Can anyone suggest a good but inexpensive HTIB to pair up with my new TV? (Link to TV here) I'm looking at a very entry level system, and want it mainly for a decent surround sound. A system that includes a DVD player would be nice, but not a necessity. This will be my first ever system, so really, I don't need a $1,000 system as I don't have any preferences, nor any past experiences to compare with. I won't have a stereo system hooked into this, just my TV for now. Any advice or suggestions much appreciated.

 

Not to familiar with HTIB systems, however, the ones sold at Best Buy and Circuit City are usually good enough.

Check out the Sony and Samsung Systems at Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....sortfilter.jsp

Circuit City breaks theirs out by price range, so you can pick what fits your budget. I've heard good things about Onkyo.... http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/categ...8+20012954&c=1

 

For a low end system, basically anything sold by Crutchfield would be fine. Just pick your price range. If you want to spend $600-$700, those Yamaha and Onkyo units are nice, but for $300 you can't go wrong with the Samsung.

I own a cheap Sony HTIB, I would not recommend Sony. I have a JVC system also, which sounds surprisingly good.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ZuHMjhS...xjtwzp*5TNIIii

 

Thanks, guys. That's just the kind of info I was looking for... whether certain brands were better than another, and whether the low-end ones from BB & CC were OK. I, too, have heard good things about Onkyo (sp?).

 

Yes, Onkyo makes good stuff. Also Yamaha, Samsung, and JVC.

I'd stay away from stuff like Norcent, Insignia, Panasonic.

 

For $300, does this system look OK? Or would I be better of spending the extra $100 for an Onkyo system? No matter where I look, Onkyo seems to get outstanding reviews.

 

^ I don't see a link anywhere, so not sure what system you're taking about... but my guess is you're better off spending the extra $100 for a brand that gets solid reviews on all of their entry level products...

 

oops, my link didn't work...

This is the system I was wondering about for $300

Samsung HTIB

 

Seems like a decent system. Honestly, in that price range, for the most part they're all very similar. Some may have different features then others, but sound-wise they are all going to be close....

 

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/rm6750/

than goto circuit city for those onkyo recievers

 

That looks like a nice set Bobby, but $600 for a set of speakers then an additional cost for a receiver really isn't entry level, nor is it HTIB.

 

I got this Onkyo as an entry level starