Reddit reviews Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver, 5.2 channel, 4K Ultra HD Audio and Video, Home Theater System, built-in Bluetooth and USB port, Compatible with HEOS Link for Wireless Music Streaming

Micca RB42

Micca MB42X

Fluance Signature Series

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1

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Denon Receiver

That should be a good starting point. And there isn't really anything to tell you to look for at a thrift store. There's just too much out there. If it's heavy, it might be good. If it's got 5 way binding post instead of spring clips, it might be good. There isn't a ton of real advice to give you there.

Denon AVR-S740H

SVS Prime 5.1

The towers are rated down to 30Hz, which isn't as good as a sub but way better than a soundbar/tv.

The other path to get a pair of bookshelves ($500) or satellites ($250) then a sub at $800 for 2.1. The plan here is to take the solid speakers that you'll use for your mains right away and move them to your surround channel later, giving you a bad-ass 5.1 system later.

You can get a lot of bang for your buck at Part's Express to get started and then update over time. Maybe something like this sub and these satellites with this Denon to power it all. The satellites have a link to the center but it seems to fall short of the mains. You may consider stepping up on the mains and do 2.1 instead of 3.1 until you fix the placement issue.

If you only want 2 speakers, an entry level receiver would work great:

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-Receiver-Audio-Component-AVRS540BT/dp/B07C49F2LD/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Bluetooth-Component-Receiver-RX-V385BL/dp/B07BNXXJKB

These are very simple bare bones models. Easy to use.

For turntable and setup questions do use the Weekly Questions Thread top sticky post or click the button on the right sidebar. Though you can reply here and I can still respond after this post gets removed.

Pass on the stereo mini system.

For use with a TV, turntable and Bluetooth, an AV receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Used:

• Best to first look for a used AV receiver or even a stereo receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers. kijiji.ca, or even canuckaudiomart.com may have a few budget deals mixed in with higher end stuff. Some Canadian speaker brands to look for are PSB or Paradigm besides many other brands, KEF, Polk, Klipsch etc.
  
• Or get one used an the other new. For example it may be easier to find used speakers in good working condition since there is few parts to break. Then get a new receiver.
  
  AV Receiver: With 4K HDMI switching. You can also add more speakers later for surround sound for movies and TV. Music stays 2 channel.
  
  Great price on this 7.2:
  
  
• Best Buy Onkyo TX-SR383 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver $300 CAD.
  
• Electronics Express Onkyo TX-SR383 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver $300 CAD.
  
  If it sells out or the sale ends, the 5.2 base model options:
  
  
• Onkyo TX-SR373 $250 CAD.
  
• Yamaha RXV385 $280 CAD
  
• Denon AVRS540BT $300 CAD.
  
  Speakers:
  
  
• Canadian Fluance: Elite Series High Definition Two-way Bookshelf Loudspeakers $173 CAD or Signature Series HiFi Two-way Bookshelf Surround Sound Speakers $265 CAD
  
• Pioneer SP-BS22-L $150 CAD.
  
  Speaker wire: PrimeCables Oxygen-Free Copper Cable (50ft 14AWG) and cut to size, or 6 foot pair Micca Pure Copper Speaker Wire with Gold Plated Banana Plugs, 14AWG, 6 Feet (2 Meter), Pair.
  
  Speaker Stands (US Examples): Dayton Audio SSMB24, Monoprice Glass or Monolith by Monoprice and Audio Advisor where most are also available at Amazon.
  
  Home Theater Guides: r/HTBuyingGuides FAQ • How to Set Up a Basic Home Theater System - Lifewire • How to Set Up Your Home Theater Receiver • Speaker Placement for Home Theater
  
  Home Audio Guides: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile's Guides • How to position your speakers for great sound – U-Turn Audio • Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening
  
  Also check out r/BudgetAudiophile.
  
  ​
  
  Powered Bookshelf Speakers:
  
  Another option is powered bookshelf speakers with analog RCA input for your turntable, bluetooth for your phone, optical digital input for your TV and USB input for your computer. It also has a subwoofer out jack like the AV receiver. However you can't upgrade one part at a time like you can with separates and you can't later add more speakers for surround sound for movies and TV.
  
  
• Ai60 High Performance Powered 6.5” Bookshelf Speakers $400 CAD

Do you know of any others that would be able to power the A3's properly? I've been searching google/amazon but haven't found anything.

Edit: Continued looking around, didn't find anything that looked promising. After reading more, I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and run the two cables where they need to go. I think I'm going to go with a this Denon receiver-

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1543267116&sr=1-3&keywords=denon+s540bt

Looks like it provides 140w per channel which looks to be sufficient for the Polk RTiA3 speakers.

