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Need suggestions for a first time 5.1 system!

post #1 of 20
4/23/08 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, i just recently decided that i want to buy myself a nice little surround sound system for my room, because i was at my friends house playing with his ps3 and the surround sound, the bass and clarity are just so deep and crisp on his panasonic sc-pt650 ! i didint realise how good games and music can sound!

i currently have the alteclansing GT5051 virtual surround sound system for my computer.


this system is going to be placed in my room which is located on the top floor of my house, and is medium sized not that big but not really small...

the system is mainly going to be for playing music so sound clarity and depth of the bass are very important, than for playing my xbox 360, and finally for watching dvds.

People have reccomended me the Onkyo HT-SR800,Onkyo HT-SR600 and the Logitech Z-5500 so far but im not sure yet, im waiting until i have a definite choice before i spend my $.


my budget currently is anywhere from 250-400$$

can i get some suggestions on systems and any general tips?

i think this is the system my friend has its the Panasonic SC-PT650


thanks a lot
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post #2 of 20
4/23/08 at 7:51pm
With that kind of budget, you might not get a lot of help here >_>

The problem with getting a 5.1 set for that little, it won't be very good. Especially on the lower models, like the 800, they don't pass audio over HDMI if i'm not mistaken and you need something separate for it. I was going to come in and suggest what I'm doing for my first system but then again it's $850 shipped... a little more than what you want >_<.

I'm think possibly the new Sony HTCT100::
: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTCT100-S...dp/B0015HS1HQ/

Or possibly their old HT-SS2000:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-SS2000...dp/B000OG6I24/
(not very good quality)

Not sure how great either of these are on music though. Goodluck.
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post #3 of 20
4/24/08 at 3:08am
Yamaha YHT-390 is another choice to look at.
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post #4 of 20
4/24/08 at 7:56am
Hey,

I got the HT-SR800 a few months back, which was my first real HT sound setup, and i have to say that i have been enjoying it tremendously. Yes the speakers suck, yes the sub sucks, yes the receiver can't do audio switching, but for the price the receiver is a really really good deal and will be able to drive way bigger and higher quality speakers in the future. I was on a tight budget when i bought it and don't regret buying it now even though I'm in the process of upgrading my speakers (most likely Polk M50's and Polk CS1 center) and the sub (BIC H-100).

My only recommendation is that you manually play around with the crossover frequency and the sub levels after you run the automatic Audyssey setup. For over a month i thought that the sub was so horribly crappy because i was barely able to hear any bass even in the most loudest of movies and games, but then realized that i just needed to mess around with the settings a bit and now it's pretty darn loud. The sub still sucks but it's loud and works well for such a cheap HTiB

Hope this help,
Eugene
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post #5 of 20
4/24/08 at 9:00am
Another suggestion is the 5.1 Sony HT-7200DH (MSRP $499) which is supposed to be out in about a week. Here's the manual for it: http://129.33.22.12/release/HT7200DH.pdf. The price includes a stand-alone upscaling DVD player. The receiver has 3 HDMI inputs and it handles audio over HDMI (unlike almost all other inexpensive HTIBs including SR800). It will also play TrueHD/DTS-MA lossless audio from a Blu-ray player like the PS3 (player must do the decoding to PCM). Having a receiver with these features, one could upgrade the speakers and sub as time and $$ allow and have a nice system for a while. JMO
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post #6 of 20
4/24/08 at 11:31am
I found this thread to be incredibly helpful at offering budget options for those of us looking to get our first home theater and who don't yet need to drop a grand on speakers to make it worthwhile.

After reading through here and doing some research, I got a refurb Harman Kardon AVR-146 on eBay for $170 shipped and a Dayton HTS-1200 with a Dayton SUB-100 subwoofer for $230 shipped from Parts Express. I'm waiting until I move next week to actually set them up in my new space, but I'll post a review once I've had a chance to play around.

There are discussions of other receivers and speaker options in that thread as well to give you a sense of what's out there. But the gist I got is that there are better options out there for HTIB prices.
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post #7 of 20
4/25/08 at 7:19am
I am also looking for a system for my Sony 46xbr4 that is not expensive and is somewhat easy to setup. I would like if possible to have rear speakers...so a 5.1 system is what I was thinking of. I do not know much at all about the components of the systems. I know there is a receiver, a subwoofer, centerchannel and 4 speakers. I really do not think that I want to piece together a system.....so I need everything all inclusive.

