Need Newbie Speaker Recommendation? Low Budget

[drawde84]

Hi. First, I apologize beforehand, because I am a complete newbie in respect to audio and home theater. The situation is that I'm right out of college, and I'm in med school, so I really have very little money to spend (I'm racking up the debt as we speak). However, four friends and I are planning out our apartment for next year and are each assigned to cover a different aspect of having a cool but cheap media room. One person already volunteered to get a 32" HDTV, someone else is covering the futon, someone else will get a game system... and I wanted to cover audio, since I listen to music constantly.

Unfortunately, my budget is real slim. And I mean REALLY slim. I'm looking to spend around $200 or less. I understand I can barely get anything with that amount of money, and any audiophile will scoff at whatever system I end up with, but I just want the best I can get with the money I have.

So I've learned that my two main options are buy a HTIB or start buying better components individually and build up from there. On the HTIB side, I learned that one of the best deals is the refurbished Onkyo S-590 (~$150), which has not so great speakers but a half-decent receiver that I can slow build around if I fall upon some money. (Please let me know if you have any other suggestions on a HTIB <$200)

On the other hand, I heard I "might" be able to get better components instead and build up from that, buying just a few components with the $200 i have and not having surround sound for a while (probably a year before I can buy more components). My question is that is $200 even enough to go this component route? What components would I start out with? A receiver and two front speakers? A receiver and two front speakers and a center channel? A receiver and two front speakers and a sub? Would having a system missing several components be worth it if I want it functioning right away and I won't be able to buy more for around a year?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[mazersteven]

Your budget for a receiver, and speakers is $200 total?

 

[drawde84]

Heh, unfortunately yes. Feel free to just let me know that my cause is hopeless... =/

 

[mazersteven]

Heh, unfortunately yes. Feel free to just let me know that my cause is hopeless... =/

If you don't have a large room you can get decent speakers for $200. But a receiver too is hard.

 

[jonnythan]

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Two-way-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B00006I5O4
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-HTR-5240-5-1-channel-Receiver-Dolby-Digital-DTS_W0QQitemZ230085454912QQihZ013QQcategoryZ39801QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They're not bad. I have them in my bedroom, and my mains are their big brother the R30. The sound is entirely decent. This is stuff you can build around to create a perfectly acceptable system as you go.

Here is the center channel that goes with the speakers:
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4463996;jsessionid=GuKuJUKZupTSCQFkE7YQlQ**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Add another pair and you have a 5-speaker system for a total of $230. Way better than any HTiB. Add in $150 for a decent used Dolby Digital receiver and you're in business.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Two-way-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B00006I5O4
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-HTR-5240-5-1-channel-Receiver-Dolby-Digital-DTS_W0QQitemZ230085454912QQihZ013QQcategoryZ39801QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They're not bad. I have them in my bedroom, and my mains are their big brother the R30. The sound is entirely decent. This is stuff you can build around to create a perfectly acceptable system as you go.

Here is the center channel that goes with the speakers:
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4463996;jsessionid=GuKuJUKZupTSCQFkE7YQlQ**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Add another pair and you have a 5-speaker system for a total of $230. Way better than any HTiB. Add in $150 for a decent used Dolby Digital receiver and you're in business.

Good Call jonny

Every once in a while Fry's has a sale on Polk Floorstanding & Bookshelf speakers.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3292811

The Polk R-50's where just on sale for $59 bucks. I would keep looking because this sale comes out a few times a year.

http://www.polkaudio.com/images/home/large/black/r50.jpg

 

[no. 5]

I'll second jonnythan, I have a pair of R15's too, thay are a good speaker for the price. and I'll add a cheeper reciever too: ONKYO TXSR304.
also, if you go with slightly used, you way get somthing better than if you bought new, jusk ask Seth=L.

 

[drawde84]

Wow, thanks for all this help!!! I really appreciate it

wow, so on from this link: http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3292811, I can really get a pair of Polk R15 speakers for $50? so its better than the amazon deal?

Another question. So someone else suggested the Velodyne CHT Front Row Speakers: http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/ob_product_detail.aspx?ID=CHTFRSGV&sid=522j969s
for $200. Adding together 2 pairs of Polk R15s and the Center channel suggested above, the prices are pretty comparable.

How would you compare the qualities of these? Thanks for your help!!

 

[mazersteven]

I would do 5 of the Polk R-15 bookshelfs. You can use one for a center channel.

I would also wait for the R-50 Floorstanders to come on sale again.

They come on sale for $59 bucks like I said. Look at the price on the Polk site. OOps

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/r50/

 

[drawde84]

Wow... yea the R50s look really really nice.

But since they were just on sale, how long would you guess (random estimate) that I'd have to wait again for the sale? Is this sale from Frys? I'd rather not wait an entire year for them.

 

[mazersteven]

Wow... yea the R50s look really really nice.

But since they were just on sale, how long would you guess (random estimate) that I'd have to wait again for the sale? Is this sale from Frys? I'd rather not wait an entire year for them.

I see this sale from time to time. I wouldn't say a year wait, but 3-4 months or so. When ever I'm not looking for them I see them. Try calling them to find out.

 

[jonnythan]

Just FYI, the R50 is $59 each, not $59/pair, when they're on sale.

With your budget and space, I'd just go with the R15s. You can always relegate them to surround duty and get the R50s or R30s as mains if you see them on sale.

