Help with first home audio set-up, please.

[testudoAubreii]

Hello,

I am new to home audio, so I do not even know where to begin. The last thing that I have to set up in my media room is the sound system. I am looking for a 5.1 system that will be great for games/movies/music. I have been researching and noticed that it can get very expensive fast. I have looked at everything from a system in a box to piecing it together. I don't know what would work better for a novice such as myself. I don't know what brand, model or anything, really.

I need something that I can run through my PC and gaming consoles. I think that I would like to have a central receiver that I can plug in HDMI cables into and then have one HDMI run from the receiver to the TV...if that makes any sense.

I do have a bit of a budget, I would say around $300-400. If there is any other information that you need to help me out, please let me know.

Thank you in advance for any and all help, suggestions and advice that you can offer.

Testudo

 

[americanaudiophile]

Getting a separate receiver will allow you more flexibility for upgrades in the future. A receiver like this
http/www.walmart.com/ip/Onkyo-HT-RC230-5.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/14335655
and speakers like these
http/www.amazon.com/Energy-Classic-Theater-System-Black/dp/B001202C44
would be better than a HTiB package. Price is a little higher than you mention but not too much.
You could use speakers like these to stay at the lower end of your budget:
http/www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP1800BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B001AVRD62/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1396715041&sr=1-1&keywords=surround+sound+speakers+5.1