***Official HTIB Alternatives Thread*** - Page 58

The DVD player was the culprit: I had to go into the sound setup menu to enable digital output in Dolby Digital and DTS. I could then turn AUTO POLL back ON on the AVR and it detects the digital signal automatically. The sound is night and day better. Now this really is a HTiB killer system. I am truly amazed at how well the little Polk Audio Mini Monitors hold up beside the much newer center and the H-100 subwoofer. I actually had to turn the subwoofer down to 2 so that the effects would not be overwhelming. Ron was right: it was ON, now it IS "OOONNNN"!

I even tried, for the fun of it, turning the sub OFF altogether in the h/k setup, and even without the sub, the sound coming out of those little Polks was quite a surprise: they have a whole new lease of life. Adding the sub means that everything sounds better, even at low volume levels. Even -16dB (or 12 o'clock on our old Yamaha) is far too loud for comfort in our mid-sized California living room. The amazing thing is that, whether listening to music or movies, even loud sound is not tiresome: it is powerful melodious sound, not loud noise. This is exactly what I was hoping for on all counts.

I can't imagine that anyone that gets this setup, adding R50s and R150s from Fry's for instance (since they won't have our "legacy" Mini Monitors), could possibly be disappointed or think that they should have just stuck with a HTiB.

Now, I just need to finalize some tweaks so that all the settings seem right for the long term. One little question though: Titanic is in Dolby Digital 5.1 surround EX or 6.1 DTS ES (has to be selected in the DVDs own menu). Which would be the better choice?

Many people prefer the DTS mix in movies when its available. Try em both and tell us what you think.

And if you have access to U-571 or War of the Worlds in DTS, check those out too. It'll give your subwoofer one heck of a workout!

I was actually wondering how DTS 6.1 into 5.1 would work, compared to the Dolby Digital, which is 5.1 to start with, but I will certainly give both a try to see!

As for other movies to try: we usually get Netflix, so that shouldn't be a problem. I just used Titanic since we own that one and I remembered that engine room scene (not to mention the fog horn honking at the docks and the chopper scene at the start bringing Rose Dawson/Calvert to the salvage ship. I've heard WOTW mentioned before, and LOTR too ... oh! and Star Wars "Attack of the Clones" for sci-fi fans!

As I sit here debating whether I should wait the four months for the AV123's I ran accross two more speaker systems that I have not seen discussed. The links are provided below:

www.htd.com/level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers

www.axiomaudio.com/epicmidi_125main.html

The lowest configuration for the Epic's is $1,350 (5.1 setup) which might not qualify as a starter system - but then if I buy just three AV123 xls I've just spent $600; throw in a base and I'm at $1000 anyway. Can anybody speak to these speaker systems?

These aren't even mentioned in the speaker discussion - of course I don't have $5,000 for the stuff of which they speak of. Thanx.

Better Level Threee LInk

http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/...three-speakers

Markus B.

I have a 12x14 living room with an 8ft ceiling.
I looking at the HK 247 reciever, 4 Athena B1.2s and a C1.2 center.
For a sub I would like to save some money by going with the Velodyne VX-10 rather than the BA H-100 which seems to be at least $100 more.
I am totally new to home theater equipment. I will be watching lots of movies on my new HDTV, but I will also listen to a bit of music (eclectic taste leaning more heavily on classic rock).

Will this setup work well for my needs, and how big a difference will the H-100 sub make over the VX-10? Any other suggestions would also be welcome.

I'm glad it's working out for you. I thought you might find the "old" Polks were pretty darned good, coupled with the right setup...enjoy.

My luck just sucks.

I got a refurb AVR 247 direct from H/K on eBay (~$380 shipped, including tax), and it has a decent sized blemish on the front. Moreover, they sent me a remote for the AVR 240 which does not have HDMI buttons on it (input selection) so I have to go in the OSD menu to switch between the two HDMI inputs.

Is everybody upgrading to receivers with HDMI and all that new crap? I bought a $600 receiver a few years ago, and paying that kind of price I want the thing to last me 20 years at least.

5TANGER, I just got an AVR 147 from the same source. I noticed they did not include the EzSet/EQ microphone, so I had to go through the manual setup process. I sent an e-Mail to C.S. and they responded within hours saying they would be sending a new microphone.

