Need Help: $1500 Best Buy Only

[Defient]

Hello all, I’m in need of your expertise and recommendations.

Here’s the scoop. I recently got a TV from best buy; well I ended up winning a much better one in a raffle at a softball tourney. So I was able to take back the one I bought. I chose to receive a store credit because I had intended to get a new fridge there. Well I ended up getting the one I have fixed. So basically what this all boils down to is this. I want to jump into a new home theater system. I have done some moderate research, but still trying to decide what to get. I’m completely replacing my old system.


I have roughly $1500 to spend. Must be at Best Buy due to my credit there.
What I’m basically asking you guys is to spend my money for me on a system and list the breakdown of everything. I will need a receiver, speakers, and sub. Looking to get the most performance for the money. I know there are better options out there, but I’m limited to what best buy has available. Doesn’t have to be the best of the best, just something solid. (Also please note, the full $1500 doesn’t have to be spent if there is a very good option for cheaper)

Here are my theater room specs:
12x16 – One Solid Door – 2 Windows – Wood Floor – 8ft Ceilings – Drywall walls

 

[Whitey80]

Gonna be lots of opinions coming your way....Here's my 2 cents.
Pioneer Elite VSX21 receiver. Been using Elites for many years now, and absolutely love them. Aesthetically very well designed, solid construction, very warm, clean sound.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+Elite+-+770W+7.1-Channel+Satellite+Radio-Ready+A/V+Home+Theater+Receiver/9379157.p?id=1218095151680&skuId=9379157

Klipsch HD Theater 500. Demo'ed this set their a few weeks ago, sounded very full for being such a small speaker set. I was impressed.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch+-+HD+Theater+500+5.1-Channel+Home+Theater+Speaker+System+with+Powered+Subwoofer/9385747.p?id=1218096162766&skuId=9385747
Steve Guttenberg's review of the speakers http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/klipsch-hd-theater-500/4505-7868_7-33549715-2.html?tag=txt;page

Not gonna blow you away, but for $1500, it's a good start. You'll have a great receiver ready for something larger if you're ever so inclined.
Look and listen to everything, you'll find something you'll be very happy with in your budget.

 

[Whitey80]

Or......something I've had alot of luck with and built my entire living room system from, trade that gift card to someone on Craigslist in your area for their entire sysetm, will get you a lot further for your money.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Polks:
Fronts: TSI-200
Back: TSI-100
Center: CS-10
Sub: Yamaha YSTSW315PN
AVR: Yamaha RX-V665
Total budget: $1,479.93 [Before Ship&Tax]

 

[sholling]

If you have to buy from a best buy then I recommend that you take advantage of the situation and go listen. Speakers are very subjective and what I like you may hate and vice-versa. Chose your speakers first and then a receiver with the power to drive them and the features you want.

You're going to pay absolute top dollar from BB unless you catch a sale so if I were you I'd start with two good quality bookshelf speakers and a subwoofer, or two good bookshelves, a center and a sub and then save up and add the other pieces later. If you go this route I'd budget $1000 for the two bookshelf speakers and a decent sub, and $500 for the receiver. Take CDs that you know and love and plan to spend hours listening and comparing.

If you must go 5.1 now and want a package deal then I'd want to listen to the Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 system. I'm not endorsing it because I've never heard it. I'm just saying I'd give it a listen because of DefTech's reputation. If you like the DefTechs then the Pioneer $700 Elite VSX-21TXH receiver just about fits into your budget.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd actually buy just the 5.0 portion of the speakers and a receiver there and get the sub from one of the well known manufacturers online such as SVS, HSU, etc... Best Buy isn't somewhere where I would probably go speaker shopping, but the Magnolia lines are quite good (not present in every store though), though they may mostly be above your budget. With your budget, the Polk RTiA line will do the trick - bookshelf speakers and a center.

I am not a fan of the Procinema line from DT, but as mentioned, you need to go listen to what they have and decide what sounds good to you.

