Recommendations for the best 5.1 Channel Home Theatre System for under $600.

[Xodiak]

I recently bought a 50" Samsung 1080p TV and want to add a powerful surround sound system that will put me in awe. I'm looking for a theater system with;

- Crisp and clear sound
- 4 Wall Mountable Speakers + 1 Middle Speaker
- A subwoofer of at least 100w that doesn't muddy the bass.
- iPod Cabability
- All for under $600.
- Audio Support over HDMI

My room is small, probably too small for my TV as it's only 12' by 9' and my TV is placed in the corner. What home theater packages can you wizards recommend? Keep in mind i'm going to be spending the majority of my time playing PS3 games on it so a system that would make my gaming experience complete and perfect is what I am in need of.

P.S - Is it possible for me to get a home theater system that is capable of hooking up to my computer? If I could that would be great because I would either be listening to the speakers in the center of my room in front of my computer, or to the left in front of my TV.

 

[chris357]

$600 each?

I guess you could look for used equipment that may be dated but still good quality.. but for $600 total maybe start with a 2 ch system for close to 600 and build from there

 

[Xodiak]

I've been looking around and pretty much settled upon Yamaha HTR-6240BL as my receiver. Now just for speakers, i'll spend up to $800 on the 6 speakers including sub.
Any suggestions of what to get for my price range / circumstances?

 

[sholling]

Check into the Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver as well. The power difference is insignificant and the feature set is better. In the US you can find them for under $400US.

$600 for speakers? Easy in a space that size. 3 pair of Behringer B2030P bookshelf studio monitors - yes you'll have a spare but these rock in a small space. These sell in the US for $130/pr. You'll find some cheap and simple mods on here that WmAx developed that really make them sing.

Assuming they ship to Canada then Parts Express will sell you a good enough sub for that space for $150US. If you have somebody below you then I would probably buy a front-firing-front-ported or sealed sub and set it on a subdude.

Cables can come from Monoprice.com if they ship to Canada.

 

[Xodiak]

Looking into this more is only confusing me further. Would a complete package be my best option? Keep in mind I want the best band for my buck, I want quality sound in a small area with a steady, un muddied bass. With either two floor and two wall or four wall speakers. And oh yes, a AV Receiver that supports HDMI

 

[sholling]

Looking into this more is only confusing me further. Would a complete package be my best option?

No. The suggestion that I made will destroy any HTIB. The Behringer speakers are great for the price - even better if you'll put 30 minutes each into tuning them up a bit. If you want a better sub then save money by just buying 2 pair of speakers for now and build a 3.1 system, and then add the other pair later.

I have no clue what bargain subs are available in Canada but a few people here are happily running $150 Dayton subs in small rooms like yours. I haven't heard one myself so I can't attest to the quality. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

But if you must have a HTIB then I'd look at the Onkyo HT-S7200 - but only if you don't have people below you. The down firing sub will make downstairs neighbors crazy.

 

[njedpx3]

+1

No. The suggestion that I made will destroy any HTIB. The Behringer speakers are great for the price - even better if you'll put 30 minutes each into tuning them up a bit. If you want a better sub then save money by just buying 2 pair of speakers for now and build a 3.1 system, and then add the other pair later.

I have no clue what bargain subs are available in Canada but a few people here are happily running $150 Dayton subs in small rooms like yours. I haven't heard one myself so I can't attest to the quality. Maybe somebody else can help with that.

But if you must have a HTIB then I'd look at the Onkyo HT-S7200 - but only if you don't have people below you. The down firing sub will make downstairs neighbors crazy.

OP, Sholling made and excellent recommendation with three pair of Behringers and a Dayton Subwoofer. The next level of subwoofer would be an SVS or Hsu.

I also agree with the Onkyo AVR recommendation. I amnot familiar with Onkyo HTIB. The only HTIB systems that would come anywhere close is the SVS SBS-01 IMHO http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm


Peace and Good Sound,

Forest Man

 

[fightinkraut]

+2

Check into the Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver as well. The power difference is insignificant and the feature set is better. In the US you can find them for under $400US.

$600 for speakers? Easy in a space that size. 3 pair of Behringer B2030P bookshelf studio monitors - yes you'll have a spare but these rock in a small space. These sell in the US for $130/pr. You'll find some cheap and simple mods on here that WmAx developed that really make them sing.

Assuming they ship to Canada then Parts Express will sell you a good enough sub for that space for $150US. If you have somebody below you then I would probably buy a front-firing-front-ported or sealed sub and set it on a subdude.

Cables can come from Monoprice.com if they ship to Canada.

According to many of the audio gods on this forum the aforementioned set up should perform far above and beyond anything in the comparable price range. Buy the best you can afford now, even if it means just starting with two speakers+sub. You will not regret buying quality, I guarantee it!

Here are the links for the products recommended:
Onkyo TX-SR607 (it's refurb, but this is a phenomenal seller, units are like new)
2030P
Sub-120 (goes on sale for $120 every once and a while)

Just looked up Parts-express, looks like they do ship to Canada. Some folks said you'll pay an extra $30 for UPS brokerage and 13% GST/PST.

Enjoy!

 

[bandphan]

IPOD control with no docks, look at the Pioneer 820k.