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Low budget speaker setup for parents

#1
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9/20/07 at 2:42am
  • Joined: September 2007
  • Post Count: 1
So my dad asked me to setup a home theater speaker system for him. He is looking at spending in the range of $800 total for a receiver and speakers. I know this is really low budget compared to what most of you guys spend on your setups but my parents have had nothing but tv speakers for the last... forever. So considering that just about anything would be a huge upgrade for them I am just trying to get some quality equipment that will last a long time and sound decent considering the cost.

Right now im looking at the Yamaha RX-V659 receiver and the Onkyo SKS-HT240 speakers, which would be about $650 shipped. Since this is the speaker board I guess i should just ask about the speakers. They seemed to have pretty good reviews but it looks like I could spend about $100 more. So is there anything in the $450 or less price range you guys would recommend over these? And do you think that spending another $100 would even be worth it (noticeable) to complete audio novices(myself included)?
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#2
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9/20/07 at 7:18am
  • Joined: January 1999
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

Those speakers are pretty ugly to my eyes....

I've read some very good things on this board about Fluance brand speakers for a budget theater. That's what I would buy.

Philip Hamm
Moderator Emeritus

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#3
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9/20/07 at 7:20am
  • Joined: June 2000
  • Location: Colorado
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

I wouldn't order the speakers. Buy them locally if you can, so you return them easily if they don't like them. Aside from that, there are plenty of 5.1 sets in the $500-600 range from companies like Polk and Klipsch, which is probably where you should be looking, with around $250 for the receiver. Just listen to some and maybe watch for sales.


They flutter behind you, your possible pasts.
Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost.
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#4
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9/20/07 at 8:43am
  • Joined: February 2007
  • Location: Calgary
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

How big is the room? That will have an effect on how the speakers sound and would need to be factored into the speaker choice.

I haven't heard them but have read great reviews about the Athena Micra 6 system. http://www.athenaspeakers.com/v2/pro...Micra+6+System
I have the Athena LS series speakers and they sound great for the price.

You could search for an Athena dealer near your house to listen to them, and then either buy them from the store or online from BestBuy or www.audioadvisor.com for a good price. They're $450 at BestBuy or $400 at Audio advisor. True, it's not using your entire speaker budget, but Athena has a good reputation for providing good sounding speakers at a low price so they're worth considering. In a big room, the small satellites might not be adequate though, which is why room size must be factored into the decision.
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#5
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9/22/07 at 4:49pm
  • Joined: February 2007
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

Speaking of speakers, (pun intended) Are the short 159.00 sony floorstanders at best buy any good?

at 88Db sensitivity will my 30 watts (total receiver drive them?)

will my 25wpc SD receiver drive the speakers?
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#6
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9/28/07 at 10:14pm
  • Joined: July 2007
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

Here is what I'd do: Center Channel - Polk CSR from HHGregg $79.99+tax, front/rear Polk R150 $100 plus shipping for all 4 speakers from frys.com, subwoofer Velodyne VX-10c $149.99 + $15 shipping. All this for just over $350 sounds pretty good to me plus it leaves you with $400+ for a receiver.
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#7
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9/29/07 at 7:40am
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
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Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

I would go with 2 pair of Athena AS-B1's and matching AS-C center from Audioadvisor.com. 5 pretty good bookshelf/center speakers for $300 + shipping. Add any $150 sub (Velodyne, JBL, Infinity, Partsexpress.comm, etc). I think this would be a very nice package for the money. Much better than the Onkyo 240.
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
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#8
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9/29/07 at 9:01pm
  • Joined: May 2007
  • Post Count: 8

Re: Low budget speaker setup for parents

Pioneer VSX-817-K/S list $299
Cadence CINEMA PACKAGES SKU: CP-1 $129
Cadence SURROUND SATELLITES SKU: S-15 $49
Cadence XSUB-12 subwoofer $199

from cadencestore dot com
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