Gf came home with Cinemate II (1 Viewer)

So me and my GF have been talking about getting a surround sound system for the last few weeks, yesterday she decdided to "suprise" me and get a Cinemate II from Best buy... Yaaay....
I didnt even take it out of the box, 634.94 i'm sure i can come up with a better system. ( by I, mind you i mean get help from educated people on forums like this!)
Budget- 650
Would really like a decent/quality 5.1 system for around the same price as she spent for the Bose. i want to prove a point that we could've got a lot better for the same cash, Does anybody have any good systems they can piece together for around $650? Open to any ideas! I'm no audiophile so i'm not going to be too picky, just let getting my moneys worth on a product.

Sub: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-628 $100
Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR609/Onkyo-TX-NR609-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html $289
Speakers (Left &Right): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290204 x2 $150
Center: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290210 $99
Surrounds: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200 $99

Total: $738.00


To me - that is a vastly superior system. Sundry cables/wires is about 30 dollars.


If you need smaller speakers, then let me know, but I'd go this route for now. We can cut some money out if $650 is hard, but I think it's worth stretching your budget slightly.

For the front I noticed you reccomended the monitor 50's, from what I've been reading would the pioneer fs52's be a better choice for a little more??
Also anybody else care to chime in, maybe could up the budget to under 800 if it'd mean steeping the equipment up a notch!

I was trying very hard to maintain your budget - so if you're flexible, that helps a lot. If you're up for the Pioneer route, then go with:

Left & Right: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-SP-FS52-LR-Designed-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2S4 x2 $250
Center: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-C22-Designed-Channel-Speaker/dp/B008NCD2EI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_y x1 $99
Surrounds: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_z $129
Sub: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-628 $100

Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR609/Onkyo-TX-NR609-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html $289

Total: $867


It's important imo to match speakers (at least in the front 3) as inconsistent timbre can wreak havoc on the uniformity of the sound. So - if you're willing to increase budget a tad, then go with the above.

David Upton said:

I was trying very hard to maintain your budget - so if you're flexible, that helps a lot. If you're up for the Pioneer route, then go with:
Left & Right: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-FS52-SP-FS52-LR-Designed-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2S4http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hometheaterforum-20&l=ur2&o=1
x2 $250
Center: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-C22-Designed-Channel-Speaker/dp/B008NCD2EI/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_yhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hometheaterforum-20&l=ur2&o=1
x1 $99
Surrounds: http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_zhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hometheaterforum-20&l=ur2&o=1
$129
Sub: 
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-628
  $100
Receiver: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR609/Onkyo-TX-NR609-7.2-Channel-3-D-Ready-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html $289
Total: $867
It's important imo to match speakers (at least in the front 3) as inconsistent timbre can wreak havoc on the uniformity of the sound. So - if you're willing to increase budget a tad, then go with the above.

Click to expand...

Yea i'm flexible on the budget, i dont want to skimp out of $75 or 100 if i can end up with a much nicer system. Also dont want to end up in a month saying damnit i want to upgrade lol! Not dead set on the pioneers but everythnig i've read has given them the edge of the monitor 50's... your thoughts?

David, if i ended up wanting a say 3.1 system ( that's minus the surrounds correct?) Would your reccomendations still be the same? I've been kicking around the idea of changing it to starting with a 2.1 or 3.1 ( with the same starting budget of course) and working my way up to a 5.1. i figure buy the quality stuff now wont have to later. What do you guys think? Budget 5.1 vs nice 2.1 or 3.1?

IMO your budget is too severe even for 2.1, though I must admit Dave has done a fine job with his recommendations (better than I could do).
I would shoot for 2.0 with the intentions of adding to the system as money permits . While the Bose may seem like 2.1 its really only 2.0 as their "bass module" is not a sub woofer, its a modest woofer.