I know it is tough to get something decent on a budget. Like a previous poster, I am in the $250 - $400 range. I dont really care about having a dvd player in the system.....I would rather have a better sound system than a dvd player that would not get used. I have seen a Sony fs2200(?)and ss2000 online...but have not seen them in person yet. Something that is not too big size wise would be nice..........and still would need to figure out how to rid/hide wires. I thought maybe running them under the livingroom floor to the basement and then back up the other side of the room. Do not know if that is a task hubby could handle. I know there is always adding wireless speakers....though from a few posts I have read, some are not happy with them. Anyone here have any insight on making speakers wireless?

I am open to suggestions....thanks....Debbie
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post #8 of 20
4/25/08 at 7:37am
You can get the Onkyo 800 htib system in that price range and if you want to go refurbished shoponkyo frequently has them for a better price, they are out right now but their stock changes frequently. Other than that I'd recommend any Onkyo or Yamaha HTIB system that fits your requirements because of the quality stand alone receivers they include in their systems.
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post #9 of 20
4/25/08 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jakeman02 View Post

You can get the Onkyo 800 htib system in that price range and if you want to go refurbished shoponkyo frequently has them for a better price, they are out right now but their stock changes frequently. Other than that I'd recommend any Onkyo or Yamaha HTIB system that fits your requirements because of the quality stand alone receivers they include in their systems.

Thanks
Is that a 5.1 or 7.1 system? I do not really think I would want all the speakers of a 7.1 system...and would not want to pay for and not use them all.

Thanks anyways
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post #10 of 20
4/25/08 at 10:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by veg View Post

Thanks
Is that a 5.1 or 7.1 system? I do not really think I would want all the speakers of a 7.1 system...and would not want to pay for and not use them all.

Thanks anyways

It's a 7.1 system you can set it up as 5.1 though and it does give you the option to go 7.1 in the future if you situation changes or you can run the 2 remaining speakers in another room for music using the B speaker connections.

If you don't want to go that route they have the same refurb deals on the 500 and 600 systems. They are 5.1 and the receiver doesn't have as many features but still nice budget systems.
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post #11 of 20
4/25/08 at 10:40am
Give the Yamaha YHT-390 a look over.
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post #12 of 20
4/25/08 at 1:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by veg View Post

I am also looking for a system for my Sony 46xbr4 that is not expensive and is somewhat easy to setup. I would like if possible to have rear speakers...so a 5.1 system is what I was thinking of. I do not know much at all about the components of the systems. I know there is a receiver, a subwoofer, centerchannel and 4 speakers. I really do not think that I want to piece together a system.....so I need everything all inclusive.

I know it is tough to get something decent on a budget. Like a previous poster, I am in the $250 - $400 range. I dont really care about having a dvd player in the system.....I would rather have a better sound system than a dvd player that would not get used. I have seen a Sony fs2200(?)and ss2000 online...but have not seen them in person yet. Something that is not too big size wise would be nice..........and still would need to figure out how to rid/hide wires. I thought maybe running them under the livingroom floor to the basement and then back up the other side of the room. Do not know if that is a task hubby could handle. I know there is always adding wireless speakers....though from a few posts I have read, some are not happy with them. Anyone here have any insight on making speakers wireless?

I am open to suggestions....thanks....Debbie

I have seen heard the Sony SS2000 it is very low quality it sounds ok at lower levels but if you turn it up at all like what you would watch a movie at it just doesn't sound good at all music is ok if you dont turn it up much I guess but nothing I would ever buy and on top of that both the ss2000 and the SF2000 have special connectors for the speakers so it makes upgrading the speakers later on a pain. Like someone else said earlier there is a new Sony HT-7200DH coming out at the end of this month the previous model the HT-7100DH was not too bad of a system and at least had regular speaker wire and connectors so you could change to better speakers easily. Since the 7100 is pretty good the 7200 should be at least the same if not better it is just a little higher than the budgets listed here $499 but it does have a lot of features and will be pretty much future proof you wont have to replace it in a few years because of lack of new connections it has HDMI inputs and digital and analog still too so should cover everything.
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post #13 of 20
4/25/08 at 2:37pm
Thread Starter 
i think im leaning toward the
Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

i can get it for 319 and free shipping from amazon..

anyone have this system? is it worth it?

Also what else should i buy for the system? i heard that i should buy some speaker wires etc..
can someone point me to what i should get extra for my system to get the maximum quality out of it?

thanks!!!!
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post #14 of 20
4/25/08 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by enphenate View Post

i think im leaning toward the
Yamaha YHT-390BL Home Theater in a Box (Black)

i can get it for 319 and free shipping from amazon..

anyone have this system? is it worth it?

Also what else should i buy for the system? i heard that i should buy some speaker wires etc..
can someone point me to what i should get extra for my system to get the maximum quality out of it?

thanks!!!!

Best thing is just speaker wire and of course surge protector if you don't already have one. Here's a link for speaker wire where most people from here would buy it from. Just a link for 100ft you could choose 50ft or whatever you need for your own needs.

