[Indiana627]

Hello,


I am new to home theater and am starting to look for a set of 5.1 speakers. I can't afford to spend much more than $500 on the whole package. I don't have a receiver yet, so I'd even be up for a combo unit (I do have a DVD player so I don't need that in the combo). I know of a pair of ONKYO SKSHT510 6.1 speakers at Circuit City. These are along the lines of what I'm looking for. Any other suggestions in this price range? Thanks.


Mark

 

[UMDMatt]

Many people here, myself included, recommend the Athena Point 5 system, used to retail for around $800 but it can be had for around $500 (perhaps a bit more). Of course, it would be extra for a receiver so that may be a tad out of your budget.


Another common recommendation is to spend as much as you can on your front L/R speakers (for a 2.0 system or perhaps 2.1) and build around them as your budget allows. Lower-end bookshelves offerings from Axiom, Paradigm, Klipsch, or Athena could work for you. You could also check out 'big name' brands that Circuit City might carry like Polk and Infinity.


Good luck.

 

[Roto]

I just got the Athena Point 5s last week and so far I'm happy with them. Currently $359 at Best Buy without the subwoofer. For the price they are definitely worth checking out. I tried to demo them at Best Buy, but the connection was very poor. The store I went to had these nice kiosk like setups for all their speakers but every one of them buzzed like crazy it made me wonder why they bothered. They were the size I was looking for and I couldn't find any major complaints written about them so I went ahead and bought them anyway and they aren't going back Better than I expected to find at a place like Best Buy.


Definitely try out the Onkyo package though since you need the receiver too. I've never seen anyone say it wasn't a bargain. Seems like a good system to get started with and would save you a nice chunk of change you can use for something else.

 

[vbjeff]

You may also want to consider the HSU Ventriloquist VT-12 with an STF-1 sub. The price for the speakers + sub is $500, but does not include the receiver. http://www.hsuresearch.com/ This may be more then you are looking to spend right now, but is still something to consider. This setup would provide speakers for 6.1 surround, and should sound nice.

 

[YeuEmMaiMai]

might want to try a Yamaha THIB without a DVD player

 

[cschang]

I have had the chance to hear the HSU Ventriloquist VT-12 on a few occasions, and the latest with the STF-1 sub. For a $500 package, I think it is pretty incredible.....and I have not heard an $299 sub that can do what the STF-1 can do.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...-12-stf-2.html

 

[Indiana627]

How about these?

 

[ez-v]

Mark,


Don't know much about the JBLs as I haven't heard them. Athena is a good bang-for-the-buck speaker line and the Point 5s, if you can afford them are a very good speaker set for the price. However, for $369, you don't get a subwoofer and one would be hard pressed to find one worth purchasing individually for less than $200. And you still need a receiver.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....9&type=product


At a lower price bracket, the Athena Micra system is also quite good at its price point and you do get the full 5.1 (w/ subwoofer) system for just under your $500 budget.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....5&type=product


The Hsu Ventriliquist system with STF-1 sub for $500 I haven't heard, but the many positive reviews by those on this board would lead me to believe that it is a very good system as well. I know the subwoofer is probably better than any you can get in any package at this price range.

http://hsuresearch.com/


At the lowest tier that I think you want to go is, as I mentioned on the other thread you started, the Onkyo home theater packages. For some reason, Circuit City only offers Onkyo's 6.1 home theater, but for under $500 you get a decent set of speakers and a receiver that is good enough to build around, even if you choose to upgrade your speakers at a later date.

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&catoid=-10041


You could purchase the Onkyo 5.1 home theater set online direct from Onkyo, but not sure you would prefer that over the convenience of dealing with your local Circuit City.

http://shoponkyo.com/catalog_detail....&p=i&ext_war=1


Moreover, I believe the speakers and the receiver in the 6.1 speaker set is better than the 5.1, more than justifying the $100 price difference.


If you can pay more for the Athenas or the Hsu + receiver, they ARE better and you may wish to go that route. But don't spend more than you budgeted for yourself. There will be plenty of opportunities to upgrade in the future. Buy the best you can at this stage and slowly improve the system as time and budget allows. Even the people here with >$100,000 systems didn't start out that way.


Victor

 

[indiesound]

If I were you, I'd really consider spending about $1000 instead, rather than home theater in a box.


That way you can salvage your $500 when you upgrade (and you WILL upgrade.


Try this:


Receiver $199 or $299:

Try entry level Denon, Onkyo or Harmon-Kardon recievers.


Speaker $299, $350 or $399

Axiom M2, Ascend Speakers or Axiom M22ti


Sub $349

HSU STF-2 is now on sale at CompUSA.


Get any decent progressive scan DVD/CD player $150-$250



Total price: $1049 plus the cost of cables (approx $70-$100) try Blue Jeans cable or Parts express.


I wish someone else had told me this in the beginning. Believe me, this will blow away any HTIB at Best Buy/ Circuit City!!!