Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Since I didn't want to overspend for outdated TV technology I've all but decided to overspend on new TV technology and demote my current living room TV to the upstairs room. As such I may as well go ahead and get surround sound setup as well. I'm not interested in anything top end. Just something that will make watching a movie or a football game a good experience. Anyone have any thoughts on packages that would handle everything? I don't have a receive either so that would have to be part of it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Give us a ballpark on what you want to spend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Give us a ballpark on what you want to spend. Ideally under/around $500. Obviously less is better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Ideally under/around $500. Obviously less is better... A Home Theater in a Box might be your best bet for under $500. They'll sound a lot better than just the tv speakers. Here's a few: Home Theater If it were me, I'd buy a decent amp and 2 main speakers and then upgrade from there. The boxed home theater systems sound ok until you get picky. You'll want to upgrade after a while. I'd rather have a decent amp and 2 nice speakers than mediocre surround sound. But that's just me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 IMO anything under 1,500 (minimum) is not worth 5.1 surround. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Well, I'm not talking super home theater here or anything. Just upgrading to a 37" HDTV and want the sound experience to be better. I could probably deal with a little more cost if it makes sense but i sure ain't spending $1,500 when I hope to spend less than a grand on the tv. It would also be nice to have for listening to music as well so I could go the good amp nice couple of speakers route and upgrade the others as appropriate. Suggestions along those lines welcome as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 A Home Theater in a Box might be your best bet for under $500. They'll sound a lot better than just the tv speakers. Here's a few: Home Theater This is pretty much what I had in mind. I'll need some serious guidance if I try to assemble a system myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Does the speaker size matter? If you're wanting something small and sleek, that eliminates a lot of options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 If I were to buy a "kit" this might be it http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-TSS-800-5-1-H...1QQcmdZViewItem 100% trusted seller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Does the speaker size matter? If you're wanting something small and sleek, that eliminates a lot of options. It doesn't really matter to me but it probably does to my wife. Smaller is better but if it can be relatively hidden and not to gaudy that would be ok too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Any thoughts on This One? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Any thoughts on This One? For the extra 100 or so I would go with mine. It is refurbished (mine) but it comes directly from the factory not a thirdparty. I have used the vendor many times and I will again no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 For the extra 100 or so I would go with mine. It is refurbished (mine) but it comes directly from the factory not a thirdparty. I have used the vendor many times and I will again no doubt. Gotcha. Can't look at ebay during the day but will check it out when I get home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Any thoughts on This One? Don't know...never heard it. I would audition it first and see what you think. One of the best mini-speaker systems I've ever heard is the Mirage line. They system I heard had 5 speakers and a sub. But I guarantee you that 2 of these speakers and a sub would blow that Philips away. You could even just buy the 2 speakers and a receiver and then add the sub later. You'll definitely want the sub though. Makes all the difference in the world. And these speakers are very small and sound very good. Here's a pair on ebay $375: Mirage Here's the Mirage sub $300: Subwoofer Here's a Pioneer receiver that will more than suit your needs $200: Pioneer So you could buy the 2 speakers and the receiver for $575 and then add the sub. Or you could bite the bullet and get the sub. This system will be very small and clean and will sound great for the money and size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 ONKYO makes some pretty nice HTIB's and you can get factory refurbs too(very nice savings) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Shoponkyo.com edit: if you are not an audiofile one of those will serve you very well. Edited August 5, 2008 by keggerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Since two people mentioned refurbs. Are they typically just as good as new? Maybe someone just cranked it too loud and they had to replace a speaker or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Since two people mentioned refurbs. Are they typically just as good as new? Maybe someone just cranked it too loud and they had to replace a speaker or something? biggest diff I think is warranty or lack of a warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Since two people mentioned refurbs. Are they typically just as good as new? Maybe someone just cranked it too loud and they had to replace a speaker or something? Good as new with a warranty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 http://www.onkyousa.com/warranty.cfm Refurbished Products: Receivers & Amplifiers 1 year Parts & labor Tuners, Equalizers & Processors 1 year Parts & labor Cassette Decks & Mini Disc 1 year Parts & labor CD, DVD Players & Turntables 1 year Parts & labor Speakers 1 year Parts & labor Mini systems 1 year Parts & labor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 FYI, every once in a while, Best Buy runs a receiver and speaker package that, for about $100 more than a HTIB, is usually a pretty good deal for the average joe. The timing is kinda random, and you never know what they will pair together. I got a pioneer receiver and 6.1 JBL speakers for example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) If I were to buy a "kit" this might be it http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-TSS-800-5-1-H...1QQcmdZViewItem 100% trusted seller. it is over $100 more then he said he wanted to spend and would still need to buy a receiver which will run him minimally in the neighborhood of $200 more Don't know...never heard it. I would audition it first and see what you think. One of the best mini-speaker systems I've ever heard is the Mirage line. They system I heard had 5 speakers and a sub. But I guarantee you that 2 of these speakers and a sub would blow that Philips away. You could even just buy the 2 speakers and a receiver and then add the sub later. You'll definitely want the sub though. Makes all the difference in the world. And these speakers are very small and sound very good. Here's a pair on ebay $375: Mirage Here's the Mirage sub $300: Subwoofer Here's a Pioneer receiver that will more than suit your needs $200: Pioneer So you could buy the 2 speakers and the receiver for $575 and then add the sub. Or you could bite the bullet and get the sub. This system will be very small and clean and will sound great for the money and size. I know AC and he is gonna want a sub with it now so you have him at $875 when he wanted to spend around $500 or less its always easier to spend someone elses money Edited August 5, 2008 by keggerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Agent Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 it is over $100 more then he said he wanted to spend and would still need to buy a receiver which will run him minimally in the neighborhood of $200 more I know AC and he is gonna want a sub with it now so you have him at $875 when he wanted to spend around $500 or less its always easier to spend someone elses money Very true. It's also hard to recommend a home theater system for under $500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlanta Cracker Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Very true. It's also hard to recommend a home theater system for under $500. touche' It's usually easier to talk me into spending more than I wanted to... I'm going to try to hold close to my budget this time. ANYTHING I get will be better than the current tv speakers on my $150 27" tv so I don't need to go very high end to be impressed really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrTed46 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Correct I thought it came with a receiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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