I really enjoy my Onkyo SR800 that I paid $450 for. Last year's model SR790 is also a stellar performer. It doesn't have hdmi like the SR800 does but it does have a little better surround speakers. The 790's are being moved out so you can pick them up for around $319 - $350. These are both 7.1 systems but of course you can use them for 5.1 as well. They do not include a dvd player. You can check out a good review on the 790 (800 is still too new, haven't seen any reviews yet) here. http://reviews.cnet.com/Onkyo_HT_S79...?tag=pdtl-list
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Looking to Buy a HTIB
Basically as the title suggests, I have a 32inch Westinghouse HDTV as well as other components that I want to connect to a central audio system. Here's a list of all the connected components and possible audio connections to each;
Westinghouse LTV32w6 - Optical, HDMI, Analog
HD Digital Cable Box - Optical, HDMI, Analog, Coax Digitial
Xbox - analog audio
Xbox360 - optical, analog audio
PC - Optical, 3.5mm stereo
I wouldn't be against a system with a dvd player, but my 360 seems to do the job with basic dvd playback.
My price range is between 400-750, although if i can get better for less so much the better
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. As for the video connections, I have two component video, one hdmi, one VGA, one composite video, and possibly an s-video.
Looking for everything and anything I can get! Prefer 5.1 setup as this is going in a small room (but leaning towards big sound for the time I move into something larger).
Westinghouse LTV32w6 - Optical, HDMI, Analog
HD Digital Cable Box - Optical, HDMI, Analog, Coax Digitial
Xbox - analog audio
Xbox360 - optical, analog audio
PC - Optical, 3.5mm stereo
I wouldn't be against a system with a dvd player, but my 360 seems to do the job with basic dvd playback.
My price range is between 400-750, although if i can get better for less so much the better
Looking for everything and anything I can get! Prefer 5.1 setup as this is going in a small room (but leaning towards big sound for the time I move into something larger).
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
I was in the same boat back in November... wanting to get into surround sound--i play 360 a lot. My budget was lower (~
So far sounds good, too bad it will have to wait, i just had to drop 400$ on new tires since mine were almost completely bald, but these new bad boys will last 88k miles (probably half that the way i drive). After one or two more paychecks i'll probably have enough in the bank to buy a lower end system, sticking it to 500$ max (receiver + speakers). Originally I was going to buy a low end Insignia receiver with a Sony setup but it had crappy speakers so in any case does anybody have any suggestions for a receiver that accommodates my inputs and a decent set of speakers?
Updated the audio outputs, so far I would prefer to use the 360 and PC for the optical, my cable box would use the coax digital, and my xbox would just use the RCA analog. I think that about does it unless I get a dedicated DVD player, but the only problem i've had with the 360's dvd playback is the bad sound levels, this should correct that.
Your MUCH better off going with components rather than an HTIB.
Every HTIB purchase I've made I've regretted deeply, including models similar to the ones shown above. The speakers are ALWAYS complete crap compared to your standard $50-100 /pr bookshelf speakers that you can buy from legitimate speaker manufacturers. In almost all cases the speakers are pretty much throw-aways, and believe it or not, my TV did a better job with dialog.
THe electronics often are also complete junk, check out the 1% Harmonic Distortion ratings on most of the HTIB receivers. THe Onkyos come with better Electronics, but they still are not a bargain when you consider their speakers are throw-aways.
Look at the budget speaker threads and the budget receiver threads here for lots of superior ideas.
Every HTIB purchase I've made I've regretted deeply, including models similar to the ones shown above. The speakers are ALWAYS complete crap compared to your standard $50-100 /pr bookshelf speakers that you can buy from legitimate speaker manufacturers. In almost all cases the speakers are pretty much throw-aways, and believe it or not, my TV did a better job with dialog.
THe electronics often are also complete junk, check out the 1% Harmonic Distortion ratings on most of the HTIB receivers. THe Onkyos come with better Electronics, but they still are not a bargain when you consider their speakers are throw-aways.
Look at the budget speaker threads and the budget receiver threads here for lots of superior ideas.
While I agree with you that HTIB speakers usually leave much to be desired, I would hesitate to call them "throw-aways", across the board. I am very happy with the sound I'm getting from the speaker set in my Onkyo 790 HTIB. I had to work on placement for my space, but I feel that I am getting a great value for my money. Will I look at upgrading the stock speakers down the road? Probably so. But until my wants/needs outgrow my current set-up, I'm good for quite some time.
