My Starter h/t

[Knucklehead]

As some of you already know, im fairly new to h/t and have been putting together my system on a limited budget, im ready to replace my front main speakers and would like some suggestions. My budget for a pair of fronts is going to be about 300-$400. (wife has limited me!) I can only imagine how some of the systems on here must ROCK! My system now really is pretty loud and it doesnt sound bad with movies which is what i use it for 95% of the time. any suggestions would be great.

So far:

Pioneer VSX D411 Reciever (will be upgraded sooner or later)
Cerwin Vega VE 5C center channel
pioneer speakers front- SH253BK
Polk Audio rear speakers- R-150
Psw10 Polk sub
Maganavox NB500MG9 Blu-Ray
Siemens 500 gig dvr
Monster HDP1800 power management
Panasonic 42" plasma
Xbox 360
Monoprice cables

[thsmith]

I think the best thing you could do is match your mains and center. This is important for Timbre matching for movies. You could choose to upgrade LCR, keep current center and match LR with center or keep LR and match center to LR.

Also upgrade to a AVR like the Yamaha 663 or Onk 606 to take advantage of HD audio codecs that BRD use.

[Knucklehead]

Thanks for the input....decisions, decisions........i really like my cerwin vega center...BUT...i do like my Polk equipment. Anybody have any preference on pioneer receivers?

[pablo_rodz]

I love my Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH powering RTi 10's on the front. You can find RTi 7 and 12 in the flea market or craigslist for $300 -$400. Just be patient... Also check polkaudio direct (ebay) they have great deals!!!

[leroyjr1]

95% HT look into the RTI series. You can get the RTI 8/a5 for around $400 and they sound great. Then you should move to the center and then surrounds.

[lectronicjunkie]

You could buy my R50's and CSi25. That would set you up. You would have enough left over to get the Onkyo 506 or maybe a used 606.

[ivansfo]

You could buy my R50's and CSi25. That would set you up. You would have enough left over to get the Onkyo 506 or maybe a used 606.

I 2nd the R50 and Csi25 combo. They work terrific with a basic AVR and I don't think can do better for the money. Spend the rest of the money on a good used AVR.

[comfortablycurt]

95% HT look into the RTI series. You can get the RTI 8/a5 for around $400 and they sound great. Then you should move to the center and then surrounds.

I second this suggestion.

[cnh]

I agree with everyone above but I also have an old Pioneer VSX-D711, basically a higher level version of your 411--same year--run it in the basement in a 3.1 set up. And that's a bit old. Mine has 5.1 audio inputs so its still usable.

Back in the day CNET rated that 711 and 811 second place after comparable Harman Kardons and Onkyos...with Yamahas in that price range, that year...below the Pioneer.

The 711 can play LOUD, very loud for it's price. Not sure about your 411.

If that is your main reciever you may want to upgrade because as the enty model it probably doesn't have the 5.1 ins and fewer ins and outs generally. And you will probably need HDMIs!

cnh

[messiah]

Keep an eye open on your local craigslist. I recently picked up a cs400i for 60 bucks, a pair of rt7's for 35 bucks, and rt35i's for 100 bucks. You'll get more bang for your buck going used.

[dom]

Keep an eye open on your local craigslist. I recently picked up a cs400i for 60 bucks, a pair of rt7's for 35 bucks, and rt35i's for 100 bucks. You'll get more bang for your buck going used.

I second that...My whole speaker/receiver setup is based off of used speakers off of cragslist:

Recevier: Yamaha HTR-5650 - $100
Center: Polk Audio CS245i - $75
Fronts: Polk Audio R50 - $100
Rears: Polk Audio RTi28 - $50
Subwoofer: Velodyne VX-10 - $50

So for $375 i have a very decent entry-level setup for my home theater...and i'm in an apartment! Trust me, i cant turn my volume up even half way before the neighbors start complaining! :D