Your video on the CSS Criton 1TDx KIT - really turned me onto that path forward. A LOT of production stuff in that price range seems to be lacking. Thanks for leading this dialogue in audio. I really appreciate what you've created out here and for the community. =)
Thank God, more of these full 5.1 reviews. At least just the 5.1 speakers. No one does that. It's always from the 2 channel perspective and home theater people are left to decipher whether it would be good for home theater.
I actually appreciate you more and more. I seem to come across so many snobs in this HI-FI segment. So many snobs. Everyone has a budget. On forums, people stating their budget ($2000-$4000) and there are always the specialists: "yeah, I don't think we can do anything with that budget". Really? If that's the man's budget and he wants to listen to his music, you can't recommend something that sounds good enough? What does it even mean that the budget is "too low". It's too low to listen to music or is it too low to be able to buy a system and then start acting like a snob? I listen on a $200 pair of speakers and I enjoy my music. It sounds good. Can I improve on it? definitely. But is it good enough for me at the moment? Absolutely. Also, I do have reservations when it comes to "hi-fi specialists". They seem to be like wine experts. Most of them can't even tell apart a cheap vs an incredibly expensive wine. But they have "incredibly sensitive taste". Yeah. Seems that Audiophile doesn't mean you're passionate about music, it means you're obsessed with paying a lot of money for hardware.
Doesn't matter if it's a budget sounding system or not, when you experience your first home theatre setup... you're gonna love It! But mind, you once the novelty wears off that's when you're ears will start to be attracted to all the unwanted noise and this is where the rabbit hole begins 😧
Randy! I totally agree with your picks here. I am running the Sonys as the right and left with the Emotiva C1+ and they work great together! I also have an Emotiva SE8 sub up front to supply the BOOM. The surrounds I'm running a pair on Polk TSi 100 and a pair of Realistic Minimus 7 on the ceiling for the Atmos channels. These speakers are powered by a great Onkyo TX-NR636 that I got from a friend who has a newer unit. So, yes a HT sound system can be built on a small budget. Thanks for all of your efforts!!! All great info on every vid! Addition: As soon as I can earn the money and they are back in stock I plan to change out the Sony SS-CS5 speakers for a pair of Emotiva B1+ to match my C1+ center speaker. Hopefully, it will be a worthwhile expenditure. I'm also eyeing the T-Zero towers by Emotiva, but they are 4 ohm.
Installed the Emotiva T-Zero towers. Why did I wait so long?! What an upgrade. I also have been trying some "room treatment" to absorbe echos and reflections for the walls. The treatment has made a fantastic improvement in definition from each speaker. Gotta keep working on more and proper treatment.
I might add that live concert DVDs sound spectacular in 5.1 Dolby Digital. That's why I first got into surround sound audio, for concerts from my favorite msuicians, and it's still my main reason for having it. I'm fine with having only stereo sound for TV and movies, but concert DVDs in full surround sound are amazing!
Good Afternoon Randy! I ended up buying the Costco Klipsch 5.1 Home Theatre System along with a Yamaha RX-V385 all for under $700 bucks. Be advised… Costco no linger sells the 5.1 Home Theatre System. They decided to stay with the Klipsch Reference Dolby Atmos Surround System which is $899.99. But even at that price it’s a Steal! Which I think I will pick them up Next Year.
Randy, love the options you shared. Lots of good stuff to look at. There is also a Jamo Home Theater deal that pops up every once in a while. Two S809 towers, an S81 Center and two S801 bookshelves. Sounds pretty solid. Sometimes they even throw in the Jamo S 810 Sub 10 for the same $399. Great way to get lots of decent speakers and get into the hobby. It works great for my basement setup. Keep up the great work. Love your channel.
I was just going to say that you can get a good Jamo system with a budget receiver less than $1000. Here in the EU I often find great sales for Jamo home theater sets. Also, in my opinion, their speakers have a nice Scandinavian design.
Yes sir, it can be done! Sony STR-DH770 7.2 channel receiver And Bi-amped the Left and Right channels Polk Audio monitor 60 series 2 L/R Polk Audio CS2 series 2 C Klipsch K100SW subwoofer Polk Audio signature S10s RR/RL Mediabridge bannana plugs and wires Monoprice wall mounts $900
Onkyo = yes, Fronts 2 JBLs = yes, Center JBL = why not, 2 Sony surrounds = sure, POLK sub = yes. Not gonna need to upgrade to towers if you run a sub, BUT, if you run a sub, you will do great to get a miniDSP for around 100$ to be able to run your subwoofer through it and EQ out some of the unpleasant room issues (which are most pronounced with bass) and get a low frequency curve you enjoy. Believe me, this made a night and day difference for my room. I even listen to 2 channel on this exact Onkyo receiver (I'm on a budget, don't judge me), admittedly running ELAC Debut Reference as my two mains. I probably don't know any better, but even 2 channel sounds great to me now (space, centre imaging, stage, separation, even some depth). If you don't want to play around with the miniDSP, be sure to place your subwoofer VERY CLOSE to the listening position (trust me, I do this even with miniDSP, it just makes bass super tactile = you can feel it rather than hear it).
Back before TV went digital, audiophiles like myself who didn't have stereo tv's (expensive), we would get true high fidelity & stereo sound BH connecting our VCR and using its tuner. Video out into the TV set and Audio out into an amp or receiver. I remember being so intrigues and almost hypnotized by the increased audio subtleties. When someone got out of bed you could hear the sound of the sheets coming off them. On late night talk shows, often the movie starlets has beaded earrings and you would sit there rooting and waiting for their heads to turn, so you could hear their earring beads chatter. You entirely missed what they were saying because your attention was riveted on the earring sound. When a guest came on with squeaky shoes, you could hear it. I missed the plots of many TV shows and movies. Listening for the plopping sound of the lottery balls bouncing around in the glass enclosure was also a treat. If I played the lottery that day I'd sometimes miss what the lottery number actually was. When I was in Pennsylvania once they fixed the lottery by weighting down the balls with sand inside so that only the 3 balls that were supposed to pop up high enough to go into the vacuum would come up. They busted a bunch of guys including the moderator who previously was master of ceremonies for Bowling For Dollars. They all spent time in jail. The newly discovered high fidelity popping sounds of the balls were substandard that day I bet. I don't bother hooking anything like that up anymore. I view watching TV as a visual experience and distractions like earring chatter doesn't interest me anymore somehow.
I love my Onkyo 393. Cheap, sounds great, just works. Be advised, those centre/surround clips are TIGHT! It will take 14 AWG, but just barely. Other than that minor issue, it's a tremendous value. Also have the Sonys for the front L/R. I bought the matching Fluance Reference Centre/L/R combo, but the Sonys sounded better up front, and the Fluance are excellent as surround. Thanks for all the help, Randy. Your knowledge is as vast as your t-shirt collection.
