Cheap system for FIL!

[STRONGBADF1]

My Father in law has a 52" Samsung LCD and a dvd player and wants surround sound but "doesn't want to spend $1000 on the ultimate"... He'll need an AVR and speakers (5.1). This will be mostly for streaming Netflix and DVD movies and HDTV with only occasional music. The room is irregularly shaped but sealed off from the rest of the house and is approximately 15' x 15' x 7.5' so say about 1600 to 1700 cubic feet max.

$500 max budget and less is better. No stretching of budget allowed. Small speakers preferred but not mandatory. Wall or ceiling mounted surrounds mandatory. (drop ceiling)

First this came to mind... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-696

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Maybe... http://www.emptek.com/special_cs100.php

 

[sholling]

I think a HTIB is probably your best bet. I just don't see that much more value in those little speakers from EMP - but full disclosure I haven't heard either. Here's last years (HDMI 1.3a). I just don't see how you can do much better for less than at least $700. But with a FIL the only safe bet is to drag him to Best Buy and let him listen for himself. Otherwise you'll be hearing about how he could have done better for his $500 for years.

 

[jostenmeat]

Off the top of my head:

I'd land any old cheapo legacy receiver from a garage sale, clist, etc.

From there:

either one pair of decent speakers. Or a front three. I think of Infinity P152/162. P162 are $85 each below, so pair is 170, or front three equals $255. I hope that I can land used receiver at $100 or even well below. That leaves $100 for surrounds. 5x P162 = $425. P152 are less than P162 by $10 if we are counting every cent. If need be, I'd simply drill holes in the speaker backs to aid in mounting. Remove driver to see where xover and any possible bracing are, to choose drilling spots. Leave the driver off, so you can shake out the debris/dust.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-IeO45ccYEOA/p_108P162BG/Infinity-Primus-P162-Black-grille.html

A different option is an Energy Take package, but I'd still rather have the larger Infinities:

http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic-Theater-System-Black/dp/B001202C44

 

[zieglj01]

Go to www.newegg.com and look at the Sherwood 6505 receiver.
Then look at the Polk and Infinity speaker systems. This can be
done for $500. I have owned Sherwood before - it is OK. Or go
back to Emptek and look at that speaker system. For what you
want, you should be OK.

 

[markw]

Depending on his willingness to "invest" in learning how to operate this stuff, you might want to consider something simple to operate. Sound may wind up be secondary here. Remember, a fancy remote could take up a goodly portion of the stated budget.

Not to sound crass, but this is where Bose finds it's target market: Those that want invisibility, simplicity, and lastly, sound.

Is there any way he could be talked into a two channel system, perhaps with a sub later? Much better bang for the buck.

 

[sholling]

Up front I haven't heard these but the price and look is right Infinity TSS-800. Add you're favorite $220 receiver and you're done.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Good stuff guys, thanks!

I have an old Sony STR-DE575 AVR he can have but I would like to use a HDMI receiver... I need to get to his place and see what kind of center channel room he has on the stand. I also want to make sure the sub has enough power. (not AH power, just normal person power.)

 

[jostenmeat]

Good stuff guys, thanks!

I have an old Sony STR-DE575 AVR he can have but I would like to use a HDMI receiver... I need to get to his place and see what kind of center channel room he has on the stand. I also want to make sure the sub has enough power. (not AH power, just normal person power.)

You're welcome. Here is my issue with HDMI, in this case.

No one in the home is really going to benefit with lossless audio if the speakers are incapable.

Even when using bluray, with optical only, your bitrates still have improved already, anyways.

Using optical instead of HDMI means less chances of handshake issues, less waiting time, less interoperability issues, much less need for FW, etc.

Most importantly, more budget towards speakers and sub. If you buy a mch pcm capable HDMI receiver, you just killed at least half your budget, I presume.