Can I find a decent 5.1 system under $100?

[kennethk]

I'm a guy that likes deep sounding theater sound like a lot of others but not one with much money to be throwing $300 at good audio systems wish I could but sadly other life investments are more important. 

 

I have invested in some 80w soundbars on sale around 60-80 but the bass just wasn't all that there and if we're being honest doesn't sound much different from my tvs built in speakers. 

 

I like a 5.1 system over a soundbar but have low doubts I'll find anything up to date I can control with my phone or via Bluetooth. I'm eying this guy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CDGQT2M/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_4SJG5GZQ8MTD8FP58GJX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=d6k_applink_bb_dls_failed

 

But if anyone has any recommendations for the best bang of your buck for audio systems I'd like to hear it even considered some bookshelf speakers I could wire to my TV but have never had any experience with them. Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. 

[emosun]

get a pair of actual floor speakers and a receiver. Anything you buy new for 100$ will sound like you only spent 100$ new on it.

You seem to be more interested in bass than 5 separate audio channels and most theaters get their bass from..... large speakers , not multiple channels. I pretty much guarantee that any large speaker/receiver combo will sound better than an extremely cheap 5.1 system.

[kennethk]

6 minutes ago, emosun said:

get a pair of actual floor speakers and a receiver. Anything you buy new for 100$ will sound like you only spent 100$ new on it.

You seem to be more interested in bass than 5 separate audio channels and most theaters get their bass from..... large speakers , not multiple channels. I pretty much guarantee that any large speaker/receiver combo will sound better than an extremely cheap 5.1 system.

Well like I've mentioned my budget only allows me to do so much with it. 

[Dedayog]

Honestly, I moved on from 5.1 quite a bit ago.  I do 3.1 for my living room and 2.0 for my PC.   

 

A good soundbar is nice, but anything under $100 is probably going to have trouble filling a room.  It just doesn't have the range and power behind it.

 

What's your absolute max budget?  Speakers usually last decades so worth investing in.

[emosun]

Just now, kennethk said:

Well like I've mentioned my budget only allows me to do so much with it. 

oh yeah you wouldn't be getting a new receiver or speakers you'd be getting used ones.  However the life expectancy of higher quality components is far greater than a 100$ soundbar.

So if you only have 100$ budget to work with , I'd opt for quality over "it's new" any day.

[BondiBlue]

Just now, kennethk said:

Well like I've mentioned my budget only allows me to do so much with it. 

If you're budget constrained, are you open to looking for used equipment? You can find excellent deals on used audio equipment in a lot of places. I've pieced together a couple surround systems from garage sales and the like. 

[kennethk]

3 minutes ago, Dedayog said:

Honestly, I moved on from 5.1 quite a bit ago.  I do 3.1 for my living room and 2.0 for my PC.   

 

A good soundbar is nice, but anything under $100 is probably going to have trouble filling a room.  It just doesn't have the range and power behind it.

 

What's your absolute max budget?  Speakers usually last decades so worth investing in.

I'm really not looking to go over $100 if I don't need to, I live in a one bedroom apartment so size isn't a huge deal I just want something with more of a kick that doesn't make me feel like I've just spent money on a external speaker

1 minute ago, emosun said:

oh yeah you wouldn't be getting a new receiver or speakers you'd be getting used ones.  However the life expectancy of higher quality components is far greater than a 100$ soundbar.

So if you only have 100$ budget to work with , I'd opt for quality over "it's new" any day.

As long so no mice are living inside of the shelf speaker I have no issue with used but any brands worth looking into would be nice to know. 

[emosun]

5 minutes ago, kennethk said:

I'm really not looking to go over $100 if I don't need to, I live in a one bedroom apartment so size isn't a huge deal I just want something with more of a kick that doesn't make me feel like I've just spent money on a external speaker

As long so no mice are living inside of the shelf speaker I have no issue with used but any brands worth looking into would be nice to know. 

well it kinda depends whats for sale where you shop but ive been partial to yamaha receivers . speakers are kinda a mixed bag but I have some fisher floor standing speakers that were free and shake the walls. kinda depends on their wattage and condition ect..... get a working receiver then use it to shop for speakers.