Looking at the manual for your AV reviever: "Audio signals received by the HDMI IN jacks are output only by the HDMI OUT (Pass-Thru). HDMI sources are not output by the speakers connected to the AV receiver." Sorry to tell you this but that AVR is a piece of crap with respect to HDMI functionality.

So your options are:

1. Live with stereo output from the TV and forget about DTS and LPCM 5.1
   
2. Buy an audio extractor with optical out
   
3. Buy a modern AVR (example: https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD/ )
   
   Option 2 is a waste of money. I'd go with option 3. Shop around some local AV stores you might be able to get something cheaper if money is tight. Even a used one that's a few years old would be better than what you have.

>Denon AVR-S540BT (refurbished)

28% 1 star reviews: https://smile.amazon.com/product-reviews/B07C49F2LD/ref=acr_search_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&showViewpoints=0

This is one I found.
It has a coaxal port on it that says digital audio in, but it also has speaker wire hook up. Does that mean I can hook up either or.

Look at picture 2 on Amazon

Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver, 5.2 channel, 4K Ultra HD Audio and Video, Home Theater System, built-in Bluetooth and USB port, Compatible with HEOS Link for Wireless Music Streaming https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C49F2LD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_yw5UCb4C1GC4T

In the hifi world you make the flow chart in the direction of the signal.

PC -> interconnect cable -> amplifier -> speaker wire -> speakers.

Anyhow, you should really be looking at amplifiers in the 300-500 CAD range to make those speakers justice.

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This Denon amplifier, for example, its 250 canadians.

https://www.amazon.ca/Denon-Receiver-Audio-Component-AVRS540BT/dp/B07C49F2LD/

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Or this Onkyo, $400

https://www.amazon.ca/Onkyo-TX-8140-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B01AT3G1Z0/

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Or this Yamaha, $350

https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-R-S300BL-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B0044779H2/

Here are some thoughts that I had.

1. The budget is pretty health for a simple 2.0 setup which is what I would go with.
   
2. I would go with just some decent sized books to get a good overall sound quality. You don't need a sub for the music you listen to and you don't want to anger the neighbors.
   
3. I would probably go with something that you can add in the TV too as the wife is always right in the end. However, I'm thinking the speakers will be pretty far apart from the TV to get a good balanced sound for it. It will fill the room with sound with each speaker in the respective corners of the room.
   
   I'm going to assume you're in the US so here are some options I would look at.
   
   Amp - This makes the sound come out of the speakers. I'm a passive fan so yes I would get an amp. Pick one.
   
   

• Denon S540 $230 - Basic AVR that will allow you to add in the TV or whatever sources you would like. You can also expand to surround sound/multi channel stereo if you wanted to.
  
• SMSL AD18 $145 - 2.1 channel mini amp that does have an optical for TV hookup. If you just want two channels this can do the trick. I do prefer the AVR but that's just me.
  
  Speakers - I would go with a decent sized bookshelf in order to get some bass. Pick one.
  
  
• Boston A26 $210pr - Larger book that has a smooth sound.
  
• KEF Q150 refurb $300 - These go on sale but right now this is best deal going. These sound fantastic and the bass these can make will surprise you. These would be my choice, I own them.
  
• Polk S20 $210 - Polk really stepped it up with these. The low end is nice and they have the power port to allow them to be closer the wall if needed.
  
  Consider getting some stands for the speakers so you can get them off the wall a bit. I would also look into getting some banana plugs for the speaker wire. You will need some wire ask if you need recommendations.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F174060660626

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=denon&qid=1574484822&sr=8-3

Get speaker wire and stands with the leftover $. If you ever decide to get a subwoofer, save up for a quality one. Don't buy something cheap just to get it in there. With your budget and your limited time for research, this is your best bang for your buck and all in stock ready to ship.

Reciever: https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD/

Subwoofer:https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SW-8MKS-powered-subwoofer-theater/dp/B008NCD2PC

Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/

then you need to look at 5.1 receivers not stereo 2 channel or you would have to replace receiver when you add a center........

https://www.amazon.ca/Denon-Receiver-Audio-Component-AVRS540BT/dp/B07C49F2LD

https://www.amazon.ca/Yamaha-RX-V383BL-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B06XXR6JK3

Any reason you're tied down to a powered 2.0 system? I loved my Promedia's and when I was finally looking to upgrade after 6 years with them, I was looking at other all in one systems. After further reading, I was convinced to get an AV receiver and a pair of bookshelf speakers. I highly recommend going a similar route. It really gives you a lot more flexibility and room to grow.

