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Just getting started

246 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by ggilman, Mar 13, 2015

ggilman

Discussion Starter · Mar 12, 2015

Looking to get my home theater started with a budget of $700-$1000.

Considering an Onkyo TX-NR636 for a receiver with a decent set of bookshelf speakers to start. Maybe the Polk Audio RTI A1's.

Planning to shift the speakers to the back when I can afford better fronts, and then I'll get a sub and center.

Any advice on other receivers or speakers that would get me started in the same price range, or will these work?

My sources will be a Roku, Blu-Ray player, Spotify, and iTunes for now. Would like to be able to connect my iphone directly, or use the receiver as a blue tooth device as well.

Thanks for any advice.

Greg

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1 - 6 of 6 Posts

drunkpenguin

· #2 · Mar 12, 2015 (Edited)

How much longer will you wait for a sub? Might want to consider towers to get you a little more in the low end. Infinity Primus P363's are in your budget and make a pretty good speaker for the price. They are on sale right now on amazon for 149.00, usually 199.00. Some times they go on sale for 99.00 but you gotta really watch for those sales. Don't wait to long to get your center, if speakers get discontinued you might have trouble finding a match. I've been there!

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ggilman

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 13, 2015

Thanks for the help. I'd probably buy a sub right away. If I can get the receiver and fronts under budget, I'd buy it right away. I read low end is an issue with those Polks anyway.

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Dan Hitchman

· #4 · Mar 13, 2015

ggilman said:
Thanks for the help. I'd probably buy a sub right away. If I can get the receiver and fronts under budget, I'd buy it right away. I read low end is an issue with those Polks anyway.

If you have any thoughts about getting into the newest 3D audio advancement (quite an improvement over traditional channel-based surround), I would hold off on your receiver purchase until late summer/early fall. That way you can get DTS:X along with Dolby Atmos.

There are better budget speakers out there than Polk for the money. Ascend Acoustics is one brand to consider. Try a pair of HTM-200 SE's and then use them for surrounds when you swap out for the larger CMT-340 SE's up front. The HTM-200 SE's would also work well as overhead speakers if mounted properly.

Save up and get a better subwoofer. Your budget is pretty tight as it is. This will save you from having to upgrade quite so soon. Buy cheap, buy twice.