I'm getting a new receiver (either Onkyo 606 or Yamaha RX-V663) and unfortunately I can't afford a good 7.1 or even a 5.1 system right now so I'm looking to do it in stages. I can only spend $150-$250 on the speakers, so I'm looking for advice on what speaker positions to purchase first. I'm seriously considering the discontinued Athenas at Audio Advisor but I don't know which channels I should pursue now and which can wait. Could I do just the fronts or will I be losing a lot by missing the center? How about the sub, is that a must buy now or could it wait?

I realize that this is not going to be a great system but I'd just like something that will be decent for the time being and that I can build up over the coming months. Thanks for the help and I'm open to any suggestions.

Buying discontinued items are great bargain but it's also a double edge sword. When you have money later on, how are you going to find matching speakers for the one you currently have?

My opinion is that you hit the L and R Fronts. Next, sub. Next center, and then surround for the end.

Keep an eye on the BIC Venturi/Acoustech, Elemental Design, and Polks as well.

I'd recommend a pair of Polk RTi A1 (if you can find the discontinued models...)
I know they are a tiny bit out of your price range but I feel there really isn't a point in buying speakers you arn't going to be happy with in a year.

It just leads to more and more pointless spending...

Start small, get your 2 front speakers push your budget as much as you can for your first speakers so it wasn't a purchase in vain a year or two down the road.

I've found you really get what you pay for with speakers...




unless they're Bose

I agree with Calnbs on this, your 3 best options would be:

Polk Monitor 50's--$260 shipped from Amazon....then add later
Polk CS1 center channel--$99 shipped from Amazon...then finish off with
Polk Monitor 30's--$145 shipped from Amazon
or
Bic Acoustech HT-75's--$270ish shipped from E-Bay
Bic Acoustech HT-65 center--$140ish shipped from E-Bay
Bic Acoustech HT-63's--180ish shipped from E-Bay....All are available at Best Offer, hence the "ish" on the price
or
Elemental Designs--A6-5T5 MTM pair--$200 shipped
Elemental Designs--A6-5T5 single--$115 shipped
Elemental Designs--A6-5T5 MTM pair--$200 shipped

Once you get the Fronts and Center, the next step should be the sub, before the rears. With any of the options above, I would go with the Bic Acoustech H-100 sub for $229 shipped off E-Bay. There are a lot more options out there, but these 3 come to mind first. This keeps all 4 steps in your building process below $270 (pretty close to budget).