Speaker Wire.

The only bad thing is it does do HDMI switching but thats all it is a switch you wont get your sound from HDMI only pass it straight through to the TV. For a lot of blu ray players they only pass the best surround sound through HDMI so you would have to connect some other cable on top of HDMI to get sounds through the surround.
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post #15 of 20
4/25/08 at 7:02pm
hopfully i dont get bashed for this but ill give it a wing...

i was in the same position...about 400$ max for my system...definatly htib limits...

i read alot around here and onkyo or sony came up alot.
i looked at the onkyos and they were a bit more expensive where i am (cdn funds) and i found one nicer sony htib.

tho i didnt get a "real" htib, more a speaker package...
i ended up with the sont HT-DDW990...i got it for 375$ (cdn) and thats was after price match and 5% price beater (couldnt think of a better word )

im really happy with it. i got decent inputs (no s-video...and only 1080 passs thru but i dont got HD)

powered sub is great and the speakers are decent.

the cool thing is since its more of a speaker package, i DO have the option of upgrading the speakers if i choose (which i have slightly been looking into) but theyre decent enough.
down side if thats your thing is it doesnt come with a dvd player (which i didnt care cuz i HAVE a dvd player)

so yeah ill say the same, go with the onkyo if you can push it, but really my DDW990 is great imo (tho i hear the 995 if you can find it has full HD support if thats ur thing....

edit: did i forget powered sub?
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post #16 of 20
4/26/08 at 6:36am
One thing to look for is a Multi Channel input (5.1 analog rca inputs) for connecting a blu-ray player later on. The 5.1 multi-channel inputs lets the player decode the Dolby True-HD and other surround formats that cannot be sent over coax or optical cables.
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post #17 of 20
4/27/08 at 10:12am
Thanks for some input on the 5.1 systems. I do not think I can even consider the Onyko if I wanted to. It looks as though BB doesnt have them...at least online. And, since I will be using a BB giftcard, I really cant go somewhere else. I guess maybe I will wait a few more weeks and see if anything new comes out.

Thanks Debbie......still open to suggestions...and I do not need a dvd player.
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post #18 of 20
4/27/08 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
well now the Yamaha YHT-390B is going for $288 on amazon.. i think thats a steal if im correct!
or i can get a refurbished onkyo HT-SR700S for 299

amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00141CTNK/interactiveda8739-20

is it a decent system?
The YHT-390BL Home Theater System has full 5.1-Channel Surround Sound with Top Class Features such as HDMI switching with 1080p Video Pass Through, iPod and Bluetooth Compatibility, CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, and Four SCENE Buttons. Four SCENE buttons make operating the receiver easier than ever. Two volume-setting functions are including on this receiver for additional convenience. The YHT-390BL receiver is capable of delivering large amounts of reserve power for accurate reproduction of the high-energy peaks that are especially prevalent in digital audio sources. This system features dual HDMI inputs and one output that can handle all HD format including 720p, 1080i and 1080p so you can connect two HDMI sources, such as a DVD player and a high definition set-top box, and enjoy the highest possible quality with an HD display. You have a choice of eight unique Yamaha CINEMA DSP surround programs to bring out the full audio potential of your entertainment sources. Preset remote unit 4 SCENE buttons offering greater operating ease with 13 preset SCENE templates iPod compatibility with optional Universal Dock Bluetooth (A2DP) compatibility with optional Bluetooth Wireless Audio Receiver Initial Volume Setting and Maximum Volume Setting High dynamic power, low-impedance drive capability 192kHz/24-bit DACs used in all channels 1080p-compatible HDMI switching (2 in/1 out) including 1080p/24Hz repeat HDTV compatible component video terminals (3 in/1 out) CINEMA DSP with 8 DSP programs Compressed Music Enhancer to improve compressed music sources Night Listening Enhancer (Cinema/Music) and SILENT CINEMA Audio Delay for adjusting lip-sync Front Speakers Dimensions - 5-23/32 x 9-7/16 x 6-1/2 Weight - 4 pounds Center Speaker Dimensions - 13 x 4-1/8 x 4-11/32 Weight - 3.9 pounds Surround Speakers Dimensions - 4-1/8 x 8-1/16 x 4-11/32 Weight - 2.1 pounds Subwoofer Dimensio
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post #19 of 20
4/27/08 at 8:31pm
The HT-SR800 refurb is back in stock at accessories4less for $299. Just an fyi.
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post #20 of 20
4/27/08 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Confusedsoul View Post

The HT-SR800 refurb is back in stock at accessories4less for $299. Just an fyi.


done deal
should be here in a couple of days... now to buying the speaker wire and whatever else to make it sound good.
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