What's a decent 5.1 system for around $200 ? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ChrisJericho · 02-22-2004, 02:35 AM

So I am in the market for a DVD/ 5.1 speaker combo for around $200. Having the absolute best speakers is not my objective... just a decent set that isn't crappy. Also, I would rather have slightly better sound than an enormous amount of power.

Your recommendations !?

Cynthetiq · 02-22-2004, 07:30 AM

you get what you pay for... but you're looking for home theater in a box...

i'm sure there's an AudioVox or other nameless brand. Most HITB cost more than 200

powerclown · 02-22-2004, 08:09 AM

APEX DIGITAL HT-150 Home Theater System
$129.88
in stock, without shipping

brandon11983 · 02-22-2004, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisJericho
So I am in the market for a DVD/ 5.1 speaker combo for around $200. Having the absolute best speakers is not my objective... just a decent set that isn't crappy. Also, I would rather have slightly better sound than an enormous amount of power.

Your recommendations !?

Sounds like someone wants to have his cake and eat it, too. And often times, good sound and higher (not enormous) power go together. Even though the box may say you are getting say, 350 watts, plan on cutting that figure in half in the real world. Boxes always advertise their maximum (or when lightning strikes and the power is channeled into the units' flux capacitor...) power. I can tell you this though, any set under $200 is going to be crappy.

runawayfetus · 02-22-2004, 04:32 PM

i have an altec lansing system that i paid less then 100 for io think... works great

ChrisJericho · 02-22-2004, 07:09 PM

On my smaller TV I hooked up a 2.1 Altec PC speaker system by plugging it into the headphone jack of the TV. How did you get a 5.1 PC speakers system to work with a DVD player?

Scipio · 02-22-2004, 09:43 PM

If he's used to TV speakers, a $200 system might be all he needs or wants. It won't be great, but it will be surround sound, and it will be pretty loud. Watts are ok, but anybody who's listened to a 30 watt guitar amp at full volume shouldn't want more for their living room.

jfelco · 02-26-2004, 02:04 AM

cosco sometimes has good deals... i always watch Fry's sales too. crisp quality sound is better than loudness. i bought a set of bose speakers off of ebay, they were used but i got a good deal on them.

Lucifer · 02-27-2004, 08:00 AM

I just picked up a Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2NX USB external sound card for my laptop. It's got up to 7.1 support and the sound difference is amazing!

brandon11983 · 02-27-2004, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Scipio
Watts are ok, but anybody who's listened to a 30 watt guitar amp at full volume shouldn't want more for their living room.

Consider the fact that the speakers in guitar amps are very efficient and full range. 30 wpc in home theater terms is chump change.

440sixpack · 02-28-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisJericho
On my smaller TV I hooked up a 2.1 Altec PC speaker system by plugging it into the headphone jack of the TV. How did you get a 5.1 PC speakers system to work with a DVD player?

The DVD player itself would need to have built in surround decoding, then there will be 5.1 outputs on the back of the player, otherwise a separate HT receiver would be needed (or one of those new combo DVD/receivers).

Blistex · 02-29-2004, 12:12 AM

Most 5.1 systems in a box sound good at medium to medium-high, but the reason that they're $200 or under is that they don't last very long or their sound starts to go after 1/2 a year.

I think you should shoot for $200-250 or else a year from now you're gonna be sorry.

If possible get the salesperson to demo them for you.

Fenton-J-Cool · 02-29-2004, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brandon11983
Sounds like someone wants to have his cake and eat it, too.

Of course he does. What good is cake that you can't eat?

ChrisJericho · 02-29-2004, 06:27 PM

Guys what do you think about this

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I

It says it has DTS decoding which is a plus. Yes I did read the reviews.

Church · 02-29-2004, 07:57 PM

For $200 bucks?

A PS2.

brandon11983 · 03-01-2004, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisJericho
Guys what do you think about this

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I

It says it has DTS decoding which is a plus. Yes I did read the reviews.

dts decoding is pretty much standard anymore, even on HTIB systems. For $200, you can't expect the world. You get what you pay for.

ChrisJericho · 03-01-2004, 06:55 PM

Is there much a difference between the $200 range systems and the $280-$300 range systems?

tfin · 03-03-2004, 02:16 PM

I got my parents an RCA system from Wal mart for x-mass. I was vrey suprised at the quality and sound. I would sugest that you go around and listen to the different options, thenmakea choice.

ChrisJericho · 03-09-2004, 11:59 PM

Alright, NEW plan.

