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Onkyo S580 vs. Yamaha 270/370
I'd appreciate any and all advice on my upcoming HTIB purchase, which is basically coming down to the question of how important is it to be able to hook the DVD player up to the receiver for both video and audio as opposed to running audio through the receiver and video directly to the TV.
Here's my situation- I'm looking to add a basic 5.1 system to a somewhat small room. The Onkyo HT-S580 appears to have the best reputation sound-wise and has the digital audio inputs to allow me to connect my cable box and p-scan DVD player to get surround sound from both, but since it only has composite video, I'd have to connect my DVD player directly to the TV for video. The Yamaha YHT-270 has good connectivity (composite video inputs/outputs) but would appear to be a step down in terms of sound quality (based on reviews of last year's YHT-160 model). Finally, the Yamaha YHT-370 would probably be a step up in audio quality from the 270, but it might still be below the Onkyo's sound quality (and over $100 more than the other choices to boot).
Bottom line- should I go for the Onkyo to get the best sound quality, the Yamaha 270 to get the ability to connect my DVD through composite input/output, or "splurge" (I know these systems are all relatively cheap) for the Yamaha 370? I'd be grateful for any advice people have!
Here's my situation- I'm looking to add a basic 5.1 system to a somewhat small room. The Onkyo HT-S580 appears to have the best reputation sound-wise and has the digital audio inputs to allow me to connect my cable box and p-scan DVD player to get surround sound from both, but since it only has composite video, I'd have to connect my DVD player directly to the TV for video. The Yamaha YHT-270 has good connectivity (composite video inputs/outputs) but would appear to be a step down in terms of sound quality (based on reviews of last year's YHT-160 model). Finally, the Yamaha YHT-370 would probably be a step up in audio quality from the 270, but it might still be below the Onkyo's sound quality (and over $100 more than the other choices to boot).
Bottom line- should I go for the Onkyo to get the best sound quality, the Yamaha 270 to get the ability to connect my DVD through composite input/output, or "splurge" (I know these systems are all relatively cheap) for the Yamaha 370? I'd be grateful for any advice people have!
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The Onkyo HT-S580 has 2 digital inputs ( 1 digital coaxial & 1 optical) so you should be able to connect your cable box AND your DVD player to the Onkyo receiver and get the 5.1 surround sound...you can connect the cable box and dvd player thru the composite inputs, but you will not be able to get the Dolby Digital and DTS sounds coming out....I happen to own the Onkyo HT-S580 and the sound is amazing for the price...I haven't personally heard what the Yahama sounds like, but IMHO, I think the Onkyo would be the better choice. The Onkyo has an outstanding receiver for an HTIB...I plan to replace the surround speakers w/ some better quality bookshelf speakers & center channel in the near future and the receiver will be more than able to power the more powerful speakers....hope this helps
Sound quality wise the 370 is probably going to have the best overall sound. That's because of the larger drivers on the speakers in the package. From what I can find out from the Yamaha website. Noone of these receivers is going to let you use component video through the receiver, so the use of progressive scan through the receiver on eather of these 3 systems is a non-issue. However, you can always use composite video to the receiver if you want the video switched with the audio or you can run it directly to the tv as you said above if you want to use it in progressive scan mode.
I have the Onkyo HT-S80 and I think it's a nice system for the price. I tested it against the Yamaha 160(previous model to the 170) and I thought it had a slightly better sound. The Yammy 370 would probably give you slightly better sound due to the larger drivers on the speakers in comparison of the other 2.
For overall value and sound. I'd go for the HT-S580. It's a best system at the lowest price possible out there IMO.
For slightly better sound overall, I'd go for the Yammy YHT 370 due to the larger speaker package. But that comes at a price, at least $100.00 more from what I can find and probably closer to $150 more.
There is no step up or step down IMO as you mentioned before. All 3 of these are nice quality systems at this price point. The only real difference I can see is the larger drivers on the 370 which should produce a better sound at a higher price.
I have the Onkyo HT-S80 and I think it's a nice system for the price. I tested it against the Yamaha 160(previous model to the 170) and I thought it had a slightly better sound. The Yammy 370 would probably give you slightly better sound due to the larger drivers on the speakers in comparison of the other 2.
For overall value and sound. I'd go for the HT-S580. It's a best system at the lowest price possible out there IMO.
For slightly better sound overall, I'd go for the Yammy YHT 370 due to the larger speaker package. But that comes at a price, at least $100.00 more from what I can find and probably closer to $150 more.
There is no step up or step down IMO as you mentioned before. All 3 of these are nice quality systems at this price point. The only real difference I can see is the larger drivers on the 370 which should produce a better sound at a higher price.
