Anyone Know anything About Stereo equipment?

[MudMarlin]

My old shelf system I have had for 20 years has finally kicked the bucket. I have a new CD player, so I don't need that, but I want to get a new reciever, and a decent set of speakers. Only problem I have is it seems all the better recievers are 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems. I just want 2 speakers. Will there be any problem if I only have two speakers? I know I could get a 5.1 speaker setup for movies and such, but I don't want to spend the extra money. A cheap 5.1 system costs just as much as a pair of real good speakers.

[MudMarlin]

My old shelf system I have had for 20 years has finally kicked the bucket. I have a new CD player, so I don't need that, but I want to get a new reciever, and a decent set of speakers. Only problem I have is it seems all the better recievers are 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems. I just want 2 speakers. Will there be any problem if I only have two speakers? I know I could get a 5.1 speaker setup for movies and such, but I don't want to spend the extra money. A cheap 5.1 system costs just as much as a pair of real good speakers.

[XyZspineZyX]

it sounds like you don't need to have a super sound system... just something that plays music right ?

Now... getting a 5.1 or 7.1 system doesnt mean you have to use all 5.1 or 7.1 speakers... you can simple use the two front speakers only.... however IMO it would be a waste to do that.

sound systems arent that expensive these days. (in australia) I can get a 5.1 receiver and speakers for about 200 bucks (a cheapo one that is).

[MudMarlin]

Yea, pretty much just music, but I do want it to sound good. I don't want anything cheapo. I'm stuck between two Sony systems. One is 2 speaker stereo for $140, and puts out 200 watts. The speakers I'm looking at are a pair of 120 watt Sony shelf speakers for $70 a pair. Or, I'm going for a sony 5.1 reciever, with the same speakers (I could always get more later), which is $200. That one puts out 90 watts per channel, so 450. I like this one because it has the potential to be a quality surround sound system later on.

I was also looking at home theater systems. I could get a Okonyo for like $250 that puts out 600 watts, but I am concerned that music won't sound as good with one of these. And thats what I want it for most.

[XyZspineZyX]

to put that into perspective... I spent $500 on my Pioneer reciever and about $1000 on set of speakers. (all this about 4 years ago)

music sounds fantastic... movies sound amazing...

I have everything hooked up to the reciever.... Dvd, cd, xbox.

Spending that extra bit of $ on a good sound system is worth it in my opinion.

[quillan]

If price wasn't an object, I'd recommend Harmon Kardon. My own personal system is Kenwood, and I have zero complaints about it, but you're right. I don't think you'll find a receiver these days that doesn't support surround sound, and mine is old enough that it doesn't. I don't follow home audio stuff like I used to, since I've been fiddling with computers instead.

[MudMarlin]

Thanks guys. I would love to spend a lot of money and get a real kick a** system, but to be truthful, I wouldn't really be able to justify it. I like good sound, but for one I live in a condo, so I can't get too crazy with the volume without my pyscho neighbor complaininng, and I am only an occasional listener of music. So I really don't need anything to fabulous, just slightly fabulous. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

My pyscho neighbor is killing me because I got the Logitech 280 watt 5300 5.1 speakers for my pc, and she starts crying when I crank up the volume. I am reduced to headphones after nine o'clock. I could bombard her until nine o'clock, and really make her cry, but I want to preserve the piece, so only once in awhile I'll call in the full fledged air strike. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif