is yamaha YHT-170 a nice low end HTib for $150

That's a good price for the system. Performance should be comparable to the Onkyo 590 which you can get for the same price from accessories4less but it's a refurb. Among these 2 for the price, both including stand alone receiver I don't think you'd go wrong either.

The 170 does seem to include a powered sub which probably won't make a difference between these two system with included components but if you should decide to upgrade the sub later the yamaha should make it a bit easier.

I don't think u could possibly do better with $150 for a full 5.1 system.

I went to the local Radio Shack.. and they only had one piece.. the one hooked up in the store.

And the guys says all the stores around seem to have only one, and probably are hooked up too.

Is the Sony HT-DDW790 comparable?
It is listed on Circuit City for 180.

bump, I was looking at the Onkyo SR600 but it's a bit to much for me so I was looking at the

yht 170...or whats this sony one i'm reading about? Or the Onkyo HTS590

Onkyo HT-SR590 = predecessor to the Onkyo SR600. Some features are different, but they're Onkyo's entry level model.

Sony HT-DDW790 is Sony's model that competes with the others at the pricepoint. I don't know much about it.

I just ordered the Onkyo HT-SR590 refurb from shoponkyo for $149 shipped!!

We have a Yamaha RX-395 stereo amp right now, that we use with 4 Polk Audio Monitor speakers (2 & 2 on A & B outputs). I was wondering, would this be a sensible and affordable upgrade choice to get surround sound? We would initially have to use the subwoofer and center speaker included with this new unit, so I am not sure what they would do if we use the Polk Audio speakers as front L/R and rear L/R instead of the included speakers.

If the Polk Audio speakers will work well as described above, then what good choices would we have to improve the subwoofer and center speakers later?

Any ideas?

FYI: RX-395 details here:
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi...AVR00010RX-395