Need surround sound system for TV

EliteLamer

Hey, my roommate is looking for a surround sound system for downstairs for under 500.00. I think we could do 300.00 and below because she is no audiophile which makes me think she could not tell the difference between 500.00 dollar speakers and 200.00 dollars speakers. We need an entire package receiver plus speakers. Don't need a dvd player and I would prefer we stay away from the prefab packages that where the dvd player is the receiver and all. Can anyone start throwing out some suggestions thanks.

KMFurDM

Onkyo have a decent range of home theater systems. Punch well above their weight.

http://www.onkyousa.com/prod_class.cfm?class=Systems

SatanIsMyMotor

Seems like it would be tough to find a receiver/ 6 speakers for under $500. I could be wrong though.

embrik

SatanIsMyMotor wrote: »

Seems like it would be tough to find a receiver/ 6 speakers for under $500. I could be wrong though.

It's tough to find a GOOD package for under $500, but some of those Onkyos linked might be good.

EliteLamer

SatanIsMyMotor wrote: »

Seems like it would be tough to find a receiver/ 6 speakers for under $500. I could be wrong though.

I duno I got my Sony 5.1 reciver plus speakers for 199 and its not a prefab that uses the dvd player for the receiver.

EliteLamer

Here is what I got for 199.99 + the speakers..

http://www.ciao.com/Sony_STR_K740P_AV_receiver__10050297

EliteLamer

What about this? I really don't know anything about the company..

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-S3100-5-1-Receiver-Speaker-System-HTS3100/sem/rpsm/context/99001308/oid/208452/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

embrik

EliteLamer wrote: »

What about this? I really don't know anything about the company..

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-S3100-5-1-Receiver-Speaker-System-HTS3100/sem/rpsm/context/99001308/oid/208452/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

It's decent, but no HDMI at all. The first Onkyo package listed that has it is the HT-S5100 (SRP of $600, but probably $500 or less retail)

Edit - Not that you have to have HDMI, but if you have an HDTV, it's pretty much the standard now, and it'll keep you good for the future.

EliteLamer

Her TV does not have HDMI.

What are these speakers compared to the logitech wireless speakers? She wants to get wireless speakers so she does not have to run wires. Logitech speakers are crap compared to those right?

lizard eats flies

Im going to echo the sentiment of onkyo. I have one of their 7.1 packages with receiver etc that i love. Its not top of the line but its certainly one of the better cheaper systems out there. I know i payed under a grand for it... But I cant remember exactly how much.

If i ever want to upgrade from here I'll probably be dropping no less than 5 grand on a system for comparison purposes.

Things i knew i wanted were at least 3 optical inputs, at least 5.1, at least 1 digital coax. I was actually going to go with the 5.1 system, but the receiver that came with it didnt have all the inputs i wanted.

JMC123

Yamaha makes pretty good receiver + speaker combos for under $500.

Don't worry about audiophiles telling you that it's a waste of money, because at your point ANYTHING is going to sound above and beyond built-in TV speakers.

One last tip, make sure to get good speaker wire, from Home Depot or someplace, as the packed-in wire with most systems is really bad and WILL make a difference in quality.

embrik

Some people have luck w/ the wireless speakers, but they can be susceptible to interference and they still have to be powered, so you'd have to have an outlet nearby. (Unless they run on batteries, but I don't know of any that do.)
Can you link us to the Logitech ones you're referring to? I'd guess that they would not be "Home Theatre", and would require a PC sound card to work, but I could be wrong.