Ebay-ing and Surround Sound System Help

[JohnCrichton]

Looking to purchase a surround sound system, but don't wanna get punked, or feel like I got me a second rate system.

But, well I know one should be willing to drop 500 bucks on a true system that can, like, travel through time, get you a girlfriend and do your home work, but I'm cheap.

I'm looking to spend a max of 250.

Would I be a chump if I bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1387237034

Could any of you skilled Ebay Jockeys surf the Bay and tell me what would be worth my 250 to pick up?

Would I want this even:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1387412635

Thanks!

[The Penguin]

I would say buy at your own risk, both look like they would be pretty good and giving you a good deal, but you just never know. Personally I barely buy used video games so I might not be the best person to offer thoughts. If it were me I would just save up and buy it from a retailer, be it on-line or in person, and then you won't have to worry about any problems.

[Shawn Hopkins]

The first system is not very good. It's very low watt (160) and it doesn't seem to have true Dolby Digital or DTS, so you're not going to get all you can out of DVDs and X-Box and Ps2 games that use Dolby 5.1 or DTS. If you are are a Gamecube gamer, you really should try to find a system with Prologic II, because the cube really takes advantage of that.

Also:

It brags about inputs but doesn't tell you if it has digitial optical. Not good.

It's a brand I've never heard of, which would keep me away from it.

No one posted at its e-pinions site.
http://www.epinions.com/SSI_Cineplex_220_w_Video_Pro_Full_Surround_Sound_System_CINEPLEX_220__Full_Systems_CINEPLEX_220/display_~full_specs

You can get much better systems for just a little more. Check Wal-Marts and electronics stores. You can also find some deals out there. I'm no expert, but I found an RCA system I like in a Radio Shack. It was a $400-plus system, but they had cut it to a little over $350 because it was a display model.

That was a while back. It goes for a lot cheaper now:

http://www.epinions.com/RCA_RT2500_Home_Theatre__Full_Systems_rt2500/display_~full_specs

I hate speaker hiss, so I'll tell you this:
When you look, make them turn the speakers up if you can with no signal to the system. Listen for the hiss. Try to find a setup with as little hiss as possible, especially at lower volumes.

The second one is just sad. If you want surround sound you owe yourself more.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

As for the first system you linked to, my first impression is that the guy is trying way too hard to hype it. I'd steer clear of stuff like that. As for the second link, that system looks very weak and probably low quality.

If you're looking to spend $250 on an entire system, your best bet is to check out Wal Mart, etc...as was previously stated. Or you can do like me and buy one component at a time. (use old speakers with a new receiver, for instance, then go from there) That way, you won't have to spend too much at once, and in the end, you'll have something to really enjoy. :)

[gtracer72]

Go check out BestBuy. I spent $215 on my surround sound. 600 watt Kenwood system. The sound is really good. The speakers are almost as good as the JBL speakers that my dad has.

However, you will have to spend extra money for wires. You'll need a fiber optic cable for your DVD player and better speaker wires. The wires that come with the system suck, but don't buy Monster Cable wires. They are too expensive and since you will be buying a relatively cheap system, its not worth the money. Don't forget speaker stands too.

The ones that you mentioned, don't mess with. They look lame. Just shop around, and you eventually find a deal.