http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/PS3 Slim ($300)
Onkyo TX-SR508 Receiver = $300
4 Polk Audio TSi300 $200 x8 = $800
Polk Audio Monitor Series PSW10 Subwoofer = $100
Polk Audio CS10 Center Channel Speaker = $100

Total about $2400

]]>Jun 4th 2010 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/I love this set-up. However, I would go with a Pioneer or Denon receiver. The Panasonic TC series is great. I would also go with a middle of the road Klipch 5.1 or 7.1 set-up. I would kind of skip the PS3 because he stated he had already has a blu-ray player. I would also do a HTPC right next to everything because Netflix can now stream via a PC through the desktop or through the beautiful WM7. In addition, he could pick up many OTA stations if he chooses to go this route and save some money on the satellite service he already has. Just a though for some savings overall. Good luck.]]>Jun 4th 2010 6:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Pionner or Denon receiver would cost more and surpass the $2500 budget. i am suggest 4 tower speaker instead of 2 front, all tower is much better trust me.]]>Jun 4th 2010 8:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/I like the:
Klipsch Theatre 500 ($700)
Pioneer VSX-920-k ($649)
PS3 ($300)
Panasonic TCP46C2 ($849)

I suggest this with my professional advice. I sell electronics as a career.

]]>Jun 5th 2010 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
A 1080p projector is the best way to go for a finished basement. Gives it a certain spark that can't be emulated by a plasma or LCD (save those for the family room) and coupled with the aforementioned tower speakers should give you an excellent home theater experience.

you want a home theater? then get theater equipment...like a REALLY BIG SCREEN!
a 50" plasma is nice, but it doesn't screen Home Theater]]>Jun 5th 2010 1:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 12:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 1:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Model: KLIPSCH HD]]>Jun 8th 2010 10:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Thanks for the recommendation. But what about the Klipsch HD 300? It's $200 cheaper on Amazon and has better ratings than the 500 (oddly, the 1,000 series is about $80 cheaper).

I'm currently using Logitech Z5500 for my "home theatre" so it won't make much to impress me soundwise.]]>Jun 9th 2010 12:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/ONKYO HT-S3300 Home Theater in a Box - $330

I'd spend the remaining budget on good furniture and a neutral paint color...oh and some blinds for those windows, although with today's projectors you don't really need them, they're super bright.]]>Jun 4th 2010 1:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
I’d recommend just putting the $2,500 towards a nice 3D capable TV and then getting a surround sound system and AVR when you can afford it.
]]>Jun 4th 2010 1:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 5th 2010 12:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Combined total is just at 700-800 bucks for the receiver and speakers, and they should be more than capable for a good budget system. They will sound amazing for the price, and leave you a good chunk of your budget for display and disc solution.

If you don't already have a disc playback solution, might I recommend the Oppo series of universal players?]]>Jun 4th 2010 2:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 2:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Samsung Series 7 46-inch LN46C750 1080p 3D LCD HDTV+
BD-C6900 Blu-ray Disc Player with 3D Starter Kit
+ Xbox 360 Elite for

1889$

ONKYO HT-S5300 7.1 HTIB
7.1 HOME THEATER SYSTEM W/ HD AUDIO/3D video

499$

2388$ for the whole system.if u find better set up for the money than this one?let me know!!

