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OK...I must confess (Onkyo HTS-780)

3788 Views 51 Replies 14 Participants Last post by CD_14, Dec 24, 2005

G-star

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2005

a few months ago i bought an onkyo hts-780. using google to search for connectivity information about it, i found these forums. much to my surprise, i found what i thought to be a quality system being mostly trashed....the speakers in particular. well, the system sounded fine to me, not muddy as was being preached...and i tried to voice that opinion.

fast forward a few months. after reading tons of posts about the pro's and con's on onkyo speakers, and lynesjc's htib killers thread, i decided to take a chance on a pair of athena b1's and a c1. i sold my old analog equipment from about 12 years ago, and pulled the trigger on the athenas.

all i can say is wow. from the build quality of the speakers, to level of deatail in the sound they produce, i am truly blown away. clarity is noticeably better. movie dialouge is considerably sharper. bass is tighter. all around a more natural and detailed presentation. and i haven't even "broken them in" completely yet. even to non audiophiles (like my GF) the difference is clear.

moral of the story: these forums are evil! but seriously, while i will probably make all of my money back after selling my old stuff, i could have avoided this alltogether if i had found these forums earlier. also, trashing a system or the people that buy them isn't the way educate about how to piece together a quality budget HT system...while it may grab attention, it just causes resentment and resistance to change. also, there are good things about the 780 HTIB....like the receiver and the subwoofer (solid entry level pieces). i still think it is a good option for people who just want to get started and slowly upgrade, or for those who can be fully satisfied with what you get (in reality 7 speakers for $200) in terms of the sound it produces...many people will be happy with it, and there's nothing wrong with that.

now...what to upgrade next?

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1 - 20 of 52 Posts

FIVE ONE SIX

· #2 · Dec 16, 2005

that's a very good, and RESPECTABLE post! good luck with your new system...

what receiver are you using with the Athena's?

and if you're going to sell your 780, i recommend listing it ebay, if you don't know anyone that would want to buy it locally. you'd be surprised what you can get for stuff on there...

Ron Temple

· #3 · Dec 16, 2005

I could see it happening before my eyes. First you get curious, then you put your toe in the water, then the big wave comes. Congrats, you will be poorer, but happier.

G-star

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 16, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIVE ONE SIX
that's a very good, and RESPECTABLE post! good luck with your new system...

what receiver are you using with the Athena's?

thanks. i'm using the onkyo ht-530 receiver now that came with the HTIB, but i'm thinking about flipping the receiver and 5 of the speakers like you said on ebay and buying a refurbished Harmon/Kardon AVR-235 for $260 + shipping. do you think this would be a big improvement over the onkyo? i don't know how much this means, but the HK is 12lbs heavier than the onk.

anyone else's opinions on the HK 235 would be appreciated too, especially anyone who owns one...i have roughly 24hrs to decide.

Thanks!

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FIVE ONE SIX

· #5 · Dec 16, 2005

big improvement would be an understatement, trust me on this. i used my 520 with my F1/C1/B1 combo for a few weeks, and it sounded alright, but i felt like it was lacking. a week later, i found a Pioneer 1014 for $200 at BB, and the difference was like night and day. the 235 will push your speakers much better than the 530, and the end result will be less distortion and better sound. picture a before and after photo you see of a body builder, the before photo of the person skinny would be quivalent to the 530, and the after photo of the person ripped would be equivalent to the 235...

and yes, that 12 pounds makes a noticable difference, in performance of course...

all i can say is you'd be crazy not to use the 235 over the 530, period, end of story. i give Ron about 30 minutes before he chimes in, since i said the same thing to him months ago, and he picked up the 235 and couldn't be happier with it...

Ron Temple

· #6 · Dec 16, 2005

YUP!!

516 speaks the troof...

The 235 is a great mid-entry level receiver with great SQ, features like variable bass management, lip sync, OSD, component switching and most important for Athena owners, pre-outs. You can use it as an inexpensive pre/pro and add power later. You won't need it at first, you'll get an immediate kick to all your speakers. Just know that when/if you do add separate amps later, it will be like a new set of speakers. To me, the 235 and 435 make the most sense in the HK lineup, best bang for the buck.

