[dank311]

What would be the best HTIB, bundles, or seperate home theatre system for around $600?


I have a PS3 for games, blu ray, and music, a Samsung 50" plasma, and am looking for a nice sound system to support full 1080p HD audio. Will be playing alot of ps3 games, blu rays, and music. I would like to find a wireless setup, but I have heard they are inferior. I know alot of the better speaker packages are wired, so would a kit like the rocket fish wireless kit still make the rear speakers have good sound quality?


Here are a few packages Im looking into:


Onkyo + klipsch bundle:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...371&CatId=3419


Sony DAVHDX576WF:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=S196-0126


Onkyo HT-S5200
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3&Sku=O22-1202


Yamaha YHT491BL
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...5540&CatId=353


Any other suggestions for around $600? Are there any other bundle deals that have onkyo recievers bundled with good speakers for around the price range?

 

[ickysmits]

What's the deal with Tiger Direct?

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...onkyo-ht-s6100

 

[HiDefRev]

One additonal HTiB to consider is the Onkyo HT-S6100. This would be MUCH preferred over the 5100. Also, the 6100 is a true 7.1 system, or can be configered for 5.1, should you prefer. I have had mine for about a year and absolutely love it. It is future proof ( as much as it can be ) and has 4 HDMI repeater inputs ( the 5100 is pass through only ). You can usually find the 6100 for around $550 - $600 online.

OK, I see Icky has posted this system, too. It's a good deal from Vann's. That's where I got both my Onkyo and my Panny HDTV.

 

[dank311]

Thanks guys. Vann's looks like solid place with some great prices. Ill check em out.


How is the 6100 htib compared to that onkyo + klipsch speakers bundle?

Arent klipsch speakers better than onkyo's? You say the 6100 is close to future proof for now, how does it compare to the bundle as far as capabilities?


Is there anything else in this price range worth considering over those two.

 

[ickysmits]

Nothing is really 'future proof' but the receiver in the 6100 does have some good features. I'm not a fan of Onkyo HTiB speakers, or small satellite speakers in general, but the Klipsch speakers in that bundle are even smaller than the Onkyo so at least you're getting a better receiver with the 6100.


Sorry for all the negative statements but $600 is a tough price point to be able to get it all. If you can bump your budget up a bit then I would say the Energy package at wwstereo is a good compromise between size, sound, and price: http://www.wwstereo.com/#/ecommerce/..._84__0_0_0_-1/

and then add a $400 receiver.


If you can bump your budget a little more than that and can accept bookshelf or floorstanding speakers then your options are even more.

 

[mayhem13]

I'd go with seperates, as HTIB's usually offer a very poor subwoofer and speakers...sorta stuffers if you know what i mean.


Given your budget, i'd start with a solid 5.1 AVR, the Pioneer VSX-819h-K. For the price and features, it tops the list of budget receivers. $269.00 free shipping newegg.com

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882117302


For a budget minded 5 speaker system, think no further than the Energy Take 5 system at $199 free shipping. Read the reviews all over the Web...unreal value!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882269004


AS far as subs with what's left in your budget, you're not going to beat the performance of this one.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-635


The Energy system listed above would be a good match to the Pioneer receiver as well, but the subwoofer i listed is a few steps ahead of the Energy. HT is all about the bass!


That's a pretty good start for $600.

 

[samsurd2]

Just a quick observation...the FL/FR speakers in the Onkyo 5200 rig have 5" woofers according to the owner's manual. That's a couple of inches larger than their counterparts in either the Klipsch or Energy rig. In theory at least, that means a little better/lower bass response.

 

[strakerc]

I am in a very similar situation as the OP and was wondering how the 5200 stacked up to the 6100...the 5200 is available through Amazon right now for $420 w/ free shipping, which seemed a pretty good deal -- however, is it worth the extra $$ for the 6100?


Is the only real difference the ability for the receiver to process HDMI audio? Is that really any better than simply using optical cables, or is it just less wires that attracts people?


Also, I am having trouble finding out how the 5200 handles video; will it simply keep the same video settings as whatever is passed into it?


I know the 6100 can do all sorts of things to the inputted video...

 

[samsurd2]



Quote:
Originally Posted by strakerc /forum/post/16862632


Also, I am having trouble finding out how the 5200 handles video; will it simply keep the same video settings as whatever is passed into it?


I know the 6100 can do all sorts of things to the inputted video...

For an answer, see page 25 of the manual - you can download it from the Onkyo site.

 

[strakerc]

OH, quite obviously the 5200 simply outputs the video in its native resolution. So really then, the only difference is that the 6100 will upscale to 1080i, since the audio quality is the same between HDMI and optical/coax?


So the only real advantage of the 6100 is the need for less cords, video upscaling, and different (assuming better) speakers? This helps me greatly, and hopefully the OP as well.

 

[dank311]

Thanks guys!