CSS uses Audtek internal wiring in their speakers. They use the in wall verion of Audtek's OFC cable. You can get Audited regular cable clear vinyl on Amazon 100 feet for $60 plus shipping in 12 gauge. They also make an in wall model. I wired my HT system with Audtek in wall 4/14 cable at $72 for 100 feet plus ten bucks shipping. Just pair two 14 AWG wires together (Actual 11 AWG combined) and it was very nice. Good articulation on the voices. I also tried it in my two channel system and it performed well.
Much appreciated info! As an old dude, I got a center channel speaker because I was missing dialogue due to some hearing loss. It made a huge difference! It's a different brand from the mains. Not sure I could catch a mismatch of timbre with my ears. My 14 yr old Labrador has not complained, but she barely hears the sound of kibble pouring into the bowl these days.🐾
I had an Onkyo 5.1 receiver about 5 years ago. It had Dolby True HD and dts Master Audio decoders. I previously had a 2005 [?] Sony 5.1 receiver which gave up. The improvement in sound quality with the Onkyo was quite noticeable. Onkyo receivers are a lot of bang for the buck
I got an insignia 5.1 , it's the first real surround system I've had and I paid 70 used. All these years I've used the optical connection but just recently have started to use the HDMI arc . My bluray player is capable of dolby true HD and DTS master HD, the movies I've watched so many times sound so much better . I'm looking to add a subwoofer to my setup and maybe some polk side speakers
Sounds like me and you are on the same path with audio and HT. I think my 1st HT was 1995 or 1997! I Have had it every way you can do it over the years. People ask me what are the best speakers to get, I tell them the ones you can afford. Implementation and setup are WAY more important than all that other jazz. Get the setup down first then get the fancy equipment when you can afford it. Only after all these years could I finally set up a proper 7.2.4 system, but that does not mean I didn't enjoy all the tossed-together ones I had in the past, because they were set up properly. Finally, I have a timber-matched set of seven ground speakers (Six Elac Debut 2.0 Towers, and the C6.2 Center), Four ceiling speakers (Polk OWM3's), and two Subwoofers (SVS PB1000 Pro's). Also, the first time I have been able to go separates with a Marantz AV7705 and five Emotiva BasX amps (four A-300's and an A-500)
Randy, great video! I started in Home Theater about the same time you did. My first system was a Kenwood Dolby Pro-logic 5.1set up. The first movie I ran through it was Speed and the opening scene when the elevator was falling had me hooked when I heard it coming at me in every direction. 5.1 + Atmos is perfectly acceptable
Great video and options for someone wanting to get into home theater. You can always upgrade or start with a 3 channel and work up. I think the center channel is the most important part of a home theater system. Hearing the voices clearly is more important than the sound effects which all the other channels provide.
I have used the Sony SACS9 subwoofer (the matching sub to the SSCS5’s) in both a single unit and dual unit configuration, and it is a wonderful unit. Especially if you can find it on sale for $100. I have two of them in a relatively budget oriented home theater setup and I couldn’t be happier.
Check my home theater. Everything I got from Goodwill. I know its old but, no joke, it's way better than those home theaters-in-a-box deals. Denon AVR486 - $20 ... Receiver Polk S4 - $9 ... Front Pioneer cs-x580 - $12 ... Rear Kef PSW1150 - $20 ... Subwoofer Kenwood CRS300 - $4 ... Center I will eventually upgrade. the weakest link is the center channel. thinking of the JBL Stage A135C
Great setup suggestions. Between pets and my kid thinking every horizontal surface is a place to set a glass, I just can't justify dropping big $$$'s on my living room HT. I'd much rather enjoy the sound than be the gear police.
Now that the B1+ and C1+ have been discontinued, what do you recommend for matching center and bookshelf pairing for around that price range? I’ve been having trouble finding anything that matches that has a 3-way center for that $600-800 (total bookshelves + center) price range.
I bought 4 pioneer bs22lr and a matching center for 240$ total then snagged a pioneer vsx lx103 on sale when the lx104 came out for 250$ then picked up a jamo sub on amazon for 120$ making my 5.1 come in at 620$ after tax. Currently peicing together and elac reference 5.1 which will end up being *alot* more.
Good stuff, Randy! TCL is the real deal, most bang for buck! I got into Home Theater back in 2000; 36" Sony XBR400 flat front tube set($2,000), a 5.2 Sony STR-930DB receiver($599), two Acoustic Research 8" subs($500), a set of Infinity speakers($1200), Sony DVD player($350), 2 Monster sub cables($60), AudioQuest optical cable($79), 75 feet 10AWG OFC speaker cable($75), AudioQuest component video RGB cable($99).............I was rockin' the hell out of my little NYC apartment! I still have most of that stuff, except for the TV. After we moved to TX, in 2009 I graduated to an 11.2 Onkyo receiver and 50" Panasonic plasma flat screen(nice!), but the receiver gave out after 2.5 years(2 year warranty!). Now I have scaled down to 2.2 channel Home Theater, much easier, in addition to 2 channel audio............................
So now you've scaled-down to a 2.2 setup, was that because of Convenience, finances or something or do you just prefer the dialogue coming out of the stereos.
That was great! Since I started checking out your content some months back I've hoped you'd cover some home theatre stuff eventually. That's really at the core of my interest in speakers. I've been looking for a good "CheapAudioMan but for home theatre" for a while and I'd love it if it were just this channel.
what I got: Onkyo txsr494 $200; NHT Superzero spkrs and center channel spkr $275; two monoprice and acoustic audio subs $160; Sony BD player $65; Sony tv $230. Total a little over $900.
Home theater is dependent on audio, so you are still the cheap Audio Man! I’m sure these set ups that you demonstrated are way better than the all in one kits one can get from a local retailer. Great review!
I would agree, mixing the font and centre speakers makes little difference. You will not notice it. It’s kinda worth having similar power requirements to take some stress from the receiver, otherwise I think you are good to go. I’m unsure if you need to match the ohm of the speaker or not though. As for the sub I’m actually using a q acoustics 7060. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s under my sofa, where I sit and it is so much immersive than my previous much more expensive sub which needed to go in the corner of the room.
I have heard 5 ch. Theater sound as good as Dolby Atmos in my years... and "Home Theater Nirvana" can be achieved with room acoustics tuning, and speaker placement. I would also pay much attention to my center... (most important) speaker choice.... ;)
Wow, my Pioneer elite and all kef 7 speaker setup only cost me $90, and it was another $30 for the velodyne 12" sub... man, those clotshot sure filled the thrift stores with amazing deals.
i've noticed that you can buy used home theater receivers dirt cheap. iof you don't need the latest you can easily find a beast of receiver for under $100.
They are hard to find now, but I got the pioneer Andrew Jones speakers. $260($130x2) for the front floor standing speakers, $100 for the center, $100 for the pair of bookshelves for the rear. I purchased a klipsch r-12sw for $179 at Costco. Paired with your receiver total cost lands at $969 or just over $1000 with tax and sounds great. I want to upgrade the center ro your recommendation though, as this once is a little weak and I have to up the gain on it quite a bit for dialogue.