 

[lsiberian]

If they have Infinity Primus speakers you could go that route. You could also upgrade something else.

 

[highfigh]

Or......something I've had alot of luck with and built my entire living room system from, trade that gift card to someone on Craigslist in your area for their entire sysetm, will get you a lot further for your money.

You would trade a $1500 credit for a system that has no warranty? I wouldn't.

 

[j_garcia]

You would trade a $1500 credit for a system that has no warranty? I wouldn't.

No, but I'd sell it for a little less than face value and buy a better system than what is likely at BB.

 

[Defient]

Ok, lets say I'm able to pawn off a giftcard to someone. With that being said, what sort of recommendations do you guys suggest? Try to stick to the same budget. I really like the SVS systems, but the backorders seem to really suck.

I'd like to go with an SVS sub, so throw out to speaker recommendations for me.

 

[sholling]

Ok, lets say I'm able to pawn off a giftcard to someone. With that being said, what sort of recommendations do you guys suggest? Try to stick to the same budget. I really like the SVS systems, but the backorders seem to really suck.

I'd like to go with an SVS sub, so throw out to speaker recommendations for me.

Well if you could wait the the SVS 5.1 bundle ($1055 + S&H) and a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 ($480) from Accessories For Less would be close to your budget.

Three pair of Behringer B2030P bookshelf monitors at $131/pr is $393 shipped from B&H Photo. They're ugly but sound really good in a small room and sound even better if you do WmAx's mods. Have Elemental Designs, Hsu Research, and SVS size a sub for your room. They might even have some b-stock. Figure $400-600. That gives you a nice 5.1 system (and a spare 2030P) and enough left over for the refurbished Onkyo above.

One pair of Infinity Primus P362 towers ($250-450/pr depending on current sales), a PC350 center (~$220), and two P162 bookshelves (~$200/pr). Add your favorite sub and the smaller refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 for $320 shipped from Accessories For Less and you're styling for $1500. The P362s are super easy to drive but I'm told benefit a lot from some minor mods.

Two EMP E5Ti for $500/pr shipped from the Audioholics Store. I haven't heard these yet but they have a good reputation. Add a good $400-600 subwoofer, the refurbished Onkyo TX-SR707 and you're styling while you save for the center ($220 shipped) and surrounds. This is the route I would probably take. I'd rather anchor my system with best core elements that I can afford and then come back and add the rest as money allows.

Oh and plan on investing in a SubDude/Gramma etc. to isolate the sub from those wood floors.

 

[jostenmeat]

Ok, lets say I'm able to pawn off a giftcard to someone. With that being said, what sort of recommendations do you guys suggest? Try to stick to the same budget. I really like the SVS systems, but the backorders seem to really suck.

I'd like to go with an SVS sub, so throw out to speaker recommendations for me.

Using BB gift card, I would probably do a 3.0 system, perhaps Martin Logan Motion or Preface towers. If Preface are being superceded, and they have them on the floor, you should be able to negotiate further discount on their demos, hopefully. These will probably be found only at Magnolia.

Some people think I might be eccentric, but if I didn't happen to use a PJ in a dedicated theater, and instead had a flat panel, I am nearly certain I would do three identical speakers, on the same plane, vertically arrayed. An audio rack is quite affordable, a URC RF system is only $75, and a Monoprice 35 ft HDMI is maybe $50. The benefits are numerous.

Then to fill the system out, I'd buy or build a nice sub, and look for smaller ATF speakers on the classifieds, ebay, craigslist, audiogon, for the surrounds.

Not using BB card, I'd probably look at Infinity Primus in 5.1, or Ascend Acoustics in a 5.0 (or 5.1, depending on models chosen), or Salk sound with either 3.0 or 2.0.

 

[Whitey80]

You would trade a $1500 credit for a system that has no warranty? I wouldn't.