Pretty much everywhere is selling this set for around $300 new. I just went to Costco and they are selling it for $299 -$100 mail in rebate = $199. I listened to it and it sounds decent. Here are some pics and specs.

http://www.4infinitech.com/scripts/p...idproduct=1371

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=39814

agball · 03-10-2004, 07:41 AM

Go to Costco and look. I picked up a great pioneer for $250 with all the multiple hookups (S-Vid, optical audio, etc.)

the420star · 03-31-2004, 09:24 PM

this is where you get really upset and cry... and then go to BJs and pray... i dont know if you have BJs, its like costco or Sams... i got the sony str-k740p for $200..look it up... find of the century i tell you...

02-22-2004, 02:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	What's a decent 5.1 system for around $200 ? So I am in the market for a DVD/ 5.1 speaker combo for around $200. Having the absolute best speakers is not my objective... just a decent set that isn't crappy. Also, I would rather have slightly better sound than an enormous amount of power. Your recommendations !? __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

02-22-2004, 07:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	you get what you pay for... but you're looking for home theater in a box... i'm sure there's an AudioVox or other nameless brand. Most HITB cost more than 200 __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-22-2004, 08:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	APEX DIGITAL HT-150 Home Theater System $129.88 in stock, without shipping Last edited by powerclown; 02-22-2004 at 08:20 AM..

02-22-2004, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
runawayfetus Crazy Location: san fran	i have an altec lansing system that i paid less then 100 for io think... works great __________________ im a huge movie goer....

02-22-2004, 07:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	On my smaller TV I hooked up a 2.1 Altec PC speaker system by plugging it into the headphone jack of the TV. How did you get a 5.1 PC speakers system to work with a DVD player? __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche Last edited by ChrisJericho; 02-22-2004 at 07:13 PM..

02-22-2004, 09:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scipio Mencken Location: College	If he's used to TV speakers, a $200 system might be all he needs or wants. It won't be great, but it will be surround sound, and it will be pretty loud. Watts are ok, but anybody who's listened to a 30 watt guitar amp at full volume shouldn't want more for their living room. __________________ "Erections lasting more than 4 hours, though rare, require immediate medical attention."

02-26-2004, 02:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
jfelco Crazy Location: north america	cosco sometimes has good deals... i always watch Fry's sales too. crisp quality sound is better than loudness. i bought a set of bose speakers off of ebay, they were used but i got a good deal on them.

02-27-2004, 08:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
Lucifer Husband of Seamaiden Location: Nova Scotia	I just picked up a Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2NX USB external sound card for my laptop. It's got up to 7.1 support and the sound difference is amazing! __________________ I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. - Job 30:29 1123, 6536, 5321

02-29-2004, 12:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
Blistex Psycho Location: Tiger I Turret	Most 5.1 systems in a box sound good at medium to medium-high, but the reason that they're $200 or under is that they don't last very long or their sound starts to go after 1/2 a year. I think you should shoot for $200-250 or else a year from now you're gonna be sorry. If possible get the salesperson to demo them for you.

02-29-2004, 06:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Guys what do you think about this http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&b=g&WT.mc_t=I It says it has DTS decoding which is a plus. Yes I did read the reviews. __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

02-29-2004, 07:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
Church Tilted F*ckhead Location: New Jersey	For $200 bucks? A PS2. __________________ Through counter-intelligence, it should be possible to pinpoint potential trouble makers, and neutralize them.

03-01-2004, 06:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Is there much a difference between the $200 range systems and the $280-$300 range systems? __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche Last edited by ChrisJericho; 03-01-2004 at 07:34 PM..

03-03-2004, 02:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
tfin Insane Location: At the Casino	I got my parents an RCA system from Wal mart for x-mass. I was vrey suprised at the quality and sound. I would sugest that you go around and listen to the different options, thenmakea choice. __________________ Did I mention that I can't spell or type? Oh yeah, check out my car www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=275916

03-09-2004, 11:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Alright, NEW plan. Pretty much everywhere is selling this set for around $300 new. I just went to Costco and they are selling it for $299 -$100 mail in rebate = $199. I listened to it and it sounds decent. Here are some pics and specs. http://www.4infinitech.com/scripts/p...idproduct=1371 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=39814 __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

03-10-2004, 07:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
agball Insane Location: Long Island	5.1 Go to Costco and look. I picked up a great pioneer for $250 with all the multiple hookups (S-Vid, optical audio, etc.)

03-31-2004, 09:24 PM	#21 (permalink)
the420star Psycho Location: Cow Country, CT	this is where you get really upset and cry... and then go to BJs and pray... i dont know if you have BJs, its like costco or Sams... i got the sony str-k740p for $200..look it up... find of the century i tell you... __________________ No, they arnt breasts, they are personalities, because its ok to like a girl for her personalities.