"Surround Sound" cheap? Odd question

[CinRell]

Lately I notice when we watch DVDs some we have to turn WAAAAY up to hear and even THEN some of what they are saying is totally muffled. I've been told this is because we don't have surround sound.

I don't want little speakers all over my living room> I live in an old house and honestly it's just not set up for those anyway (lots of open doorway space etc).

So what is my option and where can i find this CHEAP... bonus if there is something on Black Friday...

Thanks!

 

[Golf4food]

There are some home theater systems that imitate surround sound by using only a couple of speakers just in the front (no true "surround" speakers behind you). Look for a 2.1 system - two front speakers and a subwoofer or a 3.1. The subwoofer makes a huge difference. But they will still only be imitation surround sound. Better than TV-only speakers, by far, however.

And if you have an HDTV, look for a Bluray system instead of DVD - it is far superior and the way of the future (until we go completely digital, but that will be a while).

 

[3boymthr]

We had the same problem and when we got surround sound it totally eliminated the problem.

My parents had the same house issues for the surround sound and went with a BOSE system because no wire had to be run but the BOSE systems cost around $1,000.

There may be another system like the BOSE out there but I've no idea what they cost.

We put in a refurbished Sony surround sound for a couple of hundred bucks but DH ran wires thru the ceilings.

On BF you might be able to get a really good deal on a system but I'd do some investigating now to see what options are out there for you.

 

[CinRell]

Thank you both! Another question.. do these options take up a lot of space? Do they have to be mounted? Or can they just sit by the tv or on the tv stand's shelves?

 

[Golf4food]

Thank you both! Another question.. do these options take up a lot of space? Do they have to be mounted? Or can they just sit by the tv or on the tv stand's shelves?

If you get just speakers to connect to your existing DVD player, you'll also get a receiver to hook to the DVD, then the speakers to the receiver. Receiver is about the size of a DVD player or slightly bigger, but similar in shape and size. Speakers can sit on an entertainment center if you have space. Subwoofer goes on the floor to one side, in a corner if you have one there.

If you buy a home theater in a box (everything including a DVD or Bluray player included) then the DVD/BD player might double as the receiver so you only have the one box instead of two (our Bluray does his - just the one box on the shelf the size of a DVD player that functions also as the receiver).

 

[PinballFamily]

We also live in an old house (1902) and the living room has lots of doorways into it too.

We have a Cambridge SoundWorks surround sound system and love it. We've had it for years and it was/is? the entry-level model. I think we paid $250 at the time. I think now it is now like $300. We have some of the little speakers on tables behind the sofas and they blend right in. Others are in the corners of the room and one is in front of the set facing viewers - but it's so small, you don't really notice it. DH ran the speaker wire up through the basement ceiling/LR floor with no problems. As a pp said, our subwoofer is also on the floor behind the tv table.

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=hometheater

I'm sure you can find a deal on a system this time of year. I know I've seen the Bose systems at BJs too - terrific quality, but (quite!) a bit out of our price range! Good luck!

 

[Cadiewampus]

We have had a Bose 123 system for about (I think) 10 years. Anyway it is great just three wires to connect. The two small speakers sit on the Tv Consol and the powered subwoofer sits beside it. There are no rear speakers but it sure sounds like there are. We got ours at one of the Bose Outlet Stores

 

[a1tinkfans]

BOSE is AMAZING.
We did the full set up, ceiling mounts for front and to the sides of the furthest couch (I guess about 15')....You literally feel like you are in the theater ....if you have ever seen Night at the Museum you FEEL like you are also IN the museum....it was worth every penny or should I say Buck
It ran us about 2500.00.
My SIL bought a unit at Costco that she loves with only One speaker up front and it does sound good.....I know she paid under 500. worth a look!