Aw, don't be so damned cautious! Take some risks once in a while! Paid off for me...all that stuff listed in my living room in my sig (except for Xbox and TV) cost me less than $1500! All works and sounds great, thanks to a great community of sellers out there.

 

[highfigh]

No, but I'd sell it for a little less than face value and buy a better system than what is likely at BB.

I have to wonder how someone in that position would find a seller with the 'right' system. That's a true 'needle in a haystack'.

BB has Denon, Onkyo and Pioneer receivers. I haven't looked to see all of the speakers they carry but some are decent enough. If someone looks for the sales and deals, they can get a decent price at BB. They may have something in their Open Box area, too.

Now, for my disclaimer- I don't like BB. Unfortunately, they're convenient and if I need something immediately, I sometimes go there instead of ordering through my distributors. We need more competition at that level- not one big box electronics chain.

 

[highfigh]

Aw, don't be so damned cautious! Take some risks once in a while! Paid off for me...all that stuff listed in my living room in my sig (except for Xbox and TV) cost me less than $1500! All works and sounds great, thanks to a great community of sellers out there.

I have been in this industry for over 30 years and have seen a lot of stuff that was DOA or died soon after opening the box. If it's a small item or something that really doesn't matter, like speakers for a workshop or garage, no problem. If it's the main system, I'm too picky to drop $1500 on used equipment.

 

[Whitey80]

BB has Denon, Onkyo and Pioneer receivers. I haven't looked to see all of the speakers they carry but some are decent enough. If someone looks for the sales and deals, they can get a decent price at BB. They may have something in their Open Box area, too.

I was there recently, and as I recall, they carry Definitive Tech, Klipsch, Energy, Mirage and Polk in their Magnolia section, and a bunch of other major electronics manufacturers offerings out on the main floor.....oh, and Bose.

 

[highfigh]

I was there recently, and as I recall, they carry Definitive Tech, Klipsch, Energy, Mirage and Polk in their Magnolia section, and a bunch of other major electronics manufacturers offerings out on the main floor.....oh, and Bose.

Awww, why'd you have to dirty up the list with that last one? Jeez!

 

[Defient]

Did some shopping around on Polk Audio. Any thoughts on picking out of these pairings if you had to choose? (Got to hear some of them in-store and was pretty impressed.) Also, any cheaper places possibly online?

Also, feel free to let me know if I should steer clear of anything

Center: TSI-CS10 (Bestbuy 180, Amazon 107)
TSI-CS20 (Bestbuy 300, Amazon 220)
CSi3 (Amazon 150)

Surround:
TSI-100 (Bestbuy 200, Amazon 170)
TSI-200 (Bestbuy 300, Amazon 250)

Main Floor:
TSI-300 (Bestbuy 200, Amazon 200)
TSI-400 (Bestbuy 300, Amazon 300)
RTi10 (Amazon 275)

Still up in the air on a Sub, also I noticed an open box Pioneer 1019 today for $425 when I made my Best Buy trip. Any comments on that? I know the 1020 is coming out soon, but I havent taken a look to compare them.


Thanks for all of your help so far!!

 

[sholling]

also I noticed an open box Pioneer 1019 today for $425 when I made my Best Buy trip. Any comments on that? I know the 1020 is coming out soon, but I havent taken a look to compare them.

I don't recommend non-Elite Pioneer receivers. Their power ratings are "optimistic" at best. If you can I'd snag one of the Onkyo refurbs off Accessories For Less. I have a 90w Onkyo TX-SR606 that will flat blow the doors off my old 110w Pioneer VSX-1014.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

All Tsi/Csi can be mixed and are all timbre matched.
I personally think towers are overkill for surrounds.
Like Shrolling said 1019 isn't best choice, Yammi 665/Onkyo 608/Marantz would better choices. Accessories4less have good deals on refub Marantzes and Onkyo units.
Newegg has frequently good sales on polks, but your best bet for lowest price could come as mentioned before from Audiogone