I don't think your budget is too little.
People always forget BIC and the Sony SS series. The BIC DV64/84 are worthy of consideration(and in my opinion, blow the Polk Monitor and the Pioneer AJ out of the water). Even the Sony SSF5000 rings up under $150 pair...and they are more efficient than the Pio AJ.

Sam,
A valid point about the BIC's - but I have found them to be a little bit inconsistent (some cabinet vibration). I am a huge fan of their subs, but as you stated - there is plenty of value to be had at this price point.
Ryan,
Back to your question - yes I would recommend 3.1 to start if you are okay with that. It's going to get you a better system! I actually present this option to friends/family often as it is a better way to get them to stretch towards better gear.

David Upton said:

Sam,
A valid point about the BIC's - but I have found them to be a little bit inconsistent (some cabinet vibration). I am a huge fan of their subs, but as you stated - there is plenty of value to be had at this price point.
Ryan,
Back to your question - yes I would recommend 3.1 to start if you are okay with that. It's going to get you a better system! I actually present this option to friends/family often as it is a better way to get them to stretch towards better gear.
 

Click to expand...

David,
Thanks a ton for the replies and help! The recommendation I've been getting from lots of others is in my budget it'd be best to start with a 2.0 system because of my need for a receiver then add a sub later when funds permit, then center. Start off with a good receiver, two nice towers and then later add a klipsche rw-12 when they go on sale for $300 has been a popular rec. What are your thoughts on that?would that be a better option then stretching it to fit a 3.1?

2.0 is fine for now - and certainly ups the quality of gear you can get. I do think that a subwoofer is a really important investment, and would advise to save and spend a little more on that piece if anything. The klipsch sub isn't bad - but I don't consider it a real killer offering either. That's where i'd lean towards BIC or Dayton initially. If you're doing 2.0 - what would your budget be? If still ~700, I would stick with the same receiver, and then buy a pair of used speakers like these (example only - the seller won't ship):
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-onix-rocket-rs-750-signature-ebony-speakers-pair-with-risers-2012-11-04-speakers-61704-bloomington-il
Far better value for your dollar than otherwise
Edit: Here's a good example: http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-psb-image-t55-tower-speakers-2012-10-27-speakers-93940-del-rey-oaks-ca

David Upton said:

2.0 is fine for now - and certainly ups the quality of gear you can get. I do think that a subwoofer is a really important investment, and would advise to save and spend a little more on that piece if anything. The klipsch sub isn't bad - but I don't consider it a real killer offering either. That's where i'd lean towards BIC or Dayton initially. If you're doing 2.0 - what would your budget be? If still ~700, I would stick with the same receiver, and then buy a pair of used speakers like these (example only - the seller won't ship):
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-onix-rocket-rs-750-signature-ebony-speakers-pair-with-risers-2012-11-04-speakers-61704-bloomington-il
Far better value for your dollar than otherwise
Edit: Here's a good example: http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-psb-image-t55-tower-speakers-2012-10-27-speakers-93940-del-rey-oaks-ca

Click to expand...

budget would still be the same, I like the idea of used gear for bang for the buck I just never know what gear to inquire on as I'm not up on the brands/models just yet .

I'm all for buying used if something pops up, my problem is I don't know what's a good guy and what's not just yet lol

Well, start with giving us a location (just in case something local pops up) - City/State is fine. Then post here and we'll let you know! Classifieds sections on forums like HTF are a great option too!

Grand Rapids michigan

Even though you'll never find the "other three" speakers to complete a theatre...these are FAB...
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3384282711.html
Will add more as I find 'em...
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3412273348.html (not really cheap enough to not buy a new one...)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/eld/3350048749.html (three things...EV Aries, if they fit your decor. NAD 2150 and the HK 3480)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3411603819.html (all four of these would rock in a HT)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3388197132.html (humina...humina...)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3411100673.html (shouldn't be this cheap)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3375937370.html (pair up with ^^^^)
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/ele/3378916736.html (call this guy IMMEDIATELY...way too good to miss out on)