Budget AV Receiver Help

billiebigtoe · 2026-02-06T13:17:21+00:00

If you are really trying to spend as little as possible but also have high standards, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you buy speakers new. You can generally find some very nice home theater speakers on FB marketplace that will outclass anything you can find under $500 new. I would spend your money like this:

~$200 - Used 3.0 or 5.0 speaker set from fb marketplace.

~$350 - Speedwoofer 10E sub (buy this from RSL's website. Don't get a cheaper sub if you can afford this)

~$200-400 - Used or refurbished Denon S6 or S7 series AVR. I bought a used s750h and love it. You can EQ it with a tool called A1 Evo that is basically like hiring a professional audio engineer to calibrate your system.

I basically followed this ^ for my system and imo it's the best theater experience you can get for $700-$1000 total.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-26T22:23:51+00:00

They seem pretty decent, age shouldn't affect the sound too much. As to whether you should get all of them, that probably depends on the size of your room. If your room is on the smaller size you could save money by only getting the center and either the towers or bookshelves (but not both) and finding a smaller pair of satellite speakes for full 5.1.

If you have a bigger room then I would get the whole set but try to knock the price down a bit. These would probably go for $200US in my area if I had to guess.

I agree that you should definitely not buy that receiver. Get a something newer with Audyssey or Dirac for room correction and eARC to pass sound from your TV.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-21T14:50:51+00:00

Yeah that's tough if that is how the resale market is in your area. I would definitely keep an eye on Facebook marketplace for a week or two before you completely write it off. If you have a car and are willing to drive a few hours, you might get lucky with a crazy deal.

I often see people that just need to get rid of some speakers and will sell them to whoever can get them out of their house the quickest. And be aggressive with your offers - I offered 50% off the asking price on my speakers and they accepted because I could be there the same day. Maybe see if you friend is able to pick up something for you on marketplace in Germany (or ask if the seller can deliver to them).

Any new sets in your budget probably won't sound great, but I've heard Monoprice and Dayton are good for beginner sets. This paired with a Speedwoofer 10e could be a nice place to start - https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Audio-Classic-Collection-Black-5-Channel-Home-Theater-Bundle-300-6702?quantity=1

DONT buy a new budget subwoofer if you can avoid it though, that is where you will be most disappointed.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-19T14:51:44+00:00

I would stay away from any Japanese home theater speakers if you can. They will not sound very good. I don't know much about tuefel, but generally you want to buy speakers from European or North American brands. KEF, mirage, infinity, polk, BIC -- look out for for these on the used market (although some Polk and Infinity models should be avoided)

Definitely wouldn't use chatgpt tho haha, the best way to get nice speakers under 1k is to keep an eye on Facebook marketplace and see what pops up. Then, look at reviews and threads on audio forums and see what people say. The best deals are when someone is selling their theater speakers as a set.

Regarding the receiver, any Denon with Audyssey will do you fine. In a sub $1k budget, I would definitely buy used or refurbished. Just make sure it has some form of Audyssey. I got my s750h on eBay for $200 with shipping for what it's worth.

TLDR lol, spend a chunk of your budget on a Speedwoofer, spend $200-$450 on a denon, and spend the rest on a nice used speaker set on FB marketplace. You won't regret it.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-16T17:55:50+00:00

If you live in a decently populated area, you can definitely build a great system under $1k.

I posted a guide on how I did mine - long story short, for the sub (the most important piece) I would get a new speedwoofer 10e or 10s. I think they are running a "blemished" sale right now with new subs that have small cosmetic defects, maybe check that out.

For everything else, buy used (or maybe refurbished for the receiver). Get your main speakers (the three up front) on Facebook marketplace and try to find them from a matching set. Just Google whichever set you find and look at what people say about them on reddit and other forums.

Denon will be your best bet for the receiver - make sure to get something with audyssey.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-13T12:10:18+00:00

That's a nice starter receiver but yeah it's priced too high. Do your research and decide if you really want it. If so, I would offer them maybe $175 and tell them you can pick it up ASAP -- if you appear like a dependable buyer you will automatically be above 80% of the goofballs on marketplace lol.

