Sound system <= $500

[tiwaris]

Complete newbie here.

My maximum budget is $500.

I am planning to get a sound system to replace my TV speakers.

I have a 3D LCD TV and a blu-ray player. I mostly watch blu-ray titles.

My TV has optical audio output. It would be nice to have the option to also use my smartphone (via 3.5mm auxiliary cable).

I was able to find several setups like Bose CineMate Series II and Onkyo HTX-22HDX Ultra-compact HD Home Theater System. I am not sure what system/setup should I choose?

Can you guys make a suggestion that fits my needs in my budget.

 

[ImcLoud]

Welcome.

Normally for $500 you would have to buy a HTIAb system, but with the sales out there rite now you can get a nice system within your budget...

Amazon.com: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer: Electronics

DENON AVR-1612 5.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver | Accessories4less

Amazon.com: Jamo S 426 HCS 3 WENGE 5-Piece Home Theater System (Wenge): Electronics

or if you dont want towers...

Newegg.com - Energy Take 5 Pack 5CH Home Theater Speaker System

That should do it, not sure how long the sales will last.. But that is much better than any HTIAB system or bose system you will get...

 

[markw]

Deja vu all over again.

This exact same question was asked and answered just yesterday in this thread. The answers haven't changed too much since then. Click on the blue link to read it.

 

[tiwaris]

Thanks for your replies.

I went through several threads and most of them were suggesting separate receiver, woofer, and speakers. While a HTIAB (home theater in a box - did I say it correctly ) setup may not sound as good, but it would be much easier to hook it.

Also, if the woofer and speakers are wireless, it would be even better.

 

[collegeaudio]

While a HTIB might be easier to "put together" the difference in sound quality will be enormous. Night and day. Personally, I'd rather spend the extra hour (maybe two, if you're totally new at this) to figure everything out, gain a huge advantage in SQ, and pay the same price.

 

[tiwaris]

OK,

This is what I was able to gather from the recommendations in the other thread.

Receiver: Denon AVR-1612 5.1 75 watts per Channel Home Theater Receiver - REFURBISHED - Available at J&R for $199
Subwoofer: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer - Available at Amazon for $152
Speakers: Energy Take 5 Pack 5CH Home Theater Speaker System - Available at NewEgg for $140
Plugs : Sewell Deadbolt Banana Plugs with Fast-Lock Technology, 12 Pair (24 Pieces) - $28
Cable : RCA AH16100SN 100 Ft. 16-Gauge Speaker Wire - $11

Total: $530

Do I need to order anything else?

 

[g0bez]

I just want to chime in as a brand new home theater audio enthusiast -- I was going to go the htib route until I got here, and I have to say that I am *SERIOUSLY* glad that I took their advice. I paid essentially the same (~$400) for a comparable htiab setup, and got an amazingly better setup, and one that is way more future-proofed than the other options, and I know A LOT more about how it all works now. I took some extra time to learn the details of how all the pieces fit together and what each thing does, and for bargain hunting to save myself some cash... but you can easily follow the advice you get here and you will have an amazing setup.

I can't believe how much you can get for $500 these days. I am continually blown away (both literally and figuratively) by my setup, and I couldn't be happier. I know it isn't on par with the $2k - $15k systems that a lot of these guys have (my entire setup is a fraction of what some guys pay for their speaker wires...) but to my newb ears, I am really in love with my setup.


Not sure if you have a MicroCenter in your area, but I was able to pick up my banana plugs for about $0.90 each (they are 10 cents more now, and I bought my store out of the black plugs...) but something to consider.

Also for the receiver, BestBuy has had a lot of Denons on clearance lately (or open box). I picked up my 1712 for $190 out the door. It has better audeyssy EQ and 7 amps (for a 7.1, or multi-room setup, or future options). I've seen 1612s there for ~$140. A4L has the 1612 for $189 (refurb, like J&R). People here really like them in general, but I've never purchased from them. From what I hear their followup support is pretty top-notch.


Good luck -- and have fun!!

 

[shadyJ]

In that budget range, I would go for either a pair of towers of a pair of good bookshelf speakers with some extension. Satellite speakers are awful, I have never heard any that I could live with. Trying to get 5.1 on $500 is sheer quantity over quality, no $500 surround sound system could ever sound as good as a high value $500 2.0 system.

