Reddit reviews Outdoor/RV HDTV Antenna - ANTOP Omni-Directional Wing TV Antenna with Smartpass Amplifier &Noise-Free 4G Filter and VHF/UHF Range Enhanced for 70 Miles Reception,Suitable for Outdoor/RV/Attic Use

SVS PB2000 sub -$800

Marantz SR5009 $420

Infinity primus center $200

Infinity primus towers $300 for the pair

Infinity primus bookshelfs $190 for a pair add another pair for 7.1

add another big subwoofer later for more oompf. the primus series represents pretty good value and they will play quite impactfully

then figure in another grand for a projector and screen

If you act soon, there is nothing @$200 that will beat these Infinity Primus p323's

Add this $130 Dayton Sub-1200

I would then look for a used receiver locally ~$50-$100

Then you'll be set up with a killer budget 2.1 system.

That's about as good as it gets in that price range for a 5.1 system. Were this me I'd prefer to spend that money on a pair of Infinity Primus towers: http://smile.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457128300&sr=8-3&keywords=infinity+primus

Then add to the set as my budget allows until it's a full 5.1 system. It will only be a 2.0 system to start but when you finish you'll have a much better system.

always been a fan of infinity speakers myself, having an old set of studio monitors from the 90's for my stereo setup.

i have a full set of the Primus line, and they're affordable with a good sound (and i think they look better than the pioneer speakers). also, amazon has them on crazy discount right now, though you can usually pick them up for $200/ea.

some people don't like that infinity is now owned by harmon and is a shadow of what it once was, but these speakers have served me well until i have the funds to throw $3000 on a set of something better.

Well, I did the best I could. I ruled out bookshelves since you said you had the room since bookshelves in this price range don't do so well with "loud" without causing distortion and hearing damage.

So, here are some options. Get one thing out of each section. Try to spend as much as you can on the speakers.


Speakers

BIC America Venturi DV64 x2 (~$250)

Infinity Primus P363 x2 (~$350)

PSB Alpha T1 (~$400)


Integrated Amplifier

SMSL SA50 (~$75)

Emotiva mini-X a-100 (~$190)


The following aren't necessary to get things working but you should add them when you get the cash.

DAC

schiit modi 2 (~$100)

This connects your computer to the amplifier. Without this, you just use a male 3.5mm to rca stereo cable.


Subwoofer

BIC America F12 (~$190)

You connect the amp's outputs to the speaker inputs on the sub and then connect the speakers to the sub's speaker outputs.

If I were you I would start out with the PSB speakers and emotiva amp (if you can afford the ~$600) then add the sub when you get more money. The DAC will sound better than your computer's sound card and reduce static and interference from your computer.

If you live in a place where you could mount a screen, or have a room setup with enough space to use a stand, and you truly want to get the theater experience, you can get a solid projector-based setup for $1500.

BenQ W1070 - $700

16:9 100' retractable screen - $80

Assume ~$70 for a blu ray player, if you don't want to just get an HDMI cable and adapter and use your laptop for now, and that leaves $650 for audio, which can certainly get you a very strong two-channel system. Especially if you live in an area with a healthy craigslist trade. Then you can work your way up to 5.1 over time if you feel the need to.

Keep an eye out on craigslist for Infinity Primus P363 tower speakers (and for upgrading to 5.1, other Infinity Primus speakers as well). The Primus line has just gone out of production, but they're great speakers for their price, and the 363 towers could regularly be had for $200 a pair on sale at Amazon or Fry's, so they got around quite a bit and pop up pretty regularly secondhand.

In general soundbars and other home-theater-in-a-box setups are a good thing to avoid if you can afford to step up a notch, and I think you could with your budget, especially your budget + some patience for sales or your budget + craigslist.

I can't say I'm an a/v guru, but this is the core of my setup and I typically get "I would never leave my couch..." reactions when folks come over, haha.

You'll probably find more advice over in /r/hometheater, too.

I'm assuming you are asking about a set of speakers (most likely 2-hence stereo). If you only want good Bass just get a powered sub! I'm kidding but realize you're questioning the audiophile sub-reddit here.
If you are talking about something like this:http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MHCECL99BT-Wireless-Music-System/dp/B00MO66IJU/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1426037868&sr=1-5

Then i can tell you your options are pretty limited and I have the previous model of these and although they are good (I paid $130). You can get much better sound out of a Lepai-20XX amp and Overnight Sensations for a bit more money.

