Hey guys. I am looking for a good HTIB or Receiver with Speakers for under $400. I already have a PlayStation 3, and I need a really good system to pair it up with. In that regard, I am not looking for some DVD player that upconverts, since my PS3 can do that already. I'm looking for a system that can handle LPCM so I will have something that is future-proof. I have already looked the Sony SS2300 over, so that is one of my options, but I am hoping there are more choices. Please help me out!
Best HTIB w/ LPCM Under $400?
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I don't think you have many choices for a receiver that can handle uncompressed audio along with speakers for $400. Really, though, I realize the marketing forces want you to buy equipment that can handle TrueHD and the like, and it's hard to resist, but you'd have more options if you relax that requirement (or spend more money).
Here's a good article worth reading: http://www.hemagazine.com/node/Dolby...PCM?page=0%2C0
I think if you really want something "future-proof" you should be looking into a receiver that has enough connections (HDMI, optical, coaxial, pre-amp, etc...) for you to expand as you change/upgrade your gear. You'll have to up your budget, otherwise just get the best HTiB you can for $400 and don't worry about LPCM. Just my opinion.
Here's a good article worth reading: http://www.hemagazine.com/node/Dolby...PCM?page=0%2C0
I think if you really want something "future-proof" you should be looking into a receiver that has enough connections (HDMI, optical, coaxial, pre-amp, etc...) for you to expand as you change/upgrade your gear. You'll have to up your budget, otherwise just get the best HTiB you can for $400 and don't worry about LPCM. Just my opinion.
Well, I figured since I found the Sony SS2300 for under $350, I was hoping there were others around this price or lower. I mean, I don't mind going used or refurbished, so long as it's worth the money. I would go cheaper, but since I am such an audiophile, I want the best sound possible for the budget I have. I am, however, a college student, so even buying this HTiB is stretching the income I do have, but I feel that it is worth it since I watch so many movies, play so many games, and listen to a lot of music. 
Try the Sony HT-7200DH for 385 at bhphoto.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karuto /forum/post/15468118
Well, I figured since I found the Sony SS2300 for under $350, I was hoping there were others around this price or lower. I mean, I don't mind going used or refurbished, so long as it's worth the money. I would go cheaper, but since I am such an audiophile, I want the best sound possible for the budget I have. I am, however, a college student, so even buying this HTiB is stretching the income I do have, but I feel that it is worth it since I watch so many movies, play so many games, and listen to a lot of music.
Try the Sony HT-7200DH for 385 at bhphoto.com
Sony is about your only choice in that price range for LPCM capability. Some of their systems are meant to work with the PS3 in that regard, although they may not be directly marketed as such.
Forget Onkyo, Yamaha, or just about anyone else in that range. They just don't have anything that cheap, unless you get lucky on a refurb. Try their outlets, like Shoponkyo.com (I forget Yamaha's.)
Sony is about your only choice in that price range for LPCM capability. Some of their systems are meant to work with the PS3 in that regard, although they may not be directly marketed as such.
Forget Onkyo, Yamaha, or just about anyone else in that range. They just don't have anything that cheap, unless you get lucky on a refurb. Try their outlets, like Shoponkyo.com (I forget Yamaha's.)
I searched Yamahas and it was junk a while back. They had next to nothing in that part of their store.
You missed out on the greatest deal back around Thanksgiving. Onkyo S7100 refurbs going for $430 once discounts were applied. Check shoponkyo.com like daily for deals coming up. With after Christmas returns I am sure there will be some more sets up for grabs.
You missed out on the greatest deal back around Thanksgiving. Onkyo S7100 refurbs going for $430 once discounts were applied. Check shoponkyo.com like daily for deals coming up. With after Christmas returns I am sure there will be some more sets up for grabs.
Yeah, I know. I should've jumped on another offer I saw. At SonyStyle.com, they had a percent off refurbished items, so I could've gotten a refurb Sony SS2300 for $285 shipped. The only reason I didn't before was because I didn't have the money. I am really regretting that now, but hoping eBay has something good to offer!
