Impossible? Sub-$500 5.1 HT Setup for Computer?

[Nosoupforyou]

Been trying to build a 5.1 home theater system setup for my computer, but after getting strongly dissuaded not to get the Logitech Z-5500 system, I am caught in a rut. Will be using this system for games, music and movies. Prefer a rich midrange and excellent soundstage more than insane bass.

I only have $500 to spend. Please try not to laugh.

Three options:
1) Buy the Logitech system and never go on an A/V forum again.
2) Buy a HTiB - perhaps Onkyo HT-S3200?
3) Piece together my own 5.1 system. - But I need help! Can anybody suggest decent HT components for a 5.1 system summing up less than $500?

Thanks sincerely for the help.

 

[j_garcia]

HTiB are OK, but the speakers are the weak point usually. Get these:

http://ac4l.com/make-a-store/item/MORDMS300SYSLV/MORDAUNT-SHORT/MS300-5-Piece-Speaker-Package-Silver/1.html

Add a Dayton 10" Sub100 for around $150 ( www.partsexpress.com ) and an inexpensive receiver (should be able to find a good used one cheap, or a refurb on the same site as the speakers above ) and you could have a very decent little system for right around $500. I've bought from AC4L a number of times, both new and refurb, and I am very satisfied with them.

You left out option #4 and #5

4) Keep saving
5) Go with a nicer 2.1 or 3.1 setup and add the surround speaker later. You will get more bang for your buck that way.

I vote 5, but the Mordaunt Short speakers listed are very decent, articulate and clean; and a good deal at that price.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

+1 on what j garcia posted.

Great deal on very respectable speakers.

 

[josko]

For a second system, in April this year I got :

Polk RM-10 (2 fronts, 2 backs + center) for $150 on eBay
Polk PSW-10 (10" subwoofer) for ~$100 on eBay

Above 2 came from Polk direct (reconditioned, like new). Look at Amazon.com for lots of reviews of above.

I also got a (new) Yamaha 365 receiver for ~$180 (on eBay)

Above costs all include shipping.

It's actually a halfway decent 5.1 setup for a smallish room. I also ended up buying a Behringer BFD (~$70, incl shipping) to equalize the subwoofer. It made a huge difference.

 

[j_garcia]

The PSW 10 isn't worth $100 on a good day though

 

[Nosoupforyou]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions! I'm shocked that it's actually feasible to build a HT-setup under $500.

The speaker suggestions look great, but any suggestions on a receiver? It's the one component I fear the most, because I have no idea what things to look for. I ain't looking to play Blu-Ray through this setup -- mostly games and DVD-movies -- so there's little need for TrueHD or any fanciness like that. Plus, I probably won't be running this system loud at all, so I guess wattage-per-channel doesn't need to be very high...? I don't know.

Any suggestions for a receiver, or at least how much I should theoretically spend on a receiver? Thanks so much!

Someday, if I get into med school, I'll get Magneplanars or something... but for now, I'm really just trying to get the best bang-for-the-buck with $500.

 

[j_garcia]

Maybe one of these:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR506/Onkyo/TX-SR506-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4600/Marantz/SR4600-receiver-80w-x-7ch-home-theater-surround/1.html

Either of those should work fine with those speakers. You won't need a ton of power and both of those would be good entry level receivers.

 

[ZeosPantera]

I always like doing things a little different. Which makes me a special type of audioholic.

I will throw this out there.

$220-Denon 5.1 (have one sounds great!) http://hdtvdreams.com/Denon-AVR-589-5.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-AVR589.aspx S+H is ~$30

$72-Cerwin Vega VE-5C Center (Dont have)
http://www.buy.com/prod/cerwin-vega-ve-5c-center-channel-speaker-2-way-speaker150w-pmpo/q/loc/111/202417558.html

$78x2=$156-Cerwin Vega VE-5M Monitor (Do have and they are FANTASTIC) http://www.buy.com/prod/cerwin-vega-ve-5m-bookshelf-speaker-2-way-speaker125w-pmpo/q/loc/111/202417574.html


I can't pimp off those vega's enough. I have them currently in my office being powered through a 25W per channel Niles micro amp and they sound excellent.

You also may consider instead of getting that vega center just get another PAIR of the Monitors for $7 more and just hook both up in parallel as your center. Tweeters in.

That leaves you $52.00 for a subwoofer. Best bet would be none at all or steal one on ebay. Cant buy anything new that is "good" with that kind of cash.

Good news.. http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-Passive-Subwoofer-Black-For-Home-Use-15x15x9_W0QQitemZ220450178568QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item3353dac608&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
Its passive but run your left and right channels though it and you may forget you dont have a .1

OR

If you can stretch your budget $30 you can steal this neglected Velodyne and fix the front speaker.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velodyne-VA-806-Audio-Video-SubWoofer-System_W0QQitemZ120454115475QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item1c0b9ff093&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[j_garcia]

I am not a huge fan of CVs, but I got a free pair recently when I bought an amp off a guy and to be honest, they don't sound too bad. They don't sound great either, but you know....they are CVs