Electronics Budget 5.1 Home Theater Speakers

crayzkirk · 02-16-2023, 06:55 PM

I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive set of speakers for my home theater. I have an Onkyo TX-SR373 receiver that has the five speaker outputs plus two sub-woofer outputs. Everything that I seem to look at has a central sub-woofer that all the other speakers plug into. I have a Yamaha speaker system, which I purchased several years ago, that has the five individual speakers and a powered sub-woofer. Can't seem to find anything other than some all in one systems that look like they would connect to a PC or something that's over $1,000.

Suggestions?

CK

Holladay · 02-17-2023, 11:43 AM

I did my system 15 years ago and bought Pinnacle speakers. I think I paid ~$1000 for all 5. I was going to suggest them to you but looked at their prices ~$2.5k-3.6k

They work great in my basement mancave. The wife doesn't care for them much because 2 stories above in the bedroom, the walls move too much.

**notorious** · 02-17-2023, 12:40 PM

Mirage, but they aren't in business anymore.

AdolfOliverBush · 02-17-2023, 01:08 PM

I can't vouch for this particular product, but it should be fairly easy to find a decent set of speakers for well under $1000.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Refer...47c48c32f&th=1

**srvy** · 02-17-2023, 02:01 PM

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-hgRa5J...&nrtv_as_src=1

**Renegade** · 02-17-2023, 02:15 PM

I have been super impressed with my Sonos, but just a tad over your price range.

https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/imm...ub-mini-one-sl

**srvy** · 02-17-2023, 02:22 PM

Honestly room size matters in speaker size.

The Def Techs I mentioned a few posts up sound good but in a large room noy so much.

Monoprice are good quality at very budget prices.

https://www.monoprice.com/category/a...eakers-systems

**srvy** · 02-17-2023, 02:32 PM

Elacs are nice but over your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPM3HFK...oosteraudio-20

**srvy** · 02-17-2023, 02:57 PM

SVS on sale 200 bucks over your budget

https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1

**Donger** · 02-17-2023, 03:15 PM

I've got a 3.1 setup and had to replace my front speakers last year. Space/size was a concern so I got these guys:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Paid $270.00 for the pair. Get them for a steal now. Very impressed with them.

stanleychief · 02-17-2023, 04:05 PM

I've just completed building out a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 setup at my house. I would strongly recommend putting the bulk of your money on the two front speakers. They will handle music and any older movies/TV programs that are recorded in stereo only. Next up is a decent center channel, as that handles a large chunk of the sound in any multi-channel setup. For the surround speakers, it's not going to matter nearly as much. In fact, I use these $45 a pair Dayton Audio speakers for that role.

For my main front speakers, I built them from kits. If you are handy with a table saw and router, you get a lot more bang for your buck that way. We're talking audiophile grade stuff. Granted that's not for everyone, but if that seems like something that would be fun, check these kits out:
GR Research X-Series
Parts Express Speaker Kits

With the GR Research kits, you supply the wood and have to cut, screw and glue everything together yourself. That also means you need to paint or laminate them as well. With some of the Parts Express kits, you get pre-cut or fully assembled cabinets, which makes things a lot easier.

If DIY isn't your cup of tea, then you could look into some lower end audiophile speakers as your mains. Focal has their Chora 806 models on closeout right now for $598/pair ($400 off!). Wharfdale speakers are usually pretty good as well. If you need a cheap main speaker, the most liked model currently is the Sony SSCS5 3-Way at $198 a pair.

Keep in mind that any bookshelf speaker is going to need a powered subwoofer though to supplement the bass.

Hope this is helpful. If you need any more recommendations, or see something you like, post it here, and I can probably help you figure out if it's decent quality. Also, it's good to buy from a place that has a good return policy, so if you hate the speaker, you can send it back hassle-free.

stanleychief · 02-17-2023, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Elacs are nice but over your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPM3HFK...oosteraudio-20

I like what they did with their setup there. The front speakers are towers. Also a bonus that they threw in some Atmos speakers as well.

crayzkirk · 02-17-2023, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the tips; I guess I've really been out of the market for a while. I'm pretty sure the whole system was about $600 when I bought it back in 2016. The receiver quit working and I picked up a couple others for $100 that didn't work. I've managed to fix two of the three and now want to replace my sound bar with a real system. It's even older, a Sony that has a mini-receiver and wireless sub-woofer. It's nice because I can plug the BluRay and cable box into it instead of using the TV as the HDMI switch. I've seen the Klipsch Reference for about $300 although I have some old DLK 1 1/2 speakers and some old Bose Center/Rear speakers. I just need a sub-woofer. Not sure how those would sound all together.

crayzkirk · 02-17-2023, 08:33 PM

What about this?

https://a.co/d/fd5F9vN

What's DolbyAtmos?

**srvy** · 02-17-2023, 08:46 PM

In layman's terms it makes the sound seem to be coming at you in different directions sort of a 3d sound effect.

