I have been lurking around in the HTIB forum here and I am quite surprised the amount of people that purchase these setups and when they get home and set it up they are surprised either by bad build quality,or components that don't function properly ,and setteling for a quick and low cost solution and then later on upgrading the speakers or avr when in the first place they could have purchased a good quality avr ,speaker package and subwoofer in the first place that would have cost alot less...
Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16

I have been lurking around in the HTIB forum here and I am quite surprised the amount of people that purchase these setups and when they get home and set it up they are surprised either by bad build quality,or components that don't function properly ,and setteling for a quick and low cost solution and then later on upgrading the speakers or avr when in the first place they could have purchased a good quality avr ,speaker package and subwoofer in the first place that would have cost alot less...
Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16


This article seems more to me like the guy is selling HIS products. HTIB are convienent for people who are on a budget and really arent audiophiles but want to have a louder setup. You cant bash or critisize that. To each their own. I dont see anything wrong with the correct HTIB which yamaha and onkyo seem to fall under as they always can be upgraded later on down the road.

I am not bashing anyone at all so maybe you need to read my post again, as for the HTIB if people do their research instead of buying blindly then they can have much better sound and gear with little research and spend the same amount of money,,.. :rolleyes:

I am not bashing anyone at all so maybe you need to read my post again, as for the HTIB if people do their research instead of buying blindly then they can have much better sound and gear with little research and spend the same amount of money,,.. :rolleyes:

Would you care to give an example? I just purchased the Onkyo S590 HTiB and am happy with it. I paid $133 for the set. What could I have gotten for $133 elsewhere?

lou is right, and i don't think he's "bashing" anyone. he is simply stating the fact that many people rush into the audio aspect of the HT equation w/o giving it much thought. many times they end up with a sleek looking unit with woeful performance.

the onkyo and yamaha units are the best things going in the HTIB world for the reasons already stated, but they are not without faults or design compromises of their own. for people interested in having their audio gear match the quality of their HD TV's, there are better options than any HTIB. start with a quality 2.1 system and build from there...patience pays off, and you'll save $$ in the long run.

Believe me when I say you will eventually outgrow that HTIB you just bought.

The Onkyo HTIB systems are very good and cheap alternatives to a separate speaker/sub/receiver setup, but they really lack in presence and definition. Luckily the receiver that comes with them is pretty good, so you can easily upgrade to better speakers and subwoofer as your budget allows.

To the OP, money is the main reason why people buy these systems. Those people buying expensive BOSE systems are just brainwashed into believing it's a top-of-the-line system. Either a salesman talked them into buying it, or they've never heard a better system. If they were true audiophiles they'd go with separates. Call these people uninformed, lazy, or they just don't know the meaning of 'value'. ;)

Would you care to give an example? I just purchased the Onkyo S590 HTiB and am happy with it. I paid $133 for the set. What could I have gotten for $133 elsewhere?

Many TVs have more intelligible dialog.

Back around 2000, I had this real decent sounding Panasonic 27 inch TV, and I bought an Audio Source HTIB, and all the sudden i had trouble making out the dialog. there was highs, and there were lows, but the middle was all mud. I removed the junky HTIB almost immediately.

So I didnt learn my lesson, and when i upgraded my TV to a big screen in 2002, I I bought an Onkyo HTS580, because it looked like it had real speakers and a real receiver. But soon I realized that my new TV did a better job of dialog reproduction than the Onkyo.

So i replaced the 5 Onkyo speakers with two bargain-basement Infinity bookshelf speakers, and all the sudden, it sounded just fine...

I then tried to run the Onkyo speakers in the back, but the Onkyo surrounds managed to completely ruin the experience , it sounded like i had an AM Radio playing in the back of the room.

So when your testing that nice new HTIB, be honest with yourself, and ask yourself if the dialog in the movie is better, or worse, than your TV.

So when your testing that nice new HTIB, be honest with yourself, and ask yourself if the dialog in the movie is better, or worse, than your TV.

Thanks John,

Thats a fair assesment. I completely understood going in that piecing together a system was far better than a HTiB. I guess I'm just not the audiophile that most here are. At least yet. ;) I thought for the price I could get a decent receiver with the ability to upgrade to nicer speakers in the future when necessary.

I don't allow other's opinions to tell me how to spend my hard earned money.

I just bought the Yamaha YHT 270 as a Christmas gift for my daughter to use in her apartment's living room (about 15 x 20 feet). I set it up yesterday, and I'm very impressed with the quality and sound. I selected the YHT-270 primarily for the powered sub. There is also quite a few component connections on the receiver and separate speaker volume levels can be set. For the $$$$ spent at BB, this HTIB is a winner.