Thanks, Soulfuric and Jakeman02! Jakeman02, I think the Yamahas do have component video in and out, but it sounds like the only advantage of routing video through the receiver is to be able to control the DVD video and sound together- if I run the video to the TV and the audio through the receiver, I would have to fumble with multiple remotes, but there wouldn't be any difference in performance, right?
People seem really happy with the HT-S80, and I always feel better going for a product that has a loyal following, so that's how I'm leaning.
People seem really happy with the HT-S80, and I always feel better going for a product that has a loyal following, so that's how I'm leaning.
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Correct, no difference in peformance. The only difference is having to switch the audio and the video seperaly. This can be solved by purchasing an inexpensive all-in-one remote. Their are several out there. I got mine for under 50 bucks from universal. The macro feature lets you coltrol multiple functions with the press of one buttion (switching audio from the receiver and video from the tv). Something to think about anyway.
I would double check the component thing you mentioned on the yamaha. I looked and didn't see one on the yamaha website but then again it wouldn't let me pull up the manuals so I may have missed it. Anyway good luck.
Both the Yamaha and Onkyo have a loyal following between these packages. Their are many threads on this here. Like I said previously you won't go wrong with eather. If your having a difficult time decideing between them and the extra cash for the 370 is not a problem for you, go check them out. They are popular models easy to find and I'm sure can be located locally at a bb or cc or frys, costoc, etc etc. I was very happy with my purchase of the ht-s580. for the money I don't think it can be beat. But you'll get yamaha owners that say the same thing. That's a personal preference and is highly subjective.
| Originally Posted by HTInfo Thanks, Soulfuric and Jakeman02! Jakeman02, I think the Yamahas do have component video in and out, but it sounds like the only advantage of routing video through the receiver is to be able to control the DVD video and sound together- if I run the video to the TV and the audio through the receiver, I would have to fumble with multiple remotes, but there wouldn't be any difference in performance, right? People seem really happy with the HT-S80, and I always feel better going for a product that has a loyal following, so that's how I'm leaning. |
I would double check the component thing you mentioned on the yamaha. I looked and didn't see one on the yamaha website but then again it wouldn't let me pull up the manuals so I may have missed it. Anyway good luck.
Both the Yamaha and Onkyo have a loyal following between these packages. Their are many threads on this here. Like I said previously you won't go wrong with eather. If your having a difficult time decideing between them and the extra cash for the 370 is not a problem for you, go check them out. They are popular models easy to find and I'm sure can be located locally at a bb or cc or frys, costoc, etc etc. I was very happy with my purchase of the ht-s580. for the money I don't think it can be beat. But you'll get yamaha owners that say the same thing. That's a personal preference and is highly subjective.
I'm leaning towards the onkyo HTIB--does the receiver support HDMI connections? I planning on getting the new Sammy HLS-5687 and probably going to buy the Oppo DVD player, but I want to make sure I will be able to connect everything to the receiver to get the maximum benefit. Thanks for the help.
Brian
Brian
You can check all the specks out at www.onkyo.com . This unit doesn't have HDMI connectiosn and I don't think you'll find a unit that does at this price point unless possibly you go used or refurbished.
Thanks again, Jakeman. Now that I've dragged my feet a bit, I see the HT-S590 is out- and solves the connectivity problem by including component video. Looks like I'm all set!
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Please let me know what kind of speakers you'll be purchasing as this is my plan as well.. the sound is amazing but i understand that the more you listen, the more you'll crave for something more... i especially noticed the bass... and heard that bi-wiring can help boost more out of the sub that came with the package... how do you do that? Can you also share your tone settings for the unit.. ? thanks i appreciate it
| Originally Posted by Soulfuric The Onkyo HT-S580 has 2 digital inputs ( 1 digital coaxial & 1 optical) so you should be able to connect your cable box AND your DVD player to the Onkyo receiver and get the 5.1 surround sound...you can connect the cable box and dvd player thru the composite inputs, but you will not be able to get the Dolby Digital and DTS sounds coming out....I happen to own the Onkyo HT-S580 and the sound is amazing for the price...I haven't personally heard what the Yahama sounds like, but IMHO, I think the Onkyo would be the better choice. The Onkyo has an outstanding receiver for an HTIB...I plan to replace the surround speakers w/ some better quality bookshelf speakers & center channel in the near future and the receiver will be more than able to power the more powerful speakers....hope this helps |
Please let me know what kind of speakers you'll be purchasing as this is my plan as well.. the sound is amazing but i understand that the more you listen, the more you'll crave for something more... i especially noticed the bass... and heard that bi-wiring can help boost more out of the sub that came with the package... how do you do that? Can you also share your tone settings for the unit.. ? thanks i appreciate it
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