Topic: Need to buy a 5.1 system on short notice - budget ~ $1200

[prof_peabody]

I need to pick up a 5.1 playback system this weekend.  I'm looking for a receiver and speakers. Is bestbuy the best place to go.  Any tips appreciated.  My budget is ~$1200.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Talk to these people...  http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/houstonaudio/

I'd say, if you had time, invest in something other than Beast Buy warez...  But if you gotta do it, the Denon Receviers are nice... 

Terry

[newscane]

Not a huge fan of Best Buy for this kind of stuff.  About 7 years ago, I went to a local HT store, got a Denon receiver, and B&W front & center channels for about $1K.  Got my rear channels a few years later, cheap Polk Audio bookshelf speakers.  Got a sub (don't even know what brand) free from a friend   Best Buy just makes for such a tough listening environment, IMO..

[prof_peabody]

wow been here 4 years and never saw that before.

I'm just going cheap, since I need something I'm not too worried about if it gets broken or stolen...

[prof_peabody]

Not a huge fan of Best Buy for this kind of stuff.  About 7 years ago, I went to a local HT store, got a Denon receiver, and B&W front & center channels for about $1K.  Got my rear channels a few years later, cheap Polk Audio bookshelf speakers.  Got a sub (don't even know what brand) free from a friend   Best Buy just makes for such a tough listening environment, IMO..

Any experience with their clearance centers?  There is one located near me.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

Last year, I picked up a Denon AVR589 for $300 at Circuit Shitty.  It was right before they went out of business...  I bet you can find something similar at Beast Buy...  Its a very nice 5.1 and works great for watching TV in the living room. 

Terry

[noahbickart]

I know it might not be what you want to hear, but I would much prefer a $1200 2-channel system. Your brain only has two inputs anyway...

[sparkey]

Buy two pairs of used B&W 602 S3's for your front and rear channels, you won't be sorry.  Read the reviews on these speakers, people rave about how great they sound, myself included.  Get the matching LCR 600 center channel (70% of your sound comes from the center channel).

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-B-W-DM-602-S3-Stand-Mount-Loudspeaker-Speaker_W0QQitemZ390098104035QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item5ad3a8aee3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrcent&1255283296

A low end 12" Velodyne from fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velodyne-Impact-12-12-Reference-Powered-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ200386914017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item2ea7fda6e1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And a Denon 5.1:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR590-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQM

Dunno how the specs are on the Denon compared to the one I currently own, but that system will kill most others that will cost you much more.  When you're ready to upgrade your amp, it will just sound better.

Josh

I know it might not be what you want to hear, but I would much prefer a $1200 2-channel system. Your brain only has two inputs anyway...

[BC]

Onkyo TX-SR507
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR507&class=Receiver&p=i

Not sure if these speakers would fit into your budget after buying the receiver, but I would consider going with the budget Paradigms or PSBs.

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-atommonitor-model-2-4-1-1.paradigm

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series

And I just found this, the Energy - Take Classic 5 Pack - Speaker System looks decent!

http://home-audio.audioadvisor.com/search?w=Energy&x=0&y=0

[prof_peabody]

Thanks for the tips.

[prof_peabody]

Buy two pairs of used B&W 602 S3's for your front and rear channels, you won't be sorry.  Read the reviews on these speakers, people rave about how great they sound, myself included.  Get the matching LCR 600 center channel (70% of your sound comes from the center channel).

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-B-W-DM-602-S3-Stand-Mount-Loudspeaker-Speaker_W0QQitemZ390098104035QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item5ad3a8aee3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrcent&1255283296

A low end 12" Velodyne from fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velodyne-Impact-12-12-Reference-Powered-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ200386914017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item2ea7fda6e1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And a Denon 5.1:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR590-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQM

Dunno how the specs are on the Denon compared to the one I currently own, but that system will kill most others that will cost you much more.  When you're ready to upgrade your amp, it will just sound better.

Josh

I know it might not be what you want to hear, but I would much prefer a $1200 2-channel system. Your brain only has two inputs anyway...

Thanks for the tips.  The Home Theater Store outlet center in Houston has the 602s ($220 each unused / $160 each used includes 1 year warranty) the Denon receivers (for less than the amazon price).  I think this is the way to go...

[prof_peabody]

Also... Once again TS.com saves me big time when I'm in a tight situation.  THANKS!!!

[sparkey]

160 each for used is a great price.....so, so worth it for the B&W 602's.....you will frickin LOVE those speakers...

Buy two pairs of used B&W 602 S3's for your front and rear channels, you won't be sorry.  Read the reviews on these speakers, people rave about how great they sound, myself included.  Get the matching LCR 600 center channel (70% of your sound comes from the center channel).

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-B-W-DM-602-S3-Stand-Mount-Loudspeaker-Speaker_W0QQitemZ390098104035QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item5ad3a8aee3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrcent&1255283296

A low end 12" Velodyne from fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velodyne-Impact-12-12-Reference-Powered-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ200386914017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item2ea7fda6e1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And a Denon 5.1:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR590-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQM

Dunno how the specs are on the Denon compared to the one I currently own, but that system will kill most others that will cost you much more.  When you're ready to upgrade your amp, it will just sound better.

Josh

I know it might not be what you want to hear, but I would much prefer a $1200 2-channel system. Your brain only has two inputs anyway...

Thanks for the tips.  The Home Theater Store outlet center in Houston has the 602s ($220 each unused / $160 each used includes 1 year warranty) the Denon receivers (for less than the amazon price).  I think this is the way to go...

[Tim]

that's a really, really great deal on those B&W's

I have the floor stander of that model, great speakers - especially for your first foray into good playback. You won't be disappointed.

[K.C.]

Buy two pairs of used B&W 602 S3's for your front and rear channels, you won't be sorry.  Read the reviews on these speakers, people rave about how great they sound, myself included.  Get the matching LCR 600 center channel (70% of your sound comes from the center channel).

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-B-W-DM-602-S3-Stand-Mount-Loudspeaker-Speaker_W0QQitemZ390098104035QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item5ad3a8aee3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrcent&1255283296

A low end 12" Velodyne from fleabay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Velodyne-Impact-12-12-Reference-Powered-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ200386914017QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item2ea7fda6e1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

And a Denon 5.1:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR590-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQM

Dunno how the specs are on the Denon compared to the one I currently own, but that system will kill most others that will cost you much more.  When you're ready to upgrade your amp, it will just sound better.

Josh

I have basically the setup you describe above: I bought my 602 S3's before anything else b/c i fell in love with them. I now use those for my sourounds, and have 603 S3's for the front channels & the LCR60 S3 for my center, and ASW608 sub. For my receiver, I'm using a Denon AVR2105... bought all the speakers off audiogon.com, and bought the receiver refurbished online(forget where). i have maybe $1700 in the entire system

[live2496]

ecost.com usually has a good selection of refurbished Denon receivers.

These are lower powered 75-80 watt per channel systems but you can get them for anywhere between $142 and 178$.

[sparkey]

So what's up.  Theater update please.