home entertainment system

[fluxquantum]

i want to get a new home entertainment system for my HDTV. what brand will be give me the most bang for my buck? i can afford to spend 400 dollars max.

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This has been moved to the OT forum.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Pariah]

You need to define what you mean by entertainment center. What components are you looking for? If you can afford an HDTV, $400 for the rest of it sounds rather odd.

 

[thomsbrain]

do you mean a computer based system?

cause if you're just looking for speakers and amps, etc, this should be posted in Off Topic instead of hardware.

 

[tigerbait]

<< ? If you can afford an HDTV, $400 for the rest of it sounds rather odd. >>

 

[Muadib]

Are you talking about a game console, like the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube?

 

[fluxquantum]

i am actually referring to a speaker system with subwoofer for my tv and dvd player. why is it odd that i can only spend 400? i don't see any problems with that. i just need advice and not criticism. thanks.

 

[Pariah]

It has nothing to do with criticism. Usually when you have a top notch video setup, you want to pair it with a top notch audio setup. You certainly cannot piece together an audio setup for $400. Basically you are stuck with one of those HT in a box setups you would get from BestBuy, and a lowend one at that. You're better off saving the money and spending it on something else.

 

[Muadib]

why is it odd that i can only spend 400? i don't see any problems with that. i just need advice and not criticism. thanks.
Geeze, take a chill pill dude. No one was being critical of you, just making an observation with the info given. The facts are that most people who spring for hdtv also want a good audio system to compliment it. $400 won't do it.

 

[fluxquantum]

well i don't want to spend a 1000 dollars. i don't have that much cash on me and probably won't for a long time. i just want something basic. by the way, the tv was a gift. i can't afford to pay too much for an entertainment system. just want to know some good brands.

 

[ElFenix]

might be better off just using the tv's sound than any $400 HT in a box getups. maybe you can get some refurbed stuff off of ubid or something.

 

[Workin']

Just go to Best Buy or Circuit City (yuck) and get whatever "Home-Theater-In-A-Box" you can find that fits your budget. For $400 the brand ain't gonna matter, they will all be less than mediocre.

 

[fluxquantum]

well then what do you guys recommend? maybe i can scrounge up some more cash. if i do get a bonus check this year then maybe i can splurge on something more expensive. please provide links or product names. i am a novice at this stuff. what do you guys personally have?

 

[tigerbait]

Well since you have an HDTV, you're gonna want a progressive scan DVD player, and the best value model is the Panasonic RP-56, which is ~ $210. That doesn't leave much for a speakers and a receiver. Most people spend $200 on just the cables alone.

 

[Workin']

<< Most people spend $200 on just the cables alone. >>

Not people with functioning brains or any real (as opposed to "marketing") knowledge of electricity and signal transmission But let's try not to start a "magic wire" debate again.

I assumed you already had a DVD player. If you don't then plan on spending at least $200 for that in addition to whatever you were going to spend on audio gear.

 

[John]

<< well then what do you guys recommend? >>



I recommend you save another 1500.00+ dollars and then start asking for advice.



<< Most people spend $200 on just the cables alone. >>



I agree. I spent a good 600.00 on speaker wire and audio cables (component, toslink, coax, composite) for my new home theater system. I used Acoustic Research cables all around. High quality at a low price. Those "Monster Cables" (goertz, better cables, cat cables, etc) are all about price, not performance IMHO.

 

[mboy]

Nice gift by the way. I have decent HT system, but not the phat XBR yet . I got a Harman Kardon DD surround system w/ HK surround speakers (5 + 75w powered 8" in sub which is PLENTY for my apt) for a total of less then $400 off of Ubid, but that was last yr amnd I dont see them having those speakers in a while. Right now I would recomend this: JVC complete home theater
My boss just ordered it for her Husband for $280 shipped. Fits into your budget right now. WHile of course not the greatest, it will provide very good sound for a great price while you save up for more sophisticated stuff in the future.
Right now, thats your best bet.

 

[grumm3t]

One word: BOSE

 

[Yonux]

well, I will say for 400$, just get whatever the best you can get at BB or CC kinda will be the same. I wasnt thinking about the best i could get and i bought the BOSE 901s and even though bose (no highs no lows),..... you do get what you pay for.

Yonux

ps I dont mean ti be critical but for 400$ they are all kinda the same,.. sorry.

 

[Workin']

<< One word: BOSE >>

You're funny! That's the most overpriced stuff around. Just about the worst value for the money you could find.

 

[Huma]

people are right when they say $400 won't get you much, and within that price range, brand won't make much of a difference.

My receiver cost around $400 just by itself.

Just go to your local big brand electronics superstore and pick up whatever kit they have in your price range.

 

[RanDum72]

Hhmmm... $400 CAN get you somewhere with decent speakers. Polk R10's are $80 a pair at Circuit City so 4 is $160. The matching center (CS175i) is around $120-
140 so thats $300. You can get a KLH sub ( 10 incher with 120 watt amp) off Costco for $99. A Pioneer DD/DTS receiver (100w x 5) is $199, also at Costco.
Total is $600 +tax.

 

[John]

<< One word: BOSE >>



I think you meant two words: avoid BOSE

 

[Muadib]

This Kenwood's HTB-503 should fit the bill. It sounds pretty good for the price.

 

[Dug]

I second the Kenwood system. Sounds better than all of the other home-theater-in-a-box systems.
It's been recommended in all of the home theater magazines as what to get if you can't afford more.

 

[MaryJo]

$600.00 on Cables is just outrageous IMHO. Saving $$ any place I possibly can is my mantra. Found this place a way back that has amazing tweaks for your audio system.

Link

This link goes to instructions to make your own 75ohm digital cable - made mine for $8.50.

fluxquantum: Check out:

Link #2

It's a site devoted to "unbiased" audio reviews/info/etc for the typical home buyer.