Upgradeable HT system (1 Viewer)

Right now my budget isn't great, I'm hoping to spend around 500, seeing as how I just finished school, have a baby on the way and am buried in student loans. I'm not sure if this is realistic, if not, give me suggestions. I can be a bit flexible.


My idea is to in the future move in to a larger home and have a BIG room dedicated for movie watching, theatre style with recliners and everything. This is just a dream now though.


I would love if the home theatre set up I purchase now can somehow be preserved and just upgraded, as in maybe adding more speakers. Right now I have nothing but my VIZIO 55" TV and an old hand-me-down 2.1 system. I'm wanting to replace the latter. I dont mind staying with a 2.1 since the living room I have is quite small right now, It's around 20'x15', but it is open to the kitchen on the right side, if you're looking at where the TV is.


Let me know of any ideas, or suggestions, or just tidbits of knowledge you want to share!

On your other thread...

$500 is doable.

I just picked up an ONKYO HT-S7700. I like it so far, but others have said its good to pick up a receiver and then buy the speakers separately. I would say get a good receiver, and then purchases the speakers later. Make sure you are getting the same front line (LEFT RIGHT CENTER speakers). I didnt see your other thread, so I dont know what your budget is. The ONKYO is my first surround system so Im not an audio specialist or anything. Good Luck and have fun, someone on here said he really likes the BIC brand.

The only thing that you're going to preserve is the speakers. Good speakers can last a lifetime, if well cared for. Tech(AVR, Disc Players, ect) only lasts a few years and is replaced. So that being said you'll want to invest most of your money in good speakers. I would recommend a good set of books, decent sub, and an AVR to tie it all together.


What is your current budget for this project?

Save up until you can afford good quality speakers. $500 isn't going to get you much more than a HTiB which is still better than nothing, but in my experience, it's best to be patient until you can afford decent quality gear.

How much do you think I need to get a good quality set of speakers? I don't want to be replacing them if I can help it

Raul Quintana said:

How much do you think I need to get a good quality set of speakers? I don't want to be replacing them if I can help it

Click to expand...

Loaded question...

Most manufacturers have their basic(beginner...entry level) line.

Polk T/Monitor
Klipsch Synergy
B&W CM
KEF Q

And many, many more.

The "2nd line" up (we'll use Polk...cause they are easy) is where you get into better quality...

Polk T/Monitor(TSi) is your basic MDF box with minimal bracing covered in vinyl.

Polk RT/RTi is a better built box(on the inside), better tweeter and real wood veneer.

Polk LSi is their "gee-whiz".

In essence, if you bought an entry level set of Polk(around $1000-$1500) you'll want something else in 3-5 years and when you list these on Craigslist or eBay...you'll be lucky to give them away for $200-$400.

The next step up will cost $1500-$3000. In 15 years...you might want something else. When you post them on Craigslist or eBay...your email will be full and there will be a bidding war ending up somewhere around 40%-60% of what you originally paid.

Go to the "gee-whiz". In the unlikely event you ever want a different speaker...in 20 years. People will beat down your door for them...and pay almost what you originally paid.

Raul Quintana said:

How much do you think I need to get a good quality set of speakers? I don't want to be replacing them if I can help it

Click to expand...

I think for a good set of speakers, a subwoofer, and a receiver, around $1,000 is a good price. I put together a solid 5.1 system with mostly BIC parts for around $1,000 in another thread that would be a hell of a nice system.


http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-Venturi-DV64-Speaker/dp/B00011KLOI/


http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-DV-62CLRS-Channel-Speaker/dp/B00009WBYL/


http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-DV62si-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00006JPDI


http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/


http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V479BL-5-1-Channel-MusicCast-Bluetooth/dp/B00VIRG40O/


You're looking at around $1,100 for the whole system and it's something that should last you for a long time if taken care of. The speakers should last as long as you want to own them. The receiver is really the only thing you may want to upgrade later on depending on your needs. Yamaha's are the most dependable, so I recommend them the most.

Definitely a loaded question lol plus, you'll find a lot of different answers. Salacious is making me want to try BIC in a few years, it looks promising.

I have the opportunity to buy this AVR for a good deal, what do y'all think?


http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1913-Networking-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B007R8U5R6

interested to see what other say, but the first thing I noticed is its discontinued. I don't know, receivers are swapped out every few years anyway right?

Raul Quintana said:

I have the opportunity to buy this AVR for a good deal, what do y'all think?


http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1913-Networking-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B007R8U5R6

Click to expand...

I suggest the Denon AVR-S710W Atmos for under $300.00!

If you can get the Denon 710 for around $300, that's a hell of a nice deal.


http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S710W-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00ZIGUE8Y/

DaveFelix said:

interested to see what other say, but the first thing I noticed is its discontinued. I don't know, receivers are swapped out every few years anyway right?

Click to expand...

Being discoed is not the end of the world for an AVR. It the AVR meets all the requirements that you have for it then why not get it. AVR's come out every year and features are always being added. You can get an Atmos AVR if you like but if you're never going to setup an Atmos environment then it's a wasted feature. A lot of times you can save yourself some money by getting discos/refurbed gear that will work great for years.

Sweet! thanks for the feedback

DaveFelix said:

interested to see what other say, but the first thing I noticed is its discontinued. I don't know, receivers are swapped out every few years anyway right?

Click to expand...

I'm still running a Pioneer VSX-1014 from 2005.