Home theater for $800 or less

[slam2900]

Hey everyone I'm new to home theater systems and I was considering buying speakers and a sub from polk. I don't know how to tell if speakers will work/soon good with each other. I'm looking for a system that will last me at least 5-10 years. My room isn't that big(around 120 square ft) but I plan to use these in a larger room in the future. I already have the PSW110 sub picked out, could you help me with the rest? I was considering the TSI100s for either my front or surround speakers. Thanks!

[hearingimpared]

Welcome to Club Polk slam2900!

[nguyendot]

Look in the flea market.... used is the way to go imho

[messiah]

Yes, used will get you the biggest bang for the buck. Thy either the for sale forum here, or your local craigslist (even cheaper, no shipping).

[nguyendot]

Craigslist +1

That's where i got all my newest toys. My RT8s came from there ($50).

My 4 Klipsch KG 3.5's came from there ($100 total)

Honestly, new is overrated in my book. I used to only believe in new too.

[Knucklehead]

Yep, what they said...You would be surprised the deals you can find their.

Example: I bought my R50's for $95.00 & MY FX500I'S FOR $55.00 ETC....Welcome to CP!

[leroyjr1]

RTI a5's in the for sale section for $325, and I think there's a csia4 center and rti a1 for the rear. All can be had for under your $800 budget, and will sound great for your HT room.

Where are you located?

[slam2900]

Ok i will check it out. I never thought of looking for used. Thanks everyone!

[Keiko]

Welcome aboard.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Polk-Aud...__W0QQ_armrsZ1

[slam2900]

Ok i found a deal at Best buy. I have picked out the PSW110, one set of TSI100s, a set of T15s and the CS10 for $786 with tax. Would the T15s sound okay with the TSI's? I would prefer to use the T15s for surround but am not sure if they are capable of doing it. help please! I plan on using an old Sony 5.1ch receiver for now until I upgrade to a 7.1 receiver. This older receiver is a Sony STR-DE845 and I think it puts out 100w a channel. Would this blow my speakers since the watt per channel range on most of my speakers ends at 100w?

[raidersrule76]

No it will not blow them, but just so you know even tho it says 100w per channel it is not putting out that much per channel tests have shown. They just state that to get you to think that they are putting out that much power when really it might only be 40w per channel all channels driven. So you could do more damage with not enough power compared to too much power. So good luck with everything and let us know how things sound once you get everything hooked up.

Best regards
mark

[nguyendot]

I'm telling you, I'd buy used before I'd buy new. You'll just want to upgrade in a month when you start reading all the stuff we write on here.... Buying used gets more bang for your buck, and usually it's already broken in for you. For 800 you can much higher than the TSi series used.

[slam2900]

The only thing I'm worried about with buying it used is I don't know what condition it's in and how long it will last. I checked out the for sale section on here and it seems like it would be even harder to tell which speakers would match together the best.

[Keiko]

For timbre matching, the TSi/Monitor series matches with the CS series center channel speakers. The RTi A series matches with the CSi center.

Look at the top of the page and click the "Products" tab. Use this as your guide for timbre matching speakers.

The for sale section of the forum is a great place to find deals on used gear and is relatively safe for polkies. Checking a member's sale rating and noting the member's duration & participation on the forum are good indicators. The link I provided to Polk's ebay store is also an excellent source to find bargains. I've heard nothing but good things on refurb items as being 'like new' from Polk ebay direct. Plus you're covered under a Polk warranty buying there.

Good luck!

[leroyjr1]

The only thing I'm worried about with buying it used is I don't know what condition it's in and how long it will last. I checked out the for sale section on here and it seems like it would be even harder to tell which speakers would match together the best.

The Polk forum is a great place to buy used gear. Very honest and reliable people.

[Knucklehead]

The Polk forum is a great place to buy used gear. Very honest and reliable people.

+1 never had a problem here.

[slam2900]

Thanks for the in-depth answer keiko! Just the answer I wanted. I will check both places out.

[spoonkerve]

hey just joined, see ya guys around

[xcapri79]

Newegg still has new Polk Monitors at good prices.
At the very least this gives you some good comparison pricing with a far better system than the BB system that was mentioned. The Monitor 70 and 60 speakers are great speakers in your price range.

2 new cherry Monitor 70's for $400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290016

2 new cherry Monitor 60's for $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290018

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290023
1 new cherry Monitor CS2 center for $150


Instead of the PSW110, getting the PSW505 instead for $250.
considerhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290130


Total cherry Monitor system = $830

Instead of the Monitor 60's and to save some money see the cherry Monitor 40 bookshelf pair for $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290011


Or

2 new black Monitor 70's for $460
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290015

2 new black Monitor 60's for $300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290017

1 new black Monitor CS2 center for $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290024

Total black Monitor system = $910

Similarly see the black Monitor 40 bookshelf pair for $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290010

[hearingimpared]

How do these ^^^ compare to the RT2000Ps and a CS350LS?

[xcapri79]

Instead of the PSW110 subwoofer consider the PSW505 for $250.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290130

[xcapri79]

How do these ^^^ compare to the RT2000Ps and a CS350LS?

Good question, the RT2000P's and CS350 look very nice!
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ecent/rt2000p/
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p.../recent/cs350/

How are they?

[hearingimpared]

Good question, the RT2000P's and CS350 look very nice!
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ecent/rt2000p/
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p.../recent/cs350/

How are they?

They are awesome. Thanks for the links.

[mshan242700]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...&enterthread=y

:)

[husker43]

i would look at nht classics. best for the money IMHO.