I want to believe you guys, but I honestly cannot put a chepaer package together that the sony HTSF1000 HTIB. BECAUSE I need HDMI. And most of the newer recievers that have HDMI are the top of the line ones.

Could someone reccoment another package perhaps? Or even another HTIB with HDMI. I need a sound system to go with my Sony Bravia 52inch beast :)

Many TVs have more intelligible dialog.

Back around 2000, I had this real decent sounding Panasonic 27 inch TV, and I bought an Audio Source HTIB, and all the sudden i had trouble making out the dialog. there was highs, and there were lows, but the middle was all mud. I removed the junky HTIB almost immediately.

So I didnt learn my lesson, and when i upgraded my TV to a big screen in 2002, I I bought an Onkyo HTS580, because it looked like it had real speakers and a real receiver. But soon I realized that my new TV did a better job of dialog reproduction than the Onkyo.

So i replaced the 5 Onkyo speakers with two bargain-basement Infinity bookshelf speakers, and all the sudden, it sounded just fine...

I then tried to run the Onkyo speakers in the back, but the Onkyo surrounds managed to completely ruin the experience , it sounded like i had an AM Radio playing in the back of the room.

So when your testing that nice new HTIB, be honest with yourself, and ask yourself if the dialog in the movie is better, or worse, than your TV.

nice to see you around these parts again, john. :D

I challenge you to tell me how I can put together a 7.1 components system (receiver + speakers, no dvd or anything else) for $350 that will outperform the onkyo S790. I may just return the onkyo in favor of it.

As someone who did their homework, shopped around, went to stores that sell nice component systems, heard a set of paradigm speakers, heard some B & W speakers (front only, unfortunately), has a pair of $800 paradigm studio 20's connected to a decent receiver, and who had the money to spend on a $2000 system (5.1 speakers from paradigm or B&W + a Rotel 1050 amp for a different room that would allow me to move my surround sound amp into the theater room), I am quite glad I saved the money and purchased the onkyo.

Of course I heard a difference- the more expensive systems were much nicer. I especially noticed it in the sub. On the other hand, the sub alone that I heard with the paradigm speakers cost twice as much as the entire onkyo system, and for that much, I sure hope there is a huge difference!

I agree with you 100% on the more expensive HTIB units. However, I think a HTIB is great if you are on a very restrictive budget, or just don't want to spend much for other reasons. For example, I almost dropped the home theater idea completely because I don't watch movies, and don't know if I would with a home theater, and didn't want to sink $3,500 into finding out. When I remembered the onkyo system, and realized I could "test drive" home theater for 3, 6, 12 months for $1500, then upgrade the sound at a later date, I was sold- and consequently got the system two days later.

Sorry if the tone of my post was a little negative- there are many systems that are terrible, as you describe- many many more than there are decent systems I'm sure. Its not the greatest innovation in home audio, but for those who are on a budget or aren't as picky about sound, there is a decent system that can be found occasionally.

I challenge you to tell me how I can put together a 7.1 components system (receiver + speakers, no dvd or anything else) for $350 that will outperform the onkyo S790. I may just return the onkyo in favor of it.


Ebay. Sure, it may be used or refurbished, but it can be done. But I'll admit that I'd probably go with a new HTIB over used stuff because of possible reliablility issues. For $350 it might not be worth the hassle.

I am new to the world of home theatre and wanted something that was easy to install and sounded better than the alarm clock speakers in my Sammy HLS5087. I bought the Sony DAV-FX500 and could not be happier with it. I know there are better sounding systems out there and one day upgrade to one of those. But for now, this was the way to go for me. I actually bought an Onkyo receiver and returned it because it was information overload. I started looking at the owners manual and my headed started to spin. The HTiB is a good "starter" system for guys like me.

My third HT was a HTIB after owning Marantz, Yamaha, Cambridge, Paradigm, and NHT. It was perfect for the setup I had at the time. 18 months later I moved and set up my current rig which I won't touch for quite a while.

An HTIB is not the solution for everyone but it works in a lot of situations. And not everyone is an aspiring audiophile.

I get the feeling this topic is a common discussion here?

