Helping a friend - Budget 3.1 setup

[MidnightSensi]

I need some help please! My friend asked me for advice on a 3.1 setup for his living room, but his budget is fairly tight and a bit outside of the things I look at.

The cliffnotes:
- The budget isn't strict, but I know things are tight for him so I want to get a good value. When he asked what a budget receiver costs and I said $500 his eyes got big, but I said I'd take a look for him.
- He can't run rears due to concrete, so it will be a 3.1 setup.
- Ability to understand dialog is important to him, some kind of dynamic volume?

It's a living room, so I was thinking some bookshelves for the front with a little subwoofer?

Main use is movies and TV. Display is a 50" LCD.

 

[sholling]

The standard answer for good reason has become two pair of Behringer B2020P bookshelf studio monitors ($131/pr shipped @ B&H Photo) and the $155 + S&H 12" Dayton subwoofer from Parts Express. He can one of the 2nd pair pair of Behringers for a center. You can show him how to do WmAx's mods for an even better sound for those 2030Ps.

Accessories For Less has factory refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 receivers for $320 shipped. That's the least expensive receiver that I fully recommend and it's a good little receiver. BTW Newegg has these brand new for $380 shipped.

A rough total is about $780 with shipping.

 

[MidnightSensi]

The Onkyo looks like a real nice buy!

I think he wants some passive speakers, not studio monitors. Power might be an issue, plus WAF. What about some Axiom bookshelves? SVS?

 

[sholling]

The Onkyo looks like a real nice buy!

I think he wants some passive speakers, not studio monitors. Power might be an issue, plus WAF. What about some Axiom bookshelves? SVS?

The Onkyo is a great buy. The 608 is about to be released and they are blowing out last year's 607. If he doesnt mind spending a bit more he could have a refurbished TX-SR707 for $480 plus S&H. It adds preouts, 1080P upscaling, and Audyssey Dynamic Volume.

FWIW the "P" version of the 2030 is passive, however they do suffer from low WAF appeal. Just too industrial looking for many people. I haven't heard the Axiom or SVS' bookshelf speakers but SVS's packages are a nicely priced option.

Or if he likes the "Boston sound" CS26 bookshelves can be found for $80ea online and the matched center can be had for around $150. They are rear ported but as long as your friend gives them some breathing room they should do fine. Review

 

[MidnightSensi]

I may be misreading the Onkyo website, but it says that the 607 has Dynamic Volume too?

 

[sholling]

I may be misreading the Onkyo website, but it says that the 607 has Dynamic Volume too?

Oops my mistake.

I have the older 606 (bought refurbished) in my master bedroom and it's been a huge improvement over my old Pioneer VSX-912. It's a nice little receiver.