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Need a good setup for under $400 / Please HELP! TY! (1 Viewer)

ProMWM

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May 2, 2012
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Marco
The room is 20 feet by 15 feet. I've got a TV with HDMI control, and a PS3. No cable box. Besides, my PS3 is all that matters, besides hooking up a future PC. So I guess I have to account for that too.
I'm looking to buy a surround sound system for under $400. Preferably $350 or less, but whatever.
  • My absolute #1 main purpose for this is great sound for videogames and music.
  • I rarely watch movies, but I do watch tv shows via Hulu and Netflix. Any movies will be either streamed or blu-ray.
  • I'd like a powered subwoofer, and have heard that any system below 500 watts is a joke.
  • I will buy wire and have someone splice it if need be.
Here are the systems I'm currently looking at:
$320 - Sony HT-SS370
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-SS370-Surround-Theater-System/dp/B0035ER1QE/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t
$250 - Sony HT-SS380
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTSS380-Home-Theater-System/dp/B004K1EO7A/ref=dp_ob_title_ce
$360 - Panasonic SC-BTT195
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-SC-BTT195-Blu-Ray-Surround-Theater/dp/B0078GCLU6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3B7LTDWGY11Q4&colid=MRMRT7F4FOBE
Obviously the expert members here are the...experts. So please, if you're pretty good with this stuff, let me know what exactly I should be buying. Also, let's say there's this killer $200 system. Everything rocks except the bass. If purchasing a better subwoofer would still make the system less than $400 all-together, I would do it.
Thanks to anyone attempting to help, in advance.
 

gene c

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Gene
Those Sony, Panasonic, Lg type htib systems are O.K. for what they are but seperate receivers and speakers are much better. How about a factory refurbished receiver and/or speakers? Much better value.
Onkyo SKS-HT540 The front three speakers are pretty decent and the subwoofer isn't that bad. Anf for $150 you can't go wrong. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKSKSHT540/Onkyo-SKS-HT540-7.1-channel-Home-Theater-Speaker-System/1.html
Onkyo TX-NR509 http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR509/Onkyo-TX-NR509-5.1-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html
You could also get a receiver/speaker package like the 7400 but I don't think the speakers are as good as those in thr HT-540. And that ain't saying much. It does have a little bit better receiver than the 509 but you probably don't need it.
 

ProMWM

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Marco
Anything else I could look into? I'd rather the receiver come with the speakers.
 

Jim Mcc

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I agree with building your system over time. Buy a decent 5.1 receiver and at least the 2 front speakers to start. Then add sub, center channel and surrounds when you can.
 
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Bobby Hamilton
As you start to expand, you will regret buying a compact HTiB.
Althought something like mccambly posted wouldn't be bad.
You might ask around here what are some receivers that people have that they like and look for a used receiver. Same even with the speakers. You could end up with a really nice system, but may not keep it at 400.
I had this receiver and recently gave it to my aunt for her basement.
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-887-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B000HD0CB2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1336070595&sr=1-1
A bit limited on HDMI, but you could buy a switch for that. More than powerful enough and a really strong unit.
You could then look at these speakers (posted this in another thread)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290211 (Center)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290205 (towers)
Drive your bass through those towers, you may not need a sub.
So that's 175 + 269 putting you a hair under 450. You could then get a cheap set of bookshelf speakers for your rear...and it'll sound better than those HTIB's that you were looking at. I know it's a bit more than you were lookign to spend, but it's not a bad setup. Not sure where you are from so sorry if this isn't something you can do. It's all about whatever you are comfortable doing. Hope this helps.
 

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