5.1.2 for less than 1200€: Sony dtr 1080 Amp, Sony bluray 800x something, second hand kef kht 3001 - 4 Satellite, 1 center, second hand kef 2001 as Atmos. Yamaha Subwoofer. Was 'bout 1200€ all included.
I'm running a 5.2. If I were running a 5.1 with a used center channel, I'd be under $1000 Denon s510bt avr $229 Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II (towers) $390/pair Polk Audio Monitor 30 Series II (surrounds) (no longer manufactured but can be bought off Ebay for $139.49/pair) Polk Audio CS1 Series II (center) $115 2 Klipsch R-12SW Subwoofers $400 pair
The C1+ is now $350 instead of $250 and the CS5’s are now $200 per pair, so even more! So those would be $400 + 350, so $750 for the five speakers. Also the JBL 130’s are no longer available…. Just now I put my system together and it is 4 KEF Q150’s ($550 for the two pairs), Q250C ($450, ouch, but still just $100 more than the Emotiva and it matches). Then I went a bit upscale for a $450 SVS PB 1000 with the isolation feet, and a $400 receiver. So I’m at about $2k for my system. I think yours now would be $1230, so definitely some difference. But hopefully my KEF Q150’s would beat out the Sony’s significantly in quality, same for the SVS vs Polk like you mentioned. Either way, decent overall. Hopefully this can last me like 10 years!
Randy, would love to see a follow-up on Aiyima products. Could you do a review with at least this combo in it: the new Aiyima A08 and Aiyima T6 Pro combo (w/ GE or other tubes).
Hey Randy- thanks for your content. I’m just starting my audiophile and home theater interest so wondered if you have a forthcoming update with the latest recommendation for home theater CHEAPLY. 😊 I bought a pair of the ELAC UNIFI UB52 thanks to your recommendation and wished I would have watched your 2023 best speaker video, first. Watch and learn, I suppose. Please let me know if there is a refresh coming soon!
I bought my friend's old AVR Pioneer SX-LX57 and and some 5.1 "speakers". They are so bad and the cabinet is paper-thin. I am going to do something about the speakers to help them along a bit, but it was all for 700 USD.
I have an old gretch bookshelf speaker as my center speaker it just hides behind my TV and fires up. I have made my whole system with all used speakers and I love it for being a system I have spent only about 200 total on
The centre channel voice matching issue is not as important in this scenario due to price constraints. But I must admit, it drives me nuts when I see a $10K Cinema set up with massive L/R speakers (10"W. M/T Compression driver) and the centre channel is a 5" duo with a dome tweeter??? For real? There's a reason THX specifies ALL the same speakers up front. :-) As for getting a bang for your buck, have you done a video on buying used equipment? Last summer I picked up (1) VSX D1S, (1) VSX52, (2) Multi CD Players all for $250 CAD. The following week, I picked up a VSX56TXi Elite (WITH original remote, which seems to be a thing...) a pair of Klipsch SB2 and an RPW10 for $400 CAD.....I wanted to get an extra amp for my cinema room, I had budgeted $500. All three receivers have Pre-ins and Pre-outs...so I got my "Amps" plus speakers for about the same budget..LOL. Great work btw. Cheers
I absolutely agree.... The center ch. speaker has to do waay more than the L. R. Speakers..... It is really the most important speaker of all 5/7/9 or 11 channels you're running. :)
I challenge you to take on the Technical Pro RX45BT Any experensia with that one? I just now clicked buy it now on the ebays and dont know what to expect. Noone has actually reviewed it on youtube yet. I have no idea how it will sound compaired to my yahamas or pioneers and even my cheap RCAs and emerson ones. I have no idea if it will totally suck or rock but I would love to see it on this channel.
at 5:12, what do you mean by "it didn't sound very good, did it" ? do you mean to say that the sound this Onkyo produced sucked? that wouldn't be very supportive of the "under 1K$ HT system" idea :( (or am I missing a joke here?)
So, I currently have a 2-channel amp with SS-CS5 speakers on stands (per your recommendation) I'm looking to use the Onkyo to expand to 3.0 or 3.1. Is the SS-CS8 that bad as a center channel for the $90 that it can be found right now? Would the JBL Stage 125 be that much better? Or should I just save up and hold out for the Emotiva? Thanks!
I feel like "atmus" is the southern way of saying atmos lol. I agree, getting a center that doesn't suck like the c1+ is more important since that's where 80% of sound comes out. I'd probably invest more in the sub to get something like BIC F12 or comparable and see if you can get a cheaper AVR especially refurb/open box ones if possible. I remember the good old days when you could get a Denon S540bt from A4L for like $150 refurb before covid screwed it up lol. I also agree less is more, no need to waste money on getting 7 channel avr and atmos if you're not at like SVS levels of subs as that's going to make you grin more than hearing the occasional helicopter fly over especially with how hit or miss a soundtrack can be hence why "atmouse" is commonly coined for Disney movies.
That didn't suck at all. Is it best to use the optical input connected to the tv output, or I should I take the audio off the HDMI input? Anywho, I just need a receiver and your "input" from this video was great. Arigato~ (Edit for grammar)
We need more cheap home theater man videos! I need a little help deciding my upgrade from budget home theater setup, looking at Fluance reference XL8F's or Polk S55's with matching other channels. What would be a better choice?
My personal experience is that upgrading a centre speaker makes very little difference. I'd spend the money on a bigger sub-woofer or a second smaller sub-woofer instead.
Thanks for all your great videos. Well, hopefully the JBL Stage 125 Center and JBL Stage A130 are the Timber match. I just ordered 2 pairs of the 130's and the Center. A Klipsch R-120SW is already on the way. I may not need an amp because I think my old Kenwood AV Receiver VR-309 may suffice with the coaxial and optical digital inputs. TV is a 2018 49" TCL 49S515 so it probably has the Atmos capability. I would have to upgrade the amp to HDMI inputs to match. Is Atmos the part that makes the Onkyo TX-SR393 5.2 a 5.2 instead of 5.1 ? Anyone seeing a huge disadvantage of using the old receiver other than the loss of Atmos ? Should I prefer digital coax or digital optical ??
Hi thanks for this! Q. I’m looking at getting the Emotiva C1+ or C2+ centre channel but not sure if the C2 price hike is worth it? Have you listened / compared these. I’m kinda on a budget. Looking for best bang for the buck. So my new setup once everything comes back into stock would be: Receiver: Onkyo TX-RZ50 Sub: RSL Speedwoofer 10s L/R: Emotiva B1+ Center: either C1+ or C2+ I’m going to use old Bose Acuoustimass for sides, rear and atmos as I’ve heard spending more money on those is not worth it. Thoughts on this setup? Is there something I’m missing or should swap out? Thanks
Have you ever looked into the Energy Take Classic 5.1? It’s a older home theater set up that sold for 600-700 and had rave reviews back in the day. I just saw it’s on Amazon for less that $500 and still people are going crazy over it. Just wondering if you have seen it or thought about doing a video on something like that. It would potentially be another cheap option for people to jump into home theater. I’m actually curious how it stacks up against something like the Jamo S series bookshelf home theater bundle. I totally forgot it was a thing till I saw it on Facebook market place for $50. So I picked it up to use as side and rear surrounds for my current home theater (Klipsch Rp6000f’s and RP250c). Only snagged it due to price and since Klipsch owns/owned Energy.
