Home audio system (potentially cinema system) raised my budget considerably

[Jon Boy]

Ok you may have seen my post asking about getting a decent 5.1 sound system for my PC. I did not get many replies on that but have decided to scrap that. I don't want to have to have my PC on to use my speakers, especially as I want them primarily for music not gaming (I can fix my surround sound headphones for gaming).

So now I'm thinking of having an audio system branching from a decent receiver. Then attaching some big speakers. I don't want high quality speakers you get for computers. I need something bigger than can fill a room with less directional speakers than say a Logitech Z-5500.

Ok so the key facts to consider:-

• Budget has increased from £200 to £500 (potentially more if its worth it)
• Want something that will last
• This is NOT a system I want for gaming
• For now TV is not overly important
• I might connect it to my computer, but defiantly my MP3 player (doesn't need to dock with it though)
• Speakers MUST be big enough to fill a large room and sound good from most angles not just one spot in the middle
• I do not care about the brand, just the sound quality

I notice lots of receivers these days have multiple 1080p HDMI ports in. Are these pretty much as standard on all receivers these days? If I could get the same receiver without the HDMI ports for half the price I would probably rather get that. As HD TV is not something I am thinking about at the moment. TBH I would rather spend less time in front of the computer and TV. But as I am moving out soon, it might be nice to have the capability of setting up a sweet home theatre system for if I get mates round to watch a DVD (or blue ray) film.

I am aware the budget may be a limiting factor for what I want.

Just as a starting point I was looking at this receiver - linky

 

[Jon Boy]

Another thing to note is, I might buy the receiver first along with two speakers and a sub. Then when I move out buy a further 3 speakers. This is possible right. To run a 2.1 system off the 5.1 receiver?

 

[fmw]

In my experience the pro audio speakers have always been a better value than consumer speakers. Usually they are ugly or at least not as attractive and well finished as home speakers but they perform pretty well for the money. Check out some sites like Guitar Center or Sweetwater to get some ideas. Look for recording monitors.

HDMI truthfully is more of a convenience than a necessity. It is possible to do HD without it. It just takes more connections. I think you would find it hard to find a receiver without it, however. If you look at receivers with 5.1 surround instead of 7.1 or more, you will certainly save money because those units have lower margins for the manufacturer and less cost, of course because there are fewer channels to pay for.