Shopping for Home Theater System help wanted!

[MartyMcFly]

Hey guys, need some opinions/recommendations.

Now, I have a medium sized room, and looking to spend not much more than $300. I have a 37" Samsung LCD HD TV, with Comcast Digital HD Cable, and an Xbox 360 Pro (so I don't have an HDMI cable yet).

Now, I've looked at several products, but I'm finding that a lot of them only have 1 Optical Digital Input in the receivers. I want at least 2, because I want a one for the Xbox, and one to connect to the cable box. From what I've read, it's better to hook up the receiver directly to the cable box, instead of the TV, because you get better sound quality. Now, I don't want to have to switch the cable back and forth everytime I play a game, then watch TV just because it only has 1 Optical input. That's why I want at least 2.

So looking at Samsung, Sony, Philips, and other brands at a $200-$300 price range, NONE of them have more than 1 Optical Digital Input!!

So then I found this:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo-HT-SR600-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-Black-HT-SR600/sem/rpsm/oid/179767/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Yea, it's not a big name brand, but it's got excellent customer reviews, and (besides the lack of DVD player, which is ok) it's got everything I need!

So, any opinions, or other recommendations?
Thanks!

[mrfattbill]

I recently (last weekend) added a setup to my basement in order to ease some of the tensions between me and my wife and the living room. I opted for a Yamaha setup http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8268386&type=product&id=1170290375713

Overall is works great, 2 optical and one digital coax input. Although it may be a little above what you really want to spend.

The cable box doesnt offer a digital coax option?

Bill

[murph]

Onkyo is a decent name brand that's been around for a while. Good stuff.

I just picked up the Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 system from Circuit City. Came to $419 with tax but free shipping (which is HUGE, b/c the system weighs 95 lbs).

2 HDMI inputs
2 Digital Optical inputs
2 Digital Coax inputs
auto calibration mic/system

[LZ_69]

I bought this one from Sony, very good sound and volume. I also have a medium size room, but I took it outside for a RB party once, and the thing could really hold its own. But yeah, only 1 optical input. :( then again that is not a problem for me.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061026

[MartyMcFly]

I recently (last weekend) added a setup to my basement in order to ease some of the tensions between me and my wife and the living room. I opted for a Yamaha setup http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8268386&type=product&id=1170290375713

Overall is works great, 2 optical and one digital coax input. Although it may be a little above what you really want to spend.

The cable box doesnt offer a digital coax option?

Bill

That looks really nice! Hmm, maybe it will be worth it to go a little more. Looks like Yamaha has some nice features with all the different modes and such.

Can you explain what digital coaxial is? I'm really a noob with this stuff, so is that something that hooks the cable box to the receiver without the need of the optical digital input?

I really don't have the room for that Onkyo 7.1 system though :( It's going to be tight enough with the 5 speaker system.

[golfstrom]

I recently put together a home theater for the first time, so let me throw out this recommendation: for $300, instead of a HTIB, you're much better off buying a receiver and a good set of 2.1 computer speakers; you won't get surround effects...but the sound quality will be 100x better, which is really key since (I assume) you'll be playing a music-heavy game like RB on it.

Klipsch Promedia 2.1 are good computer speakers which are going for $110 on amazon right now (a steal)
speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-ProMedia-Certified-Computer-Speaker/dp/B000062VUO)

so that leaves ~$190 for the receiver which should be plenty. the only caveat is the receiver has to have pre-amplified outs (usaully called pre-outs or line outs) in order to connect to computer speakers, which are self-powered/amplified.

good luck w/ your purchase!

[terRize]

That looks really nice! Hmm, maybe it will be worth it to go a little more. Looks like Yamaha has some nice features with all the different modes and such.

Can you explain what digital coaxial is? I'm really a noob with this stuff, so is that something that hooks the cable box to the receiver without the need of the optical digital input?

I really don't have the room for that Onkyo 7.1 system though :( It's going to be tight enough with the 5 speaker system.

What system? If it's a PS3 you don't want to do digital coax/optical. It can not send Multichannel PCM, DD+, DD TrueHD, and DTS HD-MA. It simply does not have the bandwidth necessary. So you'd be restricted to DD and DTS audio. There is a *huge* difference in audio quality between DD/DTS and the PCM/TrueHD/etc.

How much do you want to spend? Are you looking to get a HTB (home theatre in a box)? or you wanting to create a really nice, custom sound system?

