Need new home system, clueless and need help!

[Pho]

So I'm looking to get a new home theater speaker system. Looking for a 5.1 system, I have a pretty large living room (kitchen is connected).

I was looking at htib systems, but people say that going separate parts are better. Is there a way to do this with a $1k or below budget? I really don't want to go over that.

Thanks!

 

[markw]

How big a living room? Keep in mind that a decent subwoofer alone could eat up at least half your budget.

 

[Pho]

1973 sq footage

I'll upload some pictures of the living room so you can get a better idea also.

 

[markw]

also, your subject title says "system" yet your post specifies "speakers". Do you already have a receiver? If so, which one?

BTW, nice room.

You're really going to need a big subwoofer for that room. You might want to reconsider your budget here.

 

[Pho]

also, your subject title says "system" yet your post specifies "speakers". Do you already have a receiver? If so, which one?

BTW, nice room.

My bad, I do not have a receiver. So we'd be buying everything. I had a bose cinemate, but the powersurge fried it and it was time to get a new and better system anyways after all the years.

What's a good budget to set in this case then?

 

[markw]

0o, you want five speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver, all for $1000? That's a tough one. Perhaps someone else can come up with something. You can get "something" but it's performance in that area will be disappointing.

consider, for a room that size most of your initial $1000 will be spent on a subwoofer.

You can get a decent entry/mid level receiver for about $200 - 300 if you don't mind a good refurb with a guarantee.

for a decent set of five speakers you can figure on at least another $1000 - $1250.

The job of a speaker is to move air. the larger the area of the room, the more air it has to move. In subwoofers, there is no substitute for power and size.

Check out http://www.svsound.com/ and http://www.hsuresearch.com/ to get a feel of what we're facing here.

If this meets your approval, I'm pretty sure many recommendations will be forthcoming.

 

[Pho]

I see, well I'm not looking to spend that much at the moment unfortunately. Got too much going on so I can't afford to spend too much.

I just want something to move up from the stock TV speakers, so I guess anything will work for me.
I figured this was a low budget because of the size of my room, knew I was going to have to spend a lot if I want a good speaker set (I frequent head-fi and it became an addiction )


Should I just get a soundbar system? I saw someone recommended the vizio one, but not sure if there's better options for the price: http://www.vizio.com/audio/sb4051c0.html for $350

 

[markw]

If you just want to move up from TV speakers, this would be a good choice. Again, the larger the better.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/?gclid=CIj-5M3Ei8cCFYSPHwodf9oJ-g

 

[Pho]

If you just want to move up from TV speakers, this would be a good choice. Again, the larger the better.

http://www.zvoxaudio.com/?gclid=CIj-5M3Ei8cCFYSPHwodf9oJ-g

So the SOUNDBASE.770 would be a better choice than the vizio one I listed? Because this seems to only have a soundbar unlike having two additional two speakers you can mount behind you on the vizio one. Sorry for asking so many questions, I want to get the best I can get for the budget.

Haven't heard of zvox audio before, only brands like polk/xtz/denon/etc.

 

[markw]

That vizio will be like trying to bail out the Titanic with a water glass. Besides, where and how would you mount those rear speakers.

Actually, even the big Zvox (goggle that name for reviews) won't fill your room with sound. Nothing will for your price but it will be far, far superior to your TV speakers. No, it won't do multi-channel but it will fill as much of the room as possible with good sound.

Again, unless you want to do it right, you're going to be disappointed with any multi-channel system in your price range.

 

[Pho]

That vizio will be like trying to bail out the Titanic with a water glass. Besides, where and how would you mount those rear speakers.

Actually, even the big Zvox (goggle that name for reviews) won't fill your room with sound. Nothing will for your price but it will be far, far superior to your TV speakers. No, it won't do multi-channel but it will fill as much of the room as possible with good sound.

Again, unless you want to do it right, you're going to be disappointed with any multi-channel system in your price range.

I see, I was thinking of putting the rear speakers behind the seats with a stand.

I might just get the zvox, thanks!

 

[Pho]

That vizio will be like trying to bail out the Titanic with a water glass. Besides, where and how would you mount those rear speakers.

Actually, even the big Zvox (goggle that name for reviews) won't fill your room with sound. Nothing will for your price but it will be far, far superior to your TV speakers. No, it won't do multi-channel but it will fill as much of the room as possible with good sound.

Again, unless you want to do it right, you're going to be disappointed with any multi-channel system in your price range.

Alright, so how does this compare to the zvox? http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5700-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00LU0GG34/

It's $600, which is the same price as the flagship zvox.

 

[markw]

Go for it. Onkyo makes probably the best HTIBs on the market. Don't expect miracles in that sized room though.

 

[agarwalro]

How about this?

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosyambundle2/boston-acoustics-classic-ii-2300-surround-speaker-system-yamaha-rx-a730-receiver/1.html

http://emptek.com/i12.php

 

[zieglj01]

How about this?

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosyambundle2/boston-acoustics-classic-ii-2300-surround-speaker-system-yamaha-rx-a730-receiver/1.html

http://emptek.com/i12.php

Not bad - you can always upgrade the speakers later

I would see about getting 2 or 3 of these before they sell out.
They are higher-end and sold mainly overseas.
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamns2hxb/yamaha-ns-2hx-yamaha-natural-sound-speakers-black-each/1.html

 

[Mark of Cenla]

How about this?

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosyambundle2/boston-acoustics-classic-ii-2300-surround-speaker-system-yamaha-rx-a730-receiver/1.html

http://emptek.com/i12.php

That seems like the way to go! Peace and goodwill.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

don't compromise on quality speakers, get 2.1 or 3.1 instead. Mark is right, you need spend a lot on the sub
My suggestion:
Elac Debut B5 and C5 (or just pair of B5s if budget super tight)
http://elac.us/debutproducts/
This avr:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1100w/denon-avr-x1100w-7.2-4k-receiver-wi-fi/bluetooth/airplay/1.html

Sub: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-c1500k-15-250-watt-powered-subwoofer-kit--300-770
(Some assembly required)

or a pair of these: http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1200-12-120-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-629

This setup sound night and day better than anything mentioned above.

Then budget allows buy cheap surrounds to complete the system.

Option b) Get a pair of Elac F5 towers and skip the center for now(don't wait more than year- it might be discontinued), a single Dayton sub1200 and the refub same avr