I think the setup mayhem posted seems like a nice setup for my budget. But, Im kinda leaning towards the Onkyo 6100 now from all the reviews I have read, and just ease of install/speaker setup. Would the onkyo setup be far inferior to the package mayhem posted above?

 

[ickysmits]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dank311 /forum/post/16878680


Thanks guys!


I think the setup mayhem posted seems like a nice setup for my budget. But, Im kinda leaning towards the Onkyo 6100 now from all the reviews I have read, and just ease of install/speaker setup. Would the onkyo setup be far inferior to the package mayhem posted above?

This is just my opinion but...it only matters what you’re comfortable with buying. Mayhem’s suggestion is good but so is the 6100. Think about it this way; they’re both small speaker packages that will be a lot of fun with home theater. Neither of them will be very good for music just because they include small speakers. Both of them include decent receivers that you can expand upon if you eventually want to get better speakers.


You will probably, at some point, get upgraditus and will have a decent base to do so. Either choice would be fine.

 

[G-star]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dank311 /forum/post/16878680


Would the onkyo setup be far inferior to the package mayhem posted above?

Yes...HTIB speakers are not very good, and the subs are atrocious. Onkyo's are no exception...muddy dialouge/flat sounding, and the sub is a joke. There is a reason why you're getting a $400 receiver with 7 speakers and a powered subwoofer in a package for $600...the speakers and sub are the lowest common denominator.


Look for a refurbished receiver for about $200 to save yourself some $$$. Then find a nice pair of bookshelf speakers and a decent entry level ($200) sub to start out with a 2.1 setup. If you buy used speakers or find a great deal, you might even be able to grab a matching center channel and come in under $600. Add your surrounds as time goes by and the budget allows.


You'll end up with an HTIB killer and be happier in the long run.

 

[JChin]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dank311 /forum/post/16878680


Thanks guys!


I think the setup mayhem posted seems like a nice setup for my budget. But, Im kinda leaning towards the Onkyo 6100 now from all the reviews I have read, and just ease of install/speaker setup. Would the onkyo setup be far inferior to the package mayhem posted above?

Well newegg has the 6100 for 500 now.

 

[writenick]



Quote:
Originally Posted by G-star /forum/post/16880781


Yes...HTIB speakers are not very good, and the subs are atrocious. Onkyo's are no exception...muddy dialouge/flat sounding, and the sub is a joke. There is a reason why you're getting a $400 receiver with 7 speakers and a powered subwoofer in a package for $600...the speakers and sub are the lowest common denominator.


Look for a refurbished receiver for about $200 to save yourself some $$$. Then find a nice pair of bookshelf speakers and a decent entry level ($200) sub to start out with a 2.1 setup. If you buy used speakers or find a great deal, you might even be able to grab a matching center channel and come in under $600. Add your surrounds as time goes by and the budget allows.


You'll end up with an HTIB killer and be happier in the long run.

I thought the dialog came from the center speaker. Where would the dialog come from 2.1? If the receiver can handle 7.1, how do you just hook up two speakers (for stereo, I assume)? This idea of building slow appeals to me. Thank you.

 

[highdefdrifter]

I think the idea is that in a 2.1 setup you'd have the two speakers handling everything, except the low end the sub gets.


It'd be the equivalent of running your tv sound through your stereo system(if you have one).


The advantage is that, unlike a stereo system, your receiver is able to use new components(center channel, rears) as you add them. So you could go 2.1 - 3.1 -5.1(even 7.1 if you chose a 7.1 receiver at the start).


I'm thinking this is the way I'm going to go too. At first HTIB seemed very convenient and 'good enough', since I can have everything setup right away. Now, I'm thinking patience may be worth it in the long run.

 

[G-star]

Yes patience is key if you want the best quality for your $. A 2.1 system will be fine to start...you'll be running a "phantom" center until you can get a matching center. It is not ideal, but it is better than compromising with instant 7.1 of crappy HTIB speakers.

 

[ickysmits]

^ I agree....and you end up spending less in the long run if you do it right. The upgrade bug hits pretty quick with HTiB speakers. 2.1 is quite nice with good speakers and you always look forward to adding the next piece.

 

[azula]

Okay, are the people that are bashing the speakers/subwoofer that onkyo includes in the htib speaking from personal experience? Every review that I've read has said that the 6100 is an excellent system. Newegg now has it for $500.00 plus free shipping. I think this is a great buy. Worst case scenario is that you will have to replace the speakers due to subpar performance. You still have a killer receiver and a 7.1 setup, all you have to due is upgrade the speakers. Just my opinion.

 

[Rhat]

Just to throw in my 2 cents...I just picked up the following for a 5.1 set-up for $617 total:

• Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1 Receiver - $275 at 6ave.com (Do a price alert for $270 and they'll offer this price the next day in your email)
• Energy Take Classic 5.0 Speaker Package - $175 at wwstereo.com (Talked to Vince)
• BIC F12 450 watt 12" Subwoofer - $157 on Amazon.com (had to apply for Amazon credit card to get $30 off, but was going to anyway)