I'm poor and ignorant and I need advice!

myname · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I don't have the money to spend thousands of dollars or anything close
to that on a speaker/receiver system. So right now, I'm just
listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
good.

Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?

Archived from group: alt>home-theater>misc

Rick · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

"myname" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> I don't have the money to spend thousands of dollars or anything close
> to that on a speaker/receiver system. So right now, I'm just
> listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
> good.
>
> Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
> systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
> and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?
>

You can get a Panasonic 5-disc progressive scan DVD player/receiver with 5.1
surround sound and speakers included for under $350. It's not ideal---I
wouldn't personally choose it for my primary sound system, but we have it in
the bedroom and it sounds okay. Would certainly be better than your TV
speakers.

Tim Sampson · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

"myname" wrote in message@posting.google.com...
> I don't have the money to spend thousands of dollars or anything close
> to that on a speaker/receiver system. So right now, I'm just
> listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
> good.
>
> Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
> systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
> and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?

I'm not a connoisseur so don't take this as an expert opinion, but I bought
such a system (£100 in the UK) and I am very happy. It is certainly a lot
better than the TV speakers (but maybe your TV has excellent sound).

Cheers
Tim

JGM · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

myname wrote:

>So right now, I'm just
>listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
>good.
>
>Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
>systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
>and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?

Take your $200 and go to the local thrift store (ie. Goodwill). Buy a nice
used stereo receiver -- with so many people upgrading to HT models there are
tons of good ones -- and the best pair of speakers you can find (you'll
probably wind up with money left in your pocket). Plug the analog stereo
output of your DVD player to the aux input of the receiver and sit back.

Trust me, this is a huge leap from TV speakers and you'll get tons more
enjoyment out of this setup than out of an el-cheapo 5.1 setup. And when you
are ready and able to upgrade to decent home theater stuff your system will
still be worth what you paid for it.

JGM

hasta · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

>I don't have the money to spend thousands of dollars or anything close
>to that on a speaker/receiver system. So right now, I'm just
>listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
>good.
>
>Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
>systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
>and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?

Absolutely. I bought a dirt cheap used Techniques receiver with centre
and surround speakers (I already had the 2 main stereo speakers) and
was blown away....and its only Pro-Logic!

Go for it! If all you're used to is your TV speakers you will be
extremely satisfied.

Neil · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 23

jgmclean0@aol.com (JGM) wrote in message news:...
> myname wrote:
>
> >So right now, I'm just
> >listening to the sound coming out of the tv speakers, which isn't
> >good.
> >
> >Would it be a significant improvement for me to get one of those cheap
> >systems for $200, receiver and speakers, which would at least decode
> >and play dolby digital 5.1 sound?
>
> Take your $200 and go to the local thrift store (ie. Goodwill).

Agree. Also check flea markets, pawn shops, local classified ads,
church/charity/home yard sales, etc.

>Buy a nice
> used stereo receiver -- with so many people upgrading to HT models there are
> tons of good ones -- and the best pair of speakers you can find (you'll
> probably wind up with money left in your pocket).

Agree. And at the places I mention above, especially the flea markets,
pawn shops, and local classified ad sellers, the price may be
negotiable, so you may also want to make some lowball offers and see
what happens. Tell the sellers you're willing to pay cash.

If you want a new receiver, the following has new Sherwood and TEAC
stereo receivers for $100:

www.jandr.com

Circuit City recently advertised a new Sherwood receiver for $80; it's
probably the same as the one at the above URL.

> Plug the analog stereo
> output of your DVD player to the aux input of the receiver and sit back.

Agree.

BTW, I have something like the above at home. However, my stereo TV
has stereo outputs, so I connect those to my stereo audio system, and
then I have stereo for TV broadcasts, stereo VCR, and DVD player.
(Assuming the broadcast or recording is in stereo.) My stereo TV has
variable audio outputs, which means I can use the TV's remote control
to control the volume.

(If you have a mono TV and a stereo VCR, you can use the VCR as a
stereo tuner. Just connect the VCR's audio output to your receiver.)

For space and $$$ reasons, I may never upgrade to surround sound. Just
having decent stereo sound is a huge leap over the built-in TV
speakers.

> Trust me, this is a huge leap from TV speakers and you'll get tons more
> enjoyment out of this setup than out of an el-cheapo 5.1 setup. And when you
> are ready and able to upgrade to decent home theater stuff your system will
> still be worth what you paid for it.

And you decide to upgrade to a Dolby receiver eventually, and if you
like your left and right stereo speakers, you can keep those and then
add a center and two rear speakers.

> JGM