Receiver and speaker suggestions

[illvm]

I am looking to setup a decent sound system in my apartment (although the living room is a bit small, think maybe... 10x25 or so). I think about a year ago I was looking at the Onkyo-SR606 receiver, but then read it didn't have proper HDMI switching until the 700 series. Right now I have a 360 and Motorolla cable box hooked up over HDMI to a Samsung LNT4061F.

Preferably, I'd like to keep the audio setup under $1k (although the $600-800 range would be great [which I'm sure probably means sacrificing receiver quality]). Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[Riverhound777]

Here is the setup I just got:
Marantz SR5002 Refurb from accessories4less.com
Energy C-C100 Center from buy.com (prolly should have gone with the RC-Mini)
Energy RC10 Speakers with Energy S10.1 Sub from Vanns.com (was a special few hour deal for $399)
Energy C-100 Speakers from Vanns.com

My total cost was just over $1k for all that. But the Energy stuff varies in price an availability a lot.

 

[s44]

Yeah, you should have matched the RC series with the RC series...

OP, 10*25 isn't small if you're sitting the long way... How far is the couch from the fronts, and how high is the ceiling?

 

[illvm]

Right now the room is arranged the other way with the couch in the middle of the room. We're probably going to rearrange it though. Right now the couch is about 8ft from the TV. Ditto on ceiling height. I'll probably be moving to a bigger place in a year or two so whatever I put together now I'd like to conceivable be able to carry it over to a larger room without too many modifications.

 

[s44]

Do you have enough room to give rear-ported speakers enough wall clearance?

 

[illvm]

Should be able to put about 6" between the wall and speakers.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Energy and Polk are good in this range.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: illvm
Should be able to put about 6" between the wall and speakers.

8"+ would be better, but I'd still consider this rear-ported set as your cheapest reasonable option. Don't forget the "HT10" coupon to take another 10% off.

The 606 would be fine, btw. You can get it as a refurb (1 year warranty) for $330. Or, heck, step down to the 576 for $250 (about the same amp, just doesn't decode HBR audio -- fine since any Blu-Ray player you get now will do that for you). Stepping up to the 700 line would get you pre-outs and better Audyssey, but that's $500 minimum. You can also get the better Audyssey in a Denon 789/1909 refurb (1 year warranty) for $400.