Which Will Net a Better System? (Home Theater Sound System)

[tbst]

This box:
Cost - $349
Amazon.com: Onkyo HT-S5400 7.1-Channel Home Theater System: Electronics

Or building it using these components:
Cost - $541
Amazon.com: Sony STRDH520 7.1 Channel 3D AV Receiver (Black): Electronics
Amazon.com: Sony SS-B1000 5 1/8-Inch Bookshelf Speakers (Pair): Electronics x 2
Amazon.com: Sony SSF-5000 Floor Standing 3-way Speaker (Pair): Electronics
Amazon.com: Polk Audio PSW10 10-Inch Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer (Single, Black): Electronics

The box has good reviews. Brian helped me out in my car audio thread, so I think I understand the jist of things. The consensus on the hi def forum is that building is better... Is the box set in the Onkyo good enough to start and use the receiver to build from later on? Also, it has a sub.

Thoughts?

 

[gaterose]

I did what you said second, bought the Onkyo box, then later upgraded to Polk Center channel (matched to wattage of receiver), then bose bookshelf front speakers (I don't have room for floor standing), polk in wall surround, and eventually a Polk sub with two 10s.

The reason I went with bose front (instead of Polk like everything else) was because it was much easier to find the Bose speakers with matched wattage. Oh yeah and all speakers (except the sub) feature 6.5" woofers and tweeters. The center channel is two 6.5s and weights around 20 lbs.

I finally added a pioneer receiver after I felt the onkyo was outdated, although it served my purpose very well. Mostly because I needed more HDMI inputs than my TV (or the onkyo) allowed for.

In my experience sony is crap, I had one of their systems then one of their receivers for a few days before returning it for the Onkyo system.

edit-
Here is my setup (had to go look at the M/Ns before I could post)
Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH
Bose 201 (6.5") Bookshelf speakers (x2)
Polk CS2 Center (2x 6.5")
Polk TC615i (6.5", in-wall) Surround (x4)
Polk PSW1000 Sub (2x 10")

It's a couple years old now but it still sounds amazing, better than anyone else's surround I have heard.

 

[borgzman]

I'll get the the receiver-speakers bundle. Building your own will result in a trial and error purchases which will end up spending more. For a budget of $500, by getting a HTIB, you are assured that the speakers are factory matched.

I used to install HTs(10 yrs ago). Those Sony speakers in the link above are 5yr old
models, the reviews are dated back in 2007.
They are slow using newer receivers with high speed class D amplifiers.

How about going down to just a 5.1 HTIB and look for a better brand.

LOL! my renewed interest about HTs, I saw this at amazon Amazon.com: Denon DHT-1312XP A/V Home Theater Receiver AVR1312 with SYS1312 Theater Speaker Package: Electronics

CompUSA.com | DHT-1312XP | Denon DHT-1312XP 5.1 Channel Home Theater System

 

[gaterose]

LOL! my renewed interest about HTs, I saw this at amazon

Hahaha me too!! My stuff is all 2-3 years old now, when I started looking for info about posting in this thread I thought I couldn't believe how out of date I am.

I forgot to mention, about a year and a half ago my old roommate bought that Onkyo S5400 system you posted about and he is very happy with it (I think he payed a hundred or so more then). Although he still agrees the system I had when he lived here (same as it is now except with an Onkyo HTIB receiver instead of the Pioneer Elite receiver) sounded better.

 

[tbst]

I'll get the the receiver-speakers bundle. Building your own will result in a trial and error purchases which will end up spending more. For a budget of $500, by getting a HTIB, you are assured that the speakers are factory matched.

I used to install HTs(10 yrs ago). Those Sony speakers in the link above are 5yr old
models, the reviews are dated back in 2007.
They are slow using newer receivers with high speed class D amplifiers.

How about going down to just a 5.1 HTIB and look for a better brand.

LOL! my renewed interest about HTs, I saw this at amazon Amazon.com: Denon DHT-1312XP A/V Home Theater Receiver AVR1312 with SYS1312 Theater Speaker Package: Electronics

CompUSA.com | DHT-1312XP | Denon DHT-1312XP 5.1 Channel Home Theater System

Denon>Onkyo?

 

[Millerad1651]

That Onkyo system is pretty good. And like others said, you're already getting matched components, so you won't waste money on pieces that don't work as well. Its not the fanciest, or most expensive, but for the moeny its a great system.
I seriously looked into getting it when I bought my TV, but ended up getting great deals on Klipsch stuff from a friend. You'll be happy with it, plus it'll be easier to set up...just my opinion.

 

[IanB]

I didn't click on your links, but many home theater in a box systems use speakers matched to the included amp, running strange impedences and wiring configurations such that you can't upgrade components down the line. I would avoid systems like that for sure, simply because if you do feel the need for something more down the road you have to start all over again.

That being said, some of the best sounding systems for movies are the HTIB, they are well matched components that just work well together. They don't do music as well though. I'd make sure they use a stand-alone powered sub, so you can easily upgrade this component if you want more base though. Also make sure it has enough inputs for all the peripherals you'll want to run, with some room to add on as new things come out (HDMI, fiber optic audio, etc). The only reason I recently upgraded my reciever was for digital inputs, it has an upconverting HDMI hub built into the amp!

