NXG sub jcparks recommended (also available on Amazon if Radio Shack's sale expires) and a pair of stands, subwoofer cable, lamp cord, and whatever else you may need. Later, as budget allows, add the Fluance XLBP as jcparks also suggested.

I don't believe any receiver's Bluetooth will allow pairing with Bluetooth speakers as surrounds. If you want your speakers to be wireless, you'll have to get a separate RF repeater of some sort. I strongly recommend against it though. Whatever you might find will be subject to all manner of signal pollution from wifi, cordless phones, and a myriad of other culprits. If you can't bury your speaker wire in the seam between baseboard and carpet and you can't go into the walls, use wiremold to hide your wires.

 

[Steve81]

I'm looking to spend less than $1,000 to get a home theater system. Ideally, I'd like a system I can initially set up as a 3.1 system, and then possibly upgrade with a couple of rear speakers. I read the "$1,000 bare bones system" recommendations, and am considering just following the recommendations given. However, I noticed that the article is from 2008. So, any superior options at a comparable price?

Hello Joel,

The most current recommended 5.1 system was put together this year and can be found here:
$1,000 5.1 Channel Recommended Home Theater System | Audioholics

 

[JoelWhy]

I don't believe any receiver's Bluetooth will allow pairing with Bluetooth speakers as surrounds. If you want your speakers to be wireless, you'll have to get a separate RF repeater of some sort. I strongly recommend against it though. Whatever you might find will be subject to all manner of signal pollution from wifi, cordless phones, and a myriad of other culprits. If you can't bury your speaker wire in the seam between baseboard and carpet and you can't go into the walls, use wiremold to hide your wires.

Ok, that makes sense. I can run the wires through the walls. But, the Bluetooth woukd let me stream music from my Mac, though, right? I'm sure the sound quality of the MP3 files will not be great, but I'd still like to play them via quality speakers rather than the crappy ones in my laptop.

 

[rojo]

IMHO, the limiting factor will not be your Bluetooth connection if what you're streaming is MP3s. By the way, that receiver also supports Apple AirPlay. Connect the receiver to your home wifi and you won't have to deal with Bluetooth pairing. You'll get better range that way as well.

 

[JoelWhy]

I'm fine with ordering used or refurb. But, anyone have experience with Accessories4Less? I've seen mixed reviews online.

 

[rojo]

Just about all positive as far as I've seen.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/general-av-discussions/30309-accessories4less-com.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/37437-refurbished-accessories4less-com.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/amps-pre-pros-receivers/60668-experiences-accessories4less.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/34816-accessories4less-com-any-comments.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/15880-any-feedback-accessories4less-com.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/75252-accessories4less-legit-website.html

My Marantz receiver came from there, and it's been flawless. If I hadn't been the one who ordered it, I wouldn't have known it was refurb.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hello Joel,

The most current recommended 5.1 system was put together this year and can be found here:
$1,000 5.1 Channel Recommended Home Theater System | Audioholics

That is a fine system right there.

The only thing I would have done differently is to get a new Denon AVR, but that's just personal preference.

It is also my personal preference never to buy refurbished AVR. It's personal.

 

[j_garcia]

On a budget, there's nothing wrong with a refurb AVR. A little more risk yes, but you're paying a lot less in most cases to mitigate that risk and they still come with a good warranty from AC4L. I've never had issues with them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

On a budget, there's nothing wrong with a refurb AVR. A little more risk yes, but you're paying a lot less in most cases to mitigate that risk and they still come with a good warranty from AC4L. I've never had issues with them.

I wish Best Buy would offer refurbished AVR + extended warranty. If anything happens, all you would have to do is bring the thing back to Best Buy and not have to worry about paying for shipping or bringing it to UPS, etc. I might try a refurbished if it were Best Buy.

I just have a general mistrust or prejudice of all refurbished AVR regardless of price.

 

[j_garcia]

Best Buy offers open box items, which are usually returns aka "rentals" . Those carry a full manufacturer's warranty, but you are basically just lucky if they happen to have what you're looking for.

 

[zieglj01]

I'm fine with ordering used or refurb. But, anyone have experience with Accessories4Less? I've seen mixed reviews online.

While there is never a 100% guarantee, even when buying something new - I have
had good success with AC4L - and so have a lot of people

Another sub to look at, and it measures good > HSU STF- 2 subwoofer
STF-2 Subwoofer

I would hands down choose the AA [Pioneer modded speakers] over the stock
regular Pioneer speakers - they are a clear cut above - a clear step above the
stock regular series. Also the Pioneer stock speakers seem to have some quality
control issues, as there have been some problems with tweeters and even the
woofers.

The AA speakers are clean/clear refined and smooth with good detail and definition,
plus some tight and controlled bass. That is a good tweeter in those AA speakers.

Mate the bookshelf and center with the HSU STF-2 and you have a good system.

For budget surrounds look at the NXG Pro 4.1 speakers. Sold each
http://www.amazon.com/Nxg-Satellite-Speaker-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0044UHVOK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413310807&sr=8-1&keywords=nxg+pro+4.1

 

[JoelWhy]

I was all set to buy the refurb Denon AVR-X1100W, but then I stumbled upon a few sites offering a heavily discounted Denon AVR-E400. Knowing next-to-nothing about what all the different specs mean, the one thing I do understand is that on the Denon site, the X1100W lists at $549.99, while the E400 lists at $599.99. Yet, I can find sites offering the E400 at $349.99 (and, that's for a NEW model, as opposed to about the same price for a used X1100W.)

But, I'm betting there's a reason the E400 is available for less, under the unwavering principal of "if it looks too good to be true..." So, before I order, can someone explain to me what I should buy the X1100W over the E400? Or, did I just miraculously stumble upon a fantastic deal?

 

[jkgsxr]

The x1100 has the blue tooth you were looking for while the e 400 does not. The x1100 is a newer higher model than the e400.

 

[JoelWhy]

The x1100 has the blue tooth you were looking for while the e 400 does not. The x1100 is a newer higher model than the e400.

Ahhh. But, now I'm a bit confused as to the purpose of Bluetooth. They both have wi-fi, right? And, I'm better off connecting the laptop via wi-fi, rather than Bluetooth, correct? So, what would I potentially use Bluetooth for? And, besides that, is there anything else better about the x1100 vs. the e400?

 

[JoelWhy]

Actually, on second look, the e400 doesn't have WiFi. So, I think I can scratch that off my list.

 

[jkgsxr]

Here is a side by side Denon AVR-E400 vs Denon AVR-X1100W IN-Command

 

[JoelWhy]

Thanks, jkgsxr, that Crutchfield side-by-side comparison feature is handy! And, not to sound too much like a schizophrenic, indecisive shopper, I've (possibly) changed my mind yet again.

Rather than the refurb AVR-X11000W for $349 + shipping, Accessories4Less is offering a refurb DENON AVR-S900W with free shipping. (i.e. It would end up costing me an extra $20 or so for the S900W model.) The two models seem very similar, with the biggest difference, as far as I can tell, being that the S900W has "HDMI to HDMI Upconversion".

One question I had, though, was about the "Auto Speaker Calibration". The X1100W has "Audyssey MultEQ XT", while the S900W has "Audyssey MultEQ". What does the "XT" mean? Can someone translate this to English for a noob?