Ok, so a co-worker comes to me for advice on setting up a HT in his existing home. He has a budget of 2,000 total. I have 1,000 of that spent on a 46" Samsung LCD. This leaves me 1,000 for sound. I was planning on this Denon (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Denon+-+600W...p;skuId=9878176)for $350 leaving me only $650 for sub + 5 channels. I dont believe that Axiom will be a suitable fit for his budget at this time. Does anyone know of something of SOME quality for this price range. The closest i have gotten but have reservations is the $800 Def Tech 600 HTIB.

You can start off with just the mains and subwoofer first and add the other channels later. If you want to stretch the budget a little more, add the QS4 and go with a phantom centre.

Something like a pair of Axiom M3 or M22 and one of these subs below (bic/dayton) would be a good start. With a small budget like this, it is best not to stretch it to thin. You are better off buying better quality components at the time, and expand to the other channels when funds become available in the future.

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/sea...=&srchAttr=

Hi Nashvegas,

Instead of suggesting that your friend purchase a junky HTIB system that he'll grow to dislike if he ever hears your system, why don't you suggest he start with a stereo setup of a couple of excellent Axiom speakers plus a subwoofer. A pair of M22s or M2s plus an EP125. . .

He could run an AV receiver in the stereo + sub mode and gradually upgrade, adding surrounds and a center as he can afford them.

Regards,
Alan

If it was me, I'd choose from the factory outlet and get one of the following. (Note: I'm not a big fan of the M3). I've used the M22 for quite a while without a sub and was ok with that, but I wouldn't use the M2 without a sub.

M22 + wall mounts = $504 (Leaving $146 for sub)

M22 + stands = $620 (No sub)

M2 + wall mounts = $346 (Leaving $304 for sub)

M2 + stands = $462 (Leaving $188 for sub)

I would lower the receiver budget first. Better speakers will always make more of a difference than the receiver.

Edit:
And definitely forget surround and a center! Maybe a couple of M60s from the outlet if the budget can be raised a bit.....

SHOOT! I saw the headline and thought we could win a $1000 for guessing the best combo. Carry on.


(I would buy a quality system, piece by piece as suggested...a lot depends on how serious your friend is about HT)

How big is the room?

I agree (from above) M60's would be a much better way to go, if your friend could spare an extra $250, or downgrade the receiver as stated.

This is how i intended to make sure i got some feedback! Bait and switch I know but i am afterall in sales.

I want to speak to the store manager!

I want my money back!

How about the new EMP line? It's too bad that he wasn't trying to put it together one year ago since they were running very nice introductory prices. But, anyways he can get a 4.0 system to start with small towers (http://store.audioholics.com/product/2715/66334/emp-impression-e5ti-tower-speakers--red-burl-pair-), some surrounds (http://store.audioholics.com/product/271...-red-burl-pair-) and $250 left for a receiver. Johnk can always has good suggestions for nice refurb AVR's for around $250 to $300 that are a huge step up in features over a budget model, or you can go with the budget Denon that you suggested. Either way, this would come in at about $1000 - $1100. Not to mention the WAF of the speakers (due to the finish) is much better than some HTIB. Later on add a sub and then a center.

The tricky part here is to make sure I have the clients best interests in mind when doing this and not my own. I admit that what i would do and what he wants are def two different things but I have hard time steering hime towards inferior products knowing full well he could have afforded better.

When he had his house built their were wires and mount locations ran to the ceiling of his living room and now im tryign to tell him that may not be optimal especially with a M22 due to the size. In his mind i feel he is invisioning smaller satelite speakers no center some rears and a small hidden away sub and more concentrated on the astethics of the room than acoustics.

However i think i change all fo this once he gets to my house and sits in the captains chair for some U571 and attack on home tree in Avatar. :-)

How about M0s?

M0s or an "Epic Midi" (the smaller one) from Factory Outlet is about 1100-1150. Not a bad deal! I think your friend will have a very direct question to answer: does he prefer to have an adequately good complete system now ("Epic Midi" more than qualifies for "adequately good" for most people) or does he want to eventually get to a more high-end system piece by piece.

In my opinion, the in-betweens are secondary to that first question.

You might also want to consider a different HDTV. I’ve seen 46” Samsungs for below $800 locally and a friend recently got one for under $700, not sure what model. Other brands can be had for even less. Since buying my speakers I’m on my 3rd display and second receiver but still the same speakers so I’d look to free up as much as I could for those.

I was wondering why that was in the HDMI cable thread...

Just got up and haven’t had any caffeine.

Caught it in time to delete.

Brian, unless your co-worker is totally opposed to adding-on at a later date, I'd also suggest getting better quality speakers now, even if a full set couldn't be fit in to the present budget. My suggestion would be that he get the M22s and QS4s as you have. The M22s can at least temporarily do some of the work of the sub and center speaker. As I've mentioned several times here, the M22s alone have enough bass for enjoyment of most music, although a sub is highly desirable for some music(e.g., pipe organ)and some movie LFE. On the other hand, there's no substitute for the surrounds which are essential for an HT setup.

It appears, as Dean commented, that a better price could be had on that TV or a similar one and a better price on a refurb Denon is definitely available, such as this 689 .

JohnK

Awesome link to the Denon, that will definately be used. I will start searching for a better deal on the TV but dont mind paying 100 dollars more or so for both a current model and the ability to return to a brick and morter store should it be DOA.

One more suggestion for using M0's or going the full upgrade to only M60s and addding the rest later on. I suspect he might also like the on wall versions of the M2/M3/M22 to keep the aethetics he was looking for based on the wiring description.

I can't let you buy a HTIB if you need 5.1 all at once.

Infinity Primus P362 -$400



Infinity Primus PC350 - $199



Axiom QS4v3 - $428



Subwoofer:

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/sea...=&srchAttr=