SSCS5 are never at that price here in Europe. but i promise if they ever cost under €100 i will buy 3 pairs. and I will put a sticker with CheapAudioMan face on them xD
I found your channel a few weeks ago. I love it. You speak to my frugal side. A question about disregarding timber match on the front 3, I read somewhere that it's a good idea to match the type of tweeter at least. Good advice or do you have any for someone who wants to mix match the front soundstage?
I can see that. It’s a good idea to match how they sound… the Sony’s and JBLs could get away with the emotivas if that makes sense because they sound similar. But those would all be different tweeter types
Wats better the jbl setup or emotiva setup for a mid size room just to watch movies or do I buy the Sony instead I dont mind paying more if there worth it?
@@cheapaudioman I have the sonys and can't believe how good they are for the price. Been thinking about picking up the jamo S09 gloorstanding speakers. Be nice if the bundle was the white ones
I have a good working AV Receiver and a nice SVS sub already. But I'm still running the old Andrew Jones pioneer FS52s and matching center. I'd like to upgrade my front three speakers to something more midrange. What would you recommend for those three speakers at around $600? I'm considering: 1. Elac db6.2 and center 2. Emotiva b1s and center and 3. Elac UB52s and center (I've heard you rave on those, but would they be good for home theater?) and honestly would any of these be a noticeable step up from the towers I have already? I'm plagued by indecision on this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
@Douglas Blake yah, the center speaker of the pioneer series is kinda muddy and weak compared to the towers. I definitely don't want to spend money for a lateral upgrade to the elacs. I wondered if the unfi series would be a substantial improvement but still good for home theater usage.
Randy, for 2.0 channel music listening, which one you reckon would perform better, this onkyo, sony dh190 or the smsl da-9? Is the onkyo up to par with a budget 2 channel amp?
Buying a proper amp kit from parts express. I built a 500w monoblock for right under 300$ that also has sub pre out. So 500w monoblock with 2.1 output under 300$. Check out toidsdiyaudio for the video.
Question - why spend so much on a new receiver? Receivers are ample on the used market for a steal. You can get models that are a few years old for a fraction of the price that still have features like ARC, lossless audio, Bluetooth, room correction, etc. I just picked up a Pioneer VSX832 for $50 on Craigslist and I fail to see how that's any worse than most of the ones that are $300 new. Another $250 to put towards your fronts will take things up a huge notch. Seems a little silly not to pour most of your funds into the best fronts you can and upgrade the rest going forward, and especially just make due without a sub until you can save up $300+ for a decent one. That Polk really isn't that good.
I have the Sony's for my FL FR and the matching center. I'm not a fan of the center, its underwhelming. I recently upgraded my receiver to the new Onkyo TX-NR6050 running a 5.1.2. I want to upgrade all the speakers but the atmo speakers that are in ceiling KEF speakers. I basically only watch movies, any recommendations for the best theater speakers? Like the look of the emotivas and the ribbon tweeter but they are mostly 4 ohm speakers and I'm afraid that a budget receiver will struggle to push them.
Can we get a review of the AIYIMA TPA3116 Power Amplifier ($149) I watched your video on making a hifi system for sub-$350, and I've watched this video... both SEVERAL times. Went to Aiyima to snag the bits and bobs you mentioned, and found the 5.1 home theater amplifier. I'm pulling the trigger just so i don't possibly miss out, but I'd like to know your opinion on it, for my own sanity lol
I would suggest coughing for a good sub and breaking the limit. RSL makes the Speedwoofer, which is pretty damned good and extends down to 22Hz for $425 or so. Emotiva makes a good’n too in the SE12 for $399. The Polk is all boom and not great. It will just end up as ewaste, which it is out of the factory
I hope one day you can review the Marantz PM6006 integrated amplifier (or the newer pm6007) that way i could make better sense of your reviews cause i have the 6006 paired with elac debut 2.0 b6.2 Also attention!! Marantz has increased prices!! NR1200 is now 699 i have one that has maybe 20 hours of use, all accessories and ill take $500 cold cash but you will have come to Missouri to get it in person. Might be willing to ship for bitcoin or ethereum
They do have the whole 5.1.2 set on Amazon for $868! I have only heard the SSCS5's but for that money, I bet they sound great! Sony CS-Series speakers bundle: SSCS3 Floor-Standing Speaker (2), SSCSE Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers, SACS9 Subwoofer, SSCS8 Center Channel Speaker, and SSCS5 Bookshelf Speaker System
Your video on the CSS Criton 1TDx KIT - really turned me onto that path forward. A LOT of production stuff in that price range seems to be lacking. Thanks for leading this dialogue in audio. I really appreciate what you've created out here and for the community. =)
Thank God, more of these full 5.1 reviews. At least just the 5.1 speakers. No one does that. It's always from the 2 channel perspective and home theater people are left to decipher whether it would be good for home theater.
I actually appreciate you more and more.
I seem to come across so many snobs in this HI-FI segment. So many snobs.
Everyone has a budget. On forums, people stating their budget ($2000-$4000) and there are always the specialists: "yeah, I don't think we can do anything with that budget". Really? If that's the man's budget and he wants to listen to his music, you can't recommend something that sounds good enough? What does it even mean that the budget is "too low". It's too low to listen to music or is it too low to be able to buy a system and then start acting like a snob?
I listen on a $200 pair of speakers and I enjoy my music. It sounds good. Can I improve on it? definitely. But is it good enough for me at the moment? Absolutely.
Also, I do have reservations when it comes to "hi-fi specialists". They seem to be like wine experts. Most of them can't even tell apart a cheap vs an incredibly expensive wine. But they have "incredibly sensitive taste". Yeah.
Seems that Audiophile doesn't mean you're passionate about music, it means you're obsessed with paying a lot of money for hardware.
Doesn't matter if it's a budget sounding system or not, when you experience your first home theatre setup... you're gonna love It!
But mind, you once the novelty wears off that's when you're ears will start to be attracted to all the unwanted noise and this is where the rabbit hole begins 😧
Randy! I totally agree with your picks here. I am running the Sonys as the right and left with the Emotiva C1+ and they work great together! I also have an Emotiva SE8 sub up front to supply the BOOM. The surrounds I'm running a pair on Polk TSi 100 and a pair of Realistic Minimus 7 on the ceiling for the Atmos channels. These speakers are powered by a great Onkyo TX-NR636 that I got from a friend who has a newer unit. So, yes a HT sound system can be built on a small budget. Thanks for all of your efforts!!! All great info on every vid!
