Moderators Youthman Posted November 22, 2013 Moderators Share Posted November 22, 2013 My neighbor wanted to purchase a soundbar for her husband (see previous thread) but I have convinced her to let me find her a much better budget system that she can expand and grow down the road. I'm looking for something like the RB-61, RB-35 or RB-3 or even better, a pair of RF-3ii (or equivalent). Her original budget was around $200. I think she would be willing to spend $400 - $500 if it was a significant improvement over a soundbar. Her main requirements for receiver is a few HDMI (PS3 is all she has right now) and Airplay. I found a Harman Kardon AVR 1700 which is 5.1 with 100/ch, HD Audio support, and Airplay for $100 - $175. That just might fit the bill very well for them. Interestingly enough, when I search Ebay Ended Auctions for Airplay Receiver, there really isn't a lot that's available but fortunately, they are very budget friendly and all under $200. Denon 1613Harman Kardon AVR 1700Pioneer VSX-1022 Pioneer VSX-822 Even looking at searching for current Airplay Receivers on Ebay, not much of a selection and only a few are over her budget. Of course I'm partial to HK but has anyone had experience with any of these other three? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1613/DENON-AVR-1613-5.1ch-Networking-Receiver-w/AirPlay-3D-ready/1.html this one gets my vote. same as mine buy the 1713 has the upgraded odyssey xt. my brother has the 822 pioneer and i guess its just cause i have never owned one but the menus weren't layed out as well, and i just didn't care for it. Edited November 22, 2013 by Scrappydue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 also lots of rb-61's out there for 300 isn. i think it would be best to find a newer set though if she plans to buy matching center and surrounds down the road easier for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 (edited) http://raleigh.craigslist.org/ele/4197718722.html http://ocala.craigslist.org/ele/4146809105.html those are the only two reasonably priced ones i could find. everyone else wants new prices for them cause they payed retail. Edited November 22, 2013 by Scrappydue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 23, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 23, 2013 Thx Scrappy, I was just looking on Accessories4less since they are local. I saw that Denon but it seems it would be less a receiver than the HK. Local pair of Like New RB-61ii for $325. Just texted to see what's the lowest he will take. They've been listed for at least 29 days. One thing I like about the RB-61's is they have a surprisingly amount of bass for a bookshelf speaker. Would be great until they can get a subwoofer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 23, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 23, 2013 Local RB-61ii's have been sold....the search continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 what about the raliegh pair? shipping would be dirt cheap probably. not very far from you? I've owned the harmon 1700 for a short time. and it was completely japanese to me. lol way worse than the pioneer. but i learned my way around after a little while. i hate how obnoxiously big the remote is for it. probably the worst remote I've ever held. terrible button layout and everything. i do like the solid black look and the volume knob on the newer harmon kardons. they are definitely slick looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I bought my son a VSX-1022 for Christmas last year. Running it with RB-5's and RC-3 and it has a great sound. It has Airplay as well. Bestbuy price matched Amazon at 299.00 It has a lot of features for the price........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 does harmon pardon eq the sub? from what i can find it says the eazyEQ doesn't eq the subs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 23, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 23, 2013 Not sure. They won't have a sub for probably at least another year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackGTS Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 She could buy my RF-3II's and still be in budget! Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 23, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 23, 2013 It's a possibility. I've never heard the quintets or the HD 500 but these would definitely fit her budget. This Quintet, 12"sub and Yamaha receiver would give them a complete system for $400. http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/ele/4208861353.html But my gut says hold off and get them a better system. Most comments I have read is that most who own them end up upgrading them. I guess I want her husband to be impressed with the system. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Don't forget everyone isn't like us. I've had friends over when I had the rf-42ii home theater and that bic sub and they were completely blown away. It was when my big system was packed up. I told them It was my baby home theater. Almost all of them said at one point in their lives they hoped to own something that nice. So others aren't so expecting. You just can't let them hear your big setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 And my dad owns the hd500. It's not a bad set. Plenty for him. My biggest complaint is the center. But it's only cause what I'm used to. My dad thinks it a fine center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 24, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 24, 2013 Don't forget everyone isn't like us. I've had friends over when I had the rf-42ii home theater and that bic sub and they were completely blown away. It was when my big system was packed up. I told them It was my baby home theater. Almost all of them said at one point in their lives they hoped to own something that nice. So others aren't so expecting. You just can't let them hear your big setup Yeah, that's the balance I'm trying to have with this. I realize not everyone has a desire to own RF-83's or RF-7ii systems but I guess I'm just trying to get something that is budget friendly that will really impress them for the money they invest in their system. That's why I'm leaning towards the RF-3ii speakers. I think they would perform very well for them and would probably rock their world. When you say hd500 "it's not a bad set", that tells me "keep looking" lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Well not a bad set means that prolly 75% of people would thinks its pretty awesome even having surround sound over a sound bar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 24, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 24, 2013 I agree that even the HD500 should be a step up from the soundbars. The only negative about the HD500 is they will not be able to use the surround speakers as they have no side walls to mount them on and no rears because that is the kitchen. They will need to go with in-ceiling speakers for surrounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappydue Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 You should just try to find some single quintets. That could be a cheap option. I pIcked up a Harmon kardon 1700 with quintet 5.0 set for 225$ about a year ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydrama Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I've got a 5 speaker set of the quintet iii, sw-350 8" sub, and Onkyo TX-SR608 I've been trying to sell locally on Craigslist for a couple of weeks. If this is a route your considering, maybe we can strike a deal. However shipping everything may make it difficult for it to make sense for us all dollar wise. I have original boxes for all but shipping all three components will probably run in the ball park of $100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted November 25, 2013 Author Moderators Share Posted November 25, 2013 Thanks for the offer Johnny but I'm going to try and find them a good deal on a pair of small floorstanding speakers (ie RF-3ii, RF-35 etc). I think that will be perfect for their setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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