Is this the best 5.1 home theater setup for roughly ~$1,700? (1 Viewer)

[StoneHouse]

So I'm pretty new to all of this and drinking from a firehose trying to learn what's best. I have a budget that I've increased to $1,700 ish (I was told I'd get a lot more than $1,300ish) and I want a 5.1 system right off the bat, and need full specific product recommendations, I want to buy asap. So I'm asking different forums what the best setup would be for roughly $1,700 (maybe give or take a hundred or so) and I'm compiling a list of recommendations so far.

Can you tell me if these are good options, which you'd pick, and if I'm missing any better options? Again, I'm hoping to keep this under $2,000.


AVR/main unit:
Option 1: Denon X1600H, $600 - https://usa.denon.com/en-us/shop/receivers/avrx1600h_d

Center:

Option 1: Emotiva C1, $250 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-c1-2
Option 2: Emotiva C2, $400 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-c2-1
Option 3: HTD Level THREE center, $250 - https://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Center-Channel-Speaker?color=1

Front left and right speakers:

Option 1: Emotiva T-Zero, $400 - http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/emotiva-airmotiv-tzero-loudspeakers
Option 2: Emotiva B1, $300 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-b1-pair

Surrounds rear left and right:

Option 1: NHT Superzero 2.1, $70 each - Link here
Option 2: Micca MB42x, $90 each - URL here
Option 3: HTD Level THREE $380 for the pair - https://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers?color=1



Again, I have pretty little knowledge about these so if I'm missing a better option that still sticks to my sub $2,000 budget, please let me know.

I can't wait!

 

[JohnRice]

You want to buy right now? ELAC is currently having a sale on their Debut v2 speakers, which would make them a hands-down steal and something that will sonically beat anything in the price range.

A pair of F6.2s, a pair of B6.2s and a C6.2 will run you a little over your budget at$1,280. If you really want to keep it under your goal, switching to the 5.2 series would do it,but I'd find the extra $180.

BTW, you said a 5.1 system, but there's no subwoofer indicated for the .1 part. Your budget will be tough to achieve with a sub, but you could add one later. I suggest an SVS SB-1000 or SB-2000. The 2000 line was just updated to "Pro" and there are deals on remaining stock and open boxes.

The Denon 1600 is a decent choice. Maybe you can find a closeout or refurb 2500 for about the same price.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Yeah, probably go w/ the better ELACs on that sale. If need be, you could probably go w/out the center speaker for now to get under budget until a later time, especially if the HT space isn't particularly wide -- just go w/ phantom center for now. And I'd also get a decent sub before spending on a center speaker, ie. 4.1, but that may be just me.

Besides SVS, Hsu also makes excellent subs, particularly for their price points...

_Man_

 

[bladerunner6]

So I'm pretty new to all of this and drinking from a firehose trying to learn what's best. I have a budget that I've increased to $1,700 ish (I was told I'd get a lot more than $1,300ish) and I want a 5.1 system right off the bat, and need full specific product recommendations, I want to buy asap. So I'm asking different forums what the best setup would be for roughly $1,700 (maybe give or take a hundred or so) and I'm compiling a list of recommendations so far.

Can you tell me if these are good options, which you'd pick, and if I'm missing any better options? Again, I'm hoping to keep this under $2,000.


AVR/main unit:
Option 1: Denon X1600H, $600 - https://usa.denon.com/en-us/shop/receivers/avrx1600h_d

Center:

Option 1: Emotiva C1, $250 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-c1-2
Option 2: Emotiva C2, $400 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-c2-1
Option 3: HTD Level THREE center, $250 - https://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Center-Channel-Speaker?color=1

Front left and right speakers:

Option 1: Emotiva T-Zero, $400 - http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/emotiva-airmotiv-tzero-loudspeakers
Option 2: Emotiva B1, $300 - https://emotiva.com/products/airmotiv-b1-pair

Surrounds rear left and right:

Option 1: NHT Superzero 2.1, $70 each - Link here
Option 2: Micca MB42x, $90 each - URL here
Option 3: HTD Level THREE $380 for the pair - https://www.htd.com/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers?color=1



Again, I have pretty little knowledge about these so if I'm missing a better option that still sticks to my sub $2,000 budget, please let me know.

