Deciding on BUDGET speakers.

So, I currently have the speakers from an Onkyo HT-S6300 and I have managed to push them too hard and now I've got a few rattling. My budget for this project is $ZERO, so keep that in mind.

I'm going to bite the bullet and get something. After reading through these forums for 4+ hours, I am no closer to a decision than I was when I started. Just like everyone else, I want something great, but I don't want to pay anything for it.

My AVR is an Onkyo HT-RC360, and I'm prewired for 7.1

I'm leaning toward the Dayton HTP-3 and then add a set of Dayton Audio B652 for my mains and use the 4 satellites for my surrounds.

I really wanted to go with Polk, Energy, or something reputable like it, but reviews and $$ tell me this is a solid setup for under $250. Before I pull the trigger, I'd like some input on what the cheapest setup you may suggest that won't make me want to stab myself in the ears would be.

Obviously, I'd love to spend $1200 on speakers, but that's just not happening right now. My main goal is to fix what I broke without downgrading. After tearing apart one of the Onkyo satellites, I realize that it's not going to be hard to upgrade from them. I'm shocked at how cheap they were made.

How much better would the martin's be than the daytons? No one has commented much on the daytons.

I really need to get something with 7.1 too. I don't want wires hanging out of empty spots waiting for more $. Thanks for all the replies. There is a great community here

I guess the appeal of the Dayton is the fact that I can add the 6.5 bookshelf and get to 7.1 and only spend $240.

I really like the MLT-2. I'm a little weird about things matching, so I'd have a hard time mixing different brand speakers around the room. I did find someone on ebay selling the MLT satellites in pairs for $110. So, my total on that would be right around $400.

I was hoping more people here had experience with the HTP-3 set.

Another one that I was looking at was the Polk RM6750 , but on paper the HTP-3 looks like the better choice. Paired up with a set of Monitor 35b for $119, this 7.1 would be about $290.

One more that was mentioned earlier was the Def Tech 350 That would make a nice set of mains for the ProCinema 60 Totaling $380
Edited by ulrich6 - 1/29/13 at 5:10pm

I've also just read some reviews of the procenima that aren't great. Many people unhappy with the sub. Keep in mind that I was happy with the crappy Onkyo's until I pushed them too hard and wrecked them out. The Audyssey eq settings on the AVR covered up a lot of shortcomings. My room isn't that big, and some satellites that aren't just junk will probably make me happy. I know once I hear better stuff, I'll never go back, in the mean time, I've got to keep cost a main priority.