Beginner System for student (low budget) with future upgradibility?

[midna]

Hi everyone, been reading the reviews and posts on this site a lot lately and quickly becoming very sad at how little I will be able to afford with any sort of quality. I'm in college and have very little money to spend. I would like to remain in the sub $700 price range if possible to start (less is better ). To make matters worse, included in this price would have to be a decent upconverting dvd player.

With such a low budget I was wondering if there is a way I could start with a 2.1 system but over time be able to slowly move towards a higher end 7.1 system wasting as little money as possible along the way. This would probably progress over a period of 2 years .

I don't need incredible volume at first since I will be living in a dorm room but would like to able to continue to use the system after finishing college. I was originally looking at a system such as the Onkyo HT-S790 but now think that I would end up being very unhappy after finding this site and educating myself a little bit.

Is what I want to do even possible?

 

[Tom Andry]

I'd start with 2.0 (but that's just me) and quickly work toward the .1. A decent set of bookshelves will run a minumum of $200 a pair (though I think I've found that you get a pretty significant performance increase when you jump to $400 a pair). You can get an Oppo upconverting DVD player for 2 bones so you're looking at $4-600 before shipping. You could try to go used to reduce some of that cost. Subs in the $1-300 range can be a little iffy unless you are in a SMALL room so I'd save up a couple more hundred to bump up to a big boy sub (the recommendations from members are soon to follow) rather than settling for something you're going to want to replace ASAP.

 

[avaserfi]

Starting with a good 2.1 system and working your way up is a great choice, but I would actually recommend going a little slower though. With a budget of 700 bucks you can do well but it will just take some time. I would recommend looking at av123.com x-series speakers. Start out small and buy the bookshelves without a sub and get a decent used/refrub yamaha/onkyo 5.1/7.1 receiver. That will probably cut into your budget around 500 bucks. After that you can check out upconverting players from oppo. They do a great job for the price. That will eat up your budget for now but leaves plenty of room to upgrade. When you are ready you can pick up a subwoofer, then the x-cs for a center and lastly you can get another set of the bookshelves for use as surrounds or buy one of the floorstanding models and use those as fronts moving your bookshelves to the sides as surrounds. Another plus about the x-ls speakers is you can try them out and see if you like them for 30 days no risk.

I have a feeling in a dorm room you probably won't need a 7.1 set up. For cables and such check out monoprice.com or bluejeanscables.com they are good cables that aren't overpriced.

edit: Tom beat me too it...

 

[midna]

Thanks so much for the quick replies .

I'll wait on the sub for now, any recommendations on sites to find good refurb'd and used recievers (other than ebay, I'm perusing that now)? On the same note, any recommendations on what recievers? I'm starting with the ones mentioned in the recommended systems ($1000) on this site.

On the speakers, AV123.com says that the speakers are going to be available 08/15 which isn't a problem since I won't order anything until about then (still saving ). Am I looking at the wrong set? (I can't post a link yet)
I finish college in two years and the 7.1 idea was for waaayyy down the road. I completely agree, 7.1 in a dorm room is complete overkill.

 

[avaserfi]

These are the speakers I am recommending: http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

To find a cheap but good receiver I would use audiogon or find a receiver that costs 500-600 new that has features you like then use pricegrabber or something like it to see if you can find a price that is affordable i.e. refurbished unit. One thing to look at in particular is last years model since newer receivers are being released older ones have their prices dropped quiet a bit.

 

[midna]

Ok, here is my future shopping list so far. I went with the more expensive receiver since I wanted one that I could upgrade with and that had HDMI. I personally don't care for HDMI but the OPPO which I really like is HDMI only. The speakers were recommended both on this thread and in the recommended systems page ($1000) so they must be pretty good . I'm over my budget without cables yet, although the OPPO comes with a HDMI cable. The only place left I can see to cut corners is on the receiver and I can't really find one that I like and has the features I want for cheaper.

OPPO DV-981HD - $200 refurb
Pioneer VSX-1016TXV - $350
x-ls Bookshelf Loudspeaker - $219 a pair

Unless I someone suggests otherwise I'll probably order the DVD player today due to the deal on it that I found.