If going HTB, Onkyo HTB systems are nice and offer decent options for the price. Where you really suffer is the speakers. You pay for what you get, and those speakers are not that good compared to what you could buy separate. They aren't bad, they just aren't that good either. There's a reason HTBs are around 500 dollars.

If you are going to buy mid-to-high level speakers, and a receiver I'd highly recommend going to AVS Forums (http://avsforum.com), sign up and do a search for whatever receiver/speakers you are thinking of buying. Read reviews, do some research and then check out AVS Forums to see what people think of the ones you've deciding between.

The Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 (that someone mentioned earlier I think) gets good reviews. I had a previous model (still do actually, it's in a box in my basement but it's only a 5.1 receiver with no hdmi) and it's fantastic for the price.


If you want something more expensive here's what I did, along w/ description of it:

This speaker set up cost me little less then 3 grand (including service). I had a company who installs ADT/Musak systems do the installation for me. (I've heard bad things about Circuit City installs.)

Harmon Kardon AVR347 (PCM 7.1, A-BUS, HDMI 1.3)*
7.1 Audio w/ Proficient (http://www.proficientaudio.com/) Speakers.** w/ 12" Sub (sorry can't recall sub model off top of my head).
2 Proficient AW525 All-Weather Speakers (outside)

I installed my fronts, backs, and surrounds in the ceiling with free standing center and sub. The receiver has A-BUS which allows for easily controlling multiple zone audio. So I have two zones, my living room and outside. You can play two different sources as well. So when having a party I can play my XM satellite radio outside and my Rock Band inside, all from one receiver.

My favorite thing (outside of the sound quality) is that you can't even really see the speakers. They blend nicely and sit perfectly flush, so there's no space taken up by bulky speakers outside of my center which I keep with my tv.

This summer I'm going to get an A-BUS hub and install ceiling speakers in my basement and bathrooms (not doing kitchen as it's right off the living room and the 7.1 setup is plenty loud).

*Read this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868358&page=1) thread at avs forums, as older production of this model have some issues. A firmware patch should be out within a month hopefully, this should not affect you as you would be buying a newer model.

**You won't find much in the way of reviews/opinions of proficient speakers on the net. I compared my speakers to some B&W speakers and found that mine had a better sound (for me) and for 150 dollars less (per pair).

Anyway, I just wanted to give an example of what you could spend if you were wanting to do something more. Plus you said that it'll be hard to do 5.1 with your room, but if you went with in-wall or in-ceiling speakers you might be able to do it, if you wanted.

No matter what you get, I would highly recommend going HDMI for the improved audio experience, and checking out AVS Forums to see if people are reporting major issues with what you are thinking of purchasing. (Take some of what they say with a grain of salt as they can be extremely picky sometimes)

Hope that helps.

[MartyMcFly]

Wow. Well, I do appreciate all the responses. Looking at that Yamaha and the Onkyo 5.1, I'll have to listen to each at the store to see how well they are in comparison.

Thanks for all the information terRize. I'll keep your suggestions in mind for future reference. Unfortunately, I am a complete noob and have no idea what DD, DTS, and everything else is lol. I'm actually just a rather poor college student who lives at home, and just wants to increase his gaming experience :)

I really wouldn't be able to build my own system, due to lack of knowledge and experience. I just wanted a Home Theater in a box, something affordable, but not cheap in quality. And I don't need anything over the edge fantastic.

Thanks everyone!

[mrfattbill]

I would love to drop 3k on just audio, the wife however would probaly drop me at that point as well :) My reasoning behind the HTIB was to at least have 5.1 in the setup in my basement while staying within my budget. The only requirement in the setup besides 5.1 was 2 tv's. This is a secondary setup for my video game playing and sports watching. The wife gets to keep the upstairs for her tv enjoyment, lol. Any of the components can output the 5.1 but the left tv shows the PS3 and the H21 while the right tv shows the 360 and the HR20 from upstairs (just incase the wife wants to watch her dvr stuff while on the treadmill)

Setting the suff on furniture I already had in the basement allowed me to spend a little more on the tv's.

http://askthedrunk.com/bill/B2.jpg

[golfstrom]

I really wouldn't be able to build my own system, due to lack of knowledge and experience. I just wanted a Home Theater in a box, something affordable, but not cheap in quality.

the thing is, entry-level HTIBs don't get decent until you hit the $500-$600 price point. Especially at $300, you're going to get cheap components and muddy sound.

that's why i recommended 2.1 computer speakers above; you could even forget the receiver and connect them straight to the TV (I had this setup for awhile). I know it might seem strange to keep bringing up computer speakers, but I really think they are your best bang-for-buck. Plus, they're easy to shop for.

good luck!

