Hello,

I am considering buying the following items to add surround sound to my WD-73833. I have a PS3 which I use to stream video files and play dvds and blu-ray and I have a digital cable box. Both are connected via HDMI. I was wondering if anyone sees any concerns I should consider with these items and if you think they will give me decent quality. I know they aren't top of the line but I really don't have the money for better right now. Thank you very much for lending me your expertise.

http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/onkyo-ht-sr800-black/4505-6740_7-32421727.html?tag=prod.txt.1

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-sr605-black/4505-6466_7-32430579.html

With the ps3 you want an hdmi 1.2 or 1.3 reciver that can do the High def audio. The 605 would be great. Also check out the yamaha 661 and 663 and marntz SR4001 SR4002. It is pretty much going to cost 300?-600? for a good reciver.

I didn't know about theater in a box speakers.... It is all about your budget.

You just have a 73 inch tv and PS3+cabel box?

Have Fun!

With the ps3 you want an hdmi 1.2 or 1.3 reciver that can do the High def audio. The 605 would be great. Also check out the yamaha 661 and 663 and marntz SR4001 SR4002. It is pretty much going to cost 300?-600? for a good reciver.

I didn't know about theater in a box speakers.... It is all about your budget.

You just have a 73 inch tv and PS3+cabel box?

Have Fun!

My budget is around 1000 dollars...I don't have the cash I had when I bought the TV. Yeah...73 incher with PS3 and cable...you don't think those speaker would provide me with decent sound? Right now I'm just using the TV speakers and I've never even had surround sound... I'd just like something that would sound good. I heard 7.1 audio is really nice on PS3 games.

you don't think those speaker would provide me with decent sound? Right now I'm just using the TV speakers and I've never even had surround sound... .

Depends on what you call decent. That Onkyo HT-SR800 pairs a good receiver with kind of so-so speakers (although it would be a step up from your TV.)

The TX-SR605 would need speakers (that receiver does come in the HT-SP908 HTIB for around your budget, maybe less). Polk audio is closing out their R series, so places like Frys.com you can find some great deals on some pretty good (better than HTIB) speakers. Also, Audio Advisor is closing out the Athena line of LS speakers (since Athena has ended production of all speakers.)

There might be some other speaker deals around, too.

My budget is around 1000 dollars...I don't have the cash I had when I bought the TV. Yeah...73 incher with PS3 and cable...you don't think those speaker would provide me with decent sound? Right now I'm just using the TV speakers and I've never even had surround sound... I'd just like something that would sound good. I heard 7.1 audio is really nice on PS3 games.

Yes 5.1 or 7.1 is really great with the PS3 :) I would say get 5.1 for now (due to cost). Really look into the HDMI audio situation with what ever you buy (your PS3 will thank you).

The best advice for speakers is to go listen and don't pay full price :)

All that matters is that you like your own setup regardless of what other folk think. My brother in law has some white van speakers (for a few years now) and he would not trade them for anything in the world (not that he has the money right now). He is happy and they sound better that bose to me :)

Look around and find good deals. You have a tight but do-able budget.

Setup is just as important as what you buy for overall effect.

Have Fun!

With the ps3 you want an hdmi 1.2 or 1.3 reciver that can do the High def audio. The PS3 is an HDMI 1.1 device and, as such, does not benefit from being attached to a receiver with HDMI 1.3. To get high def audio, the PS3 will decode all the new audio codecs except dts-MA and send them to an HDMI 1.1 receiver as multichannel PCM. It cannot bitstream the new codecs for decoding in a receiver.

Nonetheless, you may still want to get an HDMI 1.3 AVR for reasons other than handling audio from a PS3. If I were buying a receiver now, I'd make sure it had HDMI 1.3.

Ahhh...I see. The Onkyo HT-SR800 comes with a receiver...Any advice on a decent set of speakers to go with the TX-SR605?

Is the HT-SP908 decent? I'll get 7.1 out of it right?

Honestly I wasn't happy with the SR800. Just didn't go well with my expensive Panasonic 50" Plasma. The receiver was capable but the speakers just weren't doing it for me. I wished I had just saved that $500 towards a receiver and speakers. Instead i bought new speakers and am currently looking at a new receiver while the SR800 is just laying around.

If you have a couple hundred extra then I would definately recommend going this route:

Speakers: See if you can piece together a nice 5.1 system here: http://www.aperionaudio.com/home.aspx
I would highly, highly recommend calling them as they are in the middle of a product transition. You can get some of the older "A Stock" (as new) speakers models @ 15% off. Full warranty and still 30 day trial. (Look at the 532 series bookshelves, 533 VAC and 422 LR's, plus an S8 sub). Just tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is and one of the gurus will definately be able to find something for your needs.