I very nearly bought the Onkyo 590 for a family room setup, but was nervous of the speaker quality to be honest. I decided to be very patient and slowly piece together a very budget oriented system, and here's what I have so far:

Pioneer VSX-516 receiver for $70 from BB
Athena C.5 center $19 on fleabay
Athena S.5 x 2 from forum member for $20
I'm still looking for 2 more S.5's, and a sub

Who knows how this compares to HTIB's, probably much the same, but the speakers, including the sub from HTIB systems were what swayed me, at least from what I have heard from HTIB owners.

It all boils down to convenience, how much time you have to shop around, and if you like the system or not. Each to their own!

I very nearly bought the Onkyo 590 for a family room setup, but was nervous of the speaker quality to be honest. I decided to be very patient and slowly piece together a very budget oriented system, and here's what I have so far:

Pioneer VSX-516 receiver for $70 from BB
Athena C.5 center $19 on fleabay
Athena S.5 x 2 from forum member for $20
I'm still looking for 2 more S.5's, and a sub

Who knows how this compares to HTIB's, probably much the same, but the speakers, including the sub from HTIB systems were what swayed me, at least from what I have heard from HTIB owners.

It all boils down to convenience, how much time you have to shop around, and if you like the system or not. Each to their own!

Was that receiver an open box? or did you mean 170?

70 bucks would be a steal. :)

Was that receiver an open box? or did you mean 170?

70 bucks would be a steal. :)

It was a steal! BB had a deal a while back with a $100 rebate, add to that a couple of coupons, and it came to $70. Someone on the Receiver forum gave the heads up, and tips on pricematching, and some coupons, and a bunch of forum members scored these at a steal. Some people managed to get them as low as $40, but I wasn't so lucky. Just goes to show this forum is full of all kinds of information!

Man I need to watch the receiver forum. :eek:

I get the feeling this topic is a common discussion here?
oh ya. someone will post that they would like to get an HTIB system and only has X amount of dollars to spend (e.g. $400). since this is the "HTIB" forum, they assume they might be able to get a few suggestions for options in their price range. but inevitably, people won't answer the original request but will tell them to "spend a little more" for something other than an HTIB because they will be "happier in the long run."
that stuff just clogs up the HTIB forum, in my opinion. if any mods are reading, maybe they should have another forum titled "alternatives to HTIB" or maybe just put up a sticky with suggested non-HTIB systems at multiple price points and just leave it at that.
anyway, HTIBs are not for everybody, for sure. but for people who come looking for help or advice purchasing one, there should be a forum for them.

oh ya. someone will post that they would like to get an HTIB system and only has X amount of dollars to spend (e.g. $400). since this is the "HTIB" forum, they assume they might be able to get a few suggestions for options in their price range. but inevitably, people won't answer the original request but will tell them to "spend a little more" for something other than an HTIB because they will be "happier in the long run."
that stuff just clogs up the HTIB forum, in my opinion. if any mods are reading, maybe they should have another forum titled "alternatives to HTIB" or maybe just put up a sticky with suggested non-HTIB systems at multiple price points and just leave it at that.
anyway, HTIBs are not for everybody, for sure. but for people who come looking for help or advice purchasing one, there should be a forum for them.

That was my thought also. I figured a HTiB forum was originally setup BECAUSE there were so many people suggesting otherwise or bashing a HTiB.

Here's my take. If a person has made it far enough to find this forum, they're more than likely aware or have the insight to do their own research for something other than a HTiB. Since they've decided to come into the HTiB subforum then they probably have the intentions of purchasing one. If they have already purchased one then whats done is done and bashing the HTiB doesn't do much good. So I also feel that the moderators in this particular subforum should not only discourage this type of post they should also warn and if need be suspend those who fail to follow the rules. But thats just my opinion. I fully understand the OP's intent. I know he means well and totally understand where he's coming from because I'm sure he's well knowledged in the area. But it ends up cluttering informative posts and just like this thread turns into a posting match that accomplishes nothing.

HTIB's are a convenience issue to me. I've purchased one (an Onkyo HT-S780) and have also put together a separates system (Onkyo TX-SR600 receiver, Sony DVP-NS755P MCH capable DVD player, Klipsch center/front/surround speakers, Dahlquist 250 watt 15" sub). I have managed to derive intense enjoyment from both systems (most of my use is musical in nature, very seldom movies, and particularly MCH high-def music).

People who post in the HTIB board have legitimate questions and are many times newcomers to the whole home theater niche--how many times have you seen a post titled "Newby Q, here"? IMHO, these people deserve an answer germane to their specific question, but they also deserve to know that other options exist--for that reason, I sometimes offer suggestions within the HTIB field, but when I do so I also try to mention this vigorously debated separates vs. HTIB issue. I believe there is room for both types of posts in this board--in the end, hopefully those who post a question will have more information on which to base their purchase. I, for one, don't feel that HTIB is a "trap", as this thread purports, it is just one of the choices, and as such includes trade-offs. Only those who are making the purchase can decide which choice is right for them.