BTW I recommend Craigslist. It's free, local and cash is king.

FIVE ONE SIX

· #7 · Dec 17, 2005

damn, you're slipping, by 4 minutes! LMAO

Ron Temple

· #8 · Dec 17, 2005

Yeah, I have to work sometimes between postings, real bummer...

hahnb

· #9 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-star
a few months ago i bought an onkyo hts-780. using google to search for connectivity information about it, i found these forums. much to my surprise, i found what i thought to be a quality system being mostly trashed....the speakers in particular. well, the system sounded fine to me, not muddy as was being preached...and i tried to voice that opinion.

fast forward a few months. after reading tons of posts about the pro's and con's on onkyo speakers, and lynesjc's htib killers thread, i decided to take a chance on a pair of athena b1's and a c1. i sold my old analog equipment from about 12 years ago, and pulled the trigger on the athenas.

all i can say is wow. from the build quality of the speakers, to level of deatail in the sound they produce, i am truly blown away. clarity is noticeably better. movie dialouge is considerably sharper. bass is tighter. all around a more natural and detailed presentation. and i haven't even "broken them in" completely yet. even to non audiophiles (like my GF) the difference is clear.

moral of the story: these forums are evil! but seriously, while i will probably make all of my money back after selling my old stuff, i could have avoided this alltogether if i had found these forums earlier. also, trashing a system or the people that buy them isn't the way educate about how to piece together a quality budget HT system...while it may grab attention, it just causes resentment and resistance to change. also, there are good things about the 780 HTIB....like the receiver and the subwoofer (solid entry level pieces). i still think it is a good option for people who just want to get started and slowly upgrade, or for those who can be fully satisfied with what you get (in reality 7 speakers for $200) in terms of the sound it produces...many people will be happy with it, and there's nothing wrong with that.

now...what to upgrade next?

Not relevant IMO. Anybody that needs and can afford better qualilty than the 780 wouldn't be buying a HTIB anyhow.

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FIVE ONE SIX

· #10 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hahnb
Not relevant IMO. Anybody that needs and can afford better qualilty than the 780 wouldn't be buying a HTIB anyhow.

speaking of not relevant...

Lnd Svyr

· #11 · Dec 17, 2005

Well, I kind of have to agree with hahnb. I guess the HTB bashers originally came to this forum and eventually "saw the light."

But, I keep asking myself, "Why are you still hanging around?" Hopefully, it is to enlightened and not to bash. I haven't looked that hard at what forums are available for other than HTB, but there must be some, no?

I bought the 780 for what it is:

Entry level HTB that will get me going instead of spending the next 12 months figuring out what I really need to be "blown away."

If one is simply using sound (be it HTB or hand-picked) to augment an RPTV, the 780 is more than adequate. Now, when I move up to a real HT, then I will start looking at a mega HT sound system (not an HTB).

Just keep in mind fellas, not all of us can afford to, want to hand pick a system. We can be happy with a base model. I am--for now.

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G-star

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hahnb
Not relevant IMO. Anybody that needs and can afford better qualilty than the 780 wouldn't be buying a HTIB anyhow.

you're missing the point, which is that for the same $$ as a good HTiB (onkyo, yamaha), one can piece together a system that will probably be more sonically pleasing.

FIVE ONE SIX

· #13 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-star
you're missing the point, which is that for the same $$ as a good HTiB, one can piece together a system that will probably be more sonically pleasing.

this is a recording, please leave a message at the beep...

hahnb

· #14 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-star
you're missing the point, which is that for the same $$ as a good HTiB (onkyo, yamaha), one can piece together a system that will probably be more sonically pleasing.

So you're saying that for 400 dollars you can get a better receiver, 7 better speakers, and a sub, all which are better than the speakers/receiver that come with the 780 for 400 dollars

G-star

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hahnb
So you're saying that for 400 dollars you can get a better receiver, 7 better speakers, and a sub, all which are better than the speakers/receiver that come with the 780 for 400 dollars

equivalent receiver (refurb Onkyo 502): $150

better speaker package: athena micra 6: $250

you won't have the extra 2 speakers, but many can live w/o 7.1.

i'm not saying that the 780 is a bad HTIB, in fact, its one of the best. however, there are other options....