Beautiful speakers, world class furniture grade build quality, 30 day free in home trial, shipping free both ways (in the unlikely event that you want to send back b4 30 days), world class customer support and most of all speakers that sound like they should cost twice as much. Just read all the reviews.

Receiver: I would find a refurb or used. Something like this would be marvelous: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4001/MARANTZ/SR4001-80w-x-7ch-Surround-Receiver-w/HDMI/1.html

I garuntee you if you put a 5.1 system together with Aperions and that receiver you will be 100 times happier then if you went with the SR800.

It is better to spend the couple hundred extra up front and have a system that you are happy with for years. Rather than catch a bad case of upgradeitus becuase your not happy. Upgradeitus is costly.
Good Luck!

Honestly I wasn't happy with the SR800. Just didn't go well with my expensive Panasonic 50" Plasma. The receiver was capable but the speakers just weren't doing it for me. I wished I had just saved that $500 towards a receiver and speakers. Instead i bought new speakers and am currently looking at a new receiver while the SR800 is just laying around.

If you have a couple hundred extra then I would definately recommend going this route:

Speakers: See if you can piece together a nice 5.1 system here: http://www.aperionaudio.com/home.aspx
I would highly, highly recommend calling them as they are in the middle of a product transition. You can get some of the older "A Stock" (as new) speakers models @ 15% off. Full warranty and still 30 day trial. (Look at the 532 series bookshelves, 533 VAC and 422 LR's, plus an S8 sub). Just tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is and one of the gurus will definately be able to find something for your needs.

Beautiful speakers, world class furniture grade build quality, 30 day free in home trial, shipping free both ways (in the unlikely event that you want to send back b4 30 days), world class customer support and most of all speakers that sound like they should cost twice as much. Just read all the reviews.

Receiver: I would find a refurb or used. Something like this would be marvelous: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4001/MARANTZ/SR4001-80w-x-7ch-Surround-Receiver-w/HDMI/1.html

I garuntee you if you put a 5.1 system together with Aperions and that receiver you will be 100 times happier then if you went with the SR800.

It is better to spend the couple hundred extra up front and have a system that you are happy with for years. Rather than catch a bad case of upgradeitus becuase your not happy. Upgradeitus is costly.
Good Luck!

dlenart25,

What do you think of the HT-SP908 though? I appreciate your advice but I'm really kind of worried about putting the system together myself. I know people are against HTiB but its really probably the best choice for me if I can find a halfway decent system. The room is fairly small and I'm using the TV speakers. I think this will be a major improvement even if it wouldn't impress a lot of the experts here...

dlenart25,

What do you think of the HT-SP908 though? I appreciate your advice but I'm really kind of worried about putting the system together myself. I know people are against HTiB but its really probably the best choice for me if I can find a halfway decent system. The room is fairly small and I'm using the TV speakers. I think this will be a major improvement even if it wouldn't impress a lot of the experts here...

First off don't worry about impressing anyone. Everyone has there own budget constraints and tastes. In the end it is what makes you happy. And I apologize for making your choice sound like doom and gloom

Second, please don't think for a second that i was belittling your choice in electronics. The Onkyo's surround systems are highly thought of as top of the line when it comes to HTIB. The only drawback to them is that most people looking for HTIB like "small" meaning smaller speakers, the Onkyo's are bigger, but provide much better sound. Anyway, Just read some reviews about them and you should find assurance.

I have never heard the HTSP908 so can't comment on sound but I think it comes with the Onkyo 605 reciever, which in the mainstream mid-priced market appears to be a qaulity piece of equipment. I bought theSR800 for myself and my mother in law and i have to say that the HTR 550 receiver that came with it holds it own. Others may have different opinions but form what I have read Onkyo makes some good electronics across the board regardless of price point.

Anyway, I installed the SR800 system in my mother in laws 10x12 room and it is awesome for movies. In my 20X12 room it wasn't as nice and I have always had a taste for the higher end. So i heard about Aperion and bought some speakers. I am much happier and wanted to just share my experience with you.

If you do get the Onkyo HTIB, you will have that 605 receiver just in case you want to buy some new speakers in the future....But if you think you might get a case of upgradeitus than I recommend stepping up from the Home Theater in A box only to save you money in the long run

Aperion operates like a freindly small company. If you call them they will have answers to all of your questions garunteed. And believe me you can call the every hour and they will be just as freindly. Heck they will build a system for you and recommend a receiver. You can trust those guys.
For example. Here is a highly quality system for a small/intimate theater:
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/Intimus422Harmony,12,35,18.aspx


Otherwise, if you don't feel uncomfortable going that route, you definately picked the right company to buy a HTIB from, Onkyo!


Best of Luck to you!