Doug

Those people buying expensive BOSE systems are just brainwashed into believing it's a top-of-the-line system. Either a salesman talked them into buying it, or they've never heard a better system. If they were true audiophiles they'd go with separates. Call these people uninformed, lazy, or they just don't know the meaning of 'value'.

Or perhaps you just don't know what you're talking about. If you ask me, it's all the conformist "Bose-Bashers" that are brainwashed ... berating Bose products just to conform to the group-think prevalent on this forum.

if any mods are reading, maybe they should have another forum titled "alternatives to HTIB" or maybe just put up a sticky with suggested non-HTIB systems at multiple price points and just leave it at that.
anyway, HTIBs are not for everybody, for sure. but for people who come looking for help or advice purchasing one, there should be a forum for them.

this forum would be better titled "HTIB/low-budget HT area". many people here have started off with an HTIB, found out why it was or wasn't the right choice for them, and comment about their experiences. that's it.

i bought an onkyo 780 HTIB w/o reading up too much beforehand in this forum. after i got it home for a few weeks and was disappointed by its lackluster speaker/sub performance, i regretted that decision. i'll offer my experiences and opinions for the < $1000 HT crowd, and those people looking for advice can take it or leave it. there's plenty of other people here with different opinions if they don't like mine.

I replaced a $4,000 5.1 set-up with a refurb Ysp-1 and small mirage sub (~$600). You can argue that my old system sounded better, but I find my new HTIB system much more engaging for watching movies. It's like being embraced by a bubble of sound.

oh ya. someone will post that they would like to get an HTIB system and only has X amount of dollars to spend (e.g. $400). since this is the "HTIB" forum, they assume they might be able to get a few suggestions for options in their price range. but inevitably, people won't answer the original request but will tell them to "spend a little more" for something other than an HTIB because they will be "happier in the long run."
that stuff just clogs up the HTIB forum, in my opinion. if any mods are reading, maybe they should have another forum titled "alternatives to HTIB" or maybe just put up a sticky with suggested non-HTIB systems at multiple price points and just leave it at that.
anyway, HTIBs are not for everybody, for sure. but for people who come looking for help or advice purchasing one, there should be a forum for them.

My sentiments exactly. I reported the issue to the moderators of the forum a while back but they apparently have no interest in changing things. While I understand people here want to help what they often recommend is a hodge-podge of gear instead of an integrated system. It is also often reconditioned due to price constraints which doesn't have the same support as a brand new product. YMMV.

Wow, what a lot of unpleasantness. Must be great to just KNOW that people posting on this forum are arrogant, and wanting to push expensive systems on people! I was one of the people wanting to buy a budget HTIB, but after doing LOTS of research (thanks to this very forum) and LOTS of listening, I quickly realized that FOR ME, I could get a much better sound for much the same price, and would enjoy the system for longer by putting together components. I guess I just assumed that most people reading this forum would read the posts that interested them, and use the information pertinent to them when making decisions, and ignore postings that were not pertinent to them, or that they found offensive. I know this forum has been invaluable to me in it's current format, and would hate to see that change.

Wow, what a lot of unpleasantness. Must be great to just KNOW that people posting on this forum are arrogant, and wanting to push expensive systems on people! I was one of the people wanting to buy a budget HTIB, but after doing LOTS of research (thanks to this very forum) and LOTS of listening, I quickly realized that FOR ME, I could get a much better sound for much the same price, and would enjoy the system for longer by putting together components. I guess I just assumed that most people reading this forum would read the posts that interested them, and use the information pertinent to them when making decisions, and ignore postings that were not pertinent to them, or that they found offensive. I know this forum has been invaluable to me in it's current format, and would hate to see that change.
no unpleasantness intended, man, just opinion. one way to think about it is if people are to just 'read the posts that interest them, and ignore postings that were not pertinent to them' then there would be no need for individual forums or sub-forums. just one big forum to discuss all that is HT. but it seems to be simpler to divide categories up so that each forum is tailored to a narrow category, like HTIBs. if I was on the rear projection forum and people kept posting 'go buy a plasma,' then i would really be annoyed. but they don't do that over there. but hey, it's up to the mods. it is what it is.

if I was on the rear projection forum and people kept posting 'go buy a plasma,' then i would really be annoyed. but they don't do that over there. but hey, it's up to the mods. it is what it is.

not a valid analogy, IMO. rear projection/plasma are two completely different technologies. HTIB and budget component systems are much closer relatives...combined with the fact that many budget component guys started off as HTIB guys...which sort of makes them useful people to listen to when asking advice on a $200 - $1000 X.1 setup.

not a valid analogy, IMO. rear projection/plasma are two completely different technologies. HTIB and budget component systems are much closer relatives...combined with the fact that many budget component guys started off as HTIB guys...which sort of makes them useful people to listen to when asking advice on a $200 - $1000 X.1 setup.

