Reddit mentions of Onkyo TX-SR313 5.1- Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

If you just want a basic amp (which is all you really need for a pair of $30 Dayton bookshelfs) then consider this Lepai TA2020 for $25.

Honestly you'd be just as happy with this as you would that $220 stereo only Emotiva amp. Sure the Emotiva is a great amp for what it does, but if you just want something to power your speakers, just match starting speakers with a starter amp. As long as your TV has a variable stereo output then you'll still be able to control the volume with your remote. If you read the reviews a LOT of buyers of the Lepai amp get it specifically for use with those B652's and it's more than capable of driving them.

If you want something more complex and plan on potentially running surround sound, then look into a Budget Home Theater receiver. Your use of the word "current" when describing your living situation implies that it may at some point change, which means your needs may likely change. So if you want at least a little bit of future proofing then a HT Receiver is a good way to go if you're willing to spend $200.

The advantage of the HT Receiver approach is you can expand it later by getting two larger front speakers, a center channel speaker and a subwoofer and use the B652's as your surround speakers. Nothing goes to waste.

Now unfortunately if you plan on using the 3D features of that TV and want to run your sources through the receiver then you'll need a 3d capable receiver. I mean you could run all your sources through the TV and then run S/PDIF from the TV to the receiver, but that's somewhat pointless, you might as well stick with a stereo amp.

That said here's a couple 3D receivers to consider:

• Pioneer VSX-921K 7.1 3D receiver - I have the 1121k model and love mine. This one is two steps down and is last year's model (but strangely equivalent to the current 1122k) so it doesn't have airplay and is slightly lower wattage (110W), but that's fine. It's a good value right now. Comes with a iPhone/iPod dock cable connection and has a few other really nice features. This gets you a lot of bang for your buck because you're getting last year's receiver (and the new ones are barely an upgrade). You should be able to find it for around $200-220 shipped.
  
  
• Denon 1513 - this is the new model year Denon, their entry level 3D ready 5.1 receiver. There's a lot of Denon fans, they make some good receivers and their sound is supposedly nearly as good as Harman Kardon. It's MSRP is $250 but if you keep your eye out you can probably pick it up for less on a sale. Full discrete 110W power output. There is also this Denon 1312 for $188 (with $30 shipping though), but it's 3d capable, though it's last year's product line. I imagine this is essentially last year's 1513.
  
  
• Onkyo TX-SR313 - Entry level 5.1 3D ready receiver. This is the current product line, a good basic 65W receiver. Lowest price of the three, as you can see you can get it for under $200 now. Should be a fine receiver that you'll use for a good long while.
  
  As I've found, each receiver brand has their fans. Denon, Pioneer, Harman Kardon, Marantz, Onkyo. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages and cater to different market segments. The only one I'd say there is universally little love for is Sony, at least there's not many rabid Sony fans anymore. It's not that their products are truly awful, it's just they are not exceptional. My first receiver was a Sony DG720. It was cheap ($250 back in 2008) and worked fine, but that's it, it was just fine. My Pioneer is clearly better once properly setup, but the Sony was okay for its time and use.
  
  
  

How big is your place? I have used [this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077V8930/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) receiver for the last two years and Bose 5.1 speakers. Depending on your price range, you can mix and match speakers or get any set, IMO if your place is small enough the receiver is the most important part.

Make sure all of your appliances use hdmi for the easiest setup, btw. The PS4 clearly uses hdmi, and most modern cable boxes do as well. Plug everything into the receiver and then the Onkyo into the TV. In my experience, there is almost so lag in play through using this device.

The sub is powered but it still connects to the receiver. It's pretty odd to drop $400 on a speaker system without knowing anything. Search 5.1 receiver on amazon or look on craigslist. You'll be spending at least $100 on used or refurb.

