Im looking to get a home theater set up for around $500-700. Im pretty new to all this HDTV and audio stuff but have some basic knowledge. I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ80U. I need a receiver with at least 3 hdmi inputs for a Xbox 360, PS3 and possibly a HDdvr. We have basic cable right now(just local hd channels) but looking to upgrade. Main use will be for movies and gaming and a little bit of music. Were also in a small apt with thin walls so I cant have anything that would piss off my neighbors but dont want anything thats gonna dissappiont. So my first question is which receiver should I get. Im looking to spend around $300-400 on a receiver. I dont know much about hdmi switching vs repeater. Also with receivers that upscale to 1080 if I connected my cable to the receiver would it upscale everything to 1080i or at least 720p. As far as speakers I want to spend around $200-400 maybe $500. Some speaker set ups Im looking towards are
Polk RM6750 $199
Polk RM85 $399 w/ Polk PSW10 $99
Polk RM95 $499
Energy Take Classic 5.1 $350-399
TSC LCR18-HT 5.1 $249
TSC TSBT-HT 5.1 $499
TSC TSAT-1000-HT8-B $399
TSC TSAT-1000-HT10-B $449

At first I was leaning towards the Onkyo 6100 system but have heard bad reviews on the speakers.

One more thing Im leaning towards the onkyo tx-sr606 receiver unless you guys know of anything cheaper but just as good or almost as good.

or Yamaha RX-V565

The Onkyo sr-606 is a good receiver. I would also check out the budget Denon models like the 1708 (which are available refurbished on ecost for really low prices). I wouldn't pay extra for upscaling, as your TV will probably do as good of a job of it as any budget receiver. I would rather upgrade to a new receiver in 3 years than get new speakers, so I would put most of your money on the speakers.

On speakers, you basically have two options. You can get a nice pair of main speakers now and then build the rest of your system over time as you get more money (possibly moving the main speakers to surrounds later if they are bookshelves). Or, you can buy a budget complete system now. I would only go the budget system route if you are sure that you will be happy with it over the long run. I like the Energy Take 5.1 system, but I am not familiar with the other systems you mentioned. I know some people really like Polk, but I am not that big of a fan.

If you decide to just get good main speakers to start, I would look at all of the usual brands mentioned on her - Paradigm, PSB, AV123, Energy, etc.

Im in the same boat as you man but I decided to slowly piece my HT together and I'm much happier I did. If you just wait, you'll find deals. Just don't buy HTIB...and with the budget you have...you should be able to buy something better than the small 5.0/5.1 speaker systems. I know you said your in an apartment but I think you'd rather have something nice then have to upgrade again in a year.

I just picked up the Yamaha 663 on my local craigslist.com for $240 w/ 3 HDMI cables and everything. Search there and see if you can find anything good.

This is what I'm going with...

Yamaha 663
Energy C-300's ($250/pr)
Energy C-C100 ($110)
Energy C-100's (110/pr)

and no sub for me b/c i'm also in a condo but its a pretty big one so I didn't want a tiny little HTIB or speakers. I think you'd be much happier if you started with a receiver and some nice Mains and Center channel for now. Then you can get your surrounds and/or sub later.

Don't be too down on the Onkyo HT-S6100. As far as the speakers go, they are some of the best you can find in a HTiB. If you want/need a set up right away that you can build on later, the Onkyo is the way to go. That's the way I started, and have replaced all of the speakers, 2 at a time, during the past year. :)

Don't be too down on the Onkyo HT-S6100. As far as the speakers go, they are some of the best you can find in a HTiB. If you want/need a set up right away that you can build on later, the Onkyo is the way to go. That's the way I started, and have replaced all of the speakers, 2 at a time, during the past year. :)


As far as the speakers go, they are some of the best you can find in a HTiB

In a HTIB...thats the hint. Pretty much every speaker in a HTIB is sub-par. I mean how can you achieve good sound, soundstage, SQ with a speaker of that size? Not trying to bash but It just seems that when you buy the 6100 and slowly upgrade every speaker.....your already ahead of his budget and you could have just bought the Onkyo 605 (what the 6100 has) or any other decent receiver and put together a system for the same price that is MUCH better. But like you said HTIB is good for people that either don't want to wait, won't always wonder WHAT IF, don't really care to upgrade in the future, etc. I still dont see why people upgrade off of a HTIB....I mean the 6100 is what like $500+ right? Not sure but I think. I think if your on here and searching and asking questions....you'll be upgrading in a year. Just my .2:D

