Looking for PC surround sound system advice

[mingyang]

Thinking of upgrading my Logitech Z 5300.

should I get a receiver + sub + speakers.

assume up to $500 budget, what are my realistic options?

 

[cl-scott]

IMO, there's no substitute for a "proper" home theater setup in the form of a receiver, sub, and speakers. You can probably find a few decent HTIAB (Home Theater in a Box) setups places like Onkyo's little online outlet store (Club Onkyo IIRC) and I'm sure others will have some suggestions. That will get you started, then you can upgrade piecemeal as you go along and find good deals on speakers, subs, and even receivers.

 

[Procyon12]

http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Logan-...d=1355957429&sr=8-2&keywords=martin+logan+5.1

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V37...id=1355957516&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+receiver

 

[djoye]

For $500 you can get a receiver and some decent speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/Martin-Logan-...d=1355957429&sr=8-2&keywords=martin+logan+5.1

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V37...id=1355957516&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+receiver

This stuff looks good.

I've used an Onkyo 'home theater in a box' setup before, this is the most recent 7.1 setup from them: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5500-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V88ZE/

They also have a 5.1 setup, I think.

Whatever you do, don't settle for any less than an 8" subwoofer. The best thing about buying a receiver is that you can upgrade the components around it. I started with an Onkyo setup and upgraded to a $130 12" Dayton subwoofer that is plenty loud then upgraded the speakers around it.

With a $500 budget, you could probably get a decent receiver and then buy some fairly reasonable speakers around it.

 

[Skripka]

For $500 you can get a receiver and some decent speakers.

This stuff looks good.

I've used an Onkyo 'home theater in a box' setup before, this is the most recent 7.1 setup from them: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5500-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V88ZE/

They also have a 5.1 setup, I think.

Whatever you do, don't settle for any less than an 8" subwoofer. The best thing about buying a receiver is that you can upgrade the components around it. I started with an Onkyo setup and upgraded to a $130 12" Dayton subwoofer that is plenty loud then upgraded the speakers around it.

With a $500 budget, you could probably get a decent receiver and then buy some fairly reasonable speakers around it.

Buying new off the shelf, $500 will get you an entry-level receiver and a woofer....or a low-level HTIB. Depending on the OP's needs there are steal to be had on AVRs these days as everyone is dumping their non-HDMI AVRs for newer tech. I got the AVR and 12" woofer and two satellites in my sig for $50 locally off Craigslist.

People are unloading audio gear all the time, and a $200 used AVR is far far better than any $200 off-the-shelf retail AVR.

 

[matteos]

Yeah I just nought a Denon 3803 off craigslist for $80. This was a $1300 receiver 10 years ago. It doesn't have hdmi but the only reason I would need that is to get TrueHD.... except my soundcard has 5.1 analogue outputs so I can get it that way.

I would really look to see what you can get used before you buy new.

If you want new cheap speakers I'd recommend getting these over the small htib type speakers

http://www.fluance.com/product/SXHTB_5_Speaker_Surround_Sound_Home_Theater_System.eng-9.html

throw in a 12" sub

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-629

and you're set