There isn't much you can do about the blemish, I suspect though. My unit has a minor scratch on the aluminium part of the front panel, about an inch long, but you would never notice it, except from two feet away, and even then, only because you already knew it was there, so your luck does not seem to have been the best on that particular aspect.

You should be able to switch between HDMI inputs without the OSD though: did you try navigating through the inputs with the front panel "source" rocker?

hey guys,

so i'm a newb to this whole a/v game, but my parents are remodeling, and want me to put together a decent 5.1 system for around $1,000 bucks. i tried reading some of these threads but to be honest i'm pretty overwhelmed by everything.

the system will primarily be used for movies and games (wii), and some light music use. also, if possibe, it would be nice if the receiver is multi-zone. the theater would be used in a medium sized room with wood floors, looking for some floor standing speakers for the front and center, and wall mounted satellites for the rears. any recommendations or links to a newb thread would be appreciated. thanks guys!

I am setting a new system 7.1 fir my home. For the speakers I was thinkhing on the Pioneer SHF21LR (30 $ a pair) 5 1/4" 2-ways bookshelf for the 6 satellite and on the Pioneer SHF11C (60$) 5 1/4" for the center.
On the paper they seem better and cheaper of the Polks suggested in this thread.
Has anybody tried them?
Valter

I am not sure why you say that. At 80dB (L/R) and 85db (center) sensitivity, they are theoretically massively less efficient than any Polk, even the cheapest ones (which rate 89 or 90dB). You can see what Crutchfield Advisor says about sensitivity here and why 80 to 89 is a really whopping difference:
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/IS...rs_faq.html#11

This is why the Polk pairs sold for $50 are such an incredible deal compared to the Pioneers IMO, but I have never heard the Pioneers. Perhaps somebody else can correct me if I am wrong about this.

80db sensitivity is really inefficient. It'll take a bit more power to drive them vs a 89db sensitivity speaker. As far as sound quality, you'd have to listen for yourself.

Those Pioneers are $19/pr at Circuit City today, so it wouldn't hurt to listen to them yourself. You can always take them back.

Yeah, I emailed them Friday night, I was polite and they replied TODAY (Sunday) saying they will send me the proper remote right away.

I didn't know about the blemishes. After I saw it I went back to the auction and read the fine print. Nothing I can do.... But it's not visible even during the day from any normal viewing distance even if you know it's there. You'd have to sit in front of the receiver to see it, and you'd still have to be looking for it if the light's dim. It looks like someone took a piece of sand paper and lightly scratched a small X shape on the front panel under the AVR 247 badge.

About switching inputs, yes - the OSD works, and the input selector buttons on the front work as well, but that's not very convenient, is it?

I actually solved the problem with a Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote.

Probably the best remote to control this stuff anyway if you have one (the h/k remotes aren't great IMO, but no worse than most AVR remotes either ... possibly even better than many, but it's hard to match a Harmony).

Glad you got it sorted out though! Post back and tell us how happy you are with the whole setup.

I will...

Still waiting for the second R50 from Frys.com, and my Elite 110FD.

Posted this in subwoofer forum, but would also like comments here, since it's completing budget HT system, and the people here are different than subwoof thread.ED subs questions. I am not a fanatic, just someone looking to get a sub for HT/music. I like the ed lineup but not sure which one. I prefer the 10 inch subs, for smaller size, and even tho they won't go as low as the 12 inch, I doubt I will notice much difference. Is this true? And for the 10 inch, is it worth it to go for the A3 over the A2, for the more powerful amp? Medium size room, and not looking to to kill it with sound, just want something that sounds nice. Thanks for any input.

hey guys,

so I did some research and poking around, and think I have an idea of what I want, just wanted to bounce it off you guys since I think y'all know a lot more than me. = ) So I think I want to go with the HK 347 with the X-LS, X-SLS, X-CS combo.

now the room it's going to be in is around 15'x14'. Is this system going to be overkill for a space that small? like i mentioned earlier, it'll prob be primarily used for movies and gaming. thanks

Start a dialog with the eD guys...either Chris or Alex. I haven't heard any of their subs, craigsub has and he tells they are quality. Your room, if sealed, will be fine for the smallest eD sub...looks like an exceptional value. Bass is very addictive, from personal experience I'd advise you to go the the biggest and best you can afford...don't worry about size unless you don't have any space. Their budget sweespot is the A2-300.

Ron,

I am wondering why having the room sealed is important. My HT room opens to the kitchen on the right and a hallway on right back corner. Will I run into any problems because of this?