Hidef- if that came off rude..it wasn't meant to be. ;)

Im trying to find the most cost effective way so buying the 6100 then replacing the speakers seems expensive down the road. I was thinking of starting with a 2.1 setup and building up eventually. Or go somewhere between the road where I could be happy for awhile and just replace the whole system down the road. After reading all the reviews on various receivers seems like thats gonna be my hardest choice. Speaker wise Im leaning towards either the energy or TSC just dont seem to find much reviews on the TSC brand.

You can get some good Paradigm, PSB or Energy bookshelf speakers in your price range (among others). It is difficult to get a good sub for under $400 though.

It is difficult to get a good sub for under $400 though.

This would be considered a very good sub under $400.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Check the subwoofer forum for other recommendations.

Onkyo 606 receiver w/ Energy Take Classic 5.1 system, but only if you get signed consents from you adjoining neighbors and landlord to the subwoofer. :eek:

Because of your low budget and apartment situation, I recommend that you start of with a good receiver like the Onkyo 606 (I'm partial to Onkyo, because I love my 805) and a pair of small, but good bookshelf/standmount speakers that are part of series that has floorstanders and a center channel speaker. Then later, when you save more money, you can add a center channel, then floorstanders and move the bookshelves to the rear/sides for surrounds. And later maybeadd another 2 booksherlves for 7 channel surround. And then if you move into a house, you can add a sub and play it as loudly as you like.

For bookshelves, I recommend the Paradigm Atom Monitor which list for $298/pair.

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/speaker_only-specification-1-1-2-4.paradigm

Note that Paradigm speaker stands are sold seperately. I don't know how much these cost, but you can probably find less expensive, but seviceable, stands on-line.

Have fun!!! :)

This would be considered a very good sub under $400.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=407

Check the subwoofer forum for other recommendations.

Well, it is just barely under $400 and may be over after shipping.

I agree that the Energy Take 5.1 system is a good deal for $400. You have to remember that people on this board are snobs when it comes to sound. You may not be able to tell any difference between a $500 system and a $1000 system if you only watch movies or TV.

Well, it is just barely under $400 and may be over after shipping.

I agree that the Energy Take 5.1 system is a good deal for $400. You have to remember that people on this board are snobs when it comes to sound. You may not be able to tell any difference between a $500 system and a $1000 system if you only watch movies or TV.


Not "snobs"...its just that everyone's ears are different. Some people might be able to tell the difference in a $500 system to a $1000 system and some might not be able to.

Not "snobs"...its just that everyone's ears are different. Some people might be able to tell the difference in a $500 system to a $1000 system and some might not be able to.

By the way, I went to OU as well and it was in Walker Tower that my love of audio was born with my very first set of PSB Alphas.

Ive decided on Energy Take Classic 5.1 setup and might pair it with a Yamaha HTR-6250(RX-V565). Now I just need some help with what kind of wire speakers I need.

Ive decided on Energy Take Classic 5.1 setup and might pair it with a Yamaha HTR-6250(RX-V565). Now I just need some help with what kind of wire speakers I need.


Wait...uh what?? Speaker wire?

Monoprice for the wire and 18/16 gauge will do fine. :D

haha ya my bad speaker wires not wire speakers guess I got a little too excited or something:D

yea, 16/18 guage wire will do fine for single room runs. Don't get sucked into the Monster wire hype. I've actually used bulk extension cord (the brown wire you can find at hardware stores) 16/18 guage wire. Because it is not "speaker" wire, it is often much cheaper on a per foot basis and works just fine.

Just keep the circuit polarity straight when wiring the speaker to the amp. Depending on the wire, look for one of three things: 1) One lead will be tinned looking; 2) only one of the paired wires will have mfgr writing (guage, etc) on the insulation or 3) when you pull the ends of the paired wires apart, one of the wires will have a visible seam where the two wires were joined during mfgr.

Just keep the markings consistent at either end, either to the positive or the negative terminals. (It does not matter which).