02-16-2023, 06:55 PM
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016 Casino cash: $3840000	Budget 5.1 Home Theater Speakers I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive set of speakers for my home theater. I have an Onkyo TX-SR373 receiver that has the five speaker outputs plus two sub-woofer outputs. Everything that I seem to look at has a central sub-woofer that all the other speakers plug into. I have a Yamaha speaker system, which I purchased several years ago, that has the five individual speakers and a powered sub-woofer. Can't seem to find anything other than some all in one systems that look like they would connect to a PC or something that's over $1,000. Suggestions? CK
Posts: 4,357

02-17-2023, 11:43 AM	#2
Holladay Veteran Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2609480	I did my system 15 years ago and bought Pinnacle speakers. I think I paid ~$1000 for all 5. I was going to suggest them to you but looked at their prices ~$2.5k-3.6k They work great in my basement mancave. The wife doesn't care for them much because 2 stories above in the bedroom, the walls move too much.
Posts: 3,582

02-17-2023, 12:40 PM	#3
notorious Supporter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Who knows? Casino cash: $2915884	Mirage, but they aren't in business anymore.
Posts: 83,382

02-17-2023, 01:08 PM	#4
AdolfOliverBush Rookie Join Date: Apr 2019 Casino cash: $5920400	I can't vouch for this particular product, but it should be fairly easy to find a decent set of speakers for well under $1000. https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Refer...47c48c32f&th=1
Posts: 0

02-17-2023, 02:01 PM	#5
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1661250	https://www.crutchfield.com/S-hgRa5J...&nrtv_as_src=1 __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,361

02-17-2023, 02:15 PM	#6
Renegade Just Lurking Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ozark Mountain Country Casino cash: $1757904	I have been super impressed with my Sonos, but just a tad over your price range. https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/imm...ub-mini-one-sl
Posts: 2,007

02-17-2023, 02:22 PM	#7
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1661250	Honestly room size matters in speaker size. The Def Techs I mentioned a few posts up sound good but in a large room noy so much. Monoprice are good quality at very budget prices. https://www.monoprice.com/category/a...eakers-systems __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,361

02-17-2023, 02:32 PM	#8
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1661250	Elacs are nice but over your budget. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPM3HFK...oosteraudio-20 __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,361

02-17-2023, 02:57 PM	#9
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1661250	SVS on sale 200 bucks over your budget https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-satellite-5-1 __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,361

02-17-2023, 03:15 PM	#10
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10339900 VARSITY	I've got a 3.1 setup and had to replace my front speakers last year. Space/size was a concern so I got these guys: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Paid $270.00 for the pair. Get them for a steal now. Very impressed with them. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,706

02-17-2023, 04:05 PM	#11
stanleychief Veteran Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $5246254	I've just completed building out a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 setup at my house. I would strongly recommend putting the bulk of your money on the two front speakers. They will handle music and any older movies/TV programs that are recorded in stereo only. Next up is a decent center channel, as that handles a large chunk of the sound in any multi-channel setup. For the surround speakers, it's not going to matter nearly as much. In fact, I use these $45 a pair Dayton Audio speakers for that role. For my main front speakers, I built them from kits. If you are handy with a table saw and router, you get a lot more bang for your buck that way. We're talking audiophile grade stuff. Granted that's not for everyone, but if that seems like something that would be fun, check these kits out: GR Research X-Series Parts Express Speaker Kits With the GR Research kits, you supply the wood and have to cut, screw and glue everything together yourself. That also means you need to paint or laminate them as well. With some of the Parts Express kits, you get pre-cut or fully assembled cabinets, which makes things a lot easier. If DIY isn't your cup of tea, then you could look into some lower end audiophile speakers as your mains. Focal has their Chora 806 models on closeout right now for $598/pair ($400 off!). Wharfdale speakers are usually pretty good as well. If you need a cheap main speaker, the most liked model currently is the Sony SSCS5 3-Way at $198 a pair. Keep in mind that any bookshelf speaker is going to need a powered subwoofer though to supplement the bass. Hope this is helpful. If you need any more recommendations, or see something you like, post it here, and I can probably help you figure out if it's decent quality. Also, it's good to buy from a place that has a good return policy, so if you hate the speaker, you can send it back hassle-free.
Posts: 1,193

02-17-2023, 05:17 PM	#13
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016 Casino cash: $3840000	Thanks for the tips; I guess I've really been out of the market for a while. I'm pretty sure the whole system was about $600 when I bought it back in 2016. The receiver quit working and I picked up a couple others for $100 that didn't work. I've managed to fix two of the three and now want to replace my sound bar with a real system. It's even older, a Sony that has a mini-receiver and wireless sub-woofer. It's nice because I can plug the BluRay and cable box into it instead of using the TV as the HDMI switch. I've seen the Klipsch Reference for about $300 although I have some old DLK 1 1/2 speakers and some old Bose Center/Rear speakers. I just need a sub-woofer. Not sure how those would sound all together.
Posts: 4,357

02-17-2023, 08:33 PM	#14
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016 Casino cash: $3840000	What about this? https://a.co/d/fd5F9vN What's DolbyAtmos?
Posts: 4,357

02-17-2023, 08:46 PM	#15
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1661250	In layman's terms it makes the sound seem to be coming at you in different directions sort of a 3d sound effect. __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy."
Posts: 24,361