Need Home Theater recommendation (not In a Box, though)

[NewJeffCT]

I am looking for a decent quality home theater system for our new big screen TV in our family room. The room is like 17’ x 20’, but is separated from the kitchen & the kitchen dining area by only a half wall.

I had to buy a region free DVD player for my in-laws when they come to visit us from China next year. They will likely stay here for an extended time to help us with our almost 2 year old daughter. (Chinese grandparents traditionally take care of the grandchildren...) In order to keep them from going stir crazy – their English is very limited, neither of them drives and we will only have one Chinese language station on the TV in the Phoenix Channel – they will likely bring Chinese TV programs on DVD for their entertainment (50-60 episode movie-like historical series' are very common in China)

So, I cannot get a Home Theater in a Box system. I will have to buy a separate receiver and speaker system. I am trying to keep the cost under $600-$700. (I liked a Panasonic 1000 watt system with the combined DVD/Receiver, but alas, it cannot play China region DVDs)

Any recommendations? What should I spend more money on – speakers or receiver? Yes, I know speakers cost more, but would it be better to buy a $150 receiver and spend $500 on speakers or $250 on the receiver and $400 on speakers?

[ET Awful]

1. I've been shopping myself, and I've been reading some REALLY

good reviews of Fluance speakers.

They are incredibly low priced, but very well thought of on all the user-review sites.

http://www.fluance.com

http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_142844_4282crx.aspx
http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_125771_4282crx.aspx

I'm seriously considering ordering a set of the SX-HTB speakers next week when I get paid.

As to receivers, I don't know what to recommend really. I recently bought a decent Pioneer 6.1 receiver that puts out 110w per channel for $299. It sounds pretty good to me. It also has several optical ins and coax digital ins as well. Not a bad receiver for the price.

You can get a decent Yamaha amp for $200 or so, along with the $200 Fluance set above and not only entertain your relatives, but have a decent home theater set for yourself going forward.

[NewJeffCT]

3. Thanks - some good info

The $260 speaker system plus the $200-$250 subwoofer looks good. Now to see if the wife wants the wood look for $260 or the black look for $200.

[ET Awful]

7. It's not just the look that's different. . .

the "wood" ones have different drivers, etc. Slightly better all around speaker.

[midnight armadillo]

2. Ouch, tight budget

One, I highly recommend buying used components. Are you trying to get a full 5 speakers + a subwoofer for that price?

I would suggest going to a local hifi store (not circuit shitty, but a real independent place) and presenting them with your budget. You might be able to get a set of Paradigm Cinema speakers for around $400, but squeezing in a sub would be tough. You could always add that later. Good brands to look for would be Energy, Paradigm, Mirage, and that one that begins with K that escapes me right now.

I'd budget $200 for a used receiver, and spend the rest on used speakers. At that price range you'll see a bigger jump in sound quality by spending more on speakers than amplification. The local classifieds, ebay, and audiogon.com are good places to look!

[BenDavid]

4. First. begin with Surround Sound,

Home theater is all about surround sound and the way that your audio system interacts with your TV and DVD player to create a realistic cinema environment. A surround sound system separates the audio from your favorite movies and TV shows into several different signals, each sent to a separate speaker.

Sony Home Theater System (DAV-FR1)Cost: 499.00....
5.1-channel surround sound: Fill your living room with sound from five bass-reflex speakers and a subwoofer.....750 watts of peak power: Bring your favorite music and movies to life with clear, powerful sound.....Digital decoding: Get the full impact of your movies and music with Dolby® Digital, DTS® and Dolby® Pro Logic II decoding.....5-disc progressive-scan DVD changer: Load the DVD player with up to five CDs or DVDs, and enjoy hours of continuous entertainment....Multi-format playback: Play DVDs, CDs, CD-R/RWs, MP3s and SACDs....AM/FM tuner: Listen to your favorite radio stations through your home theater system.

This should work great in the area you described..Should work within the budget you specified......

[NewJeffCT]

6. Thanks, but

I would prefer a system without a DVD player, unless I could get that Sony system with a region-free DVD player.

[gulfcoastliberal]

5. Consumer reports rated the cheap sony speakers available at bestbuy

very highly. I bought them for my front 2 mains the bookshelf sized ones for the rear surround. I would get a sony receiver the and sony speakers. If you are going to get a center channel and subwoofer be prepared to spend a little extra.

speakers:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051806317065&skuId=5378824&productCategoryId=cat03044&type=product

receiver:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1077627972310&skuId=6304929&productCategoryId=cat03031&type=product