I can't wait!

Room size? Listening preferences? What sort of receiver?
Thanks.

 

[ManW_TheUncool]

Hmmm... I don't know anything about Hsu's other (non-sub) speakers, but this 5.1 offering might be worth considering w/in your budget, especially if you must have the entire 5.1 setup included in that $1.7K and don't have any issues w/ the horn tweeters sound...

Hybrid 3 Packages

I have the included subwoofer myself (used alongside my venerable, old Vandersteens) and can vouch for it... not that it really needs my 2 cents of course. And if you outgrow the horn sound of the rest, not a bad way to start the next wave of speaker upgrades w/ such a solid sub -- basically, ~1/2 of $$$ is going into that sub alone... and you could always get a 2nd one to match if you ever "need" more(!).

And since they allow 30-day trial/return, you could probably arrange to send only the horn speakers back if you don't like them and keep the sub instead -- that should substantially reduce the return shipping costs and still leave you w/ one of the very best subs in that price range to continue building your HT sound... maybe w/ the ELACs mentioned earlier...

OR just commit to a bit bigger budget closer to $2K and go w/ the ELACs plus a sub of roughly that caliber (or slightly lower)...

_Man_

 

[Pupp]

I'm a fan of Anthem/Paradigm setup. You might be able to at least cobble together a decent speaker system of Paradigm MilleniaOne speakers and an UltraCube10 or anther reasonably priced Paradigm sub-woofer from Ebay. -I only mention UltraCube 10, because that was what my home theater used, and it ROCKS for a subwoofer. But I'm sure the

I wouldn't be comfortable getting a used Anthem AV receiver, or any used AV receiver. But you could get a decent new AV receiver for about $500, then save up for a Anthem AV receiver some time later.

I used to have a Anthem 510 MRX if I recall. (The previous generation to the current 520). There was no comparison to sound after I had to get a new receiver of a cheaper brand, when the Anthem AV receiver died of old age.

I was in the process of moving out of state, and had already promised to give someone my home theater setup, so I just got a cheap AV receiver. I think I spent $450 plus tax on the replacement. I was pretty sure the recipient wouldn't care about audio fidelity to the nth degree.

FYI: I now have a Kliptch soundbar 48, and just last night ordered a used Paradigm UltraCube 10. It's not quite a home theater, but I'm working on cobbling together a proper home theater again. The Kliptch sounbar 48 (with included wireless sub-woofer), is actually pretty darn good for something I got for $300 from an Amazon lightning sale. The Kliptch Soundbar has a port for a 2nd sub-woofer, which is nice.

 

[Todd Erwin]

The Denon is a great choice, and the $600 price is "guaranteed thru Black Friday" at Best Buy, as this model normally sells for $799.

As for speakers, they are probably the most subjective item in a home theater. If possible (which is much more difficult in our current pandemic climate), try to give them a good listen to in a showroom. Better yet, once you make a decision, purchase from a retailer that has a very lenient return policy. Many retailers have already extended their return period thru the first of the year. I would not recommend purchasing speakers on eBay, but that's just me. I want to be able to easily return them if I'm not satisfied, and without having to pay some exorbitant shipping fee.

I also suggest, if you have not already done so, read through my article here on Home Theater Forum, A Beginner's Guide to Home Theater. It is a bit outdated in terms of what is available equipment-wise, but does make some good points on how to better budget your home theater (did you remember to include speaker wire and other cables in your budget?). You may actually want to consider starting with the receiver and a 3.1 speaker layout, adding on surrounds and possibly heights (for Atmos) down the road. Also, disregard some of the comments (and arguments) made after the article - a few select readers got a bit carried away with their opinions.

 

[Todd Erwin]

Oh, and make sure that whoever you purchase your equipment from is an AUTHORIZED retailer. You can usually check that fairly easily by going to the manufacturer's website. Purchasing from a retailer that is not authorized by the manufacturer could possibly void the warranty, and something you should definitely check if purchasing on Amazon or Newegg, as some of the third party sellers on those sites are not authorized.