I need a cheap 5.1 surround sound setup, any ideas?

dg · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I need to pick up a really inexpensive 5.1 surround sound system. Right now
I am actually using a nice set of computer speakers (stereo + sub) and
honestly I don't really need a whole lot more sound, I just want to
experience the surround sound effect.

I need a system that will connect to my xbox and a DVD player, but not
necessarily at the same time, I mean one of those theatre in a box systems
probably won't do as the ones I have seen have the DVD player built into the
amp and no option of external input.

Any input is appreciated. Did I mention I need CHEAP?

Thanks,
--Dan

Archived from group: alt>home-theater>misc

Dave Bugg · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 182

dg wrote:
> I need to pick up a really inexpensive 5.1 surround sound system. Right
> now I am actually using a nice set of computer speakers (stereo
> + sub) and honestly I don't really need a whole lot more sound, I
> just want to experience the surround sound effect.
>
> I need a system that will connect to my xbox and a DVD player, but not
> necessarily at the same time, I mean one of those theatre in a box
> systems probably won't do as the ones I have seen have the DVD player
> built into the amp and no option of external input.
>
> Any input is appreciated. Did I mention I need CHEAP?

Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
different things to different people.

--
Dave
www.davebbq.com

dg · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

"Dave Bugg" wrote in message $j91.47@newsfe02.lga...
> Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
> different things to different people.

Let me clarify and add a detail:

I want to spend as little money as possible, while still ending up with a
5.1 surround sound system that accepts optical audio input (toslink). As
little as possible. If I could spend $20 and get the job done I would do it
as I am dirt broke at the moment. Luckily I have an Optima HD70 mounted to
my living room ceiling and a 92" screen on the wall, great toys to have when
money is low!

THANKS!
--Dan

dg · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Ok, I'll try again. I am currently running a $10 set of computer speakers
(L+R+SUB), Altec Lansing AC340 to be specific. They came with my Gateway
2000 Pentium 75 that my dad bought me back in 1995 when I moved out of his
house. Seriously, I see them for sale on ebay and thrift stores for $10.
They are among the best plastic computer speakers I have had but they aren't
anything special.

I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.
If the sound from the 5.1 system sounds as good as the computer speakers I
am using now, I am happy. I just want the surround experience added to
movies I watch, the volume and sound quality is OK for now and should be OK
if I can find a 5.1 system cheap.

THANKS!
--Dan

"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:30:02 -0800, "dg" wrote:
>
>>"Dave Bugg" wrote in message
>>$j91.47@newsfe02.lga...
>>> Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
>>> different things to different people.
>>
>>Let me clarify and add a detail:
>>
>>I want to spend as little money as possible, while still ending up with a
>>5.1 surround sound system that accepts optical audio input (toslink). As
>>little as possible. If I could spend $20 and get the job done I would do
>>it
>>as I am dirt broke at the moment. Luckily I have an Optima HD70 mounted
>>to
>>my living room ceiling and a 92" screen on the wall, great toys to have
>>when
>>money is low!
>
> Everybody feels the same way but without a number or specific examples
> of what you've heard and liked, there's nothing to go on. With
> nothing else to go on, my suggestions would start around $3500.
>
> Kal

me · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 67

>I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.

Might check Consumer reports.... they just did a review
on sound systems

Kalman Rubinson · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 37

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:30:02 -0800, "dg" wrote:

>"Dave Bugg" wrote in message
>$j91.47@newsfe02.lga...
>> Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
>> different things to different people.
>
>Let me clarify and add a detail:
>
>I want to spend as little money as possible, while still ending up with a
>5.1 surround sound system that accepts optical audio input (toslink). As
>little as possible. If I could spend $20 and get the job done I would do it
>as I am dirt broke at the moment. Luckily I have an Optima HD70 mounted to
>my living room ceiling and a 92" screen on the wall, great toys to have when
>money is low!

Everybody feels the same way but without a number or specific examples
of what you've heard and liked, there's nothing to go on. With
nothing else to go on, my suggestions would start around $3500.

Kal

Kalman Rubinson · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 37

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:36:48 -0800, "dg" wrote:

>Ok, I'll try again. I am currently running a $10 set of computer speakers
>(L+R+SUB), Altec Lansing AC340 to be specific. They came with my Gateway
>2000 Pentium 75 that my dad bought me back in 1995 when I moved out of his
>house. Seriously, I see them for sale on ebay and thrift stores for $10.
>They are among the best plastic computer speakers I have had but they aren't
>anything special.
>
>I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.
>If the sound from the 5.1 system sounds as good as the computer speakers I
>am using now, I am happy. I just want the surround experience added to
>movies I watch, the volume and sound quality is OK for now and should be OK
>if I can find a 5.1 system cheap.

Logitech or HTIB.

Kal

AZ Nomad · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 165

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:25:23 -0800, dg wrote:

>I need to pick up a really inexpensive 5.1 surround sound system. Right now
>I am actually using a nice set of computer speakers (stereo + sub) and
>honestly I don't really need a whole lot more sound, I just want to
>experience the surround sound effect.

>I need a system that will connect to my xbox and a DVD player, but not
>necessarily at the same time, I mean one of those theatre in a box systems
>probably won't do as the ones I have seen have the DVD player built into the
>amp and no option of external input.

>Any input is appreciated. Did I mention I need CHEAP?