Not to beat a dead horse but I think it is a good analogy. Flat panel and RP are in the screen section of AVS and the HTIB and components are in the sound system section. Both of them represent different solutions to the functional requirement.

Or perhaps you just don't know what you're talking about. If you ask me, it's all the conformist "Bose-Bashers" that are brainwashed ... berating Bose products just to conform to the group-think prevalent on this forum.
Nah, I say buy that BOSE system and be happy. :) But that money COULD be spent better elsewhere if people buying these systems knew anything about great audio. You've got Bose fans and then you got the uninformed people that get taken advantage of from sales people trying to push a mediocre sound system on them.

It's really a matter of budget and patients. If your budget is in the $500-$600 range or over, a budget seperate system is the way to go and will far ouperform HTIB, or if you if you want to start out with a smaller 2.1 system etc within that budget that's and build around it later as your budget permits that's another option, but that takes patients and that's a quality most of us don't have, WE WANT IT NOW :).

I don't buy in to the "buying htib now" will cost you more in the future after upgrades, IF you buy the right HTIB for your needs and show a little patients and looking for sales etc.

After alot of research I purchased the Onkyo 580 htib in Jan of last year and thought then and still think today for a full surround system at the price, it's was a steal. Does it compete with the seperates I have now, (still using the original receiver) NO.

After purchasing the HTIB system I wanted to test budget speakers and see which I wanted. So I waited for sales which came around often on the Polk R15 and JBL E10s, advent H100s, they didn't appeal to me and I was able to fleabay each set for a profit. I then purchased the Athena Point5 system as it was being closed out, then sold my original speakers and sub on ebay for more than I thought I should have gotten and purchased the Athena Asp-4000 sub. In the end I have a seperate system for $400 after buying and selling and trading etc and it did take me 8 months to complete, but I think it was worth it.

Anyone have a better HTIB for under $500.00?

lou is right, and i don't think he's "bashing" anyone. he is simply stating the fact that many people rush into the audio aspect of the HT equation w/o giving it much thought. many times they end up with a sleek looking unit with woeful performance.

the onkyo and yamaha units are the best things going in the HTIB world for the reasons already stated, but they are not without faults or design compromises of their own. for people interested in having their audio gear match the quality of their HD TV's, there are better options than any HTIB. start with a quality 2.1 system and build from there...patience pays off, and you'll save $$ in the long run.

ok, any advise on a quality 2.1 system in the same price range???

My mom bougt me a Durabrand HTIB And I'm happy with it even if it is Just Pro Logic.

The Subwoofer is worth more than what the whole system is retailed for! now I'm working on getting a New centre speaker!

ok, any advise on a quality 2.1 system in the same price range???

what's your specific price range?

Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...

HTIB is the way to go for people who want ease of purchase, setup, etc. Some of these systems actually rival separates. For $375.00 YOU CAN PURCHASE THE ht-s790 WHICH IS THE TOP RATED HTIB (see consumer reports) and for the $$$ I don't think it can be equalled in separates.

I'm in the position of buying a new system, and am looking hard at HTIB. I'm not looking to spend more than $500, and I havn't seen alternatives for that price as what I could get for te Onkyo S790. Plus, I know nothing about the technical aspects of audio and am going solely on the suggestions of other people. If you could build a good 5.1 or 7.1 system that is better for a similar price, please suggest one to me.

Many TVs have more intelligible dialog.

Back around 2000, I had this real decent sounding Panasonic 27 inch TV, and I bought an Audio Source HTIB, and all the sudden i had trouble making out the dialog. there was highs, and there were lows, but the middle was all mud. I removed the junky HTIB almost immediately.

So I didnt learn my lesson, and when i upgraded my TV to a big screen in 2002, I I bought an Onkyo HTS580, because it looked like it had real speakers and a real receiver. But soon I realized that my new TV did a better job of dialog reproduction than the Onkyo.

