New system on a $700 Budget

[Rtstrider]

Basically I'm just curious to see what's to be had for a $700 budget...I already have the sub (Sony dual 10" 250 watt)....I guess 5.1 would be sufficient for myself...I'm looking for two floorstanding fronts, 1 center and 2 rears, plus the amp of course....And the amp must have at least 3 optical inputs

 

[stizach]

Your best bet would be to purchase the components piece by piece and slowly build your system because all of this for $700 would be a quite a tall order and the components you could obtain would not be of the upmost quality, or you could try ebay and look for some quality used equipment.

 

[Khellandros66]

You should check out Athena Audition series (AS-F1.2's) and stuff.

www.athenaspeakers.com

Also did a some quick leg work for you, this is a great receiver for your budget above,

~Bob

 

[Rtstrider]

I know what I would have wouldn't be of top notch...But....What I would like to know is....What well rounded speakers (good highs/mids) could I find, plus the amp on a $700 budget?

EDIT: Forgot to mention should I be looking for 2 or 3 way speakers? In theory 3 would be ideal...But you guy's are the experts....So please lend me a helping hand

EDIT #2: What do you guy's think about thishttp://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-Surround-Sound-Receiver-STR-DE897-S-/sem/rpsm/oid/92798/catOid/-12851/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do reciever?

 

[Khellandros66]

2 way speakers are less expensive and with the advent of powered subwoofers 3 way speaker aren't "necessary" IMO unless the room is large (4-5k or more square feet)

The Yamaha receiver I listed above is alot better then that Sony and around same price too.

As far as speakers

Athena
AS-F2.2
AS-C1.2
S.5

This system would be very refinced for the price. I have setup a neighboors system witha Yamaha/Athena combo and they have been very happy, I was truly impressed by their dynamics and musical capabilities.

~Bob

 

[AudioSeer]

Aperion makes a decent budget system for $799. Perhaps you could sell the Sony sub and buy a receiver on Ebay or Craigslist.

http://www.aperionaudio.com/products/product-detail.aspx?id=122&catId=5&catName=Aperion+Speakers

 

[Rtstrider]

Well what separates the sony reciever from the yamaha?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Well, Sony has fallen out of sorts in general with almost all of their audio gear. Their receivers are poorly engineered and don't offer the value for the money that their competitors do.

The Pioneer 815TX gives you a full 7.1 system with automatic setup at a very reasonable price.

Understand first and foremost, you have a VERY entry level budget. Bottom of the line stuff. Barely reaching beyond home theater in a box setups (HTIB) so making a list of 'this is what it must have's is not going to work. You will get a list of 'this is what you might be able to afford... maybe's instead.

So, no, Sony tends to make poor speakers, their receivers are over-priced and under-engineered for the money. You have better options for both. But, I would try to keep the sub if you can.

Many people don't have a single speaker that costs LESS than $700 for comparison for what you are asking.

But, without sacrificing a lot of quality - you can pick up 4 Aperion 422 L/Rs for $400 and add a Aperion 422 Center for $120.00

That's $520

Add the Pioneer 815K here:
http://brandnamez.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=20960&lastcatid=88&step=4&AffNo=492452167

For $255

That's $775 - Yep, still can't reach the perfect budget, but at least the sound would be decent.

There's always Audiogon and eBay both of which can give you some deals.

 

[Rtstrider]

Well what I'm looking to do is....Listen to music, xbox, watch TV (Hi def of course), and watch the occasional dvd....What I currently have is a htib plus the sony sub....It's a sony htib.....It doesn't sound that bad to me....But I realize it lacks in the mids area....I'm looking for something to replace it with....

 

[Sheep]

I would go with what Bob recommended. Its going to have huge dynamics compared to the aperions because of the towers and hte higher efficiency.

But, with 700 for everything, you don't have alot of wiggle room.

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/5.1SpeakerSystemShootout1.php

There are some other system in here can you could look at. The Velodyne model can be had for very cheap, and it comes with a good sub. Simply sell off your other stuff and but a receiver with the left overs.

SheepStar

 

[Onabudgetguy]

Some budget recommendations

My first thought when reading your post was why 3 optical inputs?
That seems like a lot on a budget.

