First Home Theater for $1000

Dilemina

I have been living in tiny apartments for what seems like forever. And I will be moving into a house soon and want to set up a home theater.

I found some deals around and was wondering if this all would fit together and make some good sound.

Somebody told me that this was a good place to get advice on this type of deal.

I am looking for 5.1 set-up that I can expand upon later. But my budget is right around $1000.

The set-up I found for that price looks like this.

Front: Polk tsi400 (pair)
Center: Polk CS10
Rear: Polk TSi100 (pair)
Sub: Bic F-12 12"
Receiver: Sony STR-DH 740 7.2 Channel
Together equal about $1000 plus tax

I have a nice TV to go along with them for movies.
But I checked a ton of stores around the Twin Cities, and none of them have these speakers available to test.

They are all online only orderable.
So I need advice from expert dudes.

Anybody had experience with this set?
Would you consider it a good value?
Would this receiver be enough to power this system?

Better for music or movies?

The room I am considering is carpeted and about 15x22sqft with an 8 foot ceiling and a stairway going up in the corner.

Nightfall

My setup:

Polk RTA-12B's - $250
Polk Monitor 5's - $100
Polk Monitor 4's - $100

That leaves $550 for an AVR. My Yamaha Aventage was $650 so close. I can guarantee you this is leaps and bounds better than a tsi setup run off a Sony.

Check your Craigslist for vintage Polks.

However if you're dead set on buying brand new I'm sure somebody with tsi/rti/new monitor experience will chime in. Good luck!

tonyb

Welcome....the setup you've chosen in more HT based. Doesn't mean you can't use it for music though. Few changes I'd make...the center CSI I would go up a notch to the CS2. A slightly better receiver, one with 5 channel pre outs so down the road if you want to add an amplifier, you can. Without the preouts, you can't. Yamaha Advantage series, Onkyo, Pioneer SC series, would be preferable over the Sony.

I do consider your needs too....and budget. You may want to consider buying some of this stuff used to save some coin. Used prices will run about half of new. Check your local craigslist, Audiogon, or US Audio mart.

gudnoyez

Pretty good choices the only thing I would change is get a CS20 instead of the cs10, then go on over to accessories4less and find you a good deal on a better AVR.

hochpt21

I agree with the guys above. From experience, get a bigger center the first time.

afterburnt

you may be able to save some money getting monitor 60's from new egg. I hear they are the same but dont look as nice as the tsi's

felipe

If your budget can stretch a little, go SVS for your sub. I got the tsi100s and cs10 in my setup...no surrounds tho. You can also try instead of floorstanders getting bookies for your fronts and run dual subs..its much better IMO..again if you can stretch your budget a little. +1 on gettin used. Polk's ebay site has some good sales

cnh

You can probably get away with that receiver if you have everything crossed over to 80Hz and let the sub do the rest! As Tony said, a larger center would help.

I run the older series M70s which would be like TSI 500s, the CS2 (CS20) and some M30s (TSI 100s) in the back and I have a B.A. 12" sub in an 11.5' x 25' x 8,5', but really 11.5' x 16.5' listening space-the extra room behind the couch houses a game table and four chairs. And, I use a monster class Onkyo 805 (51 lbs) to power all that at 80Hz. 130 (real) watts x 5 continuous. I believe all that ran me $1125 or so (but all the speakers, sub and Onkyo were bought on HUGE closeout prices or refurbs). Yeah, I'm cheap. lol

rpf65

If your budget is $1k, my advice would be start with a 3.1, and expand later. Take the money you budgeted for your surrounds, and put it towards a better receiver. Something like this.


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marsr6006/marantz-sr6006-home-theater-receiver-3d-ready-hdmi-airplay/1.html

Dilemina

Thanks guys. Appreciate the input. Is there anything I should look out for with used and refurbished receivers? What's the deal with Sony? I thought their stuff usually was pretty good quality. Is this not the case regarding receivers?

felipe

Dilemina wrote: »

Thanks guys. Appreciate the input. Is there anything I should look out for with used and refurbished receivers? What's the deal with Sony? I thought their stuff usually was pretty good quality. Is this not the case regarding receivers?

I'm using Sony's 850 AVR...no problems yet. Like cnh said, crossing over at 80hz will lighten the load on the AVR allowing more headroom. I got mine crossed over at 100hz..but I'm using dual subs with bookies. You should have no problems with the 740 .

PSOVLSK

I wouldn't necessarily recommend used on the AVR, but on the speakers it's a great way to go. Most likely you'll have a chance to look them over and hopefully hear them before buying.

BTW, great deal on the Marantz that rpf65 linked.

I'll agree with a couple of others who have recommend something other than a 5.1 setup, but I'll throw out another option if you feel as though you really want 5.1. Grab a pair of R15 or similar for surround duty. You can probably get them for $50 or so.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ele/5042402810.html

devani

I would stick with new receivers unless you know the previous owner....the speakers that I have can be had for $500 roughly...RTi6, CSi5 FXi3

The key is to match all speakers with same series like I did.

the space that you have is very similar to mine and it will do fine....it took me a few years to find the right sub which I am very happy now....VTF-3 really sounds great

chumlie

You may want to take a look at Pioneer '' Andrew Jones Design '' speaker. I have had the TSi 400's & the 100's. Prefer the Pioneers so much I gave the Polk's to my Son.

WLDock

PM Sent, if you want to "up" your game!

EndersShadow

@Dilemina

Dont know where he is or where you are.. but this is a decent deal...

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/209-audio-gear/2051370-polk-rti8-polk-rti4.html