Need help with 400 budget on sound system.

$400 for a full 5.1 setup and a receiver is reaaaaaaaaaaly pushing it.

You could look into something like the Polk RM6750 setup which is ususally around $200-$250, and then find a $200 receiver, but you're still over your $400 budget.

This Jamo set would go great with the BIC subwoofer:
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search
It's unbeatable at that price

My advice is to start with a 2.0 or 2.1 setup and build over time. Surround sound is great, but not at the expense of general sound quality.

This advice is of course, subjective. Everyone will have an opinion.

If $400 budget is super-firm, I'd:
1) look into getting a decent 3.1 system first
2) look at the used market (others here can suggest options)
3) look into HTIB.

start spreading out $400 for 7 pieces of equipment and you do a disservice to the quality. IMO.

Funny how the clearance set cost twice as much as the new s406 system. Never mind the fact Vanns never sold them for that clearance price.

$400 get you this 5.1 set
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

and this onkyo 308 receiver.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-164-_-Product

Total is actually $430 but free shipping and no tax. If his budget is really tight he can save another $20 by getting an open box s413.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...mo-s-413-hcs-5

you are in the same boat I am in!

I am looking for HTS on the cheap!

If have been looking at the SR308 receiver and either Polk speakers or the Jamo's...

I just saw a Harman Kardon AVR 1600 7.1 go for $215 plus $15 S&H on the Harmon Ebay store (it was refurbished). I read up on the "official HK 1600/2600/3600" Thread and it seems these have HDMI gremlins, so I may pass on the HK 1600.

Good luck and post what you end up with !

I got the jamo 406 hcs 1 set for 200$ and the refurbished onkyo 507 receiver for 220$. Thats about 420$ total for a very nice sound system.

Right now I 'm looking for a cheap but good sub such as the bic 1020 but I'm not in a hurry.