[drizek]

I want to get a TV and a decent pair of stereo speakers for my apartment next year, and I was wondering if people here had some advice. I don't necessarily care about surround sound, but I do want a receiver that accepts HDMI input from an Apple TV, XBox and Macbook Pro and has clean output to two good stereo speakers, with a sub and surround speakers being optional. A good headphone out would be convenient as well.
 
I also don't want to spend very much money. It doesn't have to be that great of a system (thats what my headphones are for), I'm mostly looking for something that works well and offers a good value.

 

[trog]

Hmm on top pf my head of sub $200 HDMI AVRs perhaps the VSX-820-K might fit the bill? This is a no frills 4 in/1 out model
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-VSX-820-K-Home-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0039XQL2G/ref=sr_1_9?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1341365249&sr=1-9&keywords=receiver
Strong fronts is a great idea and i would start with a pair of nice floor standers 

 
Also drop by AVS amp,receiver ad processor sub forums
http://www.avsforum.com/f/90/amps-receivers-and-processors

 

[HPuser9083]

Well, I have a Sony STR-DH500 AVR, and it's a good receiver. As for speakers, my recommendation is a pair of vintage Bose 601 Series IIIs for front channels, a pair of vintage Bose 301 Series IIs for rear channels, a decent JBL center channel, and a decent Velodyne subwoofer.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I want to get a TV and a decent pair of stereo speakers for my apartment next year, and I was wondering if people here had some advice. I don't necessarily care about surround sound, but I do want a receiver that accepts HDMI input from an Apple TV, XBox and Macbook Pro and has clean output to two good stereo speakers, with a sub and surround speakers being optional. A good headphone out would be convenient as well.
 
I also don't want to spend very much money. It doesn't have to be that great of a system (thats what my headphones are for), I'm mostly looking for something that works well and offers a good value.

Used A/V receiver off Craigslist, anything not more then two or three years old should be fine.

 

[drizek]

Quote:

Well, I have a Sony STR-DH500 AVR, and it's a good receiver. As for speakers, my recommendation is a pair of vintage Bose 601 Series IIIs for front channels, a pair of vintage Bose 301 Series IIs for rear channels, a decent JBL center channel, and a decent Velodyne subwoofer.

 
A pair of 601s is around $900. I don't want to spend more than around $500 for the whole party. It's for an apartment, I own't get to enjoy them too much because I won't be able to turn up the volume at all. I just want something that is an upgrade over the speakers that come with the TV.
 
Ya, I know, "sorry about your wallet", but I'm really looking for something like the Koss KSC75s of the speaker world. 
 
A used system seems like the way to go. I just want something that will actually work properly without any hiccups. The TV/Receiver combo we had at our last apartment was a train wreck. There was around 200ms of audio lag and it just ruined gaming. 

 

[trog]

Hmm in that case:
 
for brand new the Polk M60 is actually selling @ cheaper than the M50s on Egg these days with free ship:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290207
in the used market perhaps stuff like the Infinity [size=small]Primus P360s?[/size]
 
[size=small]Also spotted another favourite sub $200 AVR on Zon : Denon 1612 [/size]

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1612-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B004U403WM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1341409558&sr=1-1&keywords=avr+1612

 

[drizek]

Thanks.
 
I like that hte receiver has HDMI 1.4a support, so I can get TV audio out of it and also 3D, if I ever decide to go that route in the future. Ethernet over HDMI would be a nice feature as well, although nothing really supports that yet.
 
Those speakers look good, and  I think that is the kind of thing I was looking for. I was looking around on Amazon yesterday and I saw these, thoughts?
 
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Monitor-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA/ref=pd_sim_e_8
 
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-5000-Floor-Standing-Speaker/dp/B000OG4E1G/ref=pd_sim_e_8
 
They also have the 6000 series which has an extra driver and ends up costing as much as the Polks you recommended.

 

[HPuser9083]

Quote:

 
A pair of 601s is around $900. I don't want to spend more than around $500 for the whole party. It's for an apartment, I own't get to enjoy them too much because I won't be able to turn up the volume at all. I just want something that is an upgrade over the speakers that come with the TV.
 
Ya, I know, "sorry about your wallet", but I'm really looking for something like the Koss KSC75s of the speaker world. 
 
A used system seems like the way to go. I just want something that will actually work properly without any hiccups. The TV/Receiver combo we had at our last apartment was a train wreck. There was around 200ms of audio lag and it just ruined gaming. 

It would also be a royal PITA to get a pair of 601s to your apartment too depending on which floor of the building you live on, but a pair of Sony SS-B3000s for fronts, SS-B1000s for rears, an SS-CN5000 center, and an SA-W2500 sub would be a little cheaper. And trust me, you'd be much better off buying new. Also, this might be worth a look as far as receivers go, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753323-REG/Sony_STRDH520_STR_DH520_5_1_Channel_A_V.html

 

[drizek]

I was looking at a unit on the 32nd floor. I hope the building has an elevator
 
It does bring up a good point though, it would be so much more convenient to buy new and have them shipped to me than to try and get a home theater system home from a craigslist deal using public transportation.
 
Newegg has Polk speakers today discounted from ~125 to 65ish per pair. I wish I already had my place, they get really good reviews and it seems like a steal. Amazon has them for 99. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=CawcWMchEeGo0nJ9paJ5ug0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16882290027