Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

My new interest in surround sound

Feb 18, 2016 5:24PM PST

Well I caught the theater bug. I've read a lot of great threads on here so I figured I would join. Seems to be a lot of good knowledge on this site. Anyways I had gotten a set of Bose 301 directs for $50 off a friend. I know some guys say noobs always start with Bose. Well yea when they are that cheap why not? Looking into a Denon Avr-s510bt receiver. More in my budget from what I think to be a nice entry level receiver. So next I'm guessing I can get the Bose 161 for right and left surround. Used on eBay for $60 with brackets. Yes wife won't let me put much out as far as budget. To match for center speaker would have to be vsc-10 which I can also get on eBay used at a decent price. My friend will sell me Polk psw-10 sub for $50. So my question is this a pretty good setup for a rather inexpensive way to start or should I keep my 301s for a stereo only and go another route?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Although I don't own any Bose equipment but...
Feb 19, 2016 12:26PM PST

looking at what you have selected, it might work ok as a surround system.

- Collapse -
Seems like a decent setup
Feb 23, 2016 2:33PM PST

But I would gradually continue to improve on your system. If you are truly interested in great home theater sound, you're going to need to throw a few more bucks down towards it. Another great way to get started on surround sound is to make sure you have good front speakers too, as a lot of people are too concerned with left, right, front and back. A lot of people are leaning towards a soundbar, and those can vary greatly in price. Even an entry level Vizio or Sony will be enough to get you started.

Bose, like a lot of these other brands, scales up quickly in price and quality. While you can find cheaper ones, they get pretty high quality after you pass entry level.

- Collapse -
What you are suggesting is a downgrade
Feb 24, 2016 10:37PM PST

He's already on the right track, and can avoid Bose altogether by shopping around more in used shops, waiting for the right price that suits his wife, etc. It makes little sense to suggest a crappy soundbar since even the 'good' ones aren't so good compared to basic used front speakers. The bargains can be outstanding if you actually look around.