Need help deciding on a system!!

[hockeyman92]

Well I wil be going off to college soon and need a receiver and two speakers...Here is what I have been looking at for both. If possible, make a recommendation or let me know which of the following would do the job best. I will be listening to movies and music. For the receiver I want to try and keep it around $200, and for the speakers $150.
Receiver
Yamaha 5730
Onkyo TX-SR502

Speakers
Paradigm Micro
Paradigm Atom
Acoustic Research AR PS2052
Athena AS-B1
I really wish that I could demo some of these but can't find any in the KC area. If anyone knows a place in Ks, let me know also!!

 

[jaxvon]

Do you plan on eventually upgrading to a surround system? I noticed the recievers have the capability...

Anyway, I'm in the exact situation are, except I'm building a 5.1 system from the get-go. I decided to go with the BIC DV-62SIB bookshelves. They're a little over $100 online and are a great performer that doesn't break the bank. The best price you can find is at X-10.

With your reciever, if you could go a little higher, you can pick up the Pioneer VSX-815 receiver that was reviewed at Audioholics for $250 with free shipping from J&R. They are an authorized dealer too, so you'll get the warranty. You might have to call them to get the special price, but since it's toll free, no worries.

 

[Nomo]

Do you plan on eventually upgrading to a surround system?

That's probably the most important question. If you don't plan on multi channel in the near future it may be best to stick with a 2 channel reciever.
For your budget I'd recommend an Onkyo TX 8211.
Dirt cheap on Ubid.

http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage.asp?AuctionId=10446657

I have seen, recently on Ubid, it's slightly bigger brother the TX-8511 for some where around $200.

Both would be sans the warranty.

The Athenas would be a good match with either reciever. (If you can still find them)

With 200 bucks to spend a quality HT reciever is hard to come by.

 

[hockeyman92]

yea i will be upgrading to surround. I have been looking at the pioneer, it is only 200 at circuit city right now, but i read mixed reviews about it...

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

yea i will be upgrading to surround. I have been looking at the pioneer, it is only 200 at circuit city right now, but i read mixed reviews about it...

Keep in mind, when using a surround receiver in two channel mode, all the power is concentrated on those two channels. I would recommend a lower end Harman Kardon over the Onkyo for sound quality as well as ability to drive your speakers. Check ebay for any model starting with a 2,3 or even 4 under $250. This could be a great deal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5789079884&category=39794&rd=1
This may increase real quick. It's at $232 with 17min. left. Nice unit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5790141647&category=39794&rd=1

 

[hockeyman92]

well I am taking your advice and trying to find a HK on ebay, right now I am trying to get the 310, it looks nice...Now what about speakers??

 

[Takeereasy]

A HK 310 would be pretty outdated. You may want to go directly to Harman Kardon's ebay site and purchase a newer model that ends in 25, 30, or 35. Here's a link to that store. When you buy from them you get a full warranty. They don't have anything for you right now but the site updates every couple of days.

As for speakers Buckeye will suggest BIC America DV-62SI unless I am greatly mistaken . They are right there in your budget and are supposed to be some nice over-achieving speakers.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

A HK 310 would be pretty outdated. You may want to go directly to Harman Kardon's ebay site and purchase a newer model that ends in 25, 30, or 35. Here's a link to that store. When you buy from them you get a full warranty. They don't have anything for you right now but the site updates every couple of days.

As for speakers Buckeye will suggest BIC America DV-62SI unless I am greatly mistaken . They are right there in your budget and are supposed to be some nice over-achieving speakers.

I'd still recommend the 310. It's at $89 and has 11 hours left. It's a full fledged 5 channel 33lb DTS powerhouse that IMO is well worth $150 (if it stays in that range). And yes, for the price and application, I'd go with the BIC DV62 bookshelves.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha HTR-5740 and Athenas

The Yamaha HTR-5740 which is a notch above the Yamaha model you listed. You can get it shipped for $209 from an authorized dealer.
http://www.electronics-expo.com/product.jsp?x=HTR5740&zipz=11001

I also have the Athena AS-B1s and would recommend them. They can be found online for about $100 new.

 

[hockeyman92]

How is the bass response from the B1s?? What is the difference between those and the B1.1 and B1.2 or whatever??

How would the Athenas compare to the BICs???

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

How is the bass response from the B1s?? What is the difference between those and the B1.1 and B1.2 or whatever??

How would the Athenas compare to the BICs???

The bass response from the B1's is about what you'd expect from a 5.5" woofer. Tight and fast. The only difference between the .1 and .2 is the thickness of the mdf. The .1's weigh 10lbs each, and the .2's weigh 14lbs each. IMO, Athena's really "junked" up their new line to either save us money, or make more profit for themselves. The BIC DV62 bookshelves blow the B1's out of the water in bass response (43Hz compared to 60Hz), but the highs may be smoother in the Athena's. Even though the BIC's have a silk soft dome tweeter, reviews have said they are a little overzealous in the higher frequencies. If this is all you'll have filling a room, you may need a little extra in the upper range. They weigh ~ 15lbs each. Both have outstanding warranties (Athena 5 yrs/BIC 7 yrs).

 

[hockeyman92]

well i ended up getting the HK avr-310 and the BIC 62si for around $300 for everything, which i thought was a pretty good deal...now i need to get a sub...