>Thanks,
>--Dan

google
"home theater in a box"

T Shadow · Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 21

"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:36:48 -0800, "dg" wrote:
>
> >Ok, I'll try again. I am currently running a $10 set of computer
speakers
> >(L+R+SUB), Altec Lansing AC340 to be specific. They came with my Gateway
> >2000 Pentium 75 that my dad bought me back in 1995 when I moved out of
his
> >house. Seriously, I see them for sale on ebay and thrift stores for $10.
> >They are among the best plastic computer speakers I have had but they
aren't
> >anything special.
> >
> >I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.
> >If the sound from the 5.1 system sounds as good as the computer speakers
I
> >am using now, I am happy. I just want the surround experience added to
> >movies I watch, the volume and sound quality is OK for now and should be
OK
> >if I can find a 5.1 system cheap.
>
> Logitech or HTIB.
>
> Kal
>

Second the Logitech. BB has Klipsch on sale(or will be). No idea on inputs
though.

Art · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 62

COnsumer Reports found some best buys. Check it out at the library. Then
watch ebay for someone dumping the right model.

"dg" wrote in message $C24.271@newssvr17.news.prodigy.net...
> Ok, I'll try again. I am currently running a $10 set of computer speakers
> (L+R+SUB), Altec Lansing AC340 to be specific. They came with my Gateway
> 2000 Pentium 75 that my dad bought me back in 1995 when I moved out of his
> house. Seriously, I see them for sale on ebay and thrift stores for $10.
> They are among the best plastic computer speakers I have had but they
> aren't anything special.
>
> I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.
> If the sound from the 5.1 system sounds as good as the computer speakers I
> am using now, I am happy. I just want the surround experience added to
> movies I watch, the volume and sound quality is OK for now and should be
> OK if I can find a 5.1 system cheap.
>
> THANKS!
> --Dan
>
>
> "Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message
> @4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:30:02 -0800, "dg" wrote:
>>
>>>"Dave Bugg" wrote in message
>>>$j91.47@newsfe02.lga...
>>>> Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
>>>> different things to different people.
>>>
>>>Let me clarify and add a detail:
>>>
>>>I want to spend as little money as possible, while still ending up with a
>>>5.1 surround sound system that accepts optical audio input (toslink). As
>>>little as possible. If I could spend $20 and get the job done I would do
>>>it
>>>as I am dirt broke at the moment. Luckily I have an Optima HD70 mounted
>>>to
>>>my living room ceiling and a 92" screen on the wall, great toys to have
>>>when
>>>money is low!
>>
>> Everybody feels the same way but without a number or specific examples
>> of what you've heard and liked, there's nothing to go on. With
>> nothing else to go on, my suggestions would start around $3500.
>>
>> Kal
>
>

user · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

Walmart has some very nice surround systems at the lowest prices.

Durabrand 5 speaker system at under $50 and another better Durabrand
at $78, Several more systems from $105 to $400 including RCA, Sony
and Phillips etc.

I'm running Phillips and installed an RCA for my friend last week.

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:36:48 -0800, "dg" wrote:

>Ok, I'll try again. I am currently running a $10 set of computer speakers
>(L+R+SUB), Altec Lansing AC340 to be specific. They came with my Gateway
>2000 Pentium 75 that my dad bought me back in 1995 when I moved out of his
>house. Seriously, I see them for sale on ebay and thrift stores for $10.
>They are among the best plastic computer speakers I have had but they aren't
>anything special.
>
>I am looking for a 5.1 surround sound system that is cheap, cheap, cheap.
>If the sound from the 5.1 system sounds as good as the computer speakers I
>am using now, I am happy. I just want the surround experience added to
>movies I watch, the volume and sound quality is OK for now and should be OK
>if I can find a 5.1 system cheap.
>
>THANKS!
>--Dan
>
>
>"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message
>@4ax.com...
>> On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:30:02 -0800, "dg" wrote:
>>
>>>"Dave Bugg" wrote in message
>>>$j91.47@newsfe02.lga...
>>>> Give a ballpark figure on the amount you can spend, Dan. Cheap means
>>>> different things to different people.
>>>
>>>Let me clarify and add a detail:
>>>
>>>I want to spend as little money as possible, while still ending up with a
>>>5.1 surround sound system that accepts optical audio input (toslink). As
>>>little as possible. If I could spend $20 and get the job done I would do
>>>it
>>>as I am dirt broke at the moment. Luckily I have an Optima HD70 mounted
>>>to
>>>my living room ceiling and a 92" screen on the wall, great toys to have
>>>when
>>>money is low!
>>
>> Everybody feels the same way but without a number or specific examples
>> of what you've heard and liked, there's nothing to go on. With
>> nothing else to go on, my suggestions would start around $3500.
>>
>> Kal
>

me · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 67

> Walmart has some very nice surround systems at the lowest prices.
>
> Durabrand 5 speaker system at under $50 and another better Durabrand
>at $78, Several more systems from $105 to $400 including RCA, Sony
>and Phillips etc.
>
> I'm running Phillips and installed an RCA for my friend last week.

A recent Consumer Reports gave the RCA home theater
system a "best buy" rating. If memory serves it was
only $150 or something around that.

I'm into being "cheap" as well....so would even
consider the durabrand one

user · Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:01:08 -0600, me@privacy.net wrote:

>> Walmart has some very nice surround systems at the lowest prices.
>>
>> Durabrand 5 speaker system at under $50 and another better Durabrand
>>at $78, Several more systems from $105 to $400 including RCA, Sony
>>and Phillips etc.
>>
>> I'm running Phillips and installed an RCA for my friend last week.
>
>A recent Consumer Reports gave the RCA home theater
>system a "best buy" rating. If memory serves it was
>only $150 or something around that.
>
>I'm into being "cheap" as well....so would even
>consider the durabrand one

The durabrand $38 home theatre system actually sounds much better
than the $480 Sony system.

Gil · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

SONY has a pretty good HTIB for under $200. Receiver and 5 speakers
with sub-woofer. 800 watts, if memory serves me.