$750 Budget - Need Help!

[ChronoMac]

My birthday's coming up in a couple months and I estimate that I'll be receiving around $750 or so (This about what I got last year). With this, I want to build a home theater system. I've looked around and come to the conclusion that buying each part of the system "separately" will give me better results, so I think I'll go that route. My only problem is what to get.

My setup consists of the following:

• Westinghouse W3213 32" LCD
• DirecTV H20 Receiver (Component)
• Xbox 360 w/HD-DVD (VGA)
• Nintendo Wii (Component)

What do you guys recommend for a receiver, sub and speakers?

 

[mazersteven]

Is the 750 for everything, or just one item?

I suggest you purchase speakers first them electronics later. Start with two speakers, and a receiver if you want to get started. Build from that. Take your time.

 

[ChronoMac]

$750 does have to cover everything, including the receiver, sub, and speakers. I'll be using this system in a dorm room, so it doesn't have to be very powerful. A user on the AVSForum recommended the Onkyo TX-SR304B, which I found for $159.99 at JR.com, so I'm leaning towards that for now.

 

[Adam]

The Onkyo TX-SR504S is only $180 at Amazon with free shipping (the black version was $10 less, but that deal is over). You might want to consider that one, too. Their 500-level receivers have consistently gotten good reviews the past few years. In a couple of months, though, they might be gone (as might the 304) because the new models are already out.

There's been good mention in these forums about the SVS SBS-01 5.0 systems in white or silver that are on overstock sale for $450. An Onix X-sub (at av123.com) will run you $200 and has gotten good reviews here.

That total is a little above your $750, especially once shipping is added.

EDIT: Also just noticed that the TX-SR304S is $150 at Amazon with free shipping.

 

[mazersteven]

A user on the AVSForum recommended the Onkyo TX-SR304B, which I found for $159.99 at JR.com, so I'm leaning towards that for now.

I don't know if that 304 is new but here is this reconditioned 304.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR304S

Anyway I recommend this for $159

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR504B

How large if your room?

 

[avaserfi]

Room size can't be that big if its a dorm room. I wonder if surrounds will be a good idea...Might just be better to pick up a 2 channel or maybe a 3 system with a good sub.

 

[Leprkon]

A user on the AVSForum recommended the Onkyo TX-SR304B, which I found for $159.99 at JR.com, so I'm leaning towards that for now.

I think we can get you the next step up in receivers (504 vs 304) for the same money.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR504B

a decent sub for $200

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS907BL

front left, right $219

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

center $139

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

not much left for the surrounds, but here's a shot ($52)...

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-32W D00802.html

That's $769 before shipping.

You might want to go with Bic America mains for $107 for the pair and a Bic Center at $ 63 or $96. The 62CLRS is a great performer, but it's a heavy bastard as far as center speakers go.. If it's going on top of the TV, you may want to go with the smaller 52.

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-62SIB D00804.html

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-62CLRS D00814.html

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-52CLRB D00812.html

 

[ChronoMac]

How large if your room?

Not very big at all. You can look at pics of the apartment I'll be renting here. The desk in the living room by the door is where the TV will be, so I think I may just need a good 2.1 setup, if you guys think a 5.1 setup would be too much for the space.

 

[Leprkon]

The 62CLRS is a great performer, but it's a heavy bastard as far as center speakers go.. If it's going on top of the TV, you may want to go with the smaller 52.

d'oh... LCD TV, not much going on top of that, sorry...

 

[mazersteven]

Room size can't be that big if its a dorm room. I wonder if surrounds will be a good idea...Might just be better to pick up a 2 channel or maybe a 3 system with a good sub.

I didn't think it was large, but wanted to ask. You know what they say when you "Arseume"

 

[mazersteven]

Not very big at all. You can look at pics of the apartment I'll be renting here. The desk in the living room by the door is where the TV will be, so I think I may just need a good 2.1 setup, if you guys think a 5.1 setup would be too much for the space.

There are a lot of ways you can go. You can rock out with 2 nice tower speakers. 2 nice bookshelf speakers. Or a decent 5.0 system.

Is this for movies or music mostly?

 

[avaserfi]

I didn't think it was large, but wanted to ask. You know what they say when you "Arseume"

Makes sense, I just saw the word dorm and remembered the closet I had to live in for a year. It was 6 by 11 .

 

[Adam]

Makes sense, I just saw the word dorm and remembered the closet I had to live in for a year. It was 6 by 11 .

Reminds me of my dorm. 10 x 10 (I think, including closets) for two people.

 

[ChronoMac]

Is this for movies or music mostly?

Mostly for movies (I have the HD-DVD add-on for the 360), but also for games as well. If I went with a 2.1 setup, could I get a cheaper receiver?

 

[mazersteven]

Mostly for movies (I have the HD-DVD add-on for the 360), but also for games as well. If I went with a 2.1 setup, could I get a cheaper receiver?

I might be wrong, but those are about the least expensive receiver I have seen.

Here are a few options you can look at and figure out what you think you want.

You could choose one pair between these 2 floorstanders, and no sub (no sub until more funds are there). You can add on to these speakers to as funds become readily available.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=105.1
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=94.1

Or go with a really nice pair of bookshelf speakers and no sub. (again purchase the sub when funds are available). You can add on to these speakers to as funds become readily available.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

Or if you want a system with a sub.

these floorstanders
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=94.1
and this
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

or with the same sub just listed

with these bookshelfs

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1
or
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1
or
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html


Here is a lot of info. Take your time. Ask as many questions as you want.

 

[ChronoMac]

This is a noob question, so brace yourself: If I were to get the x-sub, a pair of x-ls speakers, and the Onkyo TX-SR304B receiver, how exactly would I connect my Xbox 360, DirecTV receiver and Wii to all this? The 360 uses VGA for video and stereo cables for audio, and the DirecTV receiver and Wii also use stereo cables for audio and component cables for video. Also, are there better cables I can get for each (Optical, for example), while keeping the existing video cables?

 

[avaserfi]

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR304&class=Receiver&p=i

Look at the image of the back. It will have inputs of all types and then you will just rune a component cable to your tv and you should be good.

 

[ChronoMac]

Since the Onkyo reciever doesn't have a VGA port, I'm guessing I can just leave that plugged into my TV, get an optical cable and just connect that from the 360 to the reciever? Should I do that with the DirecTV reciever and the Wii (Leave the 3 component video cables attached for each and just connect audio cables)? What's the benefit of connecting video cables to an audio reciever?

 

[avaserfi]

With the system you are talking about I would probably do exactly what you said. Leave the video connected to the TV and just run audio to the receiver. There is no real benefit of connecting video cables to an audio reciever.

 

[jinjuku]

I think we can get you the next step up in receivers (504 vs 304) for the same money.

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR504B

a decent sub for $200

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS907BL

front left, right $219

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

center $139

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

not much left for the surrounds, but here's a shot ($52)...

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-32W D00802.html

That's $769 before shipping.

You might want to go with Bic America mains for $107 for the pair and a Bic Center at $ 63 or $96. The 62CLRS is a great performer, but it's a heavy bastard as far as center speakers go.. If it's going on top of the TV, you may want to go with the smaller 52.

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-62SIB D00804.html

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-62CLRS D00814.html

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/product/DV-52CLRB D00812.html

I second the BIC's