I would be looking at used speakers and receivers in that budget. For something new, look at Infinity Primus p363. Those are on sale today only at Frys for $117 apiece, if you want something that sound great for a modest budget, go get a pair of those and whatever receiver you can afford with them.

 

[tiwaris]

I would actually prefer a 2.1 system (less clutter and wires). Can you suggest me one?

So, should I get a Denon receiver and a pair of those?

 

[zieglj01]

I would actually prefer a 2.1 system (less clutter and wires). Can you suggest me one?

So, should I get a Denon receiver and a pair of those?

Do you want towers or bookshelves - while that Energy will be
better than TV speakers, there are better choices.
For 2.1, bookshelves are a good option

 

[g0bez]

I was told that this 5.1 setup I have would be crap, but I, nor anyone I know, have been able to hear anything bad about this setup.

If you prefer a 2.1 then by all means, that’s what you should get... I'm just sayin' that it is all relative, so I wouldn't be scared off of the 5.1 if that's what you want instead. If you're downgrading from a really nice expensive system, yah, a $500 system is probably not going to make you happy. If you're upgrading from the TV speakers and are not a hardcore audioholic (yet), I would bet that you will be very happy with the Jamos or Energy setups.

You can always upgrade later, too...

Wiring was a piece of cake... and movies take on a life of their own now more than any 2.1 I've ever heard. I personally prefer having a full surround experience, and wouldn't look back for a second... so it is well worth the effort and imperceptible (to me) loss of sound quality. But that is just me.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Be careful in here.

I started out with about a $500 budget, started with this:

Then it turned into this:

and then this:

and then back down to this:

 

[g0bez]

Be careful in here.

I started out with about a $500 budget

Nice looking setup!!!! How much time was there between the original $500 setup and what you have now?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Nice looking setup!!!! How much time was there between the original $500 setup and what you have now?

About 5 years.

I think the original stayed in play about 5 months.

 

[tiwaris]

But from what I know, bookshelves are not as good. Towers are definitely big which is a minus. I would prefer a system with a small footprint but not at the cost of sound quality.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

But from what I know, bookshelves are not as good. Towers are definitely big which is a minus. I would prefer a system with a small footprint but not at the cost of sound quality.

Bookshelves can be every bit as good as towers if properly crossed over to a capable sub in a room that's is not to big.

My bookshelves were really close to the performance as my towers, they just lacked the headroom since my room is so large.

Save a little more money and get some Ascend 340's, find a good deal on an AVR and add a sub down the line.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

...or heck, I would even consider the CBM-170 depending on how big your room is.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

 

[zieglj01]

But from what I know, bookshelves are not as good.

I do not agree - I have bookshelves that when mated with a
good subwoofer (not the cheapy Dr. Mushy Boom ones), that
can out perform a lot of tower speakers.

 

[tiwaris]

My wife is already very reluctant to let me spend $500 on a sound system.

You guys are pushing me about that limit.

Which 2.1 (complete) setup should I go far?

Receiver: Denon AVR-1612 5.1 75 watts per Channel Home Theater Receiver - REFURBISHED - Available at J&R for $199

Subwoofer: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer - Available at Amazon for $152

Speakers - ???

 

[zieglj01]

My wife is already very reluctant to let me spend $500 on a sound system.

You guys are pushing me about that limit.

Which 2.1 (complete) setup should I go far?

Receiver: Denon AVR-1612 5.1 75 watts per Channel Home Theater Receiver - REFURBISHED - Available at J&R for $199

Subwoofer: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer - Available at Amazon for $152

Speakers - ???

If budget is tight, then the budget is tight
If you want 2.1 for now - then look at the Infinity speakers here.
They are decent
FRYS.com | INFINITY

I do not prefer Bic subs - however, can be better than some others.

The Denon receiver is a nice option for you.

 

[tiwaris]

Based on your recommendations, thats what I have come up with.

Receiver: Denon AVR-1612 5.1 75 watts per Channel Home Theater Receiver - REFURBISHED - Available at J&R for $199

Subwoofer: BIC AMERICA Eviction Series RTR-EV1200 12-Inch 475-Watt Front-Firing Subwoofer - Available at Amazon for $152

Speakers: Infinity Primus P163BK Two-way 6 1/2-Inch Bookshelf/Satellite Speaker - Available at Amazon for $85 x 2

Total: $521

Still wondering if all the above components will work together to produce a great sound.