Cheaper Home Theater System

[Halgy3000]

I am moving into a new college house and want to complement my recently acquired projector TV with a new home theater system. However, as I am (as previously mentioned) a college student, I don't exactly have a lot of money. Can anyone (or Patrick and Veronica *cross fingers*) recommend a 5.1 system that sounds decent for about $200 bucks? I don't need anything fantastic (and refurbs are fine with me), but I would like optical audio in for use with my XBox 360 as well.

Thanks.

[dark_shroud]

How would you get optical audio on the 360 when it doesn't have the port?

[Halgy3000]

That's strange, since mine does. It doesn't really matter, I'd like to have optical if I can get it, otherwise RCA stereo will be fine.

[absolutemayhem]

How would you get optical audio on the 360 when it doesn't have the port?

Newer versions of the 360 came with a RGB/Optical/stero-RCA(R/W/Y) combo cable.


Halgy3000 - look up Craig's list .. usually some good treasures there! You already have the specs, just find something that meets that and your budget.

-MayheM

[Halgy3000]

Alright, fair enough. Unfortunately I live in South Dakota, so very few people use Craigslist. I'll just keep my eyes open.

[mikec]

How big of a room? Does anyone live upstairs or downstairs or in an adjacent apartment? Is this for your bedroom or living room? A few audio types I know like the Onkyo brand and they have a few home theater in a box type systems. On a few HD TV forums I have read good things as well. They will not compete with high end systems but for a college student they should be OK. You just have to find a place to listen to a few.

[ashgotti]

could you not get logitech 5.1 computer speakers with adapters?

[Halgy3000]

Oh, I thought this thread had died...

How big of a room? Does anyone live upstairs or downstairs or in an adjacent apartment? Is this for your bedroom or living room? A few audio types I know like the Onkyo brand and they have a few home theater in a box type systems. On a few HD TV forums I have read good things as well. They will not compete with high end systems but for a college student they should be OK. You just have to find a place to listen to a few.
I'm living in a duplex, but the living room (which I will be putting the system into) is on the opposite side of the house from the other people, so I'm not too worried about that.

could you not get logitech 5.1 computer speakers with adapters?
I suppose I could, but I have quite a few devices I want to hook up to it and don't want to have to deal with splitters and a handful of adapters if I don't have to. I'll check it out, though.

Another thing I meant to ask: how much power is enough with a decent home stereo? I have a 750W one that I am throwing away now because I can barely hear it (my TV is louder. And the sub is broken), but my buddy has a 1000W system that could cause minor aneurysms. Is it more or less system dependent?

Thanks again.

[mikec]

750w and it isn't loud enough? How many speakers is the receiver feeding? What quality are these speakers and the receiver/amp? What gauge speaker wire are you using? My POS JVC receiver feeding into good but not great B&W book shelf speakers cause the people upstairs to come and knock on the door and I'm not even pushing it. I think the JVC feeds 75wx2 for the speakers. Is the impedance matched for speakers and the amp/receiver?

Your friends system, 1000w? How many watts per speaker?

[Halgy3000]

750w and it isn't loud enough? How many speakers is the receiver feeding? What quality are these speakers and the receiver/amp? What gauge speaker wire are you using? My POS JVC receiver feeding into good but not great B&W book shelf speakers cause the people upstairs to come and knock on the door and I'm not even pushing it. I think the JVC feeds 75wx2 for the speakers. Is the impedance matched for speakers and the amp/receiver?

Your friends system, 1000w? How many watts per speaker?

I can't remember how my friend's system is worked out, but I'm pretty sure mine is just junk. It was a RCA Walmart special and...yeah.

Anyways, I was looking around and I found these two that are cheap on Amazon. Can anyone find any blaring reason that I shouldn't buy these. Keep in mind: I am a poor college student and I really don't want to spend money. I know that spending a bit more will get me a better system, but these two seem to have the best reviews and the best specs for the buck.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTD-DW790-Component-Theater-System/dp/tech-data/B000OG88RC/ref=de_a_smtd?ie=UTF8&m=A1J7WSBJHTGUFA

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000N62JB4/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

Thanks again. Again.

[ashgotti]

I'd go with the Sony. Maybe it's a Sony bias I have, even though I like Phillips too, but the Sony looks to be better suited, the receiver anyways.

And for that price, it's really tempting, even though I don't need it.

[mikec]

My suggestion is to wait a few weeks or months and save some additional money. If you can save an additional $150 you then can get something that should last you.

I seriously doubt that the amplifiers in either of those two systems can deliver the power in the specs. BTW, I question if the speakers described in either ad could handle a constant 75w from any of the amps/receivers available at Best Buy or another box store.

Buying cheap isn't always the best thing to do. You will not shrivel up and die if you wait, right?

[Halgy3000]

My suggestion is to wait a few weeks or months and save some additional money. If you can save an additional $150 you then can get something that should last you.

I seriously doubt that the amplifiers in either of those two systems can deliver the power in the specs. BTW, I question if the speakers described in either ad could handle a constant 75w from any of the amps/receivers available at Best Buy or another box store.

Buying cheap isn't always the best thing to do. You will not shrivel up and die if you wait, right?

Well, I understand where you're coming from, but I really don't want to spend an extra $150 bucks. I'm in college; there are much better things that money can be used for. Like books and tuition. When I grow up and get a real job, then I'll actually spend a grand or two on a proper system. And just so it's clear, I'm not trying to be a douche rocket; I just don't want to spend more money. Sometimes the the internet can lead to misunderstandings.

And as for shriveling up and dieing, well, without a system my X-Box 360 will not have sound, and I haven't played GTA 4 yet (I waited until after finals to buy it). So yes, I may die.

Anyway, I think I'll go for the Sony if no deals crop up in the next week or so. It may not be the best ever, but for $110 it will be fine.