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Recommended Home Theater In A Box for small apartment and PS3 enjoyment

post #1 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:06pm
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I'm looking into getting a HTiB or something similar for my apartment. It's fairly small, but I'd like to have decent sound for BD watching and PS3 gaming. Any recommendations?
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post #2 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:10pm
This is cheap, and where I first started. You might can find better, but I have no idea of your budget.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...9&CTID=5003000
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post #3 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:14pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bdwright77 View Post

This is cheap, and where I first started. You might can find better, but I have no idea of your budget.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/p...9&CTID=5003000

Thanks, I'm checking it out now. Would love to have a listen at a store to see if it'll be OK, but beggars can't be choosers :P Budget would be around $400, maybe $500.

Edit: Looks like those are speakers only so I'd need a receiver to go with it.
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post #4 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by avgjoemomma View Post

Thanks, I'm checking it out now. Would love to have a listen at a store to see if it'll be OK, but beggars can't be choosers :P Budget would be around $400, maybe $500.

Edit: Looks like those are speakers only so I'd need a receiver to go with it.

I got the Onkyo SR800 from Circuit City for about $400. It supports HDMI, but only video, not audio, so I'm using an optical wire for audio. All in all, I am more than pleased. The SR800 is more than enough for your needs and a bargain at it's price.
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post #5 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:52pm
Check out Onkyo. Especially their online store, refurbs are generally very nicely priced and are in great condition. At least the various refurb stuff I've bought, 805, stereo, and a HTIB years ago.
If you can wait around Xmas time they have some sweeter deals.

Best Regards
KvE
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post #6 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:52pm
You could find a modest receiver on Craigslist pretty easily.
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post #7 of 77
10/28/08 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 
Great ideas so far. I'll wait until Xmas as recommended, but feel free to keep the suggestions coming
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post #8 of 77
10/28/08 at 4:16pm
I got a Denon Home Theater in a box, and it rocks.

Stick with brands like Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. Wait until BB or CC has one of those on sale. They always rotate the sales around on those models. I am a die-hard Sony fan, just about all my electronics are Sony. But, I didn't like the Sony Home Theater systems at all. They didn't sound as good or have as good features ast the other three brands above. So I passed on the Sony models.

Bose has awesome sound and a very small package, great for an apartment. But, those systems cost upwards of a grand. So out of reach for most buyers.

Also, don't get one that has a DVD carousel built into the Receiver. Those are junk. Get a Home Theater in a box that has a separate dedicated Receiver.
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post #9 of 77
10/28/08 at 4:19pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_f View Post

I got a Denon Home Theater in a box, and it rocks.

Stick with brands like Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo. Wait until BB or CC has one of those on sale. They always rotate the sales around on those models. I am a die-hard Sony fan, just about all my electronics are Sony. But, I didn't like the Sony Home Theater systems at all. They didn't sound as good or have as good features ast the other three brands above. So I passed on the Sony models.

Bose has awesome sound and a very small package, great for an apartment. But, those systems cost upwards of a grand. So out of reach for most buyers.

Also, don't get one that has the DVD changer built into the Home Theater. Those are junk. Get a Home Theater in a box that has a separate dedicated Receiver.

Yeah, I'd love to get Bose, but I think the max I can spend without losing my apartment or being in credit hell is $500 lol. Which Denon set did you get?
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post #10 of 77
10/28/08 at 6:15pm
Frank_F, you are a funny guy, in one thread you decry corporate fat cats then recommend Bose. That particular company is generally accepted as overhyped-marketed substandard quality at a substantial premium.
Now if one of their $1,000 system were on sale for 200 bucks I would consider purchasing a system at that price if I needed to save space and sound quality wasn't as vital, since that is level of sound quality you are getting.

But your other suggestions are pretty solid.

I'd say Yamaha would be a great alternative to Onkyo. The multi-disc changer HTIBs are not built with longevity in mind, nor quality. Having worked in electronics retail I have a fair degree of experience in this area. Very frequently customers came in frustrated that their HTIB system stopped working and wanted to replace the receiver/changer. SOL.