You are probably best off getting http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1426038067&sr=1-1&keywords=infinity+primus

and something to drive them

I would look into the Sony Core towers: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS3-Floor-Standing-Speaker-Single/dp/B00O8YLL8E

or Infinity Primus: http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M

These will both be better than the BIC.

You can get the same receiver you listed from Accessories4Less for $169. So that saves you $90

I would also take a look at the Dayton SUB-1200 or SUB-1500. Both are well reviewed, and several redditors have used them in budget systems lately, with very good results. Say you go with the 1500, that saves you $40.

Are tower speakers essential? If so, I'd personally recommend the Infinity Primus p363 for your L/R. Much higher rated than the BIC, with fewer build quality issues. There are reports of the BIC speakers being top heavy, poorly fitting vinyl veneer, and rattling grills. In addition, horn speakers tend to be a "love it or leave it" sound. Even at the higher price the p363's are at, is still a superior speaker, or you could wait to see if they go on sale again. There are two Infinity center channel speakers, one for $199.95 and one for $149.95. With the savings from the other components, you could get either one.

If bookshelf speakers are an option, that opens up a whole lot of speakers that are superior to the BIC, especially if you're crossing over to a sub. The Emp Tek r5bi at $225/pr new or $182/pr Scratch and Dent has a rabid following here, and very favorable reviews just about everywhere. The matching r5ci is also highly recommended. There are alternatives from Chane (currently backordered), Home Theater Direct, and plenty of other Internet Direct and Brick and Mortar options.

If you have to have horn speakers, but bookshelves are an option, I'd take a look at the Hsu Research HB-1 at $159 ea. Or Klipsch bookshelves.

Craigslist tends to be hit-or-miss depending on the area you're in. I'm in the Plains states (SE IA) and don't really see much on the used market. Someone closer or in major metro areas (Chicago, Seattle, LA, etc.) will have better luck. However, I'd stick to speakers unless you or a buddy knows electronics repair. You don't get any warranties buying used, so caveat emptor.

Last thing, I personally wouldn't buy Pyle products even if you held a gun to my head. I'd take a look at Dayton Audio, Monoprice, Home Theater Direct, or even Polk before I'd buy Pyle. The other option is to sink that money into the fronts for now, and buy the surrounds later. It's not like the holes are going to fill themselves in. The other thing to look at is Dolby Atmos. You could set up a 5.1.4 system using the in-ceiling positions, and use bookshelf speakers for the rear channel.

Now, this isn't a huge knock against BIC speakers. Many people have them and like them. I just think that there are better solutions out there, especially if you can use bookshelf speakers.

Making sure I get the parts right:

4x http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M

1x http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X1000-5-1-Channel-Networking-Receiver/dp/B00CALM2JY

1x http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-Audio-SUB-1200-12-Inch-Subwoofer/dp/B00669L3HS

Any complaints or thoughts about the setup?

Is the receiver easy to use? My wife is a bit tech impaired when it comes to things like receivers.

It says you can "wirelessly stream music from iTunes on your PC or Mac or from your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad via your home network" but I see no wireless specs. Would I need to run network cable to the router for those features to work?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, thanks for your help!

Okay, are these infinity primus towers better?

The TSi will outperform the monitor series. And I'm not a fan of Bostons entry level at this point either. I would stick to the TSis for now. As for recommendations you will probably receive from other people are the Infinity Primus 363s and the Pioneer SP-FS51-LR

If you are looking to go cheaper and stick with Polk, you could get the Monitor 70 series which will bump up the bass response a bit more, but if you are fine paying the price for the 400s I would go for those.

On the left

Yamaha RX-V377
On top of the Yamaha is a Behringer UMC202HD
The mic is a Shure SM7B

On the right side of the desk is my HP docking station for my work laptop. I work from home a lot so it's nice to have a dock.

In the middle there is an Infinity center channel

I've got 4 of these, front left and right and rear left and right

Using a spdif connection from my motherboard to the receiver.

The subs are two of these.

