New to home theaters, but I bought a receiver off a whim (1 Viewer)

[SCaliberver4]

Im new to this, but I just bought this reciever for $60:

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/harman-kardon-avr-140/4505-6466_7-31579785.html#!

If its a bad choice, I can always just use it in my shop, but I'd really like a nice setup for my living room. What would be a decent set of 5.1 speakers to get?

 

[Jim Mcc]

As long as it has enough inputs for your gear, no problem. It should be a good sounding receiver.

What type of speakers do you want? Satellite, bookshelf, towers? Budget?

 

[SCaliberver4]

I'm not too worried about inputs. It'll probably just be 2 consoles and a PC. As for the speakers, I think satellites will be good for now. I was looking at some today, Infinity TSS-500 5.1, that I could be get for $60-70. Think they would be good? It has no sub, but I have a 10" JBL laying around .I'm just used to car audio for the most part, and Infinity and JBL have always been my picks. I'm not too sure if they stand the test of being in the home though.

 

[Type A]

Welcome to the forum Travis.

Without the sub that Infinity system only goes down to 150 Hz, not sure if your JBL sub will cover those kind of frequencies. If the sub will cross over that high you will really be able to localize it and youll loose a lot of the surround sound effects. A better idea is to invest in bookshelf speakers that have decent output down to 80 Hz. If you like Infinity the Infinity Primus line is great bang for the buck. I have owned the Infinity Primus line and I thought they were fatiguing however I did line the insides of the cabinets with a dampening layer and that helped, still in use in my bedroom as music speakers.

I would also check out the Pioneer SP-BS22LR bookshelf speakers.

 

[SCaliberver4]

Would the bookshelf speakers need a center and rear speakers? Maybe I could use the Infinitys for that along with then.

 

[Type A]

It really depends on your budget but really there is no substitute for a 5.1 system. Even if your budget requires starting with two book shelf speakers, and you intend to add channels as the budget permits, there's no shame in building a 5.1 as money permits. The TSS-500, while it will be 5.1 from the start, will still always be limited to a 150 Hz crossover and thus will always give you a very directional and identifiable sound from your JBL sub. Whereas a 80 Hz crossover capable system, even if built in stages, will provide the proper surround sound effect while not revealing your sub's location in the process.

 

[SCaliberver4]

Ah, I see what you're getting at. Alrighty, I'll check out some more bookshelf speakers and such. Thanks!

 

[schan1269]

BIC DV62Arguably the best cost/performance speaker there is.

 

[SCaliberver4]

I see the bookshelf and tower versions are only $20 different on Amazon. Do you think the towers are worth the money and me slightly moving my lamp and potted plant?

 

[schan1269]

The DV62 is priced pair.The DV64 is priced each.

 

[SCaliberver4]

You are very correct. That image of the towers front and back fooled me on my phone lol

 

[sean1976]

I'm not too worried about inputs. It'll probably just be 2 consoles and a PC

Be aware that the receiver you've listed has no HDMI inputs, so unless you're planning to run composite video in to it you're out of luck.

 

[Type A]

Also make sure you take the time to read reviews, an extra $50 a pair (and going used) can mean a considerable step up. Heres a shoot out of the dv 62 and Klipsch rb 15 (ebay $160):

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/speaker-face-off-iv/bic-dv-62-and-klipsch-rb-15