BTW, I tried an R15 as a center, and the CSi25 was significantly better. When you get a center, spend the extra couple bucks for the CSi25 from Outpost.

Nice deal on the receiver, no 5!

 

[drawde84]

Again, I really really appreciate all of the helpful (and very very prompt) responses.

So now that I'm pretty excited about the choices of center, left, and right speakers (probabyl will go with the CSi25 and pair of R15s, while maybe waiting for the R50s to come on sale so I move the R15s to the back and replace them with R50s), I still need to figure out receiver and subwoofer.

So the CSi25 and R15s best case scenario should cost me around $100-$130 after shipping and such and if I wait for a slightly better deal on the CSi25 which I heard drops down to $50 sometimes.

That means even with these great deals, I don't have all that much money left to spend. $100 for a receiver AND a subwoofer is probably impossible. Are there any good deals to wait for for either receiver or subwoofer that come along occasionally? Would you recommend going used for either of them, or is that a risk?

How about if I up it to around $150?

And is a subwoofer immediately critical? I love bass and all, but I don't think i can shell out another $100-200 on only a subwoofer.

Thanks!!

 

[jonnythan]

Keep an eye out for the R30s as well. By all accounts the R50s aren't much, if at all, better. The R30s go for $39/each on Frys.com and the R50s go for $59/each. I'd just pounce on whichever shows up first.

I'd go for the receiver that no. 5 linked to. Parts Express has a $150 Dayton 12" subwoofer. Just save up your bucks and get that whenever you can.

You can forgo the center channel and run phantom center for the time being. That's $80 you don't have to spend at the moment.

So, get a pair of R15s and the Onkyo receiver and you're under $200. I'd then get the subwoofer, then the center channel, then the R30s or another pair of R15s. In that order. Phantom center is pretty decent.. I'd rather get the sub and have a better experience, particularly with music, and forget the center channel til later. The subwoofer will add a *lot* to the experience with those little bookshelf speakers.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If you want some really high end sounding bookshelves to start out with, get a pair of these, and build up to three pairs over time. They sound excellent with music, and are fine with home theater. I bought a pair and tested them out and they are very impressive for the money. Best Buy puts them on sale for under $50 a pair every now and then, but even at $71, it's not a bad deal. I wouldn't rush into a subwoofer. As long as you go with a brand name older model 5.1 channel AVR, it's a good start. Anymore, even the best AVR's are old technology in a year, so go a model or two years old off ebay, craigslist, etc...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03043&id=1138085354138

http://cgi.ebay.com/DENON-AVR-1601-DOLBY-DIGITAL-5-1-SURROUND-RECEIVER_W0QQitemZ150084629607QQihZ005QQcategoryZ39793QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sony-STR-DE685-5-1-channel-500-Watt-Receiver_W0QQitemZ320076825782QQihZ011QQcategoryZ39800QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I can't vouch for this, but for $26, it's less than a tank of gas (disposable)
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-INCH-POWERED-ACTIVE-SUBWOOFER-SPEAKER-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ220074268181QQihZ012QQcategoryZ3275QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[no. 5]

So, get a pair of R15s and the Onkyo receiver and you're under $200. I'd then get the subwoofer, then the center channel, then the R30s or another pair of R15s. In that order.

that sounds like the best way to go, a reciever and a sub for $150 sounds next to impossible. and that set-up will be far better than a HTB.
this is the sub Jonny is talking about, and I think PE has free shiping for orders over $100.

Nice deal on the receiver, no 5!

I aim to please.

 

[jonnythan]

A friend of mine got in on those Insignias when they were something like $40/pair. They're marginal. I'm far far far from an expert, but they didn't sound as good as my R15s to me.

 

[mazersteven]

Keep an eye out for the R30s as well. By all accounts the R50s aren't much, if at all, better. The R30s go for $39/each on Frys.com and the R50s go for $59/each. I'd just pounce on whichever shows up first.

I'd go for the receiver that no. 5 linked to. Parts Express has a $150 Dayton 12" subwoofer. Just save up your bucks and get that whenever you can.

You can forgo the center channel and run phantom center for the time being. That's $80 you don't have to spend at the moment.

So, get a pair of R15s and the Onkyo receiver and you're under $200. I'd then get the subwoofer, then the center channel, then the R30s or another pair of R15s. In that order. Phantom center is pretty decent.. I'd rather get the sub and have a better experience, particularly with music, and forget the center channel til later. The subwoofer will add a *lot* to the experience with those little bookshelf speakers.

Excellent advice

Is he better off with the x-series sub for $50 more?

www.av123.com

 

[jonnythan]

Excellent advice

Is he better off with the x-series sub for $50 more?

www.av123.com

I'm definitely not the person to ask. I have no idea.

 

[WorldLeader]

If you want the whole package (5.1 plus a processor/reciever) you can look into buying the Logitech z5500 system. I bought mine for a little over 200 shipped ($230?) Very good little system for the money.

Good:
-easy to set up
-receiver unit is easy to hook things into and control
-THX, Dolby Digital, etc
-Nice 10" subwoofer that hits hard
-PLAYS LOUD and CLEAN
-Good for many sources (iPod, CD, DVD)
-Lots of DSPs
-Excellent for Home Theater

Bad:
-weakish highs in music
-Not audiophile quality
-Not upgradable
-Big subwoofer


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