$200 for a home theater audio setup!?! That's about as low as you can possibly get away with. I would recommend stepping that up if you can. $400-600 would be more reasonable for a low budget build.
At that price I recommend against surround sound because you'll be stuck with crappy satellite speakers. I would also recommend buying active speakers. Active (also called powered) speakers will limit your future upgrade potential but will allow you to get better sound for your money. I would also recommend buying used. And this goes true of any price range since speakers don't degrade in quality over time nor has the tech substantially improved over the last 60 years unlike other industries.
I have a few suggestions in mind but let me ask you a few more questions first.
Important questions:
How big is the room? How far away from where the speakers will be do you normally sit?
Less important questions:
Do you prefer bookshelf or floorstanding speakers (or do you not have a preference)? How important is having a subwoofer (deep bass)? How important is having surround sound (2D positional effects)? Do you prefer bassy (bass heavy), neutral, or bright (treble heavy) speakers (or no preference)? Do you prefer forward or distant (or no preference)? Do you prefer narrow or wide soundstage (or no preference)?
At that price I recommend against surround sound because you'll be stuck with crappy satellite speakers. I would also recommend buying active speakers. Active (also called powered) speakers will limit your future upgrade potential but will allow you to get better sound for your money. I would also recommend buying used. And this goes true of any price range since speakers don't degrade in quality over time nor has the tech substantially improved over the last 60 years unlike other industries.
I have a few suggestions in mind but let me ask you a few more questions first.
Important questions:
How big is the room? How far away from where the speakers will be do you normally sit?
Less important questions:
Do you prefer bookshelf or floorstanding speakers (or do you not have a preference)? How important is having a subwoofer (deep bass)? How important is having surround sound (2D positional effects)? Do you prefer bassy (bass heavy), neutral, or bright (treble heavy) speakers (or no preference)? Do you prefer forward or distant (or no preference)? Do you prefer narrow or wide soundstage (or no preference)?
"Normally if given a choice between doing something and nothing, I’d choose to do nothing. But I would do something if it helps someone else do nothing. I’d work all night if it meant nothing got done."
-Ron Swanson
"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
-Mark Antony
-Ron Swanson
"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
-Mark Antony