With receiver, center channel or soundbar?

[gshamilt]

I currently have a 5.1 channel receiver (500 watts) with two bookshelf speakers hooked up to it. The speakers EACH have two 5.5 in speakers and a tweeter (I took them from an old stereo I had).

I am looking to get a subwoofer and a center channel, OR a subwoofer and a sound bar. I am not during surround sound (don't want the appearance of wires running through my house), so all of the sound will be coming from the front. I am wondering which is the better option and would sound better. Looking to only spend 300 or so. From what I have been reading, it sounds like I should go with the center channel, but wasn't sure how it applied to my situation.

 

[zieglj01]

What is the receiver name and model - and what is the name of
the receiver, and the speakers that came from the old syatem?

 

[markw]

I am looking to get a subwoofer and a center channel, OR a subwoofer and a sound bar.
...
Looking to only spend 300 or so.

You want either a sound bar OR a center channel speaker, AND a subwoofer, all for the princely sum of $300?

As Yoda would say, "Sense great disappointment, I do".

Given my druthers, I'd look for a $150 sub and a center channel speaker. Remember, the center channel will be the most important speaker in a HT system.

 

[shadyJ]

You want either a sound bar OR a center channel speaker, AND a subwoofer, all for the princely sum of $300?

As Yoda would say, "Sense great disappointment, I do".

Given my druthers, I'd look for a $150 sub and a center channel speaker. Remember, the center channel will be the most important speaker in a HT system.

I would argue front left/right speakers are the most important. On that budget I would just go for a couple decent bookshelfs with as much bass extension as can be had. Its hard to imagine a $150 dollar sub worth owning, at least at the expense of the the mains, especially on a modest budget.