Best Regards
KvE
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post #11 of 77
10/29/08 at 5:31am
Find the least expensive receiver you can find that accepts HDMI audio - the already mentioned brands, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha are where you should be looking. Use the rest of your budget on 2 sets of bookshelf speakers. Do a lot of listening and buy the best you can afford.

If you move into a bigger place and/or as you can afford more get a matching center channel and a subwoofer. You don't need either in an apartment. And if you start with quality you won't end up throwing it out later.

If you sit in the "sweet spot" you don't need a center channel.
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post #12 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMFDMvsEnya View Post

I'd say Yamaha would be a great alternative to Onkyo. The multi-disc changer HTIBs are not built with longevity in mind, nor quality. Having worked in electronics retail I have a fair degree of experience in this area. Very frequently customers came in frustrated that their HTIB system stopped working and wanted to replace the receiver/changer. SOL.

Best Regards
KvE

Thanks for the information on this as most of the HTiBs seem to have built in DVD or Multi-CD trays. I'm going to look into getting a separate receiver and decent speakers. Saw some decent deals on the suggested brands on Amazon, so hopefully with the Xmas sales I can get something for a good price
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post #13 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:41am
A good receiver is where you want to spend your money on, then build up from that as funds allow. If you get a cheap receiver with few input/output options, or one with a built in DVD tray, you are going to be kicking yourself a year from now. Because you will have outgrown it and will have to junk it and buy another receiver. Or the rotating tray will stop working and the entire HTIB will go in the garbage can because it won't be fixable.

Hunt through the advertisements for BB and CC on Black Friday. I'm sure one, if not both, of those stores will have a good Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo HTIB on sale. All three brands are good.
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post #14 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank_f View Post

A good receiver is where you want to spend your money on, then build up from that as funds allow. If you get a cheap receiver with few input/output options, or one with a built in DVD tray, you are going to be kicking yourself a year from now. Because you will have outgrown it and will have to junk it and buy another receiver. Or the rotating tray will stop working and the entire HTIB will go in the garbage can because it won't be fixable.

Hunt through the advertisements for BB and CC on Black Friday. I'm sure one, if not both, of those stores will have a good Denon, Yamaha, or Onkyo HTIB on sale. All three brands are good.

Thanks a lot, Frank. I know I won't be satisfied with a crappy receiver for sure. Sound quality means a lot to me, but my wallet puts a stop to a lot of things
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post #15 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:54am
From checking around, BOSE is not worth buying as you'd be paying more for the name than anything else.

Denin and Onkyo seem to be the way to go.
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post #16 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:54am
Build a system..
New AVR $349.00
Used speakers $150
Forget the HTIB
***
You'll be much Happier in the Long Run
In a Small apt. with your PS3 setup
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post #17 of 77
10/29/08 at 10:58am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingShorty View Post

From checking around, BOSE is not worth buying as you'd be paying more for the name than anything else.

Denin and Onkyo seem to be the way to go.

Yeah, BOSE is for those with crazy money
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post #18 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:01am
Bose isn't worth the money, IMO. If you find a ridiculous deal, maybe.

I also suggest going with Onkyo. Their HTIB systems have great receivers that include HDMI and their speakers sound great also.

You can find great deals on refurbs too.

www.ecost.com had some a while back.
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post #19 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:05am
Quote:


I also suggest going with Onkyo.

Onkyo + PS3 = May have PS3 Buzz/Hum issues
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post #20 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eddy_winds View Post

Onkyo + PS3 = May have PS3 Buzz/Hum issues

Can you elaborate on that?
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post #21 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guinn3sS View Post

Can you elaborate on that?

Ya, I have an Onkyo + PS3 and it = crystal clear sound
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post #22 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:22am
I have an Onkyo 606 which I managed to score from CC for $330. There is a slight hum that passes through the speakers, but it's only noticable if you have nothing playing and the volume of the speakers set high. It's a complete non issue in my eyes (or ears), and I think a lot of people make a bigger deal out of it then it should be. 4 HDMI inputs, Dolby True HD, DTS-MA, and just about every other decoder in it as well.

