I need help finding a good Home Theater System

[cyborger]

I'm not too picky about quality and I have no idea what my budget is. Everytime I name a budget people say it's too low so just let me decide what's too expensive and what's not. At this point I just want to know is what's the best, next to best and what's following the next to best. The only HD devices/items/whatever I'll be using are:

- 46" Samsung LCD
- Xbox 360
- Cable Box

Sorry if this isn't very informative or slightly vague but I serious don't know how to ask anymore. All I want is a decently priced receiver and some speakers.

[tokenuser]

Its all about the upgrade path.

Do you have any outlet malls in your area?

I was fairly lucky, and bought my speakers at a Harman Kardon outlet mall in California, and bought Infinity bookshelf speakers (2x front, 2x rear), a bass speaker, and a center speaker. I was looking at the Bose cubes at the time (12 years ago) - but the bookshelf speakers have been superb.

So, at the time I had an OK AMP - a medium quality Sony STR something or other that I had used primarily with a 5 disc CD changer and a pair of old (30 year old) floor speakers. Those speakers got dumped (actually I still use them in my office for music) for the Infinity surround sound set (purchased individually, and not as a HTIB deal).

I have since upgraded the Sony AMP twice - most recently to one that did HDMI switching, but those Infinity speakers are still in service.

I think the key to a good setup is looking at what you have now that can be reused, and building on it. For now, if you dont have an AMP/receiver that is the obvious choice. Get something that handles HDMI switching (I run a cable box and a PS3 through mine), and optical inputs (reassignable). Use the TV speakers for now.

Add in a set of OK front speakers ... and set the TV speakers as the center channel.

And in a bass speaker (feeeeeeeeel your movies :) )

Move the existing front speakers to the rear, and add in a higher powered set of front speakers.

Put in a dedicated center speaker (and finally mute the crappy TV speakers).

You are now at 5.1 surround sound ... but got there in stages.

Try to keep the same brand for the speakers.

[shike]

If you're wanting to use a basic 5.1 receiver then you'll need easy to drive speakers. Towers are pretty much out of the question unless they're the equivelent of bookshelves slapped in a taller wood block if you get my drift.

If you're looking at a max of $300, consider an Onkyo HTiB until you decide you need a better rig (upgrading the speakers alone is a bad idea). If you're looking towards the $1K range I'd suggest a Mirage or NHT setup with a Harmon Kardon receiver.

Generally you need to be careful picking speakers when using a receiver. Most speakers, even if 8ohm nominal, will drive most HT receivers into clipping. Over time this will damage either the receiver or the speakers and is frowned upon . . . not to mention you get crappy distortion thanks to it.

Now if you were looking at seperates the story changes quite a bit. Personally I'll never touch a HT receiver again if I can help it.

[cyborger]

If you're looking at a max of $300, consider an Onkyo HTiB until you decide you need a better rig (upgrading the speakers alone is a bad idea). If you're looking towards the $1K range I'd suggest a Mirage or NHT setup with a Harmon Kardon receiver.

How about something from Samsung or LG?

[shike]

How about something from Samsung or LG?

Onkyo or Yamaha is usually going to be a tad bit better . . . at least in terms of basic reliability.

[bigbossbmb]

and upgradability

[viper527]

I will assume you are using your xbox for a dvd player since you didn't mention one.

For my first system I went with the Fluance speaker system (http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html) And a Pioneer Receiver. It sounded GREAT! And everyone that came over to watch movies loved it as well. Now, room size and speaker placement will all come into account but you get the point. You can really get any receiver in you want BUT, with receivers, you get what you pay for. Meaning, the higher the price the more features and better features you get. Oh, and you will want to add a sub woofer or two of your choice for the low end. Again, you get what you pay for and subs are the star of the show when it comes to a quality home theater. You can use pretty low end speakers and one or two good quality subs and get a great effect.

Viper