Thanks for the tip on ShopOnkyo though.
Thanks for the tip on ShopOnkyo though.
So, you guys really think I should avoid buying something like the Sony SS2300 if my budget is so low? I mean, I am a really big audiophile, but I cannot afford to spend much money since I am still in college and saving for a vehicle (yes, I don't own one yet, because I have never had a need for one until recently). I have my Ps3, so is there a real difference between LPCM and a Digital In under the $400 budget, or is it really minimal at best? I want the best audio quality I can, but if I am only going to find crap at this price range, should I just cut my losses and find a good 5.1 speaker set up, like the Logitech Z-5500's (click for example) or something?
Thanks, guys!
Thanks, guys!
You know, that Logitech thing might not be such a bad idea for a college student on a tight budget. It's really meant to be connected to a computer but it has everything you need, people seem to like it, and the price is right. You can always find some use for it when you eventually upgrade.
I looked at the Sony HT-SS2300 in the store the other day and really think you'd be wasting your hard earned money trying to get something that can handle uncompressed audio. These speakers (you do understand that speakers are the most important component in sound quality, don't you?) are almost lighter than air. It's not a surprise that Sony doesn't post specifications for this system because it's just poor. I did find from Crutchfield that the cones on these little speakers are barely over 2 ½ big without a tweeter. The center speaker cones are much smaller yet and the passive subwoofer is about 6 ½ inches. These numbers are just plain horrible if you want to get ANY decent sound out of themyou are just limited by pure physics alone.
I really don't want to see anyone piss their money away for this kind of crap.
Even bad speakers, if they're big enough, sound better than these little sound systems that push tiny puffs of air. But don't trust me, go down to your Best Buy and tune the Sony HT-SS2300 to a local radio station and switch the receiver to 2.0 so you only hear two speakers. Then walk over to THESE speakers and compare the difference. I guarantee you'll hear a much deeper, richer sound from them. In fact, I bet you'd get much bigger improvement if you get 3 pair of THOSE , one of THESE , and a cheap 5.1 receiver for $130 over a tiny speaker system with LPCM capability.
Just my 2 cents, worth nothing.
I looked at the Sony HT-SS2300 in the store the other day and really think you'd be wasting your hard earned money trying to get something that can handle uncompressed audio. These speakers (you do understand that speakers are the most important component in sound quality, don't you?) are almost lighter than air. It's not a surprise that Sony doesn't post specifications for this system because it's just poor. I did find from Crutchfield that the cones on these little speakers are barely over 2 ½ big without a tweeter. The center speaker cones are much smaller yet and the passive subwoofer is about 6 ½ inches. These numbers are just plain horrible if you want to get ANY decent sound out of themyou are just limited by pure physics alone.
I really don't want to see anyone piss their money away for this kind of crap.
Even bad speakers, if they're big enough, sound better than these little sound systems that push tiny puffs of air. But don't trust me, go down to your Best Buy and tune the Sony HT-SS2300 to a local radio station and switch the receiver to 2.0 so you only hear two speakers. Then walk over to THESE speakers and compare the difference. I guarantee you'll hear a much deeper, richer sound from them. In fact, I bet you'd get much bigger improvement if you get 3 pair of THOSE , one of THESE , and a cheap 5.1 receiver for $130 over a tiny speaker system with LPCM capability.
Just my 2 cents, worth nothing.
lol, yeah, I know what you mean. I went to Best Buy to check it out, and wasn't really impressed with the subwoofer (then again, it's a big warehouse with lots of people making noise, but still). I kind of wish the PS3 could just be a receiver or something, since it holds a lot of that LPCM technology inside of it that could be decoded. But, I will definitely take your advice to heart, and maybe find those speakers at a lower price so I can consider picking it up!
