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Speaker choices with a $300 budget

post #1 of 5
1/29/12 at 6:10pm
Thread Starter 
Hello, I have really enjoyed reading through the forums here over the past few weeks, this is my first post. I have been trying to become more informed about Home Theater systems. I have never owned any type of surround sound system before but have decided to finally buy one.

The system will be used in the living room (15X16) for watching movies and playing video games primarily but may also play some music. I currently have a 42in Sony Bravia HDTV, HD Cable TV box, Playstation 3, XBOX 360, Wii, and Apple TV. I have already purchased an Onkyo TX-NR509 receiver and am now shopping for speakers. My budget is $300 to purchase a 5.1 set of speakers.

I have found the following so far, but would greatly appreciate any other suggestions:

Polk Audio RM705 ($249)
Boston Acoustics CS2310B ($199)
Onkyo SKS-HT690 ($199)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Chuck
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post #2 of 5
1/29/12 at 6:39pm
$300 is a tough price point but here's a couple of others. Good choice on the receiver.

Onkyo HT-540 ($159 + sh) refurbished, one year warranty.

Infinity TSS-450 ($279 + sh) http://www.onecall.com/product/Infinity/TSS-500-Charcoal/Home-Theater-System/_/R-34037

If you find a good speaker package and need a seperate subwoofer here are a couple of decent one's for the price.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-631
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post #3 of 5
1/29/12 at 8:22pm
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Home-Theater-Systems/Speaker-Packages/SP-PK21BS

BestBuy sells it for around 300 without the sub.

Best bang for the buck.

check reviews online. Cnet has a good one.


Ray
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post #4 of 5
1/30/12 at 6:52pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info. We went out this evening trying to find some samples to listen to. At hhgregg there were a couple of Polk models that were close to our price point. The RM6750 ($275) was okay but didn't quite float my boat. The other model was TL1600 ($399) and I was pleased with the sound. I've found that model on Amazon for $350 which is slightly over budget, but may be an option.

Being a novice, I don't really know what criteria to measure by other than "sounds good" or "sounds not so good." I guess that will come with more experience in speaker shopping.

Thanks again for the options...I may boost the budget to $300-$400 and see what other choices are out there as well.
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post #5 of 5
1/31/12 at 7:23am

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklesj View Post

Being a novice, I don't really know what criteria to measure by other than "sounds good" or "sounds not so good." I guess that will come with more experience in speaker shopping.
 


No matter who you are or how many times you've shopped for speakers, that is the criteria that trumps all others.  Your ears SHOULD be the judge when it comes to speakers. smile.gif

 

The only thing you gain with experience is familiarity with the material that you use for auditioning speakers.  It's important to be able to make as close to an "apples to apples" comparison between speakers.  That's why places that allow you to bring your own music to play are the best places to audition speakers.  If you play something you're familiar with, you're more likely to notice any new details, or odd differences from what you're used to.  That helps a great deal.

 

Good luck!

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