I would recommend starting with a receiver that, at least, meets your current input requirements and go from there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnR_IN_LA /forum/post/0
Your MUCH better off going with components rather than an HTIB.
Every HTIB purchase I've made I've regretted deeply, including models similar to the ones shown above. The speakers are ALWAYS complete crap compared to your standard $50-100 /pr bookshelf speakers that you can buy from legitimate speaker manufacturers. In almost all cases the speakers are pretty much throw-aways, and believe it or not, my TV did a better job with dialog.
THe electronics often are also complete junk, check out the 1% Harmonic Distortion ratings on most of the HTIB receivers. THe Onkyos come with better Electronics, but they still are not a bargain when you consider their speakers are throw-aways.
Look at the budget speaker threads and the budget receiver threads here for lots of superior ideas.
While I agree with you that HTIB speakers usually leave much to be desired, I would hesitate to call them "throw-aways", across the board. I am very happy with the sound I'm getting from the speaker set in my Onkyo 790 HTIB. I had to work on placement for my space, but I feel that I am getting a great value for my money. Will I look at upgrading the stock speakers down the road? Probably so. But until my wants/needs outgrow my current set-up, I'm good for quite some time.
I would recommend starting with a receiver that, at least, meets your current input requirements and go from there.
Indiana you may want to bring home some Infinity Primus or some other legitimate bookshelf speakers, and just put them in front for an hour.
They will make all the other speakers in your set sound like something is wrong with them.
Then try this: turn the other 3 speakers off, and you will notice your HT sounds far better with just the 2 front Infinitys.
Then try this, turn the subwoofer way down, so you can just barely sense that is on. All the sudden music will start sounding excellent.
They will make all the other speakers in your set sound like something is wrong with them.
Then try this: turn the other 3 speakers off, and you will notice your HT sounds far better with just the 2 front Infinitys.
Then try this, turn the subwoofer way down, so you can just barely sense that is on. All the sudden music will start sounding excellent.
JohnR,
As I stated before, most speakers that come with HTIB leave something, if not a lot, to be desired. I am not even trying to state that they equal speakers from companies whose primary purpose in life is to produce speakers with excellent sound.
I don't doubt that seperate speakers provide the listener with sound superior to that from the Onkyo HTIB set-up. I am merely trying to present a contrary opinion to yours, which stated that, "THe Onkyos come with better Electronics, but they still are not a bargain when you consider their speakers are throw-aways."
As I stated before, most speakers that come with HTIB leave something, if not a lot, to be desired. I am not even trying to state that they equal speakers from companies whose primary purpose in life is to produce speakers with excellent sound.
I don't doubt that seperate speakers provide the listener with sound superior to that from the Onkyo HTIB set-up. I am merely trying to present a contrary opinion to yours, which stated that, "THe Onkyos come with better Electronics, but they still are not a bargain when you consider their speakers are throw-aways."
anyone know where I could get a Optical cable for my pc? do they even make them?
I guess not
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xsao /forum/post/0
anyone know where I could get a Optical cable for my pc? do they even make them?
I guess not
Does the PC have a Toslink out? If so, then the same cable for home theaters will work.
Im saying if it doesnt have Toslink or coax out.
how will I get true 7.1 surround sound? (what cable shold I use)
how will I get true 7.1 surround sound? (what cable shold I use)
What kind of outputs does your PC have? Does it have an audio card with outputs and if so what are they? My notebook has DVI for video but only 2 channel analog. The Onk AVR will do some mixing and give me 5-7.1 I believe but I don't know how good it is, never tried. You may have to look at an advanced sound card of some sort to get optical or coax. If they're not out yet, I'd bet sound/ideo cards with HDMI are soon to be released.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xsao /forum/post/0
Im saying if it doesnt have Toslink or coax out.
how will I get true 7.1 surround sound? (what cable shold I use)
What kind of outputs does your PC have? Does it have an audio card with outputs and if so what are they? My notebook has DVI for video but only 2 channel analog. The Onk AVR will do some mixing and give me 5-7.1 I believe but I don't know how good it is, never tried. You may have to look at an advanced sound card of some sort to get optical or coax. If they're not out yet, I'd bet sound/ideo cards with HDMI are soon to be released.
My motherboard has an optical output built in
Most nForce MB's have digital outs. Mine has optical AND coax for some reason. It also will do 5-channel direct out via 6x1/8" connectors. Check the back of your PC for an RCA jack...it's very likely a coax TOSLINK port.
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1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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