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HTib or mix and match?

post #1 of 5
12/27/11 at 4:55am
Thread Starter 
Hello all! I'm soo glad I found this forum.

I live in an average size apartment, about 850 square feet. It's not huge. Average sized living room..
I just got a nice 55 inch tv and now I'm looking at audio. I had a crap insignia receiver from best buy that just died and now I'm looking for a nice replacement. Most of the audio will come from the computer - Blue ray, gaming, music. It will also have a ps3, 360 and classic xbox hooked up to it.

I have 1100 bucks to spend and I know that's not a lot when it comes to home audio but that IS a lot to me So I'd like to get the best I can.

Right now I'm looking at the
Onkyo HT-S9400THX 7.1-Channel Network A/V Receiver/Speaker Package

Any better suggestions?

Some of the requirements I'm looking for are:
At least 7.1
Upscaling for the original xbox
THX? Don't really know why but I want it!
The audyssey thing.
Good gaming audio. Battlefield 3 from the PC.

I have 1100 to spend. I'd love to see some amazon links! If someone can show me a better receiver and speakers I'd love to see it. I'm really excited to finally get GOOD audio. I want to do it right
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post #2 of 5
12/27/11 at 7:47am
While the Onkyo 9400 gets good reviews, I'd recommend buying the receiver, speakers, and sub separately. It costs a bit more, but you get considerably more value. I'd also recommend you start with 5.1 when it comes to speakers and add the rears when you save more to get them.

You can get an excellent AVR in the $300-400 range, although the THX requirement will significantly reduce your choices. THX is a label and the lack of certification does not mean inferior quality. I'd reconsider how important that is to you. Look at the Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, and Pioneer sites for AVRs in the $500 range, knowing that you can usually get them for $100-200 less at amazon and other online retailers. Onkyo and Denon use Audyssey while Yamaha and Pioneer have their own room correction software. If it has to be Audyssey, then it's Onkyo or Denon.

Speakers are highly subjective. Go to the speakers forum and you'll find lots of threads for speakers in your price range - $500-600 for five speakers and $200 or so for a sub.

I recently put together a 5.1 package through amazon for my in-laws at about the same budget as yours:

$400 Denon AVR-891
$300 Polk RTI A3 L/R (Cherry)
$225 Polk CSI A4 Center (Cherry)
$150 Polk RC85i In Wall Surrounds
$000 Polk PSW111 Subwoofer (free with >$500 in Polk speakers)

Black was a little cheaper than cheery and the sub is not the one I would have gotten if there hadn't been a deal to get the PSW111 for free.
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post #3 of 5
12/27/11 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIslander View Post

While the Onkyo 9400 gets good reviews, I'd recommend buying the receiver, speakers, and sub separately. It costs a bit more, but you get considerably more value. I'd also recommend you start with 5.1 when it comes to speakers and add the rears when you save more to get them.

You can get an excellent AVR in the $300-400 range, although the THX requirement will significantly reduce your choices. THX is a label and the lack of certification does not mean inferior quality. I'd reconsider how important that is to you. Look at the Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, and Pioneer sites for AVRs in the $500 range, knowing that you can usually get them for $100-200 less at amazon and other online retailers. Onkyo and Denon use Audyssey while Yamaha and Pioneer have their own room correction software. If it has to be Audyssey, then it's Onkyo or Denon.

Speakers are highly subjective. Go to the speakers forum and you'll find lots of threads for speakers in your price range - $500-600 for five speakers and $200 or so for a sub.

I recently put together a 5.1 package through amazon for my in-laws at about the same budget as yours:

$400 Denon AVR-891
$300 Polk RTI A3 L/R (Cherry)
$225 Polk CSI A4 Center (Cherry)
$150 Polk RC85i In Wall Surrounds
$000 Polk PSW111 Subwoofer (free with >$500 in Polk speakers)

Black was a little cheaper than cheery and the sub is not the one I would have gotten if there hadn't been a deal to get the PSW111 for free.

+1 for BIslanders post!

Lets face it $1,100 is quite a bit if you are spending that all at once!! The Onkyo 9400 is a pretty good system as I have heard it from time to time when I go to the local audio store, it seems to be a pretty solid system if you want everything all at once! You can get a better set up if you go seperates but then again it will cost a little more.
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post #4 of 5
12/27/11 at 12:48pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you, great info! Going to check out amazon now. I originally had a Denon receiver picked out but couldn't decide on speakers. The all in 1 saves me the hassle. Also, thanks for pointing me to the speaker forums. I've got 10 days to go and lots of research before I settle on something.
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post #5 of 5
12/27/11 at 5:52pm
If you have any AV shops in your area, they can be a good place to audition speakers, although they tend to have limited selections and pricier gear. Or, buy from places that allow you to return without restocking fees. Then you can try out at speakers at home, which is the best place to audition anyway.
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