300-400 to spend, need suggestions

At your budget, best to start with a receiver and one pair of speakers. Then build out from there are you can afford to.

Hmmm. Fill us in on usage. And what you have already. But, it sounds like you have reciever and the fact you want 5.1 tells me a lot of movie/TV use. So that being said, I would go to Newegg and check out the Polk stuff. Your room is not that big so you could go with bookshelf models (Monitor 30 or 40) for the mains and a CS1 for the center. That would be about $180 give or take depending on sales. As for the sub, others might chime in but, I have seen the Polk PSW505 for under $200. This might make your neighbors upset however.

OK,well, that reciever is going to double your budget! I myself have looked into those $200 deals but, I think you end up getting what you pay for. Now, if you can spend $3-400 on a reciever, you will do much better. Denon 1612s or Yamaha 571s.
Even a cheap system will run the better part of $1,000 by the time the dust settles.
Start with a 3.0 set up for now and as time/money allows, build upon it.

Some HTiBs are not bad. Check out the threads in AVS about them. Just don't expect miracles from them!

If that's your budget and you don't want to add on later, my preference would be for 2.1 over HTIB setups. One of the factory refurbished and warrantied Onkyo receivers from accessories4less.com. And this Pinnacle subwoofer paired with the Polk Monitor 30s.

A basic system which will get the job done would be

-Polk RM6750 5.1 speaker set, $200
and
-$200 receiver

I started off in the audio hobby with a total budget budget of $400 and I have to be honest it was really hard to find something that would work,

I was happy with my Sony STR-dh700 and RM6750's but i have since upgraded my speakers

Rob, do you still use the Sony str-dh700 as your main receiver?

Yeah the thing is still alive and kicking. Though I heard what I was missing when I was borrowing my buddies Denon avr-1611. So I am itching to replace my receiver with a Denon AVR-1912 or Pioneer VSX-1121 next x-mas if i can catch a sale

I just bought a refurbish Denon 791 - and I prefer it over the
regular Pioneer receivers. It has good power handling, and
the processor is nice

How long will you be in that apartment?

3+ years, the HTIB is fine. Less than that, consider something like the Onkyo TX-NR509 ($200-$220) receiver, and some speakers you can start with and then add-on to later (such as a pair of Polk MonitorII 30s/40s, and a CS1 or CS2 center). Later, you can move those to surround duty, get some towers for the fronts, and a sub. Check NewEgg.

Check out the JBL Studio 180 discussion here. at $499 it seems to be a steal.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1388834

They're comparable, but the Onkyo has networking (and can connect to Internet streaming services, such as Pandora). Look for reviews on both, then do a side-by-side feature comparison, and go with the one that hits more of your requirements.

My main point is I think you'll be happier in the long run with a modest, upgradable system, rather than a HTIB system you'll want to completely replace in a couple years. Then again, if you'll have a way/place to repurpose the HTIB later (office/den/bedroom), you could use that now and start a new larger system after you move...

phas3 your killing us here.with that kind of budget i agree that a 2.1 system would sound better than any htib. again look for refurb or some newer used recievers.check out your local craigslist,ebay and audiogon.if its just for tv and the occasional games you don't need all the bells & whistles.

If you can push your budget a little, the Polk Monitor70s are $149 each at Newegg. If not, Newegg will likely put the Polk Monitor60s on sale soon (they seem to do so at least once a month). Subscribe to the Newegg mailing list.

x2 the Polk Monitor series ii are amazing speakers from newegg when they are at their sale price

am i missing somethig here first you say you want to go 2.0 or2.1 then you ask again about crappy onkyo htib. i don't think you know what you want

I didn't realize it before, but the Polk Monitor50s are on sale through today at Newegg for $100 a piece. There are essentially the same as the Polk Monitor40s, with built in stands

The Monitor50s really beg for as sub, as opposed to the Monitor60s or Monitor70s which can go a good bit lower on their own (you could add the sub towards the last in your build out with them). And if you are definitely prepared to add a sub, this could be the way to go for an HT build to keep the cost down.

if you can squeeze that little extra cash for the polk monitor 70 deal at newegg for $150 a piece shipped your on your way buddy.these should give you enough bass so you can save on a "good" sub next.

I have a used RM6750 set with stands (NO SUB) for sale on Craigslist right now if you're interested...$75. Will ship if needed.

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/ele/2807007673.html

The 509 has been as little as $200 at newegg.

Right now it is $220 at newegg.

I am doubtful a4l will have a deal that is significantly better than that when you take into account shipping and a shorter warranty.

imo the sub would come next but thats me . i dont think a $ 200 sub is going to cut it.if you purchaced the monitor 70 they can go down so they say around 30hz which is good for music but home theater you want to get closer to 20hz and to get that low your looking around $400-$500 for a good sub just think of it as a good investment and you wont be throwing your hard earned money away upgrading every year or so.with a good sub and these speakers you should be set for awhile. i'm not saying you have to get the sub next you could live with the monitor 70 and then get a center ch next then your rear channel then your sub its your choice. good luck