College student looking for a cheap surround sound system

Do you have an AVR?
If not $200 is really cutting it slim even for a decent HTIB you may have to up your buget or look for something used.

Audiogon and craigslist are good choices for used equipment.

If you have an AVR than you may find something but honestly I would live with the TV speakers for now and just save up until you can get a real setup.

I mean your getting the TV you want and you already have a BD player, your halfway there. Don't get something cheap just to have it, because you'll be wasting that $200 dollars which could have been used (with some saving) for something better.

You know Jamo's not a bad little system.

You will need an AVR (Audio Video Reciever)

I would suggest this to keep you within your budget:

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it.../sony-strdh510

Nice little starter system. I had a sony HTIB system for years and the reciever always treated me good. You'll have better speakers than I did.

For the money, they're not bad, but certainly won't be impressive. And yes, you will still need a receiver to power them.

you're gonna need a receiver with those.

I think you should be looking at the best computer speakers you can find for $200. Maybe even just stereo? If the blu ray player has analog connectors on the back, you can connect it to the comp. speakers that way. Otherwise, you need to make sure the comp. speakers will decode dolby digital themselves.

Your welcome. Let us know how you make out.

This Denon 1609 from Vann is much better for $20 more:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...denon-avr-1609
It has newer decoders and most important, Audyssey MultEQ room correction. It's a fantastic deal, as it retains full warranty as a new unit.

As for speakers, I'd go with the Jamo 413 set on Vanns.

The college setup i used to have had TONS of punch. Checkout Logitech Z-5500's. The 10", 180 watt RMS sub has more umphh than anything else for the price except for something DIY. The speakers are THX certified and have pretty dang good sound and really good imaging. They are small, but if you set them up right they will give more bank for your buck. They are easy to pack up when you move. For $250 shipped, i dont think you will find a better, friendlier setup.

The Sony HT-SS360 is not a bad choice...

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTSS360-c...3249912&sr=8-1

Comes with receiver and 5.1 system. Sure, it's a HTiB and won't sound as good as some other things, but on a budget consideration, it's a decent system.

I still think you'll be happier with the Jamo set over those Yamaha's. I don't think those satellites with 2.5" woofer can be any good. The Jamo surrounds have 4" woofer and 1" tweeter. IMO the Jamo's are better value.

If you can get your budget around $450 or so get the Jamo s413 package from Vanns.com and one of the following receivers.

Onkyo 507
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

Onkyo 308
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-164-_-Product

Pioneer vsx-520
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-52.../dp/B0039XQKXQ

At the ~$200 level, you are looking at the logitech z-5500s or getting a receiver + stereo speakers and adding the other 3 speakers and sub later when you have the cash.

If you can spare ~$400, then you can get a receiver + the jamos as suggested.

THOR2502, do they have craigslist where you live?

Ron

I just got a set of logitech Z-5500's for my bedroom and they sound pretty good in this environment. They could fill up a medium sized living room.

I had the Logitech Z-5500 in my living room for a while. They will be perfect for you situation.

I don't think you will be disappointed with that recommendation.

You belong in the Home Theater in Box forum HTiB

Something like a Onkyo HT-S3300 would be a great starter Home theater

I can relate to this thread. I'm 40 now, and just in the last year have replaced the system I pieced together when in college. It was a great system and lasted me 20 years!

My philosophy was to not spend much money until I could one day get the true performance I desired. I must say, that old college setup got more use than I ever anticipated.

I tell this little story to encourage you to find some used equipment. It takes a little more effort to find the right things, but for the same money, you could piece together something that was in a whole different league than the above suggestions. For a few hundred dollars I ended up with what (when new) cost a few thousand.....and I got all those years of use out of it.

For instance, right now I've got a Denon receiver that I payed $1200 for ten years ago. It's going on craigslist for around $200. I have a $300 Paradigm center channel that's going to the first $50. Get my point?

Best of luck to you.

What did you order?