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Cheap 5.1 setup

2174 Views 28 Replies 17 Participants Last post by sukhjeet, Aug 15, 2009

owan

Discussion Starter · Jul 21, 2009

I just bought an HK AVR 254 on ebay and now I need speakers to go along with it. The only issue is that i'm on a very tight budget since i'm in college.

I'm looking for a 5.1 setup at absolutely no more than 250$ I was looking at the Polk Audio RM6750's on Newegg, but thats only because they were right in my price bracket at a store I know. Does anyone have any suggestions?

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

shiram

· #2 · Jul 21, 2009

you'd probably be best of starting with maybe 2 bookshelves and work your way from there as you can get more cash

your options for 5 speakers and a sub at around 250 are very limited

quadriverfalls

· #3 · Jul 21, 2009

I agree with shiram. $250 just isn't going to cut it for a full bore 5.1 speaker system. Start with a pair of bookshelf speakers and build out from there. With your budget, I would highly recommend you looking for possibly used speakers to get even more value for your dollars.

antwon412

· #4 · Jul 21, 2009

My first "real" speakers were used ones I found on craigslist.

2 Polk r50's and a matching Polk center for $150. Sounded awesome to me compared to what I had before. (and i sold them later for $300!)

Shoot, look online and the r50's are often on sale for ~$60 each. Find a matching center and that will sound great while you save up for some rears and a sub.

Then you can save up for new fronts, then save for new rears, then save for a new sub, then new fronts, then new rears, then new sub

its a never ending cycle

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slippery44

· #5 · Jul 21, 2009

Fairly popular budget system of 5.0 is this one, the energy C-50, should be right at your max budget.
http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/..._-1__0_0_0_-1/

You could add a sub later when you can afford it, trying to spend $250 and get a sub is almost impossible.

If you can wait though, I personally bought the 2 floorstanding infinity primus p362 which sound great for about $240 shipped from Fry's, seems like they put those on sale about every couple months for $99 a piece, but who knows when that will happen again.

Knucklehead90

· #6 · Jul 21, 2009

2

Start with a pair of

Polk Monitor 40s from Polk Audio on ebay. Get a pair of the

Monitor 30s for surrounds. The 40s go for around $125 per pair - the 30s for 60-85. Plus shipping - of course.

They are refurbished but come with the full new warranty direct from Polk Audio. At some point you may want to add a sub to fill out the bottom end - those 5.25" drivers won't give you a whole lot of that on their own - even having six of them.

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mbyrnes

· #7 · Jul 21, 2009

Go two channel for now and get the best fronts you can. A $250 5.1 system will be upgraded very fast. You will only end up spending more money in the long run. You won't be happy with the results for that low a budget.

If you still insist the Energy system is really good for the money and The Speaker Company also makes good, low cost systems.

Again go 2.0 or 2.1 first and add the center and rears later.

owan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 22, 2009

I'm not a total audio nut so i'm not too concerned about having a totally awesome speaker setup right now, especially since i'm in college and everything. That said, I actually was thinking along similar lines to many people who responded even before i read the replies. I have a set of logitech z-5500 computer speakers that use regular speaker wire and could therefore be used with a normal receiver. I guess I could get the best pieces I can one at a time and use some of these speakers to flesh out the total package. I know the subwoofer forum is really the place to ask, but could anyone give possible recommendations for a decent sub or any other suggestions on what avenues to look at for "better" speakers that I can use to build my setup with? Any suggestions would have to have a 'value' flavor to them because i'm not willing to break the bank on speakers

Tiga

· #9 · Jul 22, 2009

I'll second the above recommendation for thespeakercompany. Their asw subs are a great value. The 8" gets good reviews and there is usually a 10% coupon floating around out there bringing the price to ~$90.