]]>Jun 4th 2010 2:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/UGH just get a ps3 slim instead of xbox AND blueray]]>Jun 5th 2010 4:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/it comes with the package,dude!
i have two ps3..........]]>Jun 6th 2010 5:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/1795$ for the deal on dell. 2294$ for the whole deal.
u can add a nice remote.like the harmony one for 150$
2444$ u still have money for blu ray movie.]]>Jun 4th 2010 2:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/$400 for it. I think it's the v765. And the PSB Image line of speakers are an amazing price for the money. I saw some B-stock speakers for dirt cheap. Or go with the older stock and save even more. I love 'em. Try saturdayaudio.com for the speakers. They're in Chicago. I think they ship. I just happen to live locally. ]]>Jun 4th 2010 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 3:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
For audio, pick a system with 6-ohm or 8-ohm speakers and a powered subwoofer, that will give you the option of upgrading the components independently in the future. Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha are usually good choices. Avoid Samsung, Sony, and Bose - they offer the worst sound quality for your money. And ignore wattage specs, manufacturers hype up their numbers so they are as meaningless.]]>Jun 4th 2010 3:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Projector: Optoma HD 20 $900.00
Screen: Screen Goo $250.00
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR608 $500.00
Speaker (LR & Surround): Dayton Dayton B652 $50.00
Speaker (Sub): Dayton CCS-33B $40.00
Sub Woofer: Dayton SUB-120 $160.00
Total $1,900.00

Speaker Upgrade for Music: Magnepan MMG $600

Yes, only $210 for speakers, but they are highly reviewed and you can easily spend $2500 on just a pair of speakers to get slightly better sound than what I am recommending here. Plus with what you save on the speakers, you can upgrade the electronics if you need a receiver with more features or by the Maggies too!
]]>Jun 4th 2010 4:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 4:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
A $40 sub? Is it made of cardboard? I bet you'd be better off with a HTiB.]]>Jun 4th 2010 4:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 4:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Given that many HTIB's include 5 speakers AND sub AND and AV receiver for 400-500 dollars I'd be willing to bet 40 bucks is about what they pay for each of those speakers anyway. This is generally why I avoid HTIB's. They might be cheap but certainly no bargain when you look at the lifespan of your system. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. ]]>Jun 4th 2010 8:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Well it might not be what you want to hear but I'd say don't waste your money.
Spend what you have on the prime starter quality components and save for the rest.

Get a good TV (or in the room permits it then best of all is a projector).
Then a quality HD receiver.

Good front stage speakers are going to cost $500 each so if you have a stereo right now (and most will have) make do with those speakers until you can get the good stuff.
Satellite speakers are a little less important but again quality shows every time & you will want to get to a good standard there.

I really can't see much point in spending your hard earned (and hard saved) money on the 2nd rate when you're almost certainly only going to want to buy the good stuff later.

If HD audio etc means much to you then you just can't skimp, cheapo audio kit will never give you the benefit of the latest lossless audio (and beware of lights and other glitzy nonsense that would try and tell you otherwise - most cheap stuff might perform adequatelky for a short while and then their performance will deteriorate when driven hard).]]>Jun 4th 2010 4:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K Reciver 500
HTD level 3 cabinet speakers 299 for pair
HTD level 3 center channel 199
HTD level 2 subwoofer 349
ps3 399 (fat boy)
xbox 360 elite (media center and games and stuff) 299
2 tiny sony speakers that came out of a Home theater in a box that someone gave me for the rear speakers 0
grand total $1950
if you include the tv than, well, sorry i guess!
]]>Jun 4th 2010 4:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 4:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
So instead of helping the guy out you simply came to brag about your setup?]]>Jun 4th 2010 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 7:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Maybe that's true but you didn't do a single thing for him seeing he doesn't need a 360 or PS3 and needs a TV and needs to fit within $2500. Fail]]>Jun 4th 2010 10:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
On another note, one thing you might be forgetting is furniture if you don't already have some in the basement. If you get a nice TV, speakers, etc, you will still need to invest in a place to sit!]]>Jun 4th 2010 5:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 7:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Then take the rest of your money (1000-1250) and apply it the surround sound system (spending as much on the speakers as possible). At this budget don’t waste your time on a 7.1 system (few discs, even blu-ray, have 8 discreet channels of sound anyway). If you must have an all in one solution get the top end 1K Onkyo HTIB but otherwise I’d skip most HTIB’s. Spend 250-400 on an entry level Onkyo, Yamaha or Denon receiver and the rest on speakers. This is the low end of separates so you could look at internet direct companies like Aperion, Orb, Energy and SVS (Aperion being myfavorite out of that list).