I would absolutely spend $3-400 on the receiver, and buy some cheap speakers to get you by until you can afford a good set. You'll find the HTIB in your attic in a couple years if you buy one of those.
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post #23 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ballen420 View Post

I would absolutely spend $3-400 on the receiver, and buy some cheap speakers to get you by until you can afford a good set. You'll find the HTIB in your attic in a couple years if you buy one of those.

This is sound advice. But if you're truly set on getting an HTIB, let me know and I can possibly sell you mine for a cheaper price than your actual budget.

You would be limited to optical audio, however.

Brandon
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post #24 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:31am
Ahh, this brings back memories. I originally came on here looking for a HTIB for my PS3.. I figured I'd spend about 500 bucks, and was directed to the Onkyo as well. But after checking some details was soon convinced I needed a proper receiver and speaker setup.

So, I bought a 604, and started shopping for speakers. I couldn't get some cheapo satellites to go with my nice receiver of course.. Being in a condo limited my options, but I found that Energy had just the thing to fit my space.

I ended up going waaaay over budget thanks to you freaks on here, but the sound of every whizzing bullet and rock tumble in SOCOM makes it all worth it
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post #25 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guinn3sS View Post

Can you elaborate on that?

Some have the Hum/Buzz issues with & w/o the PS3 connected..

Quote:
Originally Posted by cnugget23 View Post

I just got an Onkyo 606 receiver and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed so far.

The unit has great features and is a great value, BUT the thing buzzes for 30-45 minutes everytime I turn it on.

I've been reading through this forum and thread and haven't come across anybody else having this problem. Sure, there are plenty of people talking about a buzz/hum, but all those complaints seem to be specific to a certain connection (when PS3 is on) or possible ground-loop problem.

My unit makes this sound if there is nothing plugged into it, and if it is plugged into its own outlet plug. Just take out of box, plug in by itself, and loud buzz.

This is pretty annoying and if it does this brand new, I'm worried about what its going to do after months (much less years) of use.

Anybody else have this issue too? I'm thinking of taking it back for another receiver altogether, only bad thing is I don't think I can get anything that will match spec-wise for that price.
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post #26 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bplewis24 View Post

This is sound advice. But if you're truly set on getting an HTIB, let me know and I can possibly sell you mine for a cheaper price than your actual budget.

You would be limited to optical audio, however.

Brandon

Thanks for the offer, but now I have been convinced to stay away from an HTiB :P
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post #27 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DubBucket View Post

Ahh, this brings back memories. I originally came on here looking for a HTIB for my PS3.. I figured I'd spend about 500 bucks, and was directed to the Onkyo as well. But after checking some details was soon convinced I needed a proper receiver and speaker setup.

So, I bought a 604, and started shopping for speakers. I couldn't get some cheapo satellites to go with my nice receiver of course.. Being in a condo limited my options, but I found that Energy had just the thing to fit my space.

I ended up going waaaay over budget thanks to you freaks on here, but the sound of every whizzing bullet and rock tumble in SOCOM makes it all worth it

Checked out the link to Energy

Any discounts for AVS members?
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post #28 of 77
10/29/08 at 11:43am
Quote:


I ended up going waaaay over budget thanks to you freaks on here, but the sound of every whizzing bullet and rock tumble in SOCOM makes it all worth it

Funny..
But so true
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post #29 of 77
10/29/08 at 12:49pm
is there such a thing as good wireless speakers for the back in a 5.1 setup?
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post #30 of 77
10/29/08 at 1:16pm
Try the Pioneer HTS-GS1. It sells on Amazon for $210. There is also many pages dedicated to this HTiB on the 360 forum. This is a pretty good HTiB. I bought one last holiday season at Wal-Mart (Online) for $99. It was on sale at Buy.com for the same price. When it first came out it was $600. I have it in my bedroom and it ROCKS. I have my 360, PS3 and DirecTv hooked up to it. No HDMI, but it has 2 Fiber Optic Inputs (360, PS3) and 1 Digital Coax (Hooked up to HDTV).
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