Addition: As soon as I can earn the money and they are back in stock I plan to change out the Sony SS-CS5 speakers for a pair of Emotiva B1+ to match my C1+ center speaker. Hopefully, it will be a worthwhile expenditure. I'm also eyeing the T-Zero towers by Emotiva, but they are 4 ohm.
Installed the Emotiva T-Zero towers. Why did I wait so long?! What an upgrade. I also have been trying some "room treatment" to absorbe echos and reflections for the walls. The treatment has made a fantastic improvement in definition from each speaker. Gotta keep working on more and proper treatment.
I might add that live concert DVDs sound spectacular in 5.1 Dolby Digital. That's why I first got into surround sound audio, for concerts from my favorite msuicians, and it's still my main reason for having it. I'm fine with having only stereo sound for TV and movies, but concert DVDs in full surround sound are amazing!
Good Afternoon Randy! I ended up buying the Costco Klipsch 5.1 Home Theatre System along with a Yamaha RX-V385 all for under $700 bucks. Be advised… Costco no linger sells the 5.1 Home Theatre System. They decided to stay with the Klipsch Reference Dolby Atmos Surround System which is $899.99. But even at that price it’s a Steal! Which I think I will pick them up Next Year.
Randy, love the options you shared. Lots of good stuff to look at. There is also a Jamo Home Theater deal that pops up every once in a while. Two S809 towers, an S81 Center and two S801 bookshelves. Sounds pretty solid. Sometimes they even throw in the Jamo S 810 Sub 10 for the same $399. Great way to get lots of decent speakers and get into the hobby. It works great for my basement setup. Keep up the great work. Love your channel.
I was just going to say that you can get a good Jamo system with a budget receiver less than $1000. Here in the EU I often find great sales for Jamo home theater sets. Also, in my opinion, their speakers have a nice Scandinavian design.
Yes sir, it can be done!
Sony STR-DH770 7.2 channel receiver And Bi-amped the Left and Right channels
Polk Audio monitor 60 series 2 L/R
Polk Audio CS2 series 2 C
Klipsch K100SW subwoofer
Polk Audio signature S10s RR/RL
Mediabridge bannana plugs and wires
Monoprice wall mounts
$900
Onkyo = yes, Fronts 2 JBLs = yes, Center JBL = why not, 2 Sony surrounds = sure, POLK sub = yes. Not gonna need to upgrade to towers if you run a sub, BUT, if you run a sub, you will do great to get a miniDSP for around 100$ to be able to run your subwoofer through it and EQ out some of the unpleasant room issues (which are most pronounced with bass) and get a low frequency curve you enjoy. Believe me, this made a night and day difference for my room. I even listen to 2 channel on this exact Onkyo receiver (I'm on a budget, don't judge me), admittedly running ELAC Debut Reference as my two mains. I probably don't know any better, but even 2 channel sounds great to me now (space, centre imaging, stage, separation, even some depth). If you don't want to play around with the miniDSP, be sure to place your subwoofer VERY CLOSE to the listening position (trust me, I do this even with miniDSP, it just makes bass super tactile = you can feel it rather than hear it).
Back before TV went digital, audiophiles like myself who didn't have stereo tv's (expensive), we would get true high fidelity & stereo sound BH connecting our VCR and using its tuner. Video out into the TV set and Audio out into an amp or receiver. I remember being so intrigues and almost hypnotized by the increased audio subtleties. When someone got out of bed you could hear the sound of the sheets coming off them. On late night talk shows, often the movie starlets has beaded earrings and you would sit there rooting and waiting for their heads to turn, so you could hear their earring beads chatter. You entirely missed what they were saying because your attention was riveted on the earring sound. When a guest came on with squeaky shoes, you could hear it. I missed the plots of many TV shows and movies. Listening for the plopping sound of the lottery balls bouncing around in the glass enclosure was also a treat. If I played the lottery that day I'd sometimes miss what the lottery number actually was. When I was in Pennsylvania once they fixed the lottery by weighting down the balls with sand inside so that only the 3 balls that were supposed to pop up high enough to go into the vacuum would come up. They busted a bunch of guys including the moderator who previously was master of ceremonies for Bowling For Dollars. They all spent time in jail. The newly discovered high fidelity popping sounds of the balls were substandard that day I bet.
I don't bother hooking anything like that up anymore. I view watching TV as a visual experience and distractions like earring chatter doesn't interest me anymore somehow.
I love my Onkyo 393. Cheap, sounds great, just works. Be advised, those centre/surround clips are TIGHT! It will take 14 AWG, but just barely. Other than that minor issue, it's a tremendous value. Also have the Sonys for the front L/R. I bought the matching Fluance Reference Centre/L/R combo, but the Sonys sounded better up front, and the Fluance are excellent as surround. Thanks for all the help, Randy. Your knowledge is as vast as your t-shirt collection.
CSS uses Audtek internal wiring in their speakers. They use the in wall verion of Audtek's OFC cable. You can get Audited regular cable clear vinyl on Amazon 100 feet for $60 plus shipping in 12 gauge. They also make an in wall model. I wired my HT system with Audtek in wall 4/14 cable at $72 for 100 feet plus ten bucks shipping. Just pair two 14 AWG wires together (Actual 11 AWG combined) and it was very nice. Good articulation on the voices. I also tried it in my two channel system and it performed well.
We just purchased a Denon which is replacing aNAD 30years old. Sounds good 😊
Much appreciated info! As an old dude, I got a center channel speaker because I was missing dialogue due to some hearing loss. It made a huge difference! It's a different brand from the mains. Not sure I could catch a mismatch of timbre with my ears. My 14 yr old Labrador has not complained, but she barely hears the sound of kibble pouring into the bowl these days.🐾
I had an Onkyo 5.1 receiver about 5 years ago. It had Dolby True HD and dts Master Audio decoders. I previously had a 2005 [?] Sony 5.1 receiver which gave up. The improvement in sound quality with the Onkyo was quite noticeable. Onkyo receivers are a lot of bang for the buck
I got an insignia 5.1 , it's the first real surround system I've had and I paid 70 used. All these years I've used the optical connection but just recently have started to use the HDMI arc . My bluray player is capable of dolby true HD and DTS master HD, the movies I've watched so many times sound so much better . I'm looking to add a subwoofer to my setup and maybe some polk side speakers
This is a great video especially for those just getting started or want a 2nd system. Totally appreciate the luv for usl 2 channel AND H.T. fans !!!
The way you cut the intro short on this one made me literally laugh out loud. I don't even know why. I just love your stuff, Randy. Thanks.
