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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PaulinSanDiego" data-source="post: 2618725" data-attributes="member: 422915">What surround sound format?I expect to get some backlash (thumbs down) on this, but a 5.1 surround system is perfectly adequate and anything more is overkill for all but the most sophisticated home theater systems. A 5.1 format is front right/left (main program audio in stereo), front center (mostly dialog or components of the main program audio in mono), and rear right/left (surround sound, especially for things that aren't on the screen). The ".1" is a low-frequency effect (LFE) channel that is basically the bass that goes to a powered subwoofer (with built-in amplifier - the only way to go).A 6.1 system adds a single rear center channel to the 5.1 system. And, a 7.1 system has two side surrounds and two rear surrounds to go with the front right/left and center channels. Problem is, almost all audio programming you would be playing is 5.1 (all broadcast and most DVDs). Some Blu Ray disks offer 6.1 and 7.1. And, if you only have 5.1 programming, the extra speakers are then just monophonic mixes of the rear 5.1 surrounds. So, you're just wasting money for the more expensive receiver, the extra speakers, and the speaker wires. Plus you now have to position or mount them somewhere and run all that wire everywhere.What brand of receiver?The top three receiver brands I would suggest looking at are Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo. They make good entry-level 5.1 receivers in the $250-$300 range that will offer all the functionality and versatility you'll need, especially starting out. Avoid Sony audio products. Their video stuff is the best, but their audio stuff is not their forte, so to speak.  What brand of speaker?Asking what is the best speaker is like asking what is the best tasting wine. Everyone has their own preference and you can only know the answer by listening to them yourself. That said, the only speaker brand I would buy without actually listening to them first is Klipsch. I've been experienced with them since the 1970s and have never been disappointed. I'm currently running a Klipsch Quintet surround system with a Klipsch SW-10 10-inch powered subwoofer, using a Yamaha HTR-5550 entry-level 5.1 receiver. The sound is awesome, especially the bass from the sub. It includes an individual volume control and cutoff frequency adjustments to perfectly tune the sub to any surrounds. New in the box, this setup would run you about $400 on eBay.Where to see product reviews?I suggest cnet.com. I would also suggest Amazon to look up and compare prices.</blockquote>

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