Surround Sound Advice: Please help.

[datdamkid]

I got 1000 dollars. No more than that. Budget has been decreased a bit... I need atleast a 5.1 surround sound setup including reciever, if i can get a 6.1 that would be nice. But it must be from either best buy or circuit city, this is because I have to have the equipment by friday and i've noticed they carry some decent stuff. I need it for friday as for we're having a party Sunday and It must be installed. Thanks in advance..



Palak

 

[Baked]

Just pick any home theatre in a box from BB or CC, you won't notice the difference.

 

[datdamkid]

Wasnt looking to do HTIB looking at seperate pieces or something

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: Baked
Just pick any home theatre in a box from BB or CC, you won't notice the difference.

right.. because 90% of the crap the sell is junk. i'd say forget about getting the gear in time for the party and buy some better gear when you are not pressed for time.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Does your BB still sell athena speakers?

 

[Need4Speed]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does your BB still sell athena speakers?

agreed...assuming they still have them.

 

[Hubes]

i wouldnt rush to buy a theater at best buy or circuit city. You can get much better deals other places with better quality.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Need4Speed

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Does your BB still sell athena speakers?

agreed...assuming they still have them.

Oh, some of them are back on the website.

Prices don't look good though... AS F2.2 = $299 each vs $400/pair elsewhere

 

[Gabornski]

I've owned a couple of pioneer receivers and have been happy with them. BB has a 6.1 for $200. Haven't looked at speakers lately so can't help there.

 

[datdamkid]

Yes, they do sell athena

 

[conehead433]

I picked up an Onkyo HT770 system, added a couple of Polk R30s for fronts and have been extremely satisfied. This was for a Home Theater setup and OK to me for music. If music is your main concern you could do better.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I guess just go in and do some auditioning.

If this is HT, make sure you get a nice center channel. If you're going to skimp somewhere, do it on the surrounds.

Get a cheap receiver. See if they have a floor model for a good price. I got a Pioneer 1014 for $287. $200 to $300 range is probably a good bet.

Pioneer 515/815 would be a good idea from BB

Sherwood for super cheap at CC if your speakers budget ends up on the high end of things

Others at CC
Panasonic XR-55 (says web only online, if you can get one for under $300, that would be a nice one to get)
Onkyo 303/503

If this is mostly music, concentrate on the FR and FL speakers.

Listen to them if possible. If they have a demo room, bring in some music you're familiar with and see what sounds good to you.

Check out Infinity Primus series at CC
Athena, JBL, Klipsch at BB

(and whatever else they have)

Remember that you can add to the system later on.
For example if you get a 7.1 receiver and get a 5.1 set with cheaper bookshelf speakers now, you can add something nicer from the same brand later on and move those to FR/FL duty.
(for example if you wanted to do JBL e series from best buy you could get some e20/e30 bookshelf speakers for now.... oh great... BB just went down for me. oh well)

Don't worry about buying a sub that matches the brand of the speakers if you like a different brand better.
The front three speakers are important to match. Surrounds can be whatever if you can get a good deal on something else.