Sometimes folks are disappointed or just don't know what there missing if they undersub. I've seen complaints about well regarded subs where people with 10,000cubic feet expect miracles when they should have gone either much bigger or with multiples. A sealed room is the easiest to activate and pressurize even at low volume. You feel the floor and seats vibrate and the sound pressure on your skin...it usually brings a big grin and is very addictive. Even the smallest eD sub might work great for you, but chances are the smaller the space you fill the better the experience will be.

I've gone through a bunch of subs in the last 3 years in a 2000 cube room that opens into another 5500. Because of the layout each performed pretty well congruent to it's price point, dual subs were much better when I had them, but weren't essential. Just get a quality sub at whatever your budget can stand. More is always better even if you aren't trying to crumble foundations, better bass, control and blend makes the music and HT experience. You can always add another one down the road.

Ok guys. This is my first post but I have done some reading in this and other threads. I'm not a noob and know the difference between s video and HDMI but haven't been in the market for any kind of good HT stuff for at least 10 years.

Here is my situation.

My HT receiver decided to take a dump. A call to the local repair place said it's going to cost more then it's worth to fix. It's a Yamaha 5.1 more then 5 years old but I don't remember the exact model number.

My speakers are fairly good for 1993 vintage (Infinity SM 115's). My sub is an MTX 12" 300 watt they don't make anymore. This thing will damn near push the windows out in my living room and I hardly have it set at more then 1/4 on the gain. My center channel is also Infinity, again, I don't remember the model number. My surround speakers are MTX book shelve units that are crap. Note:Keeping the speakers isn't really an option, I'm moving into a smaller place in HI next year.

I decided to go out and purchase a HTIB system figuring I could get something good for about 350 bucks. I picked up a JVC TH-C60 for 350 bucks new. This thing sounded like crap and I knew right away I made a mistake. Back to the store it went.

I'm willing to save and buy things one piece at a time. I have a good idea of what I want in a receiver already. I need/want speakers that are small enough to keep the wife happy but still sound good.

Also, I'm in the Navy and move every three years or so. I don't have the ability to run wire through the walls like I want and external wiring is ugly. Is there an easy solution to this problem?

Thanks for any and all help

Wow what a great thread! Much thanks to all have that participated...as my eyes are gonna hurt for a while now I've read so much on here. I just want a little advice on what receiver to get, and this thread seems like my best bet to get a suggestion or some advice.

I've pretty much made up my mind (not totally...but almost) on speakers. I'm going to get the HSU performance I

HSU Ventriloquist VT-12
HSU STF-1 subwoofer

Now, i'm at a loss for what receiver to get. I have a D* HD/DVR receiver and a Tosh. A2 HD DVD player. My TV has two HDMI inputs, so, i'm thinking i'll route video via HDMI directly to TV and audio to receiver. Should I reconsider? I don't mind switching inputs on the TV when i switch back and forth.

The receiver that i've mainly been looking at is the Onkyo SR505. Looks like I can get it new for $235 shipped. Also, I was looking at the SR504, reconditioned for $175 shipped. Will I be able to fully take advantage of the audio from the HD DVD player?

Thanks so much all for your help!

I am quite happy with my Onkyo SR605 ($399 shipped from J&R). Audyssey is a nice feature for us newbies and I don't believe it is on the SR504. As far as the HSU speakers go I would spend the $50 more and go for the Performance 2 package. I am happy with mine. Of course the VTF subs are even nicer if you can part with even more money.

What about the 604? You think it'd be worth the extra $150 or so to go from the 504 to the 604 for the Audyssey feature? I ask because right now I can get the 504 reconditioned from an authorized onkyo dealer for $119 shipped (just found it)!

Personally I'd say go with something fairly cheap, the reconditioned 504 seems to fit that bill, that you know isn't going to have all the fancy feature you might want like HDMI switching with audio processing via HDMI, upconversion to hdmi, Auto setup features, preamps out etc or spend the money to get a receiver that has all the features you could want. Personally I went the cheap route since the receivers that had all the features I wanted were just outta my price range.

... and having that capability is useless if there is not enough content available to make use of it! Check it out to see if you think it's worth the $200. Otherwise, that money might be better spent on better speakers. For the price of the 504 that you found, you can always upgrade later when things settle down a bit (regarding HD formats, players, and HD audio).