[kennethk]

1 minute ago, emosun said:

well it kinda depends whats for sale where you shop but ive been partial to yamaha receivers . speakers are kinda a mixed bag but I have some fisher floor standing speakers that were free and shake the walls. kinda depends on their wattage and condition ect..... get a working receiver then use it to shop for speakers.

Yeah I was thinking that I know this here just looks like a toy but wonder if it could get the job done

 

Moukey Bluetooth 5.0 Home Audio Power Stereo Amplifier for Speakers - Portable 2 Channel Stereo Desktop Amp Receiver with FM Radio, MP3/USB/SD Readers, 2 Mic Input, Remote (Peak Power 100W) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D3JK7BH/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0YKEXY0H0EK49FQH40BQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[emosun]

again I'd opt for a used receiver that was originally made to be high quality than a terrible new one. I'll be honest even if a receiver was over 50 years old I'd sooner opt for it over something that incredibly low quality as again it's expected lifespan will still exceed something that bad.

[IPD]

You probably don't need 5.1 if you are space constrained.  But if you want cheap and decent quality, I have had good results with my Logitech Z606.  They've gone up in price (Let's Go Brandon), and used to be about $90.  I got 4 stands for the F/R L/R and the center sits on my entertainment center.

 

These do not have any way to control via smartphone app, afaik....but they will do 3.5mm (aux) and have a BT input also (so volume control either via remote or via your BT device).

 

If you really want bass though (without pissing off the neighbors), consider a butt shaker or something similar.  This is but one example:

 

https://www.amazon.com/ButtKicker-BK-LFE-Frequency-Effects-System/dp/B0007P98K6

 

NO surround sound system in your listed price range is going to have a quality, resonating bass.  I'd say you probably want at least a 10" sealed sub if you want quality sound reproduction--and you're going to need an amp and a receiver for it (LPF and all that jazz).

 

Yamaha--as mentioned above--is quite good for the price, but it's still above the budget you list.  And a DIY build is pretty much what you'd need to do if something like the z606 won't cut it.

[dizmo]

With a space that small a soundbar is your best bet...probably used, or from eBay with a budget like that. Getting anything with more pieces, you're going to drastically go down in quality and honestly it wouldn't really be worth it.

[Orcais]

I'm using the Creative Stage for my desktop setup. It's about $100 in Singapore, comes with a soundbar and subwoofer too. Don't know if you could get it in US but the value is definitely there.

Creative Stage 2.1 High Performance Under-monitor Soundbar with Subwoofer for TV, Computers, and Ultrawide Monitors - Creative Technology (Singapore)

[kennethk]

1 hour ago, Orcais said:

I'm using the Creative Stage for my desktop setup. It's about $100 in Singapore, comes with a soundbar and subwoofer too. Don't know if you could get it in US but the value is definitely there.

Creative Stage 2.1 High Performance Under-monitor Soundbar with Subwoofer for TV, Computers, and Ultrawide Monitors - Creative Technology (Singapore)

Spec wise doesn't look all that different from the one I posted

[Colty]

A pair of bookshelf speakers, a subwoofer, an AVR. That's all you need for a "good enough" setup. You can find these things and haggle for them on facebook marketplace or craigslist. If done right, the setup would blow most soundbars out of the water. And if you do it right, you'll be buying them when they're already at their lowest value. You can sell them later and break even or even sell them for more. A $100 soundbar will not do that for you. 

[Home Theater Dummy]

$100 is not really going to cut it.  Especially if you are going receiver and speakers...Once you get to the $300 and up things start to look more promising.

If all I wanted was cheap sound that was good and had some "future tech" in it. I'd honestly probably go with something like

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer from Walmart for $299

I haven't' demo'd it in my home. but I have inside walmart. and I have to tell you its really compelling for something basic

It is just the soundbar and subwoofer, but it doesn't do a BAD job of the atmos or surround effects when listening to the built in demo (while inside walmart)
It has 4k and will pass through HDR.  so it makes a compelling argument.

If you have a Walmart near you see if they have it in their soundbar section.