Advice for a new sound system

Hello all. So I've been using my Logitech X-540s for quite a while now and I feel like it's about time to upgrade. I know there's a lot of info out there but I'm just overwhelmed at the vast selection there is. I'm hoping not to spend more than $250 if possible, $300 max. From what I've read home audio seems to be better than PC speakers right? I would like to have 5.1, however if I can get a 2.1 setup that would sound better than a 5.1 for the same price I'll go for it.

I'll be using these for gaming, music, and movies. I wouldn't consider myself an "audiophile" but I do appreciate a good sounding system. I've wanted the Corsair SP2500 for a while, but I'd like to hear your opinion on it. A lot of people have recommended the Onkyo HT-S3500, but almost as many have said against it. That's about where I am now lol. I don't even know where else to look. Any help is appreciated.

PS: I do like bass, so an 8"+ is a must for me.

Edit: As you can see in my sig I have an Xfi Titanium. I'm not sure how I'd go about hooking up a receiver to it, or if there's some reason I shouldn't. Would I use optical?

your choices are to get a good stereo setup or a lousy 5.1.

so, which direction you want to go?

I guess stereo it is haha. Also I should note that my desk would only allow for monitors up to 8" tall. I know this is quite small amount of space; would it be possible to just turn them on their sides?

Depends on whats more important. You have to make sacrifices (with that budget) between a 2.1 or 5.1 system.

For gaming and movies, a home system would provide decent surround (ie: 5.1) sound. Even a HTiB would be a good start, and you could upgrade pieces as your budget allows.

For music, a 2.1 system would be the way to go.

I think I'll go with a 2.1 for now and maybe upgrade in the future to a 5.1. I usually game with my headphones anyway since I talk to people on ventrilo. Does anyone have any specific suggestions though? I don't really know which components I should be looking at with my budget. I'm kind of leaning toward the Corsair SP2500 right now. I know I wouldn't be able to add anything to it but it's a lot cheaper and would fit a lot better on my desk. Thoughts?

You can do better for the money with a budget of $250-300 IMO... I'd start with a little t-amp like a Lepai ($25-50), some passive bookshelves (Polk Monitor 30, Pioneer BS41, Dayton B562, etc.), and then add a budget sub (I'll let someone else tackle that one). You can run most bookshelves on their sides just fine as long as you can still get them aimed at your head/ears rather than your chest, tho some of those I mentioned might fit your size requirements. (tweeters would face outwards btw)

Is there a such thing as an amp that can also power a sub? I'm pretty set on getting a system with a sub, and it's the price of a receiver that's really turning me away from a custom system.

Ryan930 said:

Is there a such thing as an amp that can also power a sub? I'm pretty set on getting a system with a sub, and it's the price of a receiver that's really turning me away from a custom system.

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many amps have Speaker Level Inuputs / outputs (basically two sets of speaker jacks on the back)

so you'd run (if you don't have LFE /sub out on you amp) speaker wires from amp to subwoofer then speaker wires from sub to speakers (setting the crossover as desired on back of subwoofer).

Ryan930 said:

Is there a such thing as an amp that can also power a sub? I'm pretty set on getting a system with a sub, and it's the price of a receiver that's really turning me away from a custom system.

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yes but those will be more expensive. like a lot more. look at tripaths and a powered sub. no need to go full receiver. the $100 dayton amp will be fine.

Alright, I think I've made my decision on what I'll be purchasing:

Yamaha RX-V371BL -- $170
Dayton Audio B652 --- $50
Polk Audio PSW10 -- -$80

Comes out to about $300. I just wanted to get your opinion on the components I'm going with. Also am I missing anything stupid that I haven't thought of (adapters, cables, etc)? I'm not sure if the receiver comes with an optical cable or not.

Ryan930 said:

Alright, I think I've made my decision on what I'll be purchasing:

Yamaha RX-V371BL -- $170
Dayton Audio B652 --- $50
Polk Audio PSW10 -- -$80

Comes out to about $300. I just wanted to get your opinion on the components I'm going with. Also am I missing anything stupid that I haven't thought of (adapters, cables, etc)? I'm not sure if the receiver comes with an optical cable or not.

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Do you have speaker wire? Subs usually use an rca connector cable got one of those that's long enough for your setup?

Have you shopped craigslist for a used avr? A $170 used avr will far exceed any <$300 avr out there. Especially if you don't need hdmi.

Ah no I do not, thanks. Do you have any recommendations or can I just get any generic speaker wires and RCA cable from amazon?

Edit: This is probably a really stupid question, but how am I actually hooking everything up? I'm looking at the back of the sub in pictures and you can either plug in the speaker wires or use RCA. But the RCA has left and right inputs. Wouldn't you only need one?

Ryan930 said:

Ah no I do not, thanks. Do you have any recommendations or can I just get any generic speaker wires and RCA cable from amazon?

Edit: This is probably a really stupid question, but how am I actually hooking everything up? I'm looking at the back of the sub in pictures and you can either plug in the speaker wires or use RCA. But the RCA has left and right inputs. Wouldn't you only need one?

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There should be an option to only use one of the RCA inputs, usually the left one. Most AV receivers I've seen only have a mono subwoofer out.

Ryan930 said:

Ah no I do not, thanks. Do you have any recommendations or can I just get any generic speaker wires and RCA cable from amazon?

Edit: This is probably a really stupid question, but how am I actually hooking everything up? I'm looking at the back of the sub in pictures and you can either plug in the speaker wires or use RCA. But the RCA has left and right inputs. Wouldn't you only need one?

Click to expand...

the left and right connectors are for when being used with a stereo crossover. wont use in home theater receivers. just use the left.