Hi, I'm getting $600CDN to spend on the beginnings of a decent home theatre set-up. Obviously I need a reciever and at this price point I guess I'll start with 2 speakers. So I'll use them as mains then move them to rears later when I pour more money into it. Any suggestions?

I'm asking here because if possible I'd like to support a Canadian company.

This is a tough one, because either a decent set of starter speakers or receiver will eat up a huge portion of that 600 bucks.

Personally, I've loved my M3s since the minute I bought them, and I was almost sad to see them relegated to the surrounds when I bought M40s. They're a fantastic place to start for both a home theater and stereo system, and there are a lot of Canadian dealers that will likely charge you less than a pair of factory outlet models. The M3 is a speaker you simply cannot get tired of listening to, and will only sound better as you upgrade your electronics.

You could probably get a cheap HT receiver (RCA, Technics, AIWA) along with the M3s for about the 600 you have. Do you have a CD player?

If you read reviews from the Soundstage network (audiovideoreviews.com), they cover a lot of Canadian speakers (Axiom, Paradigm, Energy), and the M3 is a favorite among budget speakers...it's certainly head and shoulders above a lot of junk at the price.

In this month's Axiom News Letter, there is a special deal for subscribers, check it out.

WOOHOOO.
Another supporter of Canadian business.
It's so rare these days. Our economy is booming and yet my stocks are still down. {sigh}

Well you won't be disappointed. Axiom is a great place to start for speakers.

We'll if you want to support two Canadian companies, Audioshop in Ottawa has a clearance on some Axiom speakers now as well. You can find them at http://www.audioshop.on.ca.

The M2's would make great starter fronts. If you decide you need larger fronts later, you can move the M2's to the rear.

It's pretty easy to buy Canadian in the speaker arena with brands like Axiom, Athena, Dahlquist, Energy, Mirage, Paradigm, PSB, and others offering some of the best speaker values in the world.

In the components arena there are a lot fewer Canadian options, and none that I am aware of at the lower end of the spectrum. That said, when you are ready to go a little more upscale, NAD Electronics is now Canadian-owned. If you get to the point where you want to go the separates route, Anthem is a Canadian brand that is getting a lot of fantastic reviews.

Good luck with your first purchases,

Audioshop has also listed M40s for $400 per pair, which is a ridiculously low price considering it outperforms any speaker I've heard for under 1000 bucks. That would obviously blow the budget for electronics, unless you looked to get a receiver +/- DVD/CD used.

Oh I like that price on the Axioms M40tis but that wouldn't leave alot for a reciever, any suggestions there?

I think the best thing to do is take you're 600.00 bucks and put it in an account and add to it until you have enough to buy some decent gear.ask youre self how long will it take to add another 600.00 bucks?now I have 1200.00! trust me you'll be alot farther ahead buying gear you want over the cheap stuff.

It's not a Canadian company, but you could see what Wal-Mart offers as electronics in that price range.

I know I could always wait longer, but then I might just hold out even more. I want to start now, not wait a year for another lump sum tax return.

Wal-mart has electronics? I don't expect to find a reciever form a Canadian company but I'd like to get speakers form them because of the national loyalty and they come so highly recommended.

My point is if you don't buy decent gear then you might as well send you're money to me...try onecall for a closeout on a good receiver.thats were I would start first.If you don't start out with a good receiver or amp you won't be happy with the speakers.I picked up an Onkyo thx select receiver with all the goodies from them for 600.00 bucks on closeout a while back.you can also check out ebay for used gear.you take a risk buying used stuff but it might pay off.other than that I would save for the good stuff.if you buy cheap gear then it 's like one step forward,three steps back.

Piers:

Talk to Marc at Audioshop about a package with the Yamaha RXV-430 and a pair of Axiom M2's. You should be able to get the package pretty close to your price range.

The M2's are a great pair of bookshelves and a lot cheaper than the larger and more popular M3's. Axiom is changing the twweter in this speaker and they are blowing the old ones out. Marc has them on for $199 CDN.

The Yamaha RXV-430 is exactly the same chassis/power output as the 530, 630, 730, its just missing a few features. I believe the 430 lists for $499.

I think this setup is a pretty good starting point for quality home theater,

Piers

have you made a decision yet?

you could always look for a used amp, and get a pair of M3's. Then, when you can afford it, get a real good amp.