[mrfattbill]

This looks like a nice 5.1 setup

http://www.buy.com/prod/Logitech-Z-5500-Digital-PC-Multimedia-Home-Theater-Speaker-System/q/loc/111/10380059.html

[terRize]

Wow. Well, I do appreciate all the responses. Looking at that Yamaha and the Onkyo 5.1, I'll have to listen to each at the store to see how well they are in comparison.

Thanks for all the information terRize. I'll keep your suggestions in mind for future reference. Unfortunately, I am a complete noob and have no idea what DD, DTS, and everything else is lol. I'm actually just a rather poor college student who lives at home, and just wants to increase his gaming experience :)

I really wouldn't be able to build my own system, due to lack of knowledge and experience. I just wanted a Home Theater in a box, something affordable, but not cheap in quality. And I don't need anything over the edge fantastic.

Thanks everyone!

Glad it helped. Everyone has to start learning it sometime though ;) The AVS Forums and some other places are good resources with very knowledgeable people.

I was gonna explain all the formats but here are some links if you're interested:

Audio Formats:
Dolby Digitial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Digital)
Digital Theater System (DTS) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Theater_System)
Linear pulse code modulation (LPCM) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LPCM)

Theater in box is a good way to go for your first system. I haven't personally had a chance to see any of the Yamaha HTBs but I've had experience with 3 different Onkyo systems and everyone was good to great. If you want, you can always go to one of those "high end" electronics store and listen to the various speakers and receivers.

I just strongly suggest making sure it has HDMI (1.3 preferably) and supports 1080p pass through. If you have a PS3/blu-ray player you don't want your AV component messing with the picture, and I heard there have been some receivers that downscale 1080p to 1080i (no idea why they would do that).

You of course want some component connections (Wii, XBox, PS2, 360 that doesn't have the hdmi on it, etc) as you can pass a HD picture over component. A few optical connections (same reason as component). The best setup for old XBox and PS2 (360 I'm unsure of as I don't have that system) was to run component video + optical audio.

If you like satellite radio make sure it has the proper satellite radio connector on it (not required but it's preferrable).

Make sure it has as many connections as you need. My dad went with an Onkyo HTB at one point but didn't account for all the electronics he wanted hooked up so had to get like two different switchers (one for audio and one for video).

Just some of the things I'd look for in a receiver. Also, don't be afraid to take your PS3/360 and ask them to hook it up for you. I've had people do this with buying a hi-def tv. They may balk at doing for a HTB cause they are aren't considered high-end like your 50" lcd tv's but they should still do it. Take a blu-ray movie and a game with you. Play a little of each and see what you think of it (you'll have to change your settings on the PS3 if your connection type changes). Also, connect it to multiple ones. Don't just listen to the one you are interested in, get a comparison to another one similarly priced even if you weren't thinking of purchasing that one. You might find that the one you are looking into sounds awful compared to another similar product.

If you do that, one movie I can recommend off the top of my head is Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl. Skip to the scene where Captain Jack and William Turner have just stolen the boat. Listen to the scene in PCM up till they get to Tortuga and then replay the scene in DD. The difference is astounding, it's why I'm recommending you get HDMI (also, don't buy expensive HDMI cables if you didn't know) :D

The next tv I purchase I might just take my PS3 + Rock Band w/ Guitar with me to a place and hook it up to see the PQ and Lag that'll be happening. Anytime spending that kind of money you want to make sure it's right for you :)

Oh yeah.. that reminds me. Not all AV receivers process at the same speeds, so they can induce lag. So adding that component in may change your gaming experience w/ Rock Band.

As I was previewing this I saw someone mention that you can't get a good HTBs for less then 500 and I have to agree with what he said.

[MartyMcFly]

the thing is, entry-level HTIBs don't get decent until you hit the $500-$600 price point. Especially at $300, you're going to get cheap components and muddy sound.

that's why i recommended 2.1 computer speakers above; you could even forget the receiver and connect them straight to the TV (I had this setup for awhile). I know it might seem strange to keep bringing up computer speakers, but I really think they are your best bang-for-buck. Plus, they're easy to shop for.

good luck!

In reply to this, and what terRize said. Maybe I should just do that. Perhaps it's one of those things like, if you're gonna get one, then spend the extra money to make sure you get something good.