Sounds like me and you are on the same path with audio and HT. I think my 1st HT was 1995 or 1997! I Have had it every way you can do it over the years. People ask me what are the best speakers to get, I tell them the ones you can afford. Implementation and setup are WAY more important than all that other jazz. Get the setup down first then get the fancy equipment when you can afford it. Only after all these years could I finally set up a proper 7.2.4 system, but that does not mean I didn't enjoy all the tossed-together ones I had in the past, because they were set up properly. Finally, I have a timber-matched set of seven ground speakers (Six Elac Debut 2.0 Towers, and the C6.2 Center), Four ceiling speakers (Polk OWM3's), and two Subwoofers (SVS PB1000 Pro's). Also, the first time I have been able to go separates with a Marantz AV7705 and five Emotiva BasX amps (four A-300's and an A-500)
Randy, great video! I started in Home Theater about the same time you did. My first system was a Kenwood Dolby Pro-logic 5.1set up. The first movie I ran through it was Speed and the opening scene when the elevator was falling had me hooked when I heard it coming at me in every direction. 5.1 + Atmos is perfectly acceptable
Great video and options for someone wanting to get into home theater. You can always upgrade or start with a 3 channel and work up. I think the center channel is the most important part of a home theater system. Hearing the voices clearly is more important than the sound effects which all the other channels provide.
I have used the Sony SACS9 subwoofer (the matching sub to the SSCS5’s) in both a single unit and dual unit configuration, and it is a wonderful unit. Especially if you can find it on sale for $100. I have two of them in a relatively budget oriented home theater setup and I couldn’t be happier.
Check my home theater. Everything I got from Goodwill. I know its old but, no joke, it's way better than those home theaters-in-a-box deals.
Denon AVR486 - $20 ... Receiver
Polk S4 - $9 ... Front
Pioneer cs-x580 - $12 ... Rear
Kef PSW1150 - $20 ... Subwoofer
Kenwood CRS300 - $4 ... Center
I will eventually upgrade. the weakest link is the center channel. thinking of the JBL Stage A135C
Great job! Terrific choices for a starter system. Please keep the content coming!
Great setup suggestions. Between pets and my kid thinking every horizontal surface is a place to set a glass, I just can't justify dropping big $$$'s on my living room HT. I'd much rather enjoy the sound than be the gear police.
I love it. This is pretty much my setup. Txsr393 and emotiva 5.1. Hard to beat for the price. Good recommendations throughout your video 👍
Very informative and helpful video. I love cheap audio products.
Now that the B1+ and C1+ have been discontinued, what do you recommend for matching center and bookshelf pairing for around that price range? I’ve been having trouble finding anything that matches that has a 3-way center for that $600-800 (total bookshelves + center) price range.
I bought 4 pioneer bs22lr and a matching center for 240$ total then snagged a pioneer vsx lx103 on sale when the lx104 came out for 250$ then picked up a jamo sub on amazon for 120$ making my 5.1 come in at 620$ after tax.
Currently peicing together and elac reference 5.1 which will end up being *alot* more.
I could cut a hole in wall for speaker wire connectors on speaker and could also cut hole for port if needed.
Good stuff, Randy! TCL is the real deal, most bang for buck! I got into Home Theater back in 2000; 36" Sony XBR400 flat front tube set($2,000), a 5.2 Sony STR-930DB receiver($599), two Acoustic Research 8" subs($500), a set of Infinity speakers($1200), Sony DVD player($350), 2 Monster sub cables($60), AudioQuest optical cable($79), 75 feet 10AWG OFC speaker cable($75), AudioQuest component video RGB cable($99).............I was rockin' the hell out of my little NYC apartment! I still have most of that stuff, except for the TV. After we moved to TX, in 2009 I graduated to an 11.2 Onkyo receiver and 50" Panasonic plasma flat screen(nice!), but the receiver gave out after 2.5 years(2 year warranty!). Now I have scaled down to 2.2 channel Home Theater, much easier, in addition to 2 channel audio............................
So now you've scaled-down to a 2.2 setup, was that because of Convenience, finances or something or do you just prefer the dialogue coming out of the stereos.
That was great! Since I started checking out your content some months back I've hoped you'd cover some home theatre stuff eventually. That's really at the core of my interest in speakers. I've been looking for a good "CheapAudioMan but for home theatre" for a while and I'd love it if it were just this channel.
Going to have some more home theater focused videos coming soon
what I got: Onkyo txsr494 $200;
NHT Superzero spkrs and center channel spkr $275;
two monoprice and acoustic audio subs $160;
Sony BD player $65;
Sony tv $230.
Total a little over $900.
Home theater is dependent on audio, so you are still the cheap Audio Man! I’m sure these set ups that you demonstrated are way better than the all in one kits one can get from a local retailer. Great review!
I would agree, mixing the font and centre speakers makes little difference. You will not notice it. It’s kinda worth having similar power requirements to take some stress from the receiver, otherwise I think you are good to go. I’m unsure if you need to match the ohm of the speaker or not though.
As for the sub I’m actually using a q acoustics 7060. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s under my sofa, where I sit and it is so much immersive than my previous much more expensive sub which needed to go in the corner of the room.
I have heard 5 ch. Theater sound as good as Dolby Atmos in my years... and "Home Theater Nirvana" can be achieved with room acoustics tuning, and speaker placement.
I would also pay much attention to my center... (most important) speaker choice.... ;)
Wow, my Pioneer elite and all kef 7 speaker setup only cost me $90, and it was another $30 for the velodyne 12" sub... man, those clotshot sure filled the thrift stores with amazing deals.
i've noticed that you can buy used home theater receivers dirt cheap. iof you don't need the latest you can easily find a beast of receiver for under $100.
They are hard to find now, but I got the pioneer Andrew Jones speakers. $260($130x2) for the front floor standing speakers, $100 for the center, $100 for the pair of bookshelves for the rear. I purchased a klipsch r-12sw for $179 at Costco. Paired with your receiver total cost lands at $969 or just over $1000 with tax and sounds great. I want to upgrade the center ro your recommendation though, as this once is a little weak and I have to up the gain on it quite a bit for dialogue.
5.1.2 for less than 1200€: Sony dtr 1080 Amp, Sony bluray 800x something, second hand kef kht 3001 - 4 Satellite, 1 center, second hand kef 2001 as Atmos.
Yamaha Subwoofer. Was 'bout 1200€ all included.
I'm running a 5.2. If I were running a 5.1 with a used center channel, I'd be under $1000
Denon s510bt avr $229
Polk Audio Monitor 60 Series II (towers) $390/pair
Polk Audio Monitor 30 Series II (surrounds) (no longer manufactured but can be bought off Ebay for $139.49/pair)
Polk Audio CS1 Series II (center) $115
2 Klipsch R-12SW Subwoofers $400 pair
The C1+ is now $350 instead of $250 and the CS5’s are now $200 per pair, so even more! So those would be $400 + 350, so $750 for the five speakers. Also the JBL 130’s are no longer available…. Just now I put my system together and it is 4 KEF Q150’s ($550 for the two pairs), Q250C ($450, ouch, but still just $100 more than the Emotiva and it matches). Then I went a bit upscale for a $450 SVS PB 1000 with the isolation feet, and a $400 receiver. So I’m at about $2k for my system. I think yours now would be $1230, so definitely some difference. But hopefully my KEF Q150’s would beat out the Sony’s significantly in quality, same for the SVS vs Polk like you mentioned. Either way, decent overall. Hopefully this can last me like 10 years!