EDIT: Onkyo and yamaha are among the cheapest but still recomended. But craig's list is your best bet for cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0077V8930/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1418172119&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IWURW6U/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1418172228&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

/r/hometheater is more appropriate, but any amp can be hooked up to them, they are just speakers.

if you want to use all the speakers onkyo makes a decent 200dollar 5.1 reciever.


http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421559175&sr=8-1&keywords=5.1+reciever

a stereo receiver worth a damn with a sub out would cost about the same. and even onkyo's low end products are built to last. I have had one of their HTiB recievers since 2006

If you're going to use it primarily for music, why not just go for a stereo system? If you do it right, you'll likely get much better quality for the same price.

Also, what are your requirements for media playback? Do you need to get a BD or DVD player for the room, or do you have a method of media playback?

If you don't need a playback device but still want surround, this with this will put you in roughly the same budget, but will be orders of magnitude better in terms of sound quality, even without a subwoofer. Yes they're large (I'm kinda assuming that you have space for floorstanding speakers), but you need to be able to move a lot of air to be loud, and at this budget you need big speakers to do that.

If you don't have a playback device or don't have much space to work with, tehsalt's suggestion is probably your best bet.

edit: phrasing.

A receiver is what you are looking for. Here is an example of one but I'd recommend looking over at /r/zeos for an actual product recommendation. Here is a guide for 5.1 systems: http://www.reddit.com/r/Zeos/comments/2alqvp/guide_51_surround_sound_systems/

Ok now I have a better understanding of what you're looking for. It sounds like you're only going to do music. If that's the case it makes things a lot easier as you don't have all the sources to deal with. So basically you're looking for a bedroom setup with b channel outputs to the living room. Cool I think I found a solution for you.

• AVR $180 this a bit older 5.1 AVR but it has B front output at a very reasonable cost. I would only do two sets of speakers right now but if you wanted to could expand to a 5.1 later down the road.
  
  Speaker options (just some they are many in your budget) I'm thinking towers or bigger bookshelf speakers for volume and less need for a sub right away. Towers won't need stands the bookshelves will unless you put them on furniture.
  
  
• Fluance AVHTB get this set and be done with it. Run the towers in the living room and the surrounds in the bedroom. Easy solution to your problem. Save the center for when you want to go surround sound. The surrounds in the bedroom might need a sub as they don't go too low. You could always get one later on and hook it up to the sub out on the AVR for a 2.1 in the bedroom.
  
  
• Onkyo Speakers get two sets one for each location. I don't think you're going to find cheaper towers that are decent.
  
  
• Sony SS-5000 towers a bit more than the Onkyo but should do well.
  
  
• BIC DV64 or DIC DV84 you won't need a sub with these unless you want one for extra bass. Sold each so you would need two for the living room. Could also put in the bedroom but I think a set of the DV62's in the bedroom should be enough. These should rock.
  
  
• Bic DV62 bookself speakers for bed room or living room.
  
  
• Fluance SX6
  
  
• Yamaha NS6490 should do well in either location.
  
  
  
  
  
  

My suggestion is to take that $200 and buy a modest receiver, and if the speakers don't sound good enough you can upgrade them down the line. For example: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077V8930/

Here

It's a budget model so I'm assuming it doesn't :/

Would this Onkyo suit your needs? 4 hdmi and plenty of component. It's 180 on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0077V8930/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?keywords=audio%20receiver&qid=1405451908&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

Love my onkyo sr313 for $201

This is very helpful.

Question, do any retailers sell the control unit of the HTIB without the other speakers? I really wanna avoid into getting new systems and subwoofers and amps and whatnot as I won't be looking for much upgrades. I'm nowhere near a hardcore audiophile most on this sub but I do wanna be able to use my HT system with a good display panel and a couple more HDMI ports.

I was looking at this one for example which has everything I need (including double jack spring sockets). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077V8930/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

The only confusing thing is the subwoofer pre-out. I know this might sound like blasphemy here but is it worth exploring getting that and using it without the subwoofer for now?

