5.1 sound system advice

[Salamander]

I had a home theater in a box that gave up the ghost. I'm looking to upgrade by getting an AV receiver and 5.1 speaker setup. I'm looking to start with the AV receiver and a pair of floor standing speakers. Depending upon price and cash flow, I'm looking over the next 6 months at then getting the subwoofer, followed by a center speaker, and finishing up with the surround speakers.

Does this seem like a reasonable order to get the components?

 

[ajskydiver]

Get the center before the sub if you plan on using the system to watch movies before it's complete.

Other than that, buying as you can afford is fine and totally up to you.

 

[flimsy]

phantom center is also an option

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I disagree, the center isn't really necessary all the time. Especially if your L/R speakers are fairly close to the TV. I have gone with a 2.1 system (L/R + sub) several times over the years, and it's not really a big deal. (Just make sure that your receiver is set to disable the center channel, so it sends center channel sounds to the L/R speakers!)

If this is the case (i.e. L/R close to TV, and receiver set properly), then the sub is probably a better "bang for your buck" upgrade than the center channel.

It's not really a big deal either way, though, considering that all of this will be happening over a period of 6 months or so. Not so long to wait, either way.

You could also use your old HTIB speakers with the new receiver, in the meantime.

To pull this off in a real "budget" manner, I would recommend trolling your local Craigslist, especially for receivers. You can find basic 5.1 receivers from major brands for $100 or less. Just get one of those to start with, then put your money into the speakers, and then once you have all your speakers decided, buy a new(er) receiver with all the bells and whistles.

Just to give you an idea of what's possible.... My home theater is comprised of a THX Select2 rated receiver (Onkyo TX-SR705, $250 on CL), THX Select rated speakers (Atlantic Technology System 270, $100 from pawnshop for L/C/R, $50 from CL for surrounds), and a kickass sub (SVS 20-39PCi, $225 on CL). So for $625 I have a super badass system. Yes, it took literally a few years to pull all the components together (I got the AT L/C/R 4 years ago, then the receiver about 3 years ago, then the AT surrounds about 6 months ago, and the SVS sub last month) but IMO it's the best $625 system out there, by a long shot. (and I was being super picky with what I wanted; you could easily do this more quickly by not going after rare speakers like the AT's.) And of course I have been using the various components with other pieces along the way. I was using the L/R speakers as part of a stereo music system for a couple of years.... the receiver was driving a set of Polks. It didn't really all come together until I got the SVS sub, which is just SO much better than any sub I've had in the past. And now... it's blissful