 

[shockemags]

Hi, I was/am in the same boat. College kid with 3-4 years left but I have spent the whole summer working and shopping home theater aspects for my first apartment. I had a bigger budget but I needed to get a TV, A/V Receiver, DVD player, Speakers plus the necessary cables. I started with a 2.1 system as well so here is my two cents...

If you are just wanting an Up converting player, I would shop for deals at BB, CC, and online. You can find a respected brand like Phillips, Toshiba from $50-$70. This would give you another $100-$150 toward speakers, which would allow you to get a little more future proof A/V receiver, center channel, and/or sub. This would give you more high quality audio right now plus the ability to add more.

But if you are wanting to spend $200 on a player I would suggest the HD-A2 (which can be had around $240) and is considered by many to be one of the best upscaling players out plus the HD DVD capability. Just a thought.

Here are some links/scenarios to check out:

1. X-LS Bookshelves ($219), X-CS Center ($139), Onkyo 604 (This will give you HDMI, 7.1, etc) ($299), 1080i Philips Upscaling DVD Player ($65) or 1080p Philips Upscaling DVD Player ($70). I would leave around $75 for shipping and cables.

Total: $802

2. X-LS Bookshelves ($219), Onkyo 604 (This will give you HDMI, 7.1, etc) ($299), HD-A2 ($245) There are 10% coupons available that will make it less. Plus $50 Shipping/Cables

Total: $813

3. X-LS Bookshelves ($219), X-Sub ($199), Onkyo 604 (This will give you HDMI, 7.1, etc) ($299), 1080i Philips Upscaling DVD Player ($65) or 1080p Philips Upscaling DVD Player ($70). I would leave around $75 for shipping and cables.

Total: $857

I know they are $100-$150 but if you could get the extra $$$ you would really benefit from it.

Hope This Helps.

P.S. Which TV do you have?

 

[midna]

Thanks for the post! I'll look into those links you provided!

Well my tv is part gift, part me paying for it (which is why I'm trying to stay somewhat in budget) and I have yet to order it. It all depends on how much the total cost adds up to be and if I can afford the television and bills

I've settled on either the TH-50PH9UK or TH-42PH9UK. I would really like the 50" but it all depends on the what happens over the next month and my ability to save and make money. If I can't come up with enough cash I'll get the 42".

So currently, I have nothing but some dollars in the bank and some gift money that I can put towards the television (no, I can't put the money towards something else unfortunately).

 

[midna]

Awesome setup! Unfortunately, or fortunately depends on the way you look at it, I've become very confused.

In researching the differences between the Onkyo reciever and the Pioneer (which BTW seem eerily similar from what I can tell) I found some posts regarding HDCP and how neither receiver will convert Analog to HDMI.

The only reason I wanted HDMI was for the ability to plug in the dvd player or other device I may purchase in the future. I had no plans on running HDMI to my display. I couldn't find any definitive answer to if either receiver will convert HDMI to component which I can then run to my screen. Is it assumed they will do so?

Also, what choices do I have when it comes to dealing with the HDCP crap? Both receivers, from what I can tell, incur problems when trying to route a signal that has HDCP. Although the Onkyo seems to have less problems when searching google.

The upscaling DVD player I chose seems to have the least trouble upscaling content while some of the "cheaper" ones when I google searched some people had problems with them. Am I wrong in this? What would be the difference then between the "cheaper" upscaling dvd player and the OPPO? The more expensive dvd plyaer you chose is a HD-DVD player which is fine, but I'm staying away from both BlueRay and HD-DVD until either one "wins" the battle, more content is released for either/both, and the qualit/price ratio (as my inexperienced mind sees it) comes down a bit more. That's just pure preference on my part.

And in hopes of being able to afford the 50" screen (which has a variable amount of gift money attached to it, looonnnggg story) I'm gonna do without the center speaker/sub for now and save a few bucks. At worst, I could always donate my "decent" computer sub to this setup.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for your post though. It helps to see what everyone recommends and it has helped to bring more questions up that I hadn't thought of yet. Plus, I'm open to debate if any of my decisions seem off-base as I am not experienced when it comes to this.

