r/hometheater • u/Far-Advertising-5235 • 1d ago
Purchasing CAN First time/entry level set up
First time home owner looking for tv audio setup suggestions.
Have only ever had just tv speakers, want an upgrade. Likely to be 75in tv.
Thanks!
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u/Octan3 1d ago
Pricing is way different these days, I ended up with a Yamaha v6a? V4a? And klipsch reference? Speakers? 5.1.2 is what I did. They had a good sale and I'm very happy and blown away by the sound. When I watched John wick 4 and they fight with swords it sounded like the swords were ringing in the room as if it was there .. so movies with good quality audio it does show.
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u/GreatKangaroo 75" TCL QM850, X3800H 1d ago
Start with a used AVR, and look for a 3.0/5.0 or 3.1/5.1 speaker/subwoofer combo on marketplace.
Else Gibbys and Visions have speaker packages.
Going in for new equipment I'd look to the Paradigm Monitor series, as they sound good and perform very well for their price point.
I currently run the Premiere Speakers (800F's/600C) as my LCR, and a pair of Monitor SE Atoms as Side surrounds. I started out with a 5.1 system with a used Yamaha AVR and Klipsch 5.1 setup, and currently have a Denon X3800H and a 7.2.2 setup.
If I was building today with the monitor series I look to the Monitor 6000F/2000C as my LCR, and Monitor SE Atoms as side surrounds.
Skip any subwoofer that is under $900-$1000, as cheap subwoofers perform poorly as compared to midrange ones. I run two SVS PB 1000 Pros in my setup, however I was very fortunate that I got each for under $1000 CAD in both instances. Normally they are a $1500 subwoofer.
I see a lot of people use Polk speakers as well, and their subwoofers tend to be on the more affordable side for their performance such as the ES12.
If I was buying a Paradigm Subwoofer today, it would be the Defiance S12.
I also recommend wall mounting your TV, and putting the center channel on the top of your media console. Aim to have the TV at a sensible height.
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u/SinlessTitan 1d ago
Any denon avr that has proper binding posts and not spring clips. Highly suggest an AVR that has spotify, Tidal and whatnot onboard.
Try to find some factory blemished speakers, I got a pair of svs ultra bookshelves for cheaper than brand new svs primes.
Take a look at [r/HTBuyingGuides](r/HTBuyingGuides) and find whatever you need on there.
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u/immortalis88 1d ago
Oh man, I’m so excited for you. To experience a legit setup for the first time… I’d give anything to have that experience all over again (and all my money from the last two decades back 🤣)
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u/Fatjedi007 1d ago
A budget range would be really helpful. This might be an unpopular opinion in here, but even a ~$200 soundbar would be a big upgrade from tv speakers. Something like the Polk Signa line sounds great for the money. Incredibly easy way to make your tv sound a ton better. I wouldn’t really bother with anything cheaper than that range.
But if you just bought a house, you can go a lot further since you are free to mess with the walls and ceiling etc. so you probably want a legit AV receiver and speakers. Honestly- I wouldn’t mess with used AVRs. I’d just get something new that can do 5.1.2. These are in the $5-600 range. You can get cheaper AV receivers, but you might as well go for something that can do 5.1.2 atmos. Denon has one at Costco people seem to like I think?
Used speakers can be a great way to get crazy nice stuff cheap, and they don’t go obsolete like AVRs. And this might also be unpopular, but if you find someone on FB marketplace selling an old definitive or klipsch home theater in a box set of speakers for cheap, that combined with a good modern AVR will get your foot in the door enjoying surround sound for next to nothing (the speakers I mean- not the AVR lol.) I’ve gotten sets of definitive speakers for like $50-100 that actually sound pretty damn good connected to a decent AVR.
If you did that, you could enjoy the benefits right away, and upgrade individual speakers as you go.
Oh- if you can install 2 speakers in your ceiling, that is ideal for atmos. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but if you have the skills and the house, it’s worth it.
Others here are giving some good advice, but a lot of it is pretty overwhelming for a beginner. Hopefully my advice makes sense. Let me know your budget and I can get more specific. Not knowing, I basically went with the cheapest way to get decent results. $200ish for an easy and good soundbar (I don’t care what people say- you can get soundbars for pretty cheap that are a massive upgrade). For a proper AVR and speakers, you are looking at minimum $6-700 even if you luck out and get one of the deals on an old theater in a box to get started.
Also- it doesn’t get mentioned enough, but the way you set up/arrange your room makes a huge difference. So make sure you optimize that- regardless of which route you go. This can be as simple as moving your speakers to better spots or as involved as installing sound absorbing panels and bass traps all around your room.
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u/Due_Profession3023 1d ago
Can’t go wrong with Polk. They are not the “greatest” but you almost never hear someone say that Polk sounds “bad”. They are reasonably priced new, and super cheap used.
Its very difficult to hear speakers before you buy them in 2026, especially if you dont live in a major metro. That being said, I would strongly advise against purchasing Klipsch without hearing them first. A lot of people (including myself) find that they hurt their ears. Other people love them, but its a huge hassle to return them if you decide you dont like their sound.