I need some serious help, please.

[rockbo]

I'm 20 years old, and new to the wonderful world of home audio. I recently purchased a 600w Sony 5.1 receiver from radioshack. Now here is my dilemma. I'm broke. Almost literally. All my money is going to car payments, insurance, gas(ugh) and student loans, and I have an incredibly LOW budget to buy some speakers, but I need something to hold me over. I know what I'm about to ask is almost stupid, but this is my last hope. I need a decent(not good, not great) set of speakers(2 front, 2 surround, a center, and a sub) for around (gasp!) $150. This is in no way going to be a permanent solution. I just want something to hold me over 'till all the bills are paid. Can this possibly be achieved without buying absolutely bottom of the barrel speakers?

Thanks to anyone who helps!

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I haven't heard these, so I don't know how good they are - but the Audioholics Store has a set of Yamaha speakers for $170 including shipping. Check them out at this link. I'm sure that they won't rock the house, but Yamaha typically doesn't make bottom of the barrel stuff.

Adam

EDIT: I'm sure that AH Store staff would help you out regarding info on those speakers. I checked out some of the sites that I trust (Onecall.com, Crutchfield), but I didn't see anything near your price - especially anything with a sub.

EDIT 2: Nothing against the AH Store, but J&R Music has those online for $110 including shipping. Quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Adam]

zhimbo made some excellent points, but his post got deleted. Perhaps you saw it.

If you're set on getting surround speakers, you might also want to check out this Yamaha set from Radio Shack (seeing as how you got your receiver there). It got good reviews from people on that site and costs $130.

 

[rockbo]

im not gonna lie to you, i have no idea about what any of the specs mean besides the words watt, (sub)woofer, and tweeter. which of the 2 do you think would be better for cranking the sound?
oh. and i always appreciate a lot of bass.

 

[Adam]

If I had to choose between those two systems (which were just possible ideas, btw), I would pick the one from Radio Shack. It has larger drivers and a more powerful subwoofer amp.

How well they sound, and especially how much bass you get, will depend on the size of the room that you put these in. Will this be in a large or small room?

 

[Adam]

You could also check into buying multiple pairs of relatively inexpensive speakers. Frys.com puts Polk speakers on sale for some good prices on a regular basis (I see them by reading dealnews.com, but I'm sure they are posted elsewhere). Circuit City has some Sony bookshelf speakers on sale for $40/pair - buy three pairs and use five of them for your fronts, rears, and center channel. Probably not much bass there, but you can always return stuff to CC if you don't like it.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, when I was 20 yrs old, I did not even have a receiver or speakers. All I had was a cheap CD boom box that costs like $50.

So I think you need to put all your time and engergy into finishing college, get a career, and then play hard.

Then come back in 4 years and ask us for a recommendation on a $10,000 system.

 

[rockbo]

Okay, when I was 20 yrs old, I did not even have a receiver or speakers. All I had was a cheap CD boom box that costs like $50.

So I think you need to put all your time and engergy into finishing college, get a career, and then play hard.

Then come back in 4 years and ask us for a recommendation on a $10,000 system.

Don't you worry bout me. I've got my life all planned out. But the "all work no play" lifestyle just doesn't suit me.