I ended up with a Yamaha RX-V381 and a pair of Sony SSCS5's for about $300.

Since then I've added a center and will soon add a sub without having to replace the whole system.

The Sony's just went on sale again and a pair is $75. I'd get those and shop around for a receiver that matches your budget. (consider refurbished/renewed)

Whereas with the promedia, you had a single auxilliary cord that had to be ru nth whatever you're listening to. Having a receiver allows hookup to all your devices and lokely will add bluetooth as well. Changing inputs is done via remote rather than manually dealing with cords.

If you want to go super low budget that will still blow the promedias away, you can grab a cheap Lepy/Laepai amp like this to run a pair of bookshelfs (ie. Sony CS5 <--GET these):

https://www.amazon.com/Lepai-LP-2020TI-Instruments-TPA3118-Amplifier/dp/B071FJF4FF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=M2WIJL2PC1PM&keywords=lepai+amplifier&qid=1563810359&s=gateway&sprefix=lepai+amp%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-3#customerReviews

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If you are set on a powered AIO system, my recommendation is JBL LSR305 over the two you mentioned. I have not heard either of those, but I temporarily owned the LSR305 and they were absurdly good. I only didn't keep them, because I got a noise complaint from the neighbors on day one and they were a little complicated dealing with multiple inputs.

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A few receiver options:

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD

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https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs540bt/denon-avr-s540bt-5.2-ch-x-70-watts-bluetooth-a/v-receiver/1.html

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https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs730h/denon-avr-s730h-7.2-ch-x-75-watts-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

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Link to Sony Bookshelfs (also at best buy):

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS5-3-Driver-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLMVA

Separate question from my other comment, as they are different projects and in no way related.

I recently came across a nice collection of old B&W speakers. https://imgur.com/a/qYgmf4f
I am not knowledgeable at all about the topic, but as far as I understand I need at least a 3.1 receiver to work with them. I was recommended Denon by a friend, but I would like some outside sources on this.

Let's compare the $200 Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver and the $400 Denon AVR-S650H

Looking at the specs, it seems the only difference is one is newer, and has an antenna in the back. Is it justified in having twice the price, for only 10W more per channel, and some other oddball features?

DONT split the L/R

I am not aware of a new 5.1 AVR for under 150 anywhere that I would recommend (i.e. never Pyle).

Cheapest (I think( decent new on Amazon is 199 - https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-S540BT-Bluetooth-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B07C49F2LD/

https://www.accessories4less.com/ will sell you a refurb 5.1 for under 150.

Craigslist you should find one for less than $100.

99.9% of soundbars are hot garbage and waaay overpriced. I suggest a 3.1 setup with one center channel, left and right speakers and a subwoofer. Pick a receiver of your choice, wich can support this setup.

If you really want a soundbar, check out theses soundbars that do not suck: https://www.klipsch.com/products/heritage-theater-bar, https://www.nubert.de/soundbars/567/ (german site)

All the linked products are only recommendations, there are tons of great passive speakers.

I would say that the Klipsch is a lot better and worth the extra $216, but then again, you would also need an amp and that would cost you a lot more. You just need to really determine if you want to go the passive route and have the ability to upgrade more down the road or get a simple powered system that will work just fine for what you need and sounds great, but not have the ability to upgrade components.

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Here a few good options in either category though that would fit your budget:

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Passive Setup:

Speakers:

Fluance Signature - $269 CAD

Polk S20 - $350 CAD

Elac Debut B6.2 - $343 CAD

Elac Uni-Fi UB5 - $522 CAD (Considered to be just as good as the Klipsch RP-150M)

Klipsch RP-150M - $289 US (plus shipping and taxes to Canada [$unknown])

SVS Prime - $629 CAD (Can’t tell if this listing is for a pair)

Amps:

SMSL AD18 - $174 CAD

Yamaha RX-V385 - $279 CAD

Denon AVR-S540BT - $377 CAD

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Powered Setup:

Fluance Ai40 - $225 CAD

Fluance Ai60 - $403 CAD

Edifier S2000 Pro - $500 CAD

Vanatoo Transparent Zero - $359 US (plus shipping and taxes to Canada [$unknown])

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Studio Monitor Setup:

Monitors:

JBL 305P MKII - $440 CAD

Interfaces:

Behringer UMC202HD - $104 CAD

Focusrite Solo 3rd Gen - $159 CAD

Steinberg UR22MKII - $180 CAD

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The studio monitor setup is one of my favorites. The JBL’s sound amazing on a desktop, but I would not get one without an audio interface with balanced inputs to help reduce noise.