Videophile glasses 🤣. I luv this.
This stuff is on sale right now on Amazon. Just order a pair of the Sony's for $150, the Onkyo for $220, and the polk sub for $100.
Some budget speaks to consider for those looking are the Jamo’s.
Randy, would love to see a follow-up on Aiyima products. Could you do a review with at least this combo in it: the new Aiyima A08 and Aiyima T6 Pro combo (w/ GE or other tubes).
I'm enjoying my 55" 5-series TCL
Hey Randy- thanks for your content. I’m just starting my audiophile and home theater interest so wondered if you have a forthcoming update with the latest recommendation for home theater CHEAPLY. 😊 I bought a pair of the ELAC UNIFI UB52 thanks to your recommendation and wished I would have watched your 2023 best speaker video, first. Watch and learn, I suppose. Please let me know if there is a refresh coming soon!
Great channel! Thank You!
I bought my friend's old AVR Pioneer SX-LX57 and and some 5.1 "speakers". They are so bad and the cabinet is paper-thin. I am going to do something about the speakers to help them along a bit, but it was all for 700 USD.
The Sony's got me in trouble with the Mrs...until she heard them and saw how much they cost.
For like 200$ extra you can upgrade to onkyo tx sr494 7.1 .. gets you 5.1.4 atmos.. add 2 satellite speakers and your golden.
I have an old gretch bookshelf speaker as my center speaker it just hides behind my TV and fires up. I have made my whole system with all used speakers and I love it for being a system I have spent only about 200 total on
I hope you’re going to do a review on the klipsch towers and center :0
Of course
The centre channel voice matching issue is not as important in this scenario due to price constraints. But I must admit, it drives me nuts when I see a $10K Cinema set up with massive L/R speakers (10"W. M/T Compression driver) and the centre channel is a 5" duo with a dome tweeter??? For real? There's a reason THX specifies ALL the same speakers up front. :-)
As for getting a bang for your buck, have you done a video on buying used equipment? Last summer I picked up (1) VSX D1S, (1) VSX52, (2) Multi CD Players all for $250 CAD. The following week, I picked up a VSX56TXi Elite (WITH original remote, which seems to be a thing...) a pair of Klipsch SB2 and an RPW10 for $400 CAD.....I wanted to get an extra amp for my cinema room, I had budgeted $500. All three receivers have Pre-ins and Pre-outs...so I got my "Amps" plus speakers for about the same budget..LOL. Great work btw. Cheers
I absolutely agree....
The center ch. speaker has to do waay more than the L. R. Speakers..... It is really the most important speaker of all 5/7/9 or 11 channels you're running. :)
Great video. Would love to see some recommendations on hooking a HTPC up to a home theater system.
I challenge you to take on the Technical Pro RX45BT
Any experensia with that one?
I just now clicked buy it now on the ebays and dont know what to expect.
Noone has actually reviewed it on youtube yet.
I have no idea how it will sound compaired to my yahamas or pioneers and even my cheap RCAs and emerson ones.
I have no idea if it will totally suck or rock but I would love to see it on this channel.
at 5:12, what do you mean by "it didn't sound very good, did it" ? do you mean to say that the sound this Onkyo produced sucked? that wouldn't be very supportive of the "under 1K$ HT system" idea :( (or am I missing a joke here?)
So, I currently have a 2-channel amp with SS-CS5 speakers on stands (per your recommendation) I'm looking to use the Onkyo to expand to 3.0 or 3.1. Is the SS-CS8 that bad as a center channel for the $90 that it can be found right now? Would the JBL Stage 125 be that much better? Or should I just save up and hold out for the Emotiva? Thanks!
I feel like "atmus" is the southern way of saying atmos lol. I agree, getting a center that doesn't suck like the c1+ is more important since that's where 80% of sound comes out. I'd probably invest more in the sub to get something like BIC F12 or comparable and see if you can get a cheaper AVR especially refurb/open box ones if possible. I remember the good old days when you could get a Denon S540bt from A4L for like $150 refurb before covid screwed it up lol. I also agree less is more, no need to waste money on getting 7 channel avr and atmos if you're not at like SVS levels of subs as that's going to make you grin more than hearing the occasional helicopter fly over especially with how hit or miss a soundtrack can be hence why "atmouse" is commonly coined for Disney movies.
Time for UPDATE. Some of these items aren't available...on Amazon, that is.
That didn't suck at all. Is it best to use the optical input connected to the tv output, or I should I take the audio off the HDMI input?
Anywho, I just need a receiver and your "input" from this video was great. Arigato~ (Edit for grammar)
We need more cheap home theater man videos! I need a little help deciding my upgrade from budget home theater setup, looking at Fluance reference XL8F's or Polk S55's with matching other channels. What would be a better choice?
Those sonys do down to 79 sometimes on Amazon.
Yes.
Heads up! Stage a170 tower is on sale on crutchfield. $360 for a pair.
Realistically if you wanna keep it the most budget oriented your best buying pre owned
Is it worth upgrading from the str-dh590? To the onkyo?
It's 92 here with a feels like of 100... Can it be iced coffee?
I'm having problems getting atmos on my klipsch tower atmos upfirirng height speakers with this receiver
Randy can I use my old Bose 301's for my front right ans left speakers on my home theater sound system?
I bought my Onkyo RT-393, 5.1, with Onkyo speakers for 300 euros.
My personal experience is that upgrading a centre speaker makes very little difference. I'd spend the money on a bigger sub-woofer or a second smaller sub-woofer instead.
Thanks for all your great videos.
Well, hopefully the JBL Stage 125 Center and JBL Stage A130 are the Timber match.
I just ordered 2 pairs of the 130's and the Center.
A Klipsch R-120SW is already on the way.
I may not need an amp because I think my old Kenwood AV Receiver VR-309 may suffice with the coaxial and optical digital inputs.
TV is a 2018 49" TCL 49S515 so it probably has the Atmos capability.
I would have to upgrade the amp to HDMI inputs to match. Is Atmos the part that makes the Onkyo TX-SR393 5.2 a 5.2 instead of 5.1 ?
Anyone seeing a huge disadvantage of using the old receiver other than the loss of Atmos ? Should I prefer digital coax or digital optical ??
Hi thanks for this!
Q. I’m looking at getting the Emotiva C1+ or C2+ centre channel but not sure if the C2 price hike is worth it? Have you listened / compared these. I’m kinda on a budget. Looking for best bang for the buck.
So my new setup once everything comes back into stock would be:
Receiver: Onkyo TX-RZ50
Sub: RSL Speedwoofer 10s
L/R: Emotiva B1+
Center: either C1+ or C2+
I’m going to use old Bose Acuoustimass for sides, rear and atmos as I’ve heard spending more money on those is not worth it.
Thoughts on this setup? Is there something I’m missing or should swap out?