Ron Temple

· #16 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

So you're saying that for 400 dollars you can get a better receiver, 7 better speakers, and a sub, all which are better than the speakers/receiver that come with the 780 for 400 dollars

Yeah, I've seen it done during closeouts with Micras and entry level receivers of choice. I think you're off base about bashing. If a htib is right for you then go for it. There are quality units out there, I recommend them all the time.

You've got to take each thread by it's subject matter. This one has nothing to do with bashing, it's an editorial regarding G-Star's experience. Most threads ask a question and solicit advice. If the advice goes north of htib, people chime in. There's no agenda. When someone wants to drop $500 on a system they have 2 options htib or entry level components. They get the info and make a decision. Most aren't aware of their options before they post. If they stick around here they will get pointed at some very nice deals or find some on their own. That information should be shared.

People buy a product, are happy with it and don't want to be told they could have done better for the same or ,yes, a few more bucks. I would want to know these options before I buy. My story's just like G-Stars, got the 770, loved it, defended it, got curious, swapped it out, lost money, love what I've got, still upgrading, still answer posts here, nothing wrong with that. If I save someone else some money and make them happy, I pat myself on the back.

Advice here is free, take it or leave it. Don't waste time defending your choices because they are yours. Just make the best of them.

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hahnb

· #17 · Dec 17, 2005

Now when it comes time to be realistic it's refurbs and closeouts, lol. So, without beating around the bush, you can't build a better system for less or equal money.

Ron Temple

· #18 · Dec 17, 2005

What's wrong with refurbs, closeouts or whatever if the warranty is the same. The best $500 receiver out there is a refurbed $1000 dollar unit. The best bang for the buck speaker you can buy is a discontinued pair that sold for $600 and now you can pickup for $100. If you are limited to $400 you'd better buy a $250 system because you'll likely need wire, interconnects and stands.

Right now you can't get a better bang for your buck system than a refurbed 780 for ~$350. Last year they were selling refurbed 770s for $270. $400 for separate components is possible, not realistic. What you eventually spend depends on your budget and what quality level you decide.

Deals come up all the time. Some are super values. If you can get twice the quality for $100 more, wouldn't you be interested? How would you know it's that much better if someone didn't tell you (whether you agree or not)?

hahnb

· #19 · Dec 17, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Temple
What's wrong with refurbs, closeouts or whatever if the warranty is the same. The best $500 receiver out there is a refurbed $1000 dollar unit. The best bang for the buck speaker you can buy is a discontinued pair that sold for $600 and now you can pickup for $100. If you are limited to $400 you'd better buy a $250 system because you'll likely need wire, interconnects and stands.

Right now you can't get a better bang for your buck system than a refurbed 780 for ~$350. Last year they were selling refurbed 770s for $270. $400 for separate components is possible, not realistic. What you eventually spend depends on your budget and what quality level you decide.

Deals come up all the time. Some are super values. If you can get twice the quality for $100 more, wouldn't you be interested? How would you know it's that much better if someone didn't tell you (whether you agree or not)?

I perfer to buy my equipment new, as do most. We're talking about being able to put together a better system than the 780 for $400 any day of the week, not some post christmas close out sale.

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FIVE ONE SIX

· #20 · Dec 18, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by hahnb
I perfer to buy my equipment new, as do most. We're talking about being able to put together a better system than the 780 for $400 any day of the week, not some post christmas close out sale.

actually, if you were REALLY trying to get the best equipment for the best price, you would look into USED equipment. that's what people that REALLY know about home theater do, and what they recommend other people to do, because they know they can get used equipment for about half of what it retails for.

you keep the new $400 Onkyo 780, i'll keep the set of $400 open box speakers and receiver that originally retailed for about $800...

1 - 20 of 52 Posts

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