If any of you guys have other set-ups like this good man did, I'd like to hear it. But then again, if I'm not aiming for LPCM anymore, I would kinda prefer a lower overall price. I'm aiming for a 5.1 system instead of a 7.1, but I guess I could grab a capable receiver if I ever wanted to upgrade. ;-)
If any of you guys have other set-ups like this good man did, I'd like to hear it. But then again, if I'm not aiming for LPCM anymore, I would kinda prefer a lower overall price. I'm aiming for a 5.1 system instead of a 7.1, but I guess I could grab a capable receiver if I ever wanted to upgrade. ;-)
FWIW I was at Wal-mart the other day and looked at all of their new\
ewer Blu-ray movies....I couldn't find one that was 7.1 audio. Granted they were all 5.1 TrueHD format but no 7.1 audio tracks. This made it easy for me to decide to only run my Onkyo 7100 as a 5.1 system for now.
I would blow most of your budget on speakers because they can\\will last a lot longer as far as the technology involved.
If you go out and buy this years most awesome receiver, next year there will be a new more awesome receiver, and then the one you have is "obsolete"
ewer Blu-ray movies....I couldn't find one that was 7.1 audio. Granted they were all 5.1 TrueHD format but no 7.1 audio tracks. This made it easy for me to decide to only run my Onkyo 7100 as a 5.1 system for now.
I would blow most of your budget on speakers because they can\\will last a lot longer as far as the technology involved.
If you go out and buy this years most awesome receiver, next year there will be a new more awesome receiver, and then the one you have is "obsolete"
Alright, I ended up buying two pairs those Sony SB1000 speakers and the subwoofer, on top of the Sony STRDG720, since it still allowed the LPCM capability. I grabbed the Sony Style Financial Card, which means no payments or interest for 18 months. I'll also be picking up a Center speaker as well to balance the sound out with the dialogue.
Thanks a lot, guys! I am very happy with this purchase, and I know it will bring me entertainment for many years to come. I'll be thinking of you while watching Dark Knight or playing Metal Gear Solid 4.
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Thanks a lot, guys! I am very happy with this purchase, and I know it will bring me entertainment for many years to come. I'll be thinking of you while watching Dark Knight or playing Metal Gear Solid 4.
You may want to check out the Sony CT-100 depending on the size of your room.
Sony CT-100 can deliver what you need.
check out the link to this thread, but read pages 20 and beyond because most people were disappointed before learning how to best utilze the Sony CT-100.
I'm a proud owner and user.
After usuing D1writers settings the Sony CT-100 does everything you requested.
Sony CT-100 can deliver what you need.
check out the link to this thread, but read pages 20 and beyond because most people were disappointed before learning how to best utilze the Sony CT-100.
I'm a proud owner and user.
After usuing D1writers settings the Sony CT-100 does everything you requested.
I'll second this. After reading numerous reviews, I decided to purchase the 2300. My main concern was that it wouldn't be loud enough for my 16x20 ft game room. I can assure you it is VERY loud. I like watching movies loud, and loud equates to about a volume level 23 out of 45(??? haven't turned it up to max so dont know exact number). The sub is pretty powerful as well. When I watch a movie with lots of bass I have to open up all the cabinet doors cause the sub will rattle them. I really think the 2300 is a great system. I love all the HDMI inputs and the menus are easy to figure out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by viziodood /forum/post/15508991
I own the SS2300, dont be fooled by it's size it cranks pretty good in my 16 ft.x16 ft. livingroom.![]()
I'll second this. After reading numerous reviews, I decided to purchase the 2300. My main concern was that it wouldn't be loud enough for my 16x20 ft game room. I can assure you it is VERY loud. I like watching movies loud, and loud equates to about a volume level 23 out of 45(??? haven't turned it up to max so dont know exact number). The sub is pretty powerful as well. When I watch a movie with lots of bass I have to open up all the cabinet doors cause the sub will rattle them. I really think the 2300 is a great system. I love all the HDMI inputs and the menus are easy to figure out.
Joined
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10 Posts
Yeah, SS2300 owner and I'm WOWED by the sound of it. I had my volume up to 30 on the movie Wanted and it scared the crap outta me on certain parts!
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