hi guys, basically what the title says, this is for a friend who is looking for a reciever, dvd player and a 5.1 speaker setup. Any suggestions? The budget might increase to a $1000. I'm trying to convince him bose is not the way to go.

I have not seen or heard this system, so don't hold it against me!! I was told that the new Panasonic all-in-one home theater is great. It is a combo DVD/receiver (i believe) and it comes with 5 speakers and a sub. I saw it playing at a local store, but didn't really pay it any attention. If I go back, I will let you know. I think it was on sale for $599.

Sony sells a system with everything built into one unit plus five speakers and "subwoofer" which retails for about $600. I think there is a review on it at www.soundandvisionmag.com

A week or two ago Best Buy advertised a dolby digital receiver and speakers for $200. Look for similar offers at other wharehouse stores.

This new Sony system was also just evaluated in Home Theater magazine and got a great write-up. This is without a doubt the best value for someone to get their feet wet with HT. List price is $600 for a DVD, recevier, front speakers, surround speakers and center speaker. Great deal!

Buy the Sony....I read the review on this in Home Theater....Received a great review with scores in the 90's!!!!

I went to CC and listened to it, it is weak as hell, I'll admit it looks very nice but it was a little to bright for me and sounded very quiet. I was thinking of getting him seperate components, not a HT-in-a-box deal. but keep the advice coming!

Check your Sunday paper Best Buy ads. I think they have two receiver/speaker packages both under $400. I don't think the sub is included however, but its still a pretty nice deal.

If you're looking to buy everything separate, keeping in the price range shouldn't be a problem. I recently helped my friend buy a basic system for his room that supports Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. We got him a Yamaha reciever (rx-396 i think), Yamaha center and surround speaker package, along with a pair of Yamaha bookshelf speakers for the front. This isn't the greatest set up but it sounded damn good considering he only spent $450 total. If he throws in a subwoofer soon his total will still only be around $600...which is not bad at all.

Something like a Kenwood VR-407 ($250) + the Energy Take 5 speakers (~$400) would be a great starter HT that almost fits the budget...

Buy the Sony system for the price...its had great reviews. I heard the new Panasonic system is great too (it has a 5 disc changer) but costs around $700.

I have the Sony DAV-S300, and, before you buy it, you should consider its limitations. It is great as a bedroom unit, but in a room with any size, it just does not have enough power (30 WPC @10%(!) THD). In setting up this unit, it would not play the Video Essentials 75db test tone at 75db (it topped out at 72db). It has limited inputs (two video ins only). Also, it does not do S-video switching (it does have an s-video out for the DVD player, but if you have multiple sources going into one S-video in on your television, you will need an outboard switchbox) and does not have tone controls at all. In addition, the sub is just OK, and the speakers are all 3-inch full range speakers.

I like my S300 -- it is a well designed system that is compact and well priced (even at MSRP). That being said, I would not choose it unless it was being used in a bedroom or dorm room. For what it is worth, the Toshiba 6109C (a combination of a Toshiba DVD player and a 50 WPC Onkyo receiver) is a much better unit, although, once you add speakers, it will come at somewhat higher cost. I haven't heard any of the other compact units (panasonic, JVC, etc.). Home Theater recently compared several of them and I would look at that article for other ideas.

Good luck.

I heard the Sony system at Best Buy. My TV speakers sound better. I think Toshiba has a DVD and receiver combination that is probably okay and sells for around $300 online. Check out the PSB Alpha series speakers which can be had for 40% off. This package should be a little more than $600. Good luck!

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"Home is where the theater is!"

Get the highly approved and rated Energy 5 star speakers, and decent sony or kenwood reciever.

5 star kick a$$ for home theater, can be had for $350-500 with subwoofer included.



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Shoot first, ask questions later, and may God go with you

Nicholas D. Wolfwood - Trigun

Regarding your speaker selection, subject to your personal taste, you would not go wrong with either PSBs or Energy Take 5s.

In your price range, I put together the following system for my sister:

Toshiba 6109C DVD/Receiver ($280 at MobShop)

PSB Alpha AV Fronts ($150/pr at Sound City)

PSB Midi Center ($85 at Sound City)

Radio Shack 12"
Passive Sub ($99 on sale)

Refurb NHT 80 watt
Sub Amp ($100 from Sound City)

Radio Shack Minimus 7s
for the rear speakers (too old to remember)

Total cost: $714

With some work, I am sure you can put together a similar system for under $1,000.