So i replaced the 5 Onkyo speakers with two bargain-basement Infinity bookshelf speakers, and all the sudden, it sounded just fine...

I then tried to run the Onkyo speakers in the back, but the Onkyo surrounds managed to completely ruin the experience , it sounded like i had an AM Radio playing in the back of the room.

So when your testing that nice new HTIB, be honest with yourself, and ask yourself if the dialog in the movie is better, or worse, than your TV.John, that's the kindest post about this subject I've ever seen from you...Where's the old John...I miss him :D

what's your specific price range?

500-600

in all honesty 2.1 would be great for now since I dont really have the room for 5.1 or 7.1 at the moment but intend to later on.

500-600

in all honesty 2.1 would be great for now since I dont really have the room for 5.1 or 7.1 at the moment but intend to later on.

good move. take a look at a refurbished onkyo sr-504 7.1 receiver from shoponkyo for about $169. if you look around hard enough, you should be able to find a pair of decent bookshelf sized speakers (think infinity, polk, athena, etc.) for about $100. add a Bic H-100 12" powered sub for about $225 and you've got yourself a solid foundation, within your budget, that will sound better than any comparable HTIB.

check out the HTIB alternatives thread for even more options.

Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16Good thing so many people here have said they like how Orb speakers sound, because they keep doing all these lame marketing things:

- I'm all for audio companies trying to put the truth out there, but when they start to just rant it makes Orb look bad.

"Yes, they will probably sound better than your boombox or the speakers on your TV, but if that is all you are looking for, why bother with home theater?"

- They should get their own website fixed so it's usable before they starting harshing on anyone about anything.

- And the cheeseball ads they've started running make them look like a Bose wannabe. Especially the latest one, with the anorexic chick and the big type about how they were picked over B&W etc by Wired magazine (the last word in audio reviews, for sure).

good move. take a look at a refurbished onkyo sr-504 7.1 receiver from shoponkyo for about $169. if you look around hard enough, you should be able to find a pair of decent bookshelf sized speakers (think infinity, polk, athena, etc.) for about $100. add a Bic H-100 12" powered sub for about $225 and you've got yourself a solid foundation, within your budget, that will sound better than any comparable HTIB.

check out the HTIB alternatives thread for even more options.

was thinking of maybe going with some av123 speakers, either 2.1 or just 2 towers for now....price seems decent and havent heard anything but good things about the x series speakers they make.

I have been lurking around in the HTIB forum here and I am quite surprised the amount of people that purchase these setups and when they get home and set it up they are surprised either by bad build quality,or components that don't function properly ,and setteling for a quick and low cost solution and then later on upgrading the speakers or avr when in the first place they could have purchased a good quality avr ,speaker package and subwoofer in the first place that would have cost alot less...
Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16

The HT-S790 is an excellent purchase. It is rated #1 by various consumer magazines.

Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...

HTIB is the way to go for people who want ease of purchase, setup, etc. Some of these systems actually rival separates. For $375.00 YOU CAN PURCHASE THE ht-s790 WHICH IS THE TOP RATED HTIB (see consumer reports) and for the $$$ I don't think it can be equalled in separates.

Don't you have the onkyo s790?? Please just read some posts for one week, without getting defensive, before you post again.

I have been lurking around in the HTIB forum here and I am quite surprised the amount of people that purchase these setups and when they get home and set it up they are surprised either by bad build quality,or components that don't function properly ,and setteling for a quick and low cost solution and then later on upgrading the speakers or avr when in the first place they could have purchased a good quality avr ,speaker package and subwoofer in the first place that would have cost alot less...
Also I like this article on the truth behind HTIB,now I am not against any HTIB owners or bashing prople I am only helping consumers realize that if you do it right the first time it would cost alot less, I don't own a HTIB but I just wanted to share some info so folks can enjoy nice sound without paying a fortune,And here is the link to some good information...
http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=16
They are popular because they are cheap.. & the only people who think they sound great are people who never heard good audio before.. & it's very easy to set up. some people are intimidated by this stuff..

Don't you have the onkyo s790?? Please just read some posts for one week, without getting defensive, before you post again.

Only the last three lines are mine.

The HT-S790 is an excellent purchase. It is rated #1 by various consumer magazines.

I had a 770 and, yes, it was fun for about 9 months. Onkyo makes a good HTIB, but it is far away from being a quality sounding system. It's only rated #1 because everything below it sounds worse.

Most people will eventually outgrow it and want something more high-end. It makes a great starter system, but the muddiness and one note subwoofer will eventually push you towards separates.