New receiver for a friend.

[antelope19]

I was hangin out last night with a friend and we got to talking.  He is going to start building his home theater and needs a new receiver on a limited budget.  Lets say he's willing to spend $300ish.  Where should I direct him with that kind of budget and what would be the best bang for his buck at that price range.  He is by no means an audiophile(their current set up is an ipod dock speaker, bose maybe?) and would most likely be thrilled with a 5.1 surround. 

[mattstick]

Not gonna get much in the way of quality for $300.

I'd head down to the local big box electronics store and see what's on-sale.

[antelope19]

Not gonna get much in the way of quality for $300.

I'd head down to the local big box electronics store and see what's on-sale.

Yeah, I think thats what he'll end up doing, but which of the lower-end products/brands would be a better bet in your opinion?

[mattstick]

Pioneer.

[antelope19]

Ok.  I'll let him know.  Thanks and a +k while I'm at it.

[khalpin]

Best bang for the buck: Onkyo.  Here's a good one under $300:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-TX-SR575-7-1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Black-TX-SR575/sem/rpsm/oid/180524/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[antelope19]

cool thanks!

[mattstick]

Some newer amps will have built-in Tuners for Sat Radio, maybe worth it if he ever gets XM/Sirius.

[antelope19]

Good thought Matt.  I'll pass that along as well.  Thanks.

[Hicks]

Onkyo 605 for $374 is what I would roll with:

http://www.jr.com/order/basket.jsp?ADD_CART_ITEM_ARRAY%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442234746&ADD_CART_ITEM_ARRAY%3C%3Equantity=1&bmForm=add_to_cart&bmFormID=1211304363392&bmSubmit=add&bmHash=c71ec109bc59f979d021bc36661dfe1c2234741c

[antelope19]

Thanks again guys!

[blatboom]

If they do go to the store, def. tell them to look on-line before they buy because you can almost always find it cheaper (plus you don't gotta pay sales tax & can often find free shipping)


from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.html?AWSAccessKeyId=0SNN4CNDW43V2MFXRBG2&AssociateTag=gosale-20&OfferListingId.1=CVX%2FJKDgQnHKckRQNkqqF204sSscpeWcEyEOIbTbjrUC15dHM%2F%2BxQ3dBpjtSvXUpriIuIkUZqqOvicFqVz8qlA%3D%3D&Quantity.1=1&add=add

Onkyo TX-SR605S 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Silver) $311.99 1  (free shipping)

[Marmar]

Try Yamaha's too....

Their DSP's are top notch....plus I like their overall cost vs. quality.....Onkyo is ok, but Yamaha's would be a lil better IMHO....and for not much more cheddah....

[Hicks]

Try Yamaha's too....

Their DSP's are top notch....plus I like their overall cost vs. quality.....Onkyo is ok, but Yamaha's would be a lil better IMHO....and for not much more cheddah....

Yamaha's bass output tend to be too low for me, plus I can't support a company that uses gimmicks like "presence" speakers.

[Marmar]

I've never had that problem....

I bet some of it might have to do with the sub being used, along with how you have the bass management set up....

Then stop supporting everyone who uses DTS:NEO....or ProLogic.....those incorporate presence speakers.

And bass is never an issue.....if you want more bass, you just make sure your sub is up to the challenge......or upgrade the front speakers to something with at least an 8" driver....