questions about home audio

[dsantamassino]

hi everyone, Im new to this forum.. I need some help on home audio. I will post my questions below..



For this year around Christmas time i want to purchase 5.1 surround system from best buy. I want to purchase everything separate instead of in a package deal. I would be going in person but to get an idea. I would like to know what should i look for on http://www.bestbuy.com/

I live in the USA. I didnt want anything over $400 total if possible. I wanted my amp or receiver to hook up my TV, VCR and DVD Player. I wanted it mainly to play music such as radio and have fun. My room is a small room so nothing that will rock down the house. I share room and board in a home. what would be the best separate equipment to buy. Feel free to ask me questions what i want and what i like then we go from there. I dont know the size of my room. dont have a tape measure. please reply back..

 

[Leprkon]

Other options

I don;t know if you are willing to consider places other than Best Buy, but if you need all the pieces at once, you might look here... it's not going to blow you away with a ton of built in digital processing programs, but it's a major brand from a reputable seller.. it should do a decent job with the feed from your dvd and vcr.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-R19O5kq08i6/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=4&*=37600&I=113HTB506&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=

 

[dsantamassino]

I don;t know if you are willing to consider places other than Best Buy, but if you need all the pieces at once, you might look here... it's not going to blow you away with a ton of built in digital processing programs, but it's a major brand from a reputable seller.. it should do a decent job with the feed from your dvd and vcr.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-R19O5kq08i6/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=4&*=37600&I=113HTB506&o=p&a=0&cc=01&avf=N&search=

thanks but i wanted Best Buy and second i wanted to purchase everything separate like i said and not a package deal.

 

[Votrax]

Crutchfield is not the cheapest place to buy electronics. It will be a bit tough to find something in the $400 price range. Here's my suggestion.

Best Buy
Yamaha HTR-5660 receiver
$229
Yamaha NS-BP4500 speaker system
$249

 

[Rob Babcock]

I think getting something decent for $400 is an impossibility unless you're willing to buy used. Your best chance would be a cheapish receiver and some nice PC speakers, perhaps a Klipsch ProMedia set if you can find a good price.

 

[BMXTRIX]

My opinion is that you need to rethink what you are saying. A 'decent' surround setup runs at a minimum about $1,000.00 - Then you can start looking at good things when you are running several thousand dollars. Excellence really costs a lot of money.

When you have the money for a Yugo - you don't start asking about what type of Corvette you can get.

With $400.00 you want a package. WHY? Because a company can combine a good mix of value put it in ONE box and ship it to one store and the store only needs to track it ONCE. That means a lot of savings to the store and to you. You will find home theater in a box systems all over the place, and Best Buy isn't a bad place to buy from. I personally got my first HTIB system from Sam's Club. It was about $300.00 and served me well until I could afford something decent.

With that said - you do have the separate receiver & speaker package as listed above.

ABOVE ALL ELSE: STAY AWAY FROM BOSE

The Sony speakers may do well also: SAVE367T
But, that puts you well above 400 bucks.

Now- in a HTIB package, you have a Yamaha, Sony, or Pioneer package, none of which are total junk. The Yamaha package at $285.00 likely gives you more quality than you are going to find anywhere else for your 400 bucks.

Of course this is all my opinion and it's your money to do with as you please.

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Go to a library that has back issues of Consumer Reports and start researching. They have tested many "home theater in a box" (HTIB) systems which may be the best way to meet your budget.

$400 is a pretty "challenging" figure for assembling a system from separates.

 

[Yamahaluver]

I fully concur with BMXTRIX, the Yamaha HTIB is a pretty good deal with decent sound, also check out Onkyo which has good quality stuff in that range.

 

[annunaki]

In all honesty, do not expect realistic musical or bass performace with a complete system for around $400. Movies may be O.K. but music performance at that pricepoint is tough to come by. Check into the Kenwood HTB-s310 or HTB-s310DV in that price range.

 

[dsantamassino]

alright. I read everything from the above. lets say nothing to expensive and nothing to cheap. I settle with 1,000 or more buying separate components. ok?? so i would need a recevier?? right?? I would need a pair of speakers?? subwoofer is required?? how many speakers are required in the backround for 5.1?? what else do i need?? there is no way i can get a $1,000 bucks all at once. I rather buy it separate to my likely. I wanted to look online at bestbuy.com for ideas cause bestbuy is the store i will be purchasing home audio from. Please reply back and let me know exactly what i need and what to find it at on bestbuy.com

 

[nm2285]

5.1 refers to the number of speakers in the setup. The five means 3 front speakers and two surrounds. The .1 refers to the 1 subwoofer in the setup. My advice would be to get a receiver, the two main speakers, and if at all possible, the center channel now too. It's best to get the center now because it should match your fronts in terms of sonic qualities (ie buy from the same manufacturer in the same line).

Athena is widely regarded as the best speaker comapny BB sells. Check their AS-B1 or AS-B2 (AS-B2 will provide more bass while you wait on your sub). Hurry though! they may be leaving BB soon!

 

[Rob Babcock]

The Sony Dream System HTIBs aren't too bad, and will still hold their own down the road if you buy better speakers.

I agree that getting a receiver now, along with 2 good mains (& the matching center if you can) is a good way to go. You can then add speakers & a sub down the road. If your local BB still carries the Athena line, that would be a great place to start.

 

[dsantamassino]

5.1 refers to the number of speakers in the setup. The five means 3 front speakers and two surrounds. The .1 refers to the 1 subwoofer in the setup. My advice would be to get a receiver, the two main speakers, and if at all possible, the center channel now too. It's best to get the center now because it should match your fronts in terms of sonic qualities (ie buy from the same manufacturer in the same line).

Athena is widely regarded as the best speaker comapny BB sells. Check their AS-B1 or AS-B2 (AS-B2 will provide more bass while you wait on your sub). Hurry though! they may be leaving BB soon!

at the moment im broke like always nothing new. I have to save up. Will you take a look at the receivers and speakers on best buy.com and check out everything else to and please give me a list what i need for the 5.1?? just point of to me on BB where to find the right equipment.. I might be opening up a account at the bank in the near future to save up money for 5.1 which is going to take me for ever. I work piece rate with very low income. I dont even know what my income is. I dont have any credit. everytime i applied for a CC online they turned me down cause of a credit check i even lied on the application to see can i get away with it. since i need money.. Is there any CC that BB will accept that only accepts low income from work and no credit check required nor a fee to mail in for the CC?? I know that was offtopic.