Keyboard is this

As of tomorrow, mouse will be this

And this huge ass mouse mat

These fantastic speakers, which are normally $200-$300 are only $99 in Frys right now, instore only, until sold out. i figured you could swing by.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0046A8R3M

in anycase, i might reccomend 3 of these smaller brethren for now, (which are actually better speakers, but less bass, sub will be needed down the road) for your front 3 speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0045NCB32

You don't need a 5.1 to get them where they need to be if music is going to be the focus. I would look at a nice simple 2.0/2.1 to start with and he/they can expand if they feel it's something they want to go further into. Here's my shopping list.

AVR - Denon AVR-S510BT $230 new $200 refurb. Needed for either system.

2.0 Speakers - Polk RTi8 (2) $150ea so $300 or Infinity Towers $300. These shouldn't need a sub right away.

2.1 Speakers - Cambridge SX-60 $250 or Focal Sibs $250

Sub - Dayton Sub 1200 $120

Misc Stuff - Speaker wire, HDMI/Optical cable, HDMI cables, Sub Cable if getting the sub and stands if you get the 2.1 speakers and they don't have anything to put the speakers on.

Which models are these? http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M

Ok Zeos, I have a Yamaha RX-V373-R Factory Refurbished 5.1-Channel AV Receiver and 2 Infinity Primus 363 Three-way dual 6-1/2-Inch Floorstanding Speaker. From what I was reading, my receiver prefers 8 ohm or 6 ohm speakers, but one of the reviews I was reading says these towers are truly 4 ohms. What is this going to do to my receiver? Should I be worried and is there anything I can do to prevent any damage.
Secondly, a friend of mine had a HTiB, but the receiver died, can I use some of his old satellites/center till I can buy new speakers for my center/rears?
Thirdly, is it ok if I buy a different brand of bookshelfs for my rear speakers? The p363s were 75$ each when I bought them, so a great deal, but now all the different pats seem to have increased quite a bit.

Okay..so no sound bar. I was also thinking about standing speakers like these:http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1417160145&sr=1-1

But what do you recommend? I'm on a tight budget and that vizio setup just seemed the cheapest and simplest.

If you just want a pair of speaker's for "everything", those Sony's should be adequate enough. If you have the patience, these sometimes go for about $105 on Amazon from time to time. The last time i saw them like that was about a month ago. Keep in mind it's for one speaker, so two will be just about $210.

That will net you a good stereo 2.0 set up. In fact, the SR805 was quite well regarded back when it came out. Unfortunately, its prone to breaking down from it's own heat. So either sell it if you don't want it, or keep a running fan on top of it to cool it down. Just to be safe.

Getting a good 5.1 setup under $300 is a bit tricky. You could get four $50 speakers an a $100 center, but not only is that lacking a subwoofer its also not going to be as good sounding as a 2.0 system i described above. ymmv.

I agree, make this a project that you save up for over time.

I started with the Infinity Primus which often go on sale for $107 and for that price I dont think they can be beat.

Well I recent (about a year and a half ago) ditched all my cruddy three-ways and upgraded to a pair of Infinity Primus P363s. These speakers are phenomenal for the price and have been regarded by various communities as competitive with $1000 range speakers. They are currently on sale at Amazon ($100 off). Check around AudioKarma or other similar websites to see what people are raving about. I know I love mine like crazy.

These guys? What makes you suggest them over the BICs?

Suggested 5.1 setup:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLGUKEI/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AF88C0M/

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-P363-Three-way-Floorstanding/dp/B0046A8R3M/

(plus the matching bookshelf and center)

However, I prefer stereo to surround. I'd much rather have two fantastic speakers than 5 cheap ones. Your front speakers are the most important aspects of any system (surround or not), so going stereo and adding surround to it guarantees you have a great base to build around. I'd recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLGUKEI/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AF88C0M/

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/bowers-and-wilkins-6-1-2-2-1-2-way-floorstanding-speaker-each-black-ash-vinyl/1290564.p

Or, if you really want high quality sound (with potential to add sub):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BLGUKEI/

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-LS50-Mini-Monitor-Gloss/dp/B00EPDMDZ8

If you have a Frys near you I would recommend this at $99 each (when they are on sale in-store only):

http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-Three-way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B0046A8R3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425357232&sr=8-1&keywords=infinity+primus

If you don't live near a Frys, Amazon sometimes will pricematch it with free shipping so you can look out for that.

There is also a list here for speakers if your on a budget.

http://www.reddit.com/r/AverageJoeAudiophile/