If you needed a seperate amp and components at this point, you wouldn't be asking if you did. However you may need it later if this becomes something you're interested in, so don't make it harder than it needs to be to add on down the road. That's how I look at it.

 

[theizzardking]

kind of off topic, but any of you guys ever play with one of these?
Full HD Players » Dune HD GmbH
Popcorn Hour - Networked Media Jukebox

been thinking about picking one up.


as for being on topic, i would say most of the time Denon<Onkyo, but denon makes great stuff for the cash,much better value for money, my whole system is pioneer though as i wanted inter-connectivity to be seamless between all of the components, and BTW ARC is the greatest thing since sliced bread! lol

 

[IanB]

kind of off topic, but any of you guys ever play with one of these?
Full HD Players » Dune HD GmbH
Popcorn Hour - Networked Media Jukebox

been thinking about picking one up.


as for being on topic, i would say most of the time Denon<Onkyo, but denon makes great stuff for the cash,much better value for money, my whole system is pioneer though as i wanted inter-connectivity to be seamless between all of the components, and BTW ARC is the greatest thing since sliced bread! lol

I've currently got 3 WD TV LIVE units, they are basically the same thing, very slick units, and quite a bit cheaper than some other options.

 

[ndcent]

Are the components exposed?

I've always leaned towards something cosmetically attractive...Marantz makes some damn sexy receivers with performance to match.

 

[Thai]

Denon>Onkyo?

Yeah, Denon has better name on the market...but that does not mean that all their products work better than something else. Denon can make some crap too on their lower end products...while Onkyo can make some great stuff on their high end stuff. If you're looking at low end, then i would get Onkyo IMO. If you're looking for a system to show off to friends, then get Denon for namesake.

The one thing that i would look for is room correction software in these receivers, such as Audyssey (XT, XT32, etc.). THAT is probably the most important factor next to speakers and receiver.

 

[borgzman]

Forgive me for bringing the cost and budget down :naughty:, but if we are talking about Onkyo, I think Onkyo also makes Insignia - The 5.1 HTIB sold at Bestbuy...for $300 there you'll get it(Insignia) with Audyssey.

Best Buy - Insignia


Best Buy's Insignia Brand to Offer Audyssey | TechCrunch

 

[tbst]

Did I just mount this too high? In the dorms and in my apartment I mounted it at sitting level for a futon, but here at my buddies place (he doesn't live here) I decided to mount it a little a higher. Too high?

EDIT: I know my place is messy as hell. Single male in the process of moving. Always in the process of not giving a crap what you clean freaks thing. For the record, normally I am tidy.

 

[theizzardking]

Did I just mount this too high? In the dorms and in my apartment I mounted it at sitting level for a futon, but here at my buddies place (he doesn't live here) I decided to mount it a little a higher. Too high?

EDIT: I know my place is messy as hell. Single male in the process of moving. Always in the process of not giving a crap what you clean freaks thing. For the record, normally I am tidy.

go higher and move the dresser under the tv, it looks asymmetrical and is killing me..

that said and back on topic, i have a pioneer vsx 521 for $139 @ bestbuy the day after christmas as someone else return and it works flawlessly, does everything i want and just basically kills it, should be in your price range even without the sale, but not sure how it stacks up against a equally priced dennon or the like, the vsx for $139 vs the $300 dennon i'd go with the vsx all day long , but when equally priced i have no idea....i just know i like my unit works flawlessly and gets the job done for cheap, plus the little room sensor/microphone thing is kind of cool and take like 30 seconds to set up and get dialed in....
VSX-521-K - 5.1-Channel 3D Ready AV Receiver | Pioneer Electronics USA

3d capable
room correct/detection mic and software
ARC
and a bunch of other things, considering the $139 i got mine for i think it's the bee's knees , i couldn't find anything better for the money out there.
VSX-521-K - 5.1-Channel 3D Ready AV Receiver | Pioneer Electronics USA

also check sickdeals.net for really good prices on this sort of stuff, esp the forums, i got my $1700 t.v. for $800 because of some unmarked sale fry's was doing that a member over there posted up, the sale was listed as a generic 60 flat screen tv but was actually a 60 inch Panasonic GT50 and done in store only and only advertised in a local paper, that forum is how i found out about it...

 

[Thai]

Not all room correction systems are created equally. To be honest, Audyssey is class leading IMO.

 

[tbst]

Not all room correction systems are created equally. To be honest, Audyssey is class leading IMO.

Was just reading about that.

The thing that pisses me off about the HTIB is that they are all 6 ohms. Which from what I have read is not standard.

Is it better to just start off right with 8 ohm receiver?

I am confused. I have read conflicting things. For example in the receiver posted above in the HTIB, can 8 ohm be ran from it at a later time or will that cause it to overheat?

 

[Thai]

For your needs, I would stick with HTIB.

 

[LittleCaesar]

With the space you are living in, get the Onkyo and enjoy it.

The bottom of the TV should be no higher than a foot from where you are sitting at eye level.

When you are working for the big H in the future, upgrade then.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Visit avsforum.com

Then after checking out the home theater section, build your own.

As for me .. i have a Haman Kardon reciever and infinity speakers.

 

[riceandpho]

i thought mcintosh + focal = sex.