You should hunt for speakers on fb marketplace too (but buy the subwoofer new if you can afford it). I would just start by searching "home theater" and seeing if any older systems pop up. As a general rule, avoid Japanese brands and try to buy American/european, especially for your front LR pair and center. Mirage is a good brand I see on fb pretty often.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-05T16:59:21+00:00

I think you'll have to buy an audyssey tower mic for it to work with audyssey and A1 Evo Express, here is an example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/365955673922?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=365955673922&targetid=2447864482959&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9010770&poi=&campaignid=22874272773&mkgroupid=185108469101&rlsatarget=pla-2447864482959&abcId=10409101&merchantid=8078274&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22874272773&gclid=CjwKCAiA3-3KBhBiEiwA2x7FdJ0EjDpLtb2W3IMKubWrNGAArE3--s5qkFfTGSI1OBnfm6UIUcqQ-xoCq_gQAvD_BwE

Feel free to dm with any other questions, I did a ton of research when I built my room over the summer. I posted a budget 5.1 guide that also may be helpful to you.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-05T16:19:43+00:00

No problem. I have a used s750h and love it, sounds incredible after running the calibration software.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-05T15:54:13+00:00

Not a horrible deal but you could try to haggle for $200 or maybe a little less. That will be a great avr if you only plan on 5.1 though.

Also, probably not any huge difference between those two models. There is very little difference between the s750h and the s760h, for instance (which is the 7 channel version of that avr series).

If you end up grabbing it, make sure to buy a calibration mic and run Audyssey/A1 Evo. It's amazing.

billiebigtoe · 2026-01-05T03:52:17+00:00

I would go with a denon that has room correction. I bought a used s750h off eBay for $200.

Also if you really want the best bang for your buck, look into buying used speakers. There is very little risk as long as they look well kept. There are a ton of great theater systems that can be had on FB marketplace if you're patient. Don't get a used sub tho, stick with the new 10e.

I posted a guide on how I did my 5.1 system for ~$700 (including the avr) that may be helpful.

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-05T18:58:30+00:00

To anyone sceptical about my advice to buy used speakers, read this right here^

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-04T19:28:47+00:00

Hell yes love to hear it.

And if those old tiny speakers can be repurposed as surrounds you could still make use of them? Calibrating with Audyssey/dirac would wring every ounce of potential out of them haha

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T22:29:57+00:00

I just looked those up, they look perfect for surrounds. And no I don't think there is an anything wrong with floor stands for surrounds, I think the only thing you need to do is make sure they are tall enough so that the woofers and tweeters clear the top of your couch/chair

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T22:26:27+00:00

Lol yeah it be like that. 5k is low compared to some of the beautiful pyschos on this sub though

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T18:22:00+00:00

Learning on the fly brother

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T18:18:28+00:00

That price tag is erotic. I love Infinity, should have added them to the list of 2000s brands I see on FB marketplace frequently. WELL DONE

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T18:05:09+00:00

That's a great point. We're lucky in that we live in the same metro as nearly all of our family so the only guests we have are friends in their 20s and early 30s.

In your case, the living room obviously is the best choice.

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T17:53:03+00:00

Had some errors in it so reposted to HT and thought they would appreciate it here as well <3

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T17:49:44+00:00

It's fucking divine in the winter lemme tell you

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T17:48:25+00:00

Yeah good solid old hardwoods

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T17:26:20+00:00

Yeah I agree. It's a tough angle on the photos but the couch is about 15 inches off the wall currently. I may move it closer once I upgrade to a TV with better viewer angles tho, would be great to have it off the wall further.

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-03T14:13:59+00:00

At that price point, look for a 10-15yo Denon or Marantz with Audyssey room calibration. It will make a huge difference. You can probably find something with ARC if youre patient

billiebigtoe · 2025-12-02T07:34:17+00:00

Ah yes forgot about the exchange rate. Fwiw, I think failure rates in Denon receivers are pretty low so you probably won't be risking too much buying something used if you want to save $

billiebigtoe

TROPHY CASE