Good $400 surround sound system

eSDee · 01-03-2006, 06:28 PM

One of my friends wants to get a no-nonsense, 5.1 surround sound system for his house and he has a budget of $400, give or take a few. Should he purchase an all in one system, then purchase speakers separately, or should he buy everything together? He is a simple guy, and doesn't want to get too fancy.

Thanks for your opinions.

MikeD · 01-03-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eSDeeLoco

He is a simple guy, and doesn't want to get too fancy.

Thanks for your opinions.

Sounds like he should get the all-in-one. He should be able to find a pretty good setup in that price range.

Didn't Amazon have some on sale recently? May be worth checking out their electronics top sellers.

Good luck to your buddy, hope he comes up with a nice setup.

ialsohaveadream · 01-03-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eSDeeLoco

One of my friends wants to get a no-nonsense, 5.1 surround sound system for his house and he has a budget of $400, give or take a few. Should he purchase an all in one system, then purchase speakers separately, or should he buy everything together? He is a simple guy, and doesn't want to get too fancy.

Thanks for your opinions.

Onkyo, pendejo! I didn't get the HTIB version, but I'm happy with my setup. I'm not a huge audiophile, but the speakers sound good. If nothing else, get an Onkyo receiver.

thekidrocks · 01-04-2006, 07:40 AM

Yamaha has a system at that price point, but it lacks a DVD player.

Positive side is that the receiver is based on the entry Yamaha 5.1 model (including being XM ready), with the key difference being that the subwoofer amp is also in the receiver. The spekaers are decent with that system, and a better subwoofer could always be added in the future.

Add a $30 DVD player and it's a nice looking and sounding system on the cheap.

The other route would be to put a basic system together by doing some really careful shopping. Examples.... CC just had a Sherwood 5.1 receiver for just under $125 (big markdown), and Pioneer speakers for $30/pr (again, it was a 2 day special). Subwoofers can always be found on the cheap somewhere - the CSW's that hifi.com runs through eBay as customer returns comes to mind... as does the Dayton sub(s).

naters22 · 01-04-2006, 10:05 AM

I just bought a JVC TH-C6, it is a complete 5.1 system with progressive-scan DVD player, awesome speakers. It is hands down the best sub-500 audio system I've ever heard. It was right around $400 shipped.

eSDee · 01-04-2006, 10:43 AM

Excellent information everyone thank you. I am going to refer him to this thread so he can what ya'll have recommended.

Kudos · 01-04-2006, 03:25 PM

If he doesn't need anything fancy, just pick up a "Home theatre in a box". You'll get the speakers, a receiver and a DVD player (usually a progressive scan dvd player) that will output some good sound. I bought a JVC 5.1 HT in a box about a year ago, and it's still rockin hard. Since I don't need digital upconverting or anything wacky like that it works very well for me, and I even have my computer hooked up through the SPDIF input.

Was much easier then picking and choosing your components, then getting speakers that will handle the output etc etc etc

01-03-2006, 06:28 PM	#1
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	Good $400 surround sound system One of my friends wants to get a no-nonsense, 5.1 surround sound system for his house and he has a budget of $400, give or take a few. Should he purchase an all in one system, then purchase speakers separately, or should he buy everything together? He is a simple guy, and doesn't want to get too fancy. Thanks for your opinions. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 days ~ Willie Nelson 3 days I dread to see arrive 3 days I hate to be alive 3 days filled with tears and sorrow yesterday today and tomorrow

01-04-2006, 03:25 PM	#7
Kudos Lieutenant Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 339	If he doesn't need anything fancy, just pick up a "Home theatre in a box". You'll get the speakers, a receiver and a DVD player (usually a progressive scan dvd player) that will output some good sound. I bought a JVC 5.1 HT in a box about a year ago, and it's still rockin hard. Since I don't need digital upconverting or anything wacky like that it works very well for me, and I even have my computer hooked up through the SPDIF input. Was much easier then picking and choosing your components, then getting speakers that will handle the output etc etc etc __________________ Shut up, dummy.

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01-04-2006, 07:40 AM	#4
thekidrocks Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northen Indiana Posts: 357	Yamaha has a system at that price point, but it lacks a DVD player. Positive side is that the receiver is based on the entry Yamaha 5.1 model (including being XM ready), with the key difference being that the subwoofer amp is also in the receiver. The spekaers are decent with that system, and a better subwoofer could always be added in the future. Add a $30 DVD player and it's a nice looking and sounding system on the cheap. The other route would be to put a basic system together by doing some really careful shopping. Examples.... CC just had a Sherwood 5.1 receiver for just under $125 (big markdown), and Pioneer speakers for $30/pr (again, it was a 2 day special). Subwoofers can always be found on the cheap somewhere - the CSW's that hifi.com runs through eBay as customer returns comes to mind... as does the Dayton sub(s).

01-04-2006, 10:05 AM	#5
naters22 Ensign Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 35	I just bought a JVC TH-C6, it is a complete 5.1 system with progressive-scan DVD player, awesome speakers. It is hands down the best sub-500 audio system I've ever heard. It was right around $400 shipped.

01-04-2006, 10:43 AM	#6
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	Excellent information everyone thank you. I am going to refer him to this thread so he can what ya'll have recommended.

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