Yesterday’s deal featuring a Sharp Aquos TV and Pioneer Blu-ray player and A/V receiver garnered some reaction, mostly looking for the missing pieces. “That’s a great start to a compact entry-level home theater, but where are the speakers?” 

Well, today’s deals answer that request. 

Let’s start with the Energy C-50 Bookshelf speaker for $47 each, with free shipping, from World Wide Stereo.

These are the smallest of the Energy C series, with 4.5” woofers and 8.75” x 5.75” x 8” overall dimensions, but they still reach down to 65 Hz (allowing for easy blending with an 80 Hz crossover) and a respectable 88 dB/w/m sensitivity. Five of these would be a great complement to yesterday’s Pioneer receiver and offer seamless surround in every direction from perfectly matching speakers. 

A compact budget home theater also needs a compact budget subwoofer. This proposition may seem like an oxymoron, but cheapskates (we kid because we love) can actually do really well for themselves these days. Check out the Dayton ES8 100w Elite 8” subwoofer from Parts Express, currently on sale for $99. Designed by respected subwoofer designer Dr. Hsu, this little 8” unit has extension to 30 Hz, 3/4” MDF construction, and a high-output ported design and should round out the low end of our compact entry-level home theater quite nicely. 

Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins is chief technology editor for EH Publishing. He writes product reviews, features, and focuses heavily on 3D TV, iPhone and iPad apps, and digital content.