Quote:
Originally Posted by owan /forum/post/16865308

I'm not a total audio nut so i'm not too concerned about having a totally awesome speaker setup right now, especially since i'm in college and everything. That said, I actually was thinking along similar lines to many people who responded even before i read the replies. I have a set of logitech z-5500 computer speakers that use regular speaker wire and could therefore be used with a normal receiver. I guess I could get the best pieces I can one at a time and use some of these speakers to flesh out the total package. I know the subwoofer forum is really the place to ask, but could anyone give possible recommendations for a decent sub or any other suggestions on what avenues to look at for "better" speakers that I can use to build my setup with? Any suggestions would have to have a 'value' flavor to them because i'm not willing to break the bank on speakers

afrogt

· #10 · Jul 22, 2009

I agree with the others about just getting 2 speakers for now and add as you get more $$.

But if you're in a dorm room and must have a small 5.1 setup. The Polk RM6750 wouldn't be a bad choice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290066

shadyJ

· #11 · Jul 23, 2009

Good idea about the two speakers. While you can get 5.1 packages for $250, they will sound pretty sorry. If you are in a small room, maybe something like this would make sense, even though, modest as it is, it's still slightly over your budget.

As far as subwoofers go, you need to specify how much you can spend. There are some relatively inexpensive subwoofers that have a good reputation. Here is a list of a few of them:

BIC Venturi V1220 $224

Dayton ES10 Elite $230

Dayton SUB-120 HT $155

Dayton SUB-100 HT $131

BIC Acoustech H-100 $250

Premier Acoustic PA-120 $230

All the prices I took from parts-express.com or sounddistributors.com . The Speaker Company also has the TSC T250 Subwoofer for $250. HSU has the STF1 for $300.

As far as front speakers, as has been mentioned, if you live near a Fry's, every so often they have a sale on the Infinity Primus P362 towers for between $100 and $130. That is a fantastic deal. There is also this from Elemental Designs and this from SVS. After shipping, I think they would come to around $250. And when you have more money, buy some bigger fronts and a center, and shift these to rear duty.

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hernanu

· #12 · Jul 23, 2009

You could go 2.1 with two of these:

http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/...103__0_0_0_-1/

and an inexpensive (now) subwoofer - an Energy s8.3 would work more than well enough at 179

http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/...103__0_0_0_-1/

Total cost - 273.

Would be much better than a lightweight 5.1

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tsand72

· #13 · Jul 23, 2009

I own the RM6750. What a price... especially considering you can purchase additional sats (RM6751 for a mere $30). I wish you could come over and listen to them... you'd definitely go online and buy them.

I recently upgraded my sub to a 10"... but you don't absolutely need to...

I've owned this package for almost 3 years... really glad I bought it.

ser182

· #14 · Jul 24, 2009

Go with a company called Fluance. You can get a decent setr of speakers under 300. I have had a set for five years and still perform very well.

fluance.com

CRAW

· #15 · Jul 24, 2009

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/

/end thread

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sukhjeet

· #16 · Jul 24, 2009

i'm in the same boat as the op, but i'm pretty much set on going with a 2.0 or 2.1 setup to start (and might have a denon 1610/509). any more suggestions on a good budget 2.1 speaker set for $200 or less?

i'll be using it mostly for tv shows, sports, and movies. might throw on some music sometimes, but that's less important.

afrogt

· #17 · Jul 24, 2009

I know I've answered the question before but good and 2.1 under $200 don't go together.

You can barely find a good sub under $200. I'd suggest going used if you're looking for that combination under $200.

sukhjeet

· #18 · Jul 24, 2009

i have no problem going used if there are some sets that are known to be pretty widely available. thanks!

Knucklehead90

· #19 · Jul 24, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by sukhjeet /forum/post/16879930

i have no problem going used if there are some sets that are known to be pretty widely available. thanks!

Or refurbished? The

Polk Monitor 40s will cost you under $200 if you don't get into a bidding war with someone. These go for around $150 and under. Pick up an Energy Sub 8.3. I saw them for $129 after a $50 instant off at my local Costco. It's over your budget but where are you going to find a bookshelf that gets you in under your budget with a sub? CraigsList maybe - or the local want ads.

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sukhjeet

· #20 · Jul 24, 2009

just for reference, would a 2.0 setup with the polk monitor 40s and hk avr-245 be better than something like the sony HT-CT100? or would i still want a sub before it starts to sound much better?

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