I don't know. Perhaps I will just go the cheap way out and go with the 2.1 computer speakers. Then in the future when I actually have money, purchase a real Home Theater System, or make my own to ensure that it's quality.

Only question I have about 2.1 computer speakers is, what are the connections for it? I have a Samsung LCD, not sure what's back there, but what would be needed? Thanks again.

[golfstrom]

In reply to this, and what terRize said. Maybe I should just do that. Perhaps it's one of those things like, if you're gonna get one, then spend the extra money to make sure you get something good.

I don't know. Perhaps I will just go the cheap way out and go with the 2.1 computer speakers. Then in the future when I actually have money, purchase a real Home Theater System, or make my own to ensure that it's quality.

Only question I have about 2.1 computer speakers is, what are the connections for it? I have a Samsung LCD, not sure what's back there, but what would be needed? Thanks again.

now you're seeing the light!

to connect computer speakers to your tv, you just need a standard dual RCA-to-stereo cable (a few $ at radio shack). there should be an audio line out on your tv (w/ red-and-white female connectors) that you connect the cable to. and the stereo end of the cable goes to the computer speakers of course. if you're gonna go this route i would say to try the setup ahead of time w/ whatever set of comp speakers you have lying around to see if it's doable, you can control the volume w/ the tv, etc.

[terRize]

In reply to this, and what terRize said. Maybe I should just do that. Perhaps it's one of those things like, if you're gonna get one, then spend the extra money to make sure you get something good.

I don't know. Perhaps I will just go the cheap way out and go with the 2.1 computer speakers. Then in the future when I actually have money, purchase a real Home Theater System, or make my own to ensure that it's quality.

Only question I have about 2.1 computer speakers is, what are the connections for it? I have a Samsung LCD, not sure what's back there, but what would be needed? Thanks again.

Shop around before making up your mind. Go listen to some 5.1 setups. Go to Best Buy's audio room or your favorite electronic store. Find a friend or friend of a friend who has a home theater system so that you could go listen.

You could come here and listen to my system and think "he spent that much money on that, what a waste!" or you may think "damn that's worth every penny!". It's different for everyone, my friend isn't sold on High Def video, but the High Def audio is what appeals to him. So I highly recommend before coming to any conclusions go listen to different systems and different setups (5.1, 2.1, 7.1) and see what you think.

Maybe you determine that 2.1 isn't much of an improvement over your tv for the price and want to wait for 5.1 or perhaps you think that's all you'll ever need.

I felt like in my previous emails I was almost saying if you don't spend a lot don't even bother, but what I need to spend to be satisfied and what you need to spend are going to be different.

Everytime I put in Crank (has an awesome audio soundtrack) or Ratatouille (the lightning scene leaves everyone amazed the first time) I feel like I definitely made the right decision for me.

As for the 2.1, my only thing would be you aren't going to have a center channel (perhaps your tv can act as a center? i know my tv provides that option) and how is the bass.

Buying a home theater system is hard. In my opinion, it's more difficult then buying a game console, and there's just more involved with it then picking out a tv.

So yeah, go listen to some different setups at various places and see what you think, and then decide if spending 450+ for a HTB is worth it compared to the 2.1.

[AVC808]

when youre serious about shelling $$$ for a system id definitely recommend avsforum. always learn a lot about a/v and now hdtv. if you browse there you would see onkyo is actually an established name in home audio. but honestly if i was in your position, it sounds like i would just get one of those cheap $200 sony or any notable brand 5.1 home theater in box setups. no way in hell it will sound as great as the pricier systems (actually you're better off putting together your own setup rather than buying a system), but it's still surround sound and a huge upgrade over the tv's speakers. with your budget and room size there really sounds like no need to jump the gun on something better. save the money for when you have a nice sized living room and bigger tv and stuff :) spending now would really be a waste when you know the technology will just bump up another level.

[MartyMcFly]

spending now would really be a waste when you know the technology will just bump up another level.

Ah! This is key right here.

Exactly why I overpaid in comparison now for spending $1100 on a 37" Samsung LCD with only 720p :\ For that price you can get 1080i now!

I'll do more research, and much more thinking. I'm not jumping on anything just yet, I'm thinking in advance what I want to spend my tax return on since I did work 7/12 months last year full time. I just started school in Sept. I should get a decent amount back...I hope.

Thanks again!

[Transbrak]

i bought an onkyo system a few years back for 500 but a month later i saw it on sale for 400 anyways its the best system ive heard in anything remotely in the price range

6.1 110w a channel

10" sub