Thanks
Have you ever looked into the Energy Take Classic 5.1? It’s a older home theater set up that sold for 600-700 and had rave reviews back in the day. I just saw it’s on Amazon for less that $500 and still people are going crazy over it. Just wondering if you have seen it or thought about doing a video on something like that. It would potentially be another cheap option for people to jump into home theater. I’m actually curious how it stacks up against something like the Jamo S series bookshelf home theater bundle. I totally forgot it was a thing till I saw it on Facebook market place for $50. So I picked it up to use as side and rear surrounds for my current home theater (Klipsch Rp6000f’s and RP250c). Only snagged it due to price and since Klipsch owns/owned Energy.
Great video but I gave a question. I get an ax amp by mistake and i wanted to know if there was a way to connect it to an av reciever.
SSCS5 are never at that price here in Europe. but i promise if they ever cost under €100 i will buy 3 pairs. and I will put a sticker with CheapAudioMan face on them xD
Trying to decide on using either my Cerwin Vega D-2's or my pair of Definitive Tech BP6's for front speakers...any thoughts?
I have a question on the Sony’s, Could I get away with mounting these directly onto the wall right & left of the screen ?
I found your channel a few weeks ago. I love it. You speak to my frugal side. A question about disregarding timber match on the front 3, I read somewhere that it's a good idea to match the type of tweeter at least. Good advice or do you have any for someone who wants to mix match the front soundstage?
I can see that. It’s a good idea to match how they sound… the Sony’s and JBLs could get away with the emotivas if that makes sense because they sound similar. But those would all be different tweeter types
Wats better the jbl setup or emotiva setup for a mid size room just to watch movies or do I buy the Sony instead I dont mind paying more if there worth it?
How about a jamo S09 bundle? With the s03 bookshelves and s3 center? Saw a package deal at adorama for $400 bucks
Yeah. I should have mentioned those. The Sony’s and JBL’s are a bit more “refined” than the Jamos. Jamos sound great thought
@@cheapaudioman I have the sonys and can't believe how good they are for the price. Been thinking about picking up the jamo S09 gloorstanding speakers. Be nice if the bundle was the white ones
Is timber matching that much of a deal?
maybe on your front 3. outside of that I don't see the point. but others would argue
Eagerly waiting for the "under $500 version of this". Yes, I'm poor. :)
Get the Logitech Z906 when they are on sale at 200, nothing beats at that price in my opinion and souns pretty good
Hello does anyone know how would this Onkyo TXSR319 compare to an old Marantz MR 1504?
You should get a hold of a White Van Scam home theater system and do a serious review on it 😂
what about a set of behringers truth 2030a at $150 dollars on sale? can you test that against sony?
I have a good working AV Receiver and a nice SVS sub already. But I'm still running the old Andrew Jones pioneer FS52s and matching center. I'd like to upgrade my front three speakers to something more midrange. What would you recommend for those three speakers at around $600?
I'm considering: 1. Elac db6.2 and center 2. Emotiva b1s and center and 3. Elac UB52s and center (I've heard you rave on those, but would they be good for home theater?) and honestly would any of these be a noticeable step up from the towers I have already?
I'm plagued by indecision on this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
The elac is the way to go IMO.
@@TonicofSonic thanks for the reply. Elac debut 6.2 or the elac ub52?
@Douglas Blake yah, the center speaker of the pioneer series is kinda muddy and weak compared to the towers. I definitely don't want to spend money for a lateral upgrade to the elacs. I wondered if the unfi series would be a substantial improvement but still good for home theater usage.
@Douglas Blake thanks!
This Onkyo TX-SR393 or Yamaha RX-V385? Any appreciable difference? I can get either model refurbished for around 240 right now.
Randy, for 2.0 channel music listening, which one you reckon would perform better, this onkyo, sony dh190 or the smsl da-9? Is the onkyo up to par with a budget 2 channel amp?
Buying a proper amp kit from parts express. I built a 500w monoblock for right under 300$ that also has sub pre out. So 500w monoblock with 2.1 output under 300$. Check out toidsdiyaudio for the video.
If it’s just for two channel go with the Sony or the da9. The da9 is very good with the SBD eq. And they’re both cheaper than the onkyo
Onkyo at $219, should I run at this?
Question - why spend so much on a new receiver? Receivers are ample on the used market for a steal. You can get models that are a few years old for a fraction of the price that still have features like ARC, lossless audio, Bluetooth, room correction, etc. I just picked up a Pioneer VSX832 for $50 on Craigslist and I fail to see how that's any worse than most of the ones that are $300 new. Another $250 to put towards your fronts will take things up a huge notch. Seems a little silly not to pour most of your funds into the best fronts you can and upgrade the rest going forward, and especially just make due without a sub until you can save up $300+ for a decent one. That Polk really isn't that good.
I have the Sony's for my FL FR and the matching center. I'm not a fan of the center, its underwhelming. I recently upgraded my receiver to the new Onkyo TX-NR6050 running a 5.1.2. I want to upgrade all the speakers but the atmo speakers that are in ceiling KEF speakers. I basically only watch movies, any recommendations for the best theater speakers? Like the look of the emotivas and the ribbon tweeter but they are mostly 4 ohm speakers and I'm afraid that a budget receiver will struggle to push them.
Can we get a review of the AIYIMA TPA3116 Power Amplifier ($149)
I watched your video on making a hifi system for sub-$350, and I've watched this video... both SEVERAL times. Went to Aiyima to snag the bits and bobs you mentioned, and found the 5.1 home theater amplifier. I'm pulling the trigger just so i don't possibly miss out, but I'd like to know your opinion on it, for my own sanity lol
Hello Cheap audioman. The Onkyo 393 is 279 refurbished on Onkyo website and 1 year warranty. Would I see any sound improvement over my Onkyo HT-360 ?
I bought one! Do it if you can, its very well put together.
I would suggest coughing for a good sub and breaking the limit. RSL makes the Speedwoofer, which is pretty damned good and extends down to 22Hz for $425 or so. Emotiva makes a good’n too in the SE12 for $399. The Polk is all boom and not great. It will just end up as ewaste, which it is out of the factory
Yep!! Thats the one to get for the Money
I'm here because someone gave me a never been used TX-NR609 lol
I hope one day you can review the Marantz PM6006 integrated amplifier (or the newer pm6007) that way i could make better sense of your reviews cause i have the 6006 paired with elac debut 2.0 b6.2
Also attention!! Marantz has increased prices!! NR1200 is now 699 i have one that has maybe 20 hours of use, all accessories and ill take $500 cold cash but you will have come to Missouri to get it in person. Might be willing to ship for bitcoin or ethereum
Wish I grabbed the Sony's when they were $75 last time.
They do have the whole 5.1.2 set on Amazon for $868! I have only heard the SSCS5's but for that money, I bet they sound great!
Sony CS-Series speakers bundle: SSCS3 Floor-Standing Speaker (2), SSCSE Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers, SACS9 Subwoofer, SSCS8 Center Channel Speaker, and SSCS5 Bookshelf Speaker System