 

[zumbo]

Updated
$399.99
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

$279.99
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS912MPL

$89.99
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKDVSP404

$769.97 + shipping. They may cut you a package deal. You still need a HDMI cable and speaker wire. Not a bad deal for a HDMI system with a surround receiver and speakers with 6.5" drivers. Also note that the Avant speakers are in the 12k system from Audioholics.

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/system-buying-guides/the-12k-home-theater-system/equipment-product-recommendations

Or the 604 recommended for $299.99 with the other equipment for a total of $669.97
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR604

Cables: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm

 

[shockemags]

Personally, I would go for either the Onkyo 604 or 605 bc unlike the Pioneer they can pass through audio and video via HDMI which is less cables and if you add in the future and next gen products most like will be HDMI. The TV your looking at have HDMI so it will allow you to run everything into your receiver then receiever to TV via HDMI. Plus if you go with the 604 you will save around $50 and if you go with the 605 you will get a lot more receiver for your money.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

If midna wants to be a big hit at the next keg party, he's gonna need a proper pair of party speakers.......

http://www.cerwinvega.com/CLS215.php

You'll have the rest of your life to buy quality loudspeakers. What you need now is a killer set of party speakers that will play at ear-bleeding SPL levels With the proper party speakers in place, your apartment will be the place to be during parties.

For example, the next time your apartment throws a 'complex' keg party, you wont even need to buy your own keg to pack your apartment with bodies. The masses will hang out at your place, only to leave briefly for refills. ..............and the guys who own weak soundsystems supplying the beer will despise you for stealing their crowds...

 

[zumbo]

If midna wants to be a big hit at the next keg party, he's gonna need a proper pair of party speakers.......

http://www.cerwinvega.com/CLS215.php

You'll have the rest of your life to buy quality loudspeakers. What you need now is a killer set of party speakers that will play at ear-bleeding SPL levels

LOL

http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.process?N=400360&BrandStore=t

 

[zumbo]

Onkyo 605 is 399.99 when added to cart from one call.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=87018#

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS912MPL

http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKDVSP404

$769.97 + shipping and cables.

Same price with the Marantz receiver from A4less. This may yield a package deal.
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR4001

And, if it has to stay below $700:
http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/ONKTXSR604

Cables: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/dvi/index.htm

 

[Gimpy Ric]

If midna wants to be a big hit at the next keg party, he's gonna need a proper pair of party speakers.......

http://www.cerwinvega.com/CLS215.php

You'll have the rest of your life to buy quality loudspeakers. What you need now is a killer set of party speakers that will play at ear-bleeding SPL levels With the proper party speakers in place, your apartment will be the place to be during parties.

For example, the next time your apartment throws a 'complex' keg party, you wont even need to buy your own keg to pack your apartment with bodies. The masses will hang out at your place, only to leave briefly for refills. ..............and the guys supplying the beer who own weak soundsystems will despise you as they sit in their near empty apartments...

ROFLMAO So damn true!

 

[mazersteven]

Forget the speakers. Your in a dorm.

Get the Oppo

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html

and a set of good headphones. Call for lower price.

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/sennheiser/sennheiser-hd-595.php

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

LOL.... I speak from experience!!

 

[zumbo]

LOL.... I speak from experience!!

Me too. Still have my D7's I purchased new in '85 with 12's and horn tweets with the reset button.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

My '85 vintage D-9's still see use as a garage system

Woah... my college apartment was the place to be!! I sure have a lot of good 'ol memories with those things blasting in the foreground.

lol

I had the surrounds redone a few years ago, and now they're like brand new.

 

[zumbo]

My '85 vintage D-9's still see use as a garage system

Woah... my college apartment was the place to be!! I sure have a lot of good 'ol memories with those things blasting in the foreground.

lol

I had the surrounds redone a few years ago, and now they're like brand new.

One of mine is bad, and I am sure the other one would crack if it was in use. Did you send back to CV?