How much money should I spend on a new surround system?

[DanH12]

I am thinking about buying new surround speakers but am not sure how much money I should spend on them. I primarily watch movies and the room where my surround system would go is 1,100 cu. ft. I would want my system to have decent bass but not room shaking. I want to buy quality speakers that will last a while but I don't want the speakers to be too big as I will be moving out of my parents house pretty soon and will likely be living in small apartments for many years to come. I would upgrade to bigger speakers when I get a house further (possibly much further) down the road.

I thought about buying a speaker package (not an HTIB) as they seem to be cheaper and I would have all matching speakers but I do notice that many on this forum suggest to buy high quality speakers over time as your budget allows. Two speaker packages I was considering are the Energy Take Classic 5.1 and the Definitive Technology ProCinema 600. I don't want to spend much more than $600 on surround speakers considering my living situation over possibly the next 10 years but I am will to adjust that budget depending on what you guys suggest.

Consider my situation, should I buy a speaker package or individual speakers over time? Do you have suggestions for what to buy on a budget? Should I stick with bookself sized speakers or include front towers considering that I will be living in small apartments?

 

[lsiberian]

While that's a great question to ask. I will counter it with some common sense. Are you in debt? Do you have a fully funded emergency fund with 6 months expenses? Obviously you should be living on a proper budget and that should tell you what you can actually afford. Home Theater is a luxury item.(aka toy)

I love this hobby and I can tell you I've spent way too much on it to soon and regretted it many times. If you are young and just starting out be sure you have your ducks in a row.

There are bookshelves that cost more than a car so form factor has little effect on cost in the real world.

The average joe will probably be blown away with a simple infinity primus bookshelf setup with a solid sealed sub. But take your time. Start with a receiver and a strong pair of speakers. Maybe a pair of bookshelves you can eventually move to the back some day if you continue to love this hobby.

Take it slow and enjoy the process of hunting for your dream speakers. Stretch it out.

 

[DanH12]

Thank you for the response. I agree that taking it slow in buying surround speakers is the best option and I do have some spare cash to spend on speakers. I have heard many good things about the infinity primus speakers. Are there any other speakers in that price range from different manufacturers that you would recommend. I should also note that I have an older Sony STR-DE845 receiver, 5 JBL sat10 speakers and a JBL bass16 subwoofer. The sound I get from the speakers is not bad but I definitely want better sound than they can produce.

 

[lsiberian]

Thank you for the response. I agree that taking it slow in buying surround speakers is the best option and I do have some spare cash to spend on speakers. I have heard many good things about the infinity primus speakers. Are there any other speakers in that price range from different manufacturers that you would recommend. I should also note that I have an older Sony STR-DE845 receiver, 5 JBL sat10 speakers and a JBL bass16 subwoofer. The sound I get from the speakers is not bad but I definitely want better sound than they can produce.

Let's be real those are barely fit to be called speakers, but great speakers aren't cheap either. I'd use your sat10's for surrounds(surrounds aren't really critical.)

Ascend Acoustics are excellent, SVSs are excellent, Infinities are excellent.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Newegg sales end TODAY.

Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding $130/pr + free shipping w/ Code EMCNCND64.

Pioneer SP-C21 Center Channel Speaker $50 w/ Code EMCNCND63.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Surround speakers for $50/pr w/ Code EMCNCND65.

Pioneer SW-8 100W Powered Subwoofer $80 w/ Code EMCNCND66.

Total 5.1 speaker system = $310.

Newegg.com - Pioneer/Home Audio Speakers



Pioneer VSX-522-K 5.1-Channel 3D Ready A/V Receiver for $180:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117408

Grand total $490 delivered. Sales end today.

 

[GranteedEV]

Consider my situation, should I buy a speaker package or individual speakers over time? Do you have suggestions for what to buy on a budget? Should I stick with bookself sized speakers or include front towers considering that I will be living in small apartments?

Individual speakers. Start with stereo and decent electronics with preamp outputs. Add a pair of subs. Add a pair of less expensive side surrounds and place them slightly behind you. Only add a center channel and rear surrounds if your gut tells you its worth it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Newegg sales end TODAY.

Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding $130/pr + free shipping w/ Code EMCNCND64.

Pioneer SP-C21 Center Channel Speaker $50 w/ Code EMCNCND63.

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Surround speakers for $50/pr w/ Code EMCNCND65.

Pioneer SW-8 100W Powered Subwoofer $80 w/ Code EMCNCND66.

Total 5.1 speaker system = $310.

Newegg.com - Pioneer/Home Audio Speakers



Pioneer VSX-522-K 5.1-Channel 3D Ready A/V Receiver for $180:

Newegg.com - Pioneer VSX-522-K 5.1-Channel 3D Ready A/V Receiver

Grand total $490 delivered. Sales end today.

All great speakers Only small change I'd do is replace sub with Energy 10 incher .. It's frequently on sale on newegg.. tentatively replace avr with refub Denon 1712 from ac4l

 

[BM1]

There is no right answer for how much you should spend since everyone has a different budget. The important thing is to listen to as many as you can in person that are affordable and pick what you think sounds best.

The other question is do you absolutely require a 5.1 system or would you be satisfied with a 2.1 or 3.1 system? If you'd be happy with a 2 or 3.1 setup, that would allow you to get a bit higher quality speakers on the same budget since you'd be buying fewer speakers (assuming you're purchasing things new, not used).

 

[DanH12]

I could get by initially with a 2 or 3.1 system but ultimately, I do want at least a 5.1 surround system. Also, wouldn't floor standing speakers be too much for a small home theater room. I only have a 40" LCD and am not likely to be sitting much more than 8-10 ft from the TV.

 

[DanH12]

I also wanted to know, is my current 15 year old Sony STR-DE 845 receiver good enough to connect budget bookshelf speakers from such brands as infinity, svs and ascend to. Eventually I will get a better receiver but isn't that good enough for now.

 

[BM1]

Just try it out before you over-extend yourself on a receiver if it's not currently in your budget. The worst case scenario is you won't be satisfied or it's missing something you need and have to upgrade the receiver. At best you're happy with it for now and saved yourself money by giving it a try first until you're actually ready to upgrade.

The reason I say that is I've found that the fewest amount of changes in a HT setup at a time is best. That way you don't end up with unnecessary equipment in the end.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

While that's a great question to ask. I will counter it with some common sense. Are you in debt? Do you have a fully funded emergency fund with 6 months expenses? Obviously you should be living on a proper budget and that should tell you what you can actually afford. Home Theater is a luxury item.(aka toy)

I love this hobby and I can tell you I've spent way too much on it to soon and regretted it many times. If you are young and just starting out be sure you have your ducks in a row.

There are bookshelves that cost more than a car so form factor has little effect on cost in the real world.

The average joe will probably be blown away with a simple infinity primus bookshelf setup with a solid sealed sub. But take your time. Start with a receiver and a strong pair of speakers. Maybe a pair of bookshelves you can eventually move to the back some day if you continue to love this hobby.

Take it slow and enjoy the process of hunting for your dream speakers. Stretch it out.

Naw man, this is America. I would spend a minimum of $37,326.27. Just put it all on credit, you can pay it off tomorrow.