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New buyer, need advice.

861 Views 2 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Otto Pylot, Aug 21, 2011

Mauled

Discussion Starter · Aug 21, 2011

Hello everyone, I am trying to find the best HTIB/speaker system for around $300-400. I am not an audiophile, so I do not know what sounds good and doesn't, and I have never heard any top of the line systems, all I know so far is that $300-400 won't get me anything good, but right now I'm using a basic 2.0 speaker setup, so I need something better. My room is about 15 x 15 feet, with about a 20 foot ceiling.

I need something I can just plug in to my Computer and Xbox 360, which are both on the same screen, I do not care about features like dvd/blu ray player or anything like that. My uses are for gaming, and listening to music. I hardly ever watch movies.

I am pretty positive I want a 5.1 system, here are the ones I have been looking at so far, tell me what you think, and if you have any alternative suggestions please post them!

Logitech Z5500

This one isn't a home theater system, but I thought I would add it because I am playing games, not really watching movies. But considering logitech primarily makes mouses/keyboards and not speakers, I am leaning against it.

Yamaha YHT 395BL

Here's another I was looking at, very low budget entry level system, not sure about the quality, sound, etc.

Onkyo HT-SS3400

Here's the other one I was looking at, similar to the yamaha? But has a passive subwoofer.

I am really a newbie on HT at all, so I have no idea what decoders I would need. Advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

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skally

· #2 · Aug 21, 2011

Just my thoughts here...

I would question the Logitech Z5500 set up as it tend to be more on the "tinny side".. ok for just a computer set up/office but for HT?? not a good choice IMO

The Onkyo/Yamaha would be a good way to start.

Heres a few options if you dont mind factory referb & open boxes ( great way to save!)

Onkyo Onkyo HT-S6300 7.1 $379
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...od-Dock/1.html

Onkyo HT-S5400 7.1 $300
http://www.accessories4less.com/make.../iphone/1.html

* Even those are 7.1... you can use them as 5.1

Otherwise... you can always check Craigs list, Ebay and such to find some good deals on used systems as well.

If you are not in a "hurry" as to if you can wait and piece together seperates as time & money allow... that would be the best way to go! Of corse... in time it would be much more than $400 but like I mentioned, just add as time and money allows... you will be much happier in the long run ( Thats if you plan on keeping the set up for quite awhile).

Anyhow... good luck!

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Otto Pylot

· #3 · Aug 21, 2011

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauled /forum/post/20848501

Hello everyone, I am trying to find the best HTIB/speaker system for around $300-400. I am not an audiophile, so I do not know what sounds good and doesn't, and I have never heard any top of the line systems, all I know so far is that $300-400 won't get me anything good, but right now I'm using a basic 2.0 speaker setup, so I need something better. My room is about 15 x 15 feet, with about a 20 foot ceiling.

I need something I can just plug in to my Computer and Xbox 360, which are both on the same screen, I do not care about features like dvd/blu ray player or anything like that. My uses are for gaming, and listening to music. I hardly ever watch movies.

I am pretty positive I want a 5.1 system, here are the ones I have been looking at so far, tell me what you think, and if you have any alternative suggestions please post them!

Logitech Z5500

This one isn't a home theater system, but I thought I would add it because I am playing games, not really watching movies. But considering logitech primarily makes mouses/keyboards and not speakers, I am leaning against it.

Yamaha YHT 395BL

Here's another I was looking at, very low budget entry level system, not sure about the quality, sound, etc.

Onkyo HT-SS3400

Here's the other one I was looking at, similar to the yamaha? But has a passive subwoofer.

I am really a newbie on HT at all, so I have no idea what decoders I would need. Advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

I purchased the Yamaha YHT-395BL a few months back. It is my first HTS so I wanted to start off modestly. I think this is an excellent entry level system. The AVR alone is worth the price of the system. The speakers are ok (our family room is about the same size) but the sub-woofer is powered separately and that does make a difference. The speaker connections are clip-wires, nothing proprietary like banana plugs, so upgrading the speakers is truly plug and play. No re-wiring at all. 80W @ 8 ohms or 100W @ 6 ohms per channel is plenty enough for me. The AVR has High Speed HDMI inputs/output (with ARC), lossless audio (DT-HD Master, Dolby TrueHD, etc) so it has formats that will be around for quite awhile. Running the BD player and/or the ATV2 thru the AVR sounds excellent! Our tv reception is OTA only so using the toslink out to the AVR, we get crystal clear DTS 5.1. With better speakers, I can just imagine what this system would sound like. IMO, money well spent.

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