Best HT speaker setup for under $500

[vegas77]

I know this budget is heresy to most of the audiofiles in this forum but I have two very young children and until they grow up I will never be able to crank this to any significant volume anyway. I recently bought a 56" Samsung 1080P set and have decided on the Yamaha HTR-5960 for the receiver, now I just need speakers. My only requirement is that they be bookshelf style and either 5.1 or 6.1.

Any input would be great, thanks.

Patrick

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I know this budget is heresy to most of the audiofiles in this forum but I have two very young children and until they grow up I will never be able to crank this to any significant volume anyway. I recently bought a 56" Samsung 1080P set and have decided on the Yamaha HTR-5960 for the receiver, now I just need speakers. My only requirement is that they be bookshelf style and either 5.1 or 6.1.

Any input would be great, thanks.

Patrick

Patrick,
Welcome to the forum.

My vote goes to:

4 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006JPDI/sr=8-1/qid=1155913179/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5518118-5762461?ie=UTF8

1 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009WBYL/sr=8-3/qid=1155913179/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-5518118-5762461?ie=UTF8

And one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C9NV78/sr=8-1/qid=1155913261/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-5518118-5762461?ie=UTF8

It totals $489 plus shipping. You won't IMHO find a "bigger" sounding system than that for $500 plus shipping.

 

[Nick250]

To add to Buckeyes suggestions, a Hsu system. With the STF1 sub it's $498

http://www.hsustore.com/vt12.html

Nick

 

[Reorx]

How large is your room?
The Athena Micra 6 is onsale at BB.
BB link
Add a Dayton sub...

 

[jdbwolverines]

I was recently looking for a same type of budget 5.1 setup. I ended up going with Infinity Primus speakers. I got two 250's, two 150's, a C25 and a PS-10 all for just under $600. I got it a circuit city, they are having great deals on all their Infinity speakers rigt now and talked them down a little more cause I bought the whole 5.1 setup.

Edit: They are also pretty durable speakers (from what I've heard from others that have had them a while), so with younger kids they may be better suited to take the occasional damage they might from children...or at least I know I gave my dad's equipment some abuse in my day .

 

[A/VUSMCSGT]

Velodyne.com has the DECO system for $499, originally $1499. I have it, and it's loud and clear, but had to get the Jamo system I have now due to WAF. The Jamo system is also under $500, I paid $430, and it rocks, but it's not a bookshelf speaker. Good luck.

 

[vegas77]

Thanks for all the responses, very helpful. Of those listed I am leaning toward the HSU system. Reviews of this seem to be overwhelmingly positive. How big of a difference does the ventriloquist effect have when watching movies? Anyone have any negatives about this system to add?

Thanks
Patrick

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Thanks for all the responses, very helpful. Of those listed I am leaning toward the HSU system. Reviews of this seem to be overwhelmingly positive. How big of a difference does the ventriloquist effect have when watching movies? Anyone have any negatives about this system to add?

Thanks
Patrick

That setup is great for small to mid sized HT rooms. The size of the drivers will dictate how loud you can listen to that system without distortion (overdriving the speakers). They will break up before a 5.25 or 6" driver, so take that into consideration. If your HT room is on the larger size, I would recommend at least HSU's STF-2. You definitely can't beat the price of that system. The best part is, when you're ready to upgrade, that system will sell on ebay for 80%+ of what you paid for it.