I agree with the N30FAMOUS. You need an AV receiver. Anything with at least 5.1 surround sound capability, for example;

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426268949&sr=8-1&keywords=5.1+av+receiver

The real hassle will be speaker positioning and wiring, but i'll leave that up to you to figure out :)

I'd definitely do that if it's not a problem financially. You can get VERY decent A/V receivers for under US$200. I'm considering this Onkyo just because it has 4 HDMI inputs, 2 optical audio, 2 component and a few RCA inputs for $160.

Out board DACs tend to have higher quality digital to audio circuits, or, at least, so says the audiophile. Also, a computer case tends to be an electrically noisy place and the converting circuits tend to a better job when standing alone. (Again this is audiophile theory.)

If you are looking for the best surround sound, skip the sound card all together and just run the HDMI out from your videocard into a good surround sound reciever.

Example: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-5-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1 .

One thing for sure, even the best internal sound cards will have terrible amps. Having your amping and DACing done by a real receiver will sound far, far better than any soundcard.

You can get a decent receiver for not much more than a high end sound card. However, you will needs to shell out some cash to get some decent speakers.

What do you have now? Do you have a receiver of any sort because if you have nothing you may not be able to get the subwoofer into this budget.

OK, I tried to do it for you on the cheap... I mean who doesn't already have wires running from their stereo to their TV? :-)

Well then here you go: but its going to run you north of $50. You will need one of these kits. The transmitter end will connect to your TV, and the receiving end to your stereo. If your stereo does not have a way to select different audio sources (then you should get a proper stereo... Kidding-kinda) then you will need the audio selector box I recommended in my comment above.

Honestly here's how it should be done:
[Cable box] ---hdmi---> [A/V receiver: HDMI input #1] ---hdmi---> [HD TV]

[PC] ---hdmi---> [A/V receiver: HDMI input #2]

[Chromecast] ---hdmi---> [A/V receiver: HDMI input #3]

Here is a nice 4 HDMI input A/V Receiver under $200.

Here is a solid HD TV under $500.

Don't have room for 5.1 channel speakers? Here's a very decent 2.1 channel sound bar. It's under $100.

It's time to step up your game.

If you can save another 200 and don't want to invest time, you can go with this speaker set and this receiver

Very much appreciated. A few follow-up questions, if you don't mind.

• The speakers seem comparable in specs, but from my (layman's) perspective the Cambridge Audio ones seem slightly better. Did you put them both there because they are comparable and the choice just depends on aesthetics?
  
• The recommended w/ch (at least the maximum) for both speaker sets is higher than what the Onkyo offers. Is this a problem, or will it just not push the speakers to their limits?
  
• I was also looking at this Onkyo, as it's a bit more future proof if I ever want to use it in a surround setup (as well as having a slightly higher w/ch). Do you see any problems with this one?
  
• Is it worth holding out for more expensive speakers in this category? The Audioengine A5+ look fantastic, but again, I have no clue if they're significantly better. I just know about them because I've seen people talk about them often here.
  
  Thanks again so much.

Thoughts?



http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_nOf4tb16QSC222PC_tt

1.) Take normal speaker wire, like this http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00RBMEjAvJpcqF/Oxygen-Free-Copper-OFC-Clear-Speaker-Wire.jpg

2.) Plug the speaker wires into the back of the speakers, positive goes in positive and negative goes in negative.

3.) You will need an amplifier to run these speakers. You can find them at yard sales or other places, they look like this: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR313-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0077V8930/ref=lp_281053_1_8?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1406036656&sr=1-8

Make sure that it has terminals on the back to plug the speakers into. The terminals should look similar to this: http://www.vetco.net/catalog/images/PH-75-674-1.jpg

Make sure you don't let any of the wires that you plugged in laying loose or able to touch each other, this will cause a short. Be careful when cutting the insulation away from the speaker wire so that you don't have any cuts in the rubber insulation, or loose strands of wire.