rcf22

I bought the Onkyo TX-SR505 about two weeks ago when the price dropped on Amazon for $215. Might as well spend the extra $20 or whatever and get new instead of refurb from anywhere else. I suspect the price drop is due to a new series of Onkyo receivers being released soon (TX-SRX06?)

Anyways, the 505 is a GREAT receiver for $200. I think this would do just fine for a dorm room or something like you're thinking about. I live in a fraternity house in a moderately small room, and it's 75W/ch. are just fine for most any speakers you would get in your price range. Plus, this receivers has hardly any distortion, and a great S/N ratio.

I can't tell you much about speakers. I plan on buying some Klipsch floor speakers soon, but that's only because I know an employee who can get me some for 70% off. I would never buy them full price, but for that, how can I say no?

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triggerc

I second shop onkyo, it's a great place. You can get a refurbished 805 for something like <$200 on there. And you could still try to wait for Best Buy to have the NS-B2111 on sale again. They do a $50/pair sale now and again.

But from what I've heard, you're supposed to spend 30% of your budget on source and cables, and 70% on speakers. Of the 70% in speakers you should spend 80% of that on the front ones.

Kamakazi

Interesting ratio. That means if I spend $200 on the Onkyo 505 on Amazon it is preferable to spend about $500 on speakers? That wouldn't be too bad budget wise, but I doubt that system would be very much better than say a good set of Z5500s in terms of sound quality.

triggerc

Well, a Dayton 12" + 3 pairs of Insignia NS-B2111 will run you about $450, and the sound is far superior to the Z5500. Water putty the NS-B2111 enclosure + some cheap DIY mods on the speakers and you have a system that is competitive with some $200+ a pair speakers.

soloz2

the Insignia speakers cannot compete with the likes of speakers like PSB Alpha b1, Paradigm atom, or av123 x-ls encore. Even if you put the time and effort (and additional money) into modding the insignia speakers they still won't be as good as even the PSB's or Paradigms, and the av123's are on an entirely different level.

You would be much better off getting a 2.1 or 3.1 setup now with a nice receiver like the Onkyo's you're looking at.
1. You're going to college, rear surrounds will hardly be able to be placed optimally and you'll have wires running all over your room (trust me)
2. the front speakers do 90% of the work anyway
3. a reciever like the ones you're looking at can simulate that you actually have rear surrounds
4. having better mains will give you much better sound, you'll be happier with your system and less likely to upgrade. You'll also have much, much better sound quality, detail, resolution and soundstage for movies and music with something like the x-ls even though you have less speakers.

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rcf22

They have decent prices, but nothing like that. They're usually about 15% than buying brand new... Unless you're buying high end equipment, you might as well just spend the extra $40 or whatever and buy new, IMO.

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triggerc

mm, my bad, it was the refurbished 505 that goes for less than $200, I didn't even remember typing that 805

triggerc

I concede to you about the Paradigm Atom, they are a great bang for the buck at the sub $200, but if I'm not mistaken, the PSB's start at $250, and the X-LS is $300, and they are all top performers in their own price range, of course the NS-B2111 wouldn't be able to compete. But with some modding, making the final cost of the Insignia to be about $100 or so, it can compete with most of the $200 offerings, and that is a very good deal if you ask me. Of course, stereophiles cringe at anything priced below $300, but for a college student $300/pair I feel is a little over the top. Plus, you could always start with a 2.1 system with the Insignias, and if you don't like them, just move them to the rear and get something like the Paradigm Atom for the front.

Kamakazi

So I have been trying to find these "Paradigm Atom"s on the net, I can't seem to find them anywhere. There is one set of them on eBay but in terms of like new, I can't seem to find a place to buy them.

Also, where is a good place to buy this stuff? You guys are suggesting speakers that I can only really find at one online retailer. Or am I just going to have to find a brick and mortar store?

triggerc

I think that's a general problem with most audio equipment, unless it is big brand like Klipsch, JBL, or Yamaha, you will most likely have to buy straight from the manufacturer. Which means no shopping around for prices, unless you want to wait around for a pair to pop up on the forums or craigslist.