Best $150-$200 5.1 receiver?

T

TheOneKnownAsMe

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
1,730
Now that I'm done upgrading my PC for the next year or two, I've decided that it's time I dump my old PC speakers and start looking into a better audio set-up.

Now, I'm on a fairly small budget, and I can't afford to drop $500 just on the receiver, so I was wondering if you guys could give me some recommendations for a 5.1 receiver within the range of $150-$200. Any help you guys can provide is very much appreciated!
 
i assume this is for movies and the like, but what speakers did you have in mind? as far as a receiver goes, do you need room for more input or could you settle for a dedicated soundcard?
 
Last edited:
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
SinShiva said:
i assume this is for movies and the like, but what speakers did you have in mind? as far as a receiver goes, do you need room for more input or could you settle for a dedicated soundcard?
Click to expand...

I intend to use it for movies, games and music, primary use being music. I'm actually not entirely sure about speakers yet. My budget is $500, including the receiver. What would you guys recommend for speakers?
 
I suggest starting with a 2.1 speaker configuration: 2 bookshelf speakers + 1 subwoofer. You can add a center and satellites later if you want to expand the system. I've been running a 2.1 PC setup for years and strongly prefer it to 5.1 or 7.1.

As others have written, you can find a good used receiver on eBay or CL. I'd get something under $150 and spend the rest on speakers. $500 can go a long way.

Receiver: http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-HTR-5540...26523?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item1c18ead17b
Bookshelves: http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-M10-...76?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item45f73b2950
Subwoofer: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Mr. Wolf said:
I suggest starting with a 2.1 speaker configuration: 2 bookshelf speakers + 1 subwoofer. You can add a center and satellites later if you want to expand the system. I've been running a 2.1 PC setup for years and strongly prefer it to 5.1 or 7.1.

As others have written, you can find a good used receiver on eBay or CL. I'd get something under $150 and spend the rest on speakers. $500 can go a long way.

Receiver: http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-HTR-5540...26523?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item1c18ead17b
Bookshelves: http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-M10-...76?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item45f73b2950
Subwoofer: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635
Click to expand...

i concur, as you'll notice in my sig; music wont use the extra channels unless you are using software like 'matrix surround'. music is slightly more important to me, so i went (mostly) all in on the 2.1 side of things.
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
TheOneKnownAsMe said:
I intend to use it for movies, games and music, primary use being music. I'm actually not entirely sure about speakers yet. My budget is $500, including the receiver. What would you guys recommend for speakers?
Click to expand...

I just bought a Boston Acoustic 5.1 mcs 90 speakers and they "threw in" a Denon AVR 391 receiver fron Ultimate electronics. All for $499. I just hooked them up Friday night ,well 3.1 hahah I still have to route some wires for 2 satellite speakers. So far so good. My only gripe right now is that the receiver doesn't have on screen menus or even a volume bar...I wish it did.

Anyway from what I've read, this is a great budget setup. I've seen a similar setup in amazon I think only it had the upgraded reciever. I'm thinking I may return this setup to get that one if it offers the on screen menus...

Actually here is is on Buy.com

http://www.buy.com/prod/denon-dht-5...by/q/sellerid/16065700/loc/111/213273647.html

http://www.pcrush.com/product/Home-...r-AVR-590-Home-Theater-System#product-reviews
Here it is from another vendor. I'm pretty sure it does come with the speakers as it said in the description and the "BA" in the part number stands for Boston Acoustics

I think I may have been mistaken...I don't think it comes with speakers.

I just checked the manual for the AVR 590 on line and it does have on screen menus...I'll be taking this one back and getting the upgraded one for less. I wrote to PCrush to make sure it is in stock they don't have weekend hours...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the advice guys!

It might be worth mentioning, but I have an old Sony HST-211 stereo system that has been sitting unused in my room for quite some time. I don't use them because the sound quality of the speakers was pretty bad (in my opinion). The integrated stereo amp is rated at about 175-200w, would I be better off using the stereo amp with a new set of bookshelves?
 
Definitely try that old stereo amp first. No sense in spending more than necessary to get started. Buy a couple of good bookshelf speakers and give that rig a workout.
 
Mr. Wolf said:
Definitely try that old stereo amp first. No sense in spending more than necessary to get started. Buy a couple of good bookshelf speakers and give that rig a workout.
Click to expand...

Alright, what bookshelves would you recommend for about $200/pair?
 
TheOneKnownAsMe said:
Alright, what bookshelves would you recommend for about $200/pair?
Click to expand...
Any of these would do a good job for you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-P153-B...86?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5d2d182372

http://cgi.ebay.com/Infinity-P143-B...25?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5d2d181e85

http://cgi.ebay.com/POLK-AUDIO-M10-2...item45f73b2950

I'm not a believer in buying used speakers. You just never know how they've been used/misused by their owners. It's a lot harder to abuse a receiver, amp, etc. so used items like that are okay, IMO.
 
As an eBay Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Mr. Wolf said:
Any of these would do a good job for you:



I'm not a believer in buying used speakers. You just never know how they've been used/misused by their owners. It's a lot harder to abuse a receiver, amp, etc. so used items like that are okay, IMO.
Click to expand...

For the cheaper stuff agree, for the nicer stuff there's Audiogon.
 
Okay so, I go to return my surround sound to Ultimate Electronics and I tell them why...the guy says "we have one of those in the back and we'll match that price!" I'm like "no $hi+?" he's like yea..no sense letting it sit in the back...

So I bring back a Boston Acoustic 5.1 mcs 90 speakers and a Denon AVR 391 receiver that I paid $499 for and left with a Denon DHT-590BA 375W 5.1 Channel (MCS 90). it is the same speakers and the upgraded receiver, for $399. They had a Samsung 3D bluray player on sale for $99. so in the end I spent the exact same amount and got the upgraded receiver and a bluray player as a bonus!
 
lag0a said:
Is klipsch still a good brand for speakers?
Click to expand...

Klipsch is still very good, I picked up the Klipsch Quintet and a Klipsch SUB12 during black friday and the sound blows my old broke Ultra 5.1 away!
 
lag0a said:
Is klipsch still a good brand for speakers?
Click to expand...

Klipsch are known to be harsh and fatiguing on the ears (myself included). Just do a google search Klipsch 'harsh'.

Tons and tons of brands out there to compare to either way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top