If you really want to build up a great system, you could just get your AVR and two nice tower speakers and a sub and slowly build out a 5.1 or 7.1 as you save up more money. A great sounding 2.1 system will outperform a cheap 5.1 or 7.1 system anyday so don;t be afraid to build it up over time.]]>Jun 4th 2010 8:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Jun 4th 2010 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
So go ahead and ask....]]>Jun 5th 2010 12:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/ Decent quality surround / receiver]]>Jun 4th 2010 10:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Personally, I don't think you will find much difference between a 300$ set of speakers and a $1000 set. In my exhaustive research to get the perfect speakers last year, I found $1500 to be a minimum, but you really need $2000 to make it worth it. Why spend ANY money on crap, when you could buy the good stuff for 3x the price. /my philosophy (seriously, if I can't afford the good, I just do without until I can afford to buy what I really want, I don't settle for "what I can get right now". That always seems like a waste of money to me.)]]>Jun 5th 2010 3:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
I also believe in saving up to buy stuff that will last for a decades (especially speakers) I spent 2,700 on my new speakers and AVR last fall.

But I'm realize that although I am able to afford such things now there was a time when those kinds of prices were simply out of the question but I still wanted to have the best sound I could get for my budget. For the last 15 years I have been extremely happy listening to my movies with a great stereo setup that cost a third as much and a 27" Sony TV that cost 450 dollars back in the nineties.

I would encourage this guy to get a nice Panasonic plasma and start with a good set of tower speakers and an entry level AVR. Then add the sub, center and rears as he can afford it.]]>Jun 5th 2010 5:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Samsung 46" LED LCD w/Edge-lit ($1449)
- Has Wifi built-in w/net apps incl NetFlix.
- Edge-lit LED provides plenty of brightness in any light.
- A name brand you know for flat panels!

Samsung (or Visio) Sound Bar ($199)
- low cost solution to surround sound.
- add a wireless sub to the unit for $100 more.

Okay...so I know all if u are gonna slam me, but here's my reasoning. The description says a nice wall and two windows...$2500 budget. Blu-Ray is already in place.

It doesn't sound like we're working with a large space here...and basements are usually low ceiling sound booths cause your talking concrete block over wood/drywall acoustically speaking.

Spend the money on a nice flat panel and the sound bar will give plenty of surround as your basement walls will handle the rest:) plus, you do a receiver and all those speakers, it'll echo and you'll waste money not being able to turn it up as loud as you'd want.

If this were a $5k budget, might change it up a bit. But on a lower budget, likely a smaller space. Likely truth is if your budget is low, so is the space. Practicality is the word of the day;)

]]>Jun 5th 2010 4:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Ben Drawbaugh's (engadgetHD) blog post where he shows his home setup. http://bjdraw.com/2009/04/05/my-electronics-in-pictures/

www.audioholics.com has excellent reviews and information, even though they can get a bit technical.

Personally I bought the cheapest onkyo receiver that came with HD Master Audio, and an energy 5.1 speaker system. It was my first home theater so I wanted a budget system that still had good quality. $300 for the energy speakers, $500 for the Okyo receiver.

TVs. For 43inch and up, I'm a fan of Panasonic Plasmas. ]]>Jun 5th 2010 5:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/
Ben Drawbaugh's (engadgetHD) blog post where he shows his home setup. http://bjdraw.com/2009/04/05/my-electronics-in-pictures/

www.audioholics.com has excellent reviews and information, even though they can get a bit technical.

Personally I bought the cheapest onkyo receiver that came with HD Master Audio, and an energy 5.1 speaker system. It was my first home theater so I wanted a budget system that still had good quality. $300 for the energy speakers, $500 for the Okyo receiver.

TVs. For 42inch and up, I'm a fan of Panasonic Plasmas. ]]>Jun 5th 2010 5:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/04/ask-engadget-hd-home-theater-on-a-2-500-budget/Sorry didn't mean to double post.]]>Jun 5th 2010 5:19PM