Can you mix some digital coax and optical inputs??? This may open up your receiver choices. I would suggest looking on ebay, ubid, or other sites for a receiver (ones that are 1-2 years old shouldn't be too bad, or even refurbished).

As someone else said, many people here have single speakers that cost more than 700 (much more in some cases). For some here 700 is their cable budget

I would keep the sub (I have same one, so I am biased), look for some decent speakers (go w/ bookshelf speakers if they are good quality, don't need floorstanders all the time), and get a decent receiver.

Stick to your budget, many here like to add a few hundred to anyone that comes on asking about equipment w/in a certain budget (I feel like this has become a crusade of mine--to warn everyone of the "budget-busters" in here haha)

Good luck

 

[Onabudgetguy]

Also

I was in a rush finishing up my post.

I forgot to add : Go out and listen to speakers.

Any of a number of speakers sound great here on the boards, but until you actually hear it w/ your two ears, you shouldn't make the decision (a bit hypocritical, as I haven't always had the luxury of doing this).

I think that is the best part of setting up any system is going around looking at what is out there. I always have trouble for a few days after pulling the trigger thinking there was something else out there for me. I mean, I got a 25 dollar gift card to best buy and I can't figure out what to buy-movies...which movie, music...which music, some better speaker wire??

As I said before, good luck, stick to your budget and have fun.
I don't have the best system around, but it is mine, and I have fun listening to it and watching it.

 

[Rtstrider]

Well then I guess the next question is....What are some good budget brands (Speakerwise) that I can get @ bb? One's that are pretty durable, and good beginner speakers? The room they're going in is 13 x 15....So does that help?

 

[Rtstrider]

I was looking at these http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1467193 . Any advice? How does it look on paper? Pretty good bang for the buck?

EDIT: Or I would be willing to shell out some extra dough for these http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1581770....But you guy's are the experts....

 

[Onabudgetguy]

Don't know about those choices

I haven't seen any reviews of the SDAT speakers, but they appear to be on the same level (if not a teeny-tiny bit better) as white van speakers.

I would stay away from them.

 

[zumbo]

Well then I guess the next question is....What are some good budget brands (Speakerwise) that I can get @ bb? One's that are pretty durable, and good beginner speakers? The room they're going in is 13 x 15....So does that help?

I do not recommend, I repaet, I do not recommend brandnames.

Now that we have that out-of-the-way, the Pioneer receiver is the way to go.http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/PioneerVSX-815ReceiverReview1.php
I figure abot $350 to your door from a reputable net dealer.
Another option for speakers. Not a bad price with free shipping. This should put you around $750.00 total. Best I can do. You may find a better price on either, but buy at your own risk.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-hJhj0Zlh9FF/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=12700&I=108PT5P

 

[Rtstrider]

Question what are white van speakers?

 

[Onabudgetguy]

White Van Speakers

There are many threads of the White van speakers on this forum and others, a couple searches should lay out all the stories. I am also sure Google would give a long list.

Basically there are guys around the country the usually patrol big box electronics store parking lots. They approach people telling of great deals on extra speakers from some big audio install and try to get the cash out of you on the spot. The speakers look big and impressive, but are junk. They sometimes have reports or copies of so called articles talking about how good the speakers are.

If you run into them while searching for real speakers, stay away.

 

[Rtstrider]

Def will steer clear then....I would really like to have floor speakers for my fronts though...Any good overstock.com suggestions?

 

[brian32672]

My recommendation for you is Fluance 5 speaker theater set.
Link here - http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html

You already have a sub, I will say this particular Fluance set does have plenty of bass.
For music they would do fine without a sub, but for movies you need that little extra kick.

Also I would second the VSX-815 Pioneer for your budget......

EDIT:: Also with the money you save, I would opt to sell the other equipment (including Sony sub)
And buy a much better sub. My first 2 choices would be the Cadence X-Sub or a Acoustech H100
Third choice (btw, I liked it - but everyone else rags on this line - even when they have not heard it in their house)
A JBL E250P 12" sub
Or if you really feel like spending that extra buck - then go with a SVS PB10 (however it is twice the cost of the other subs)

Also by chance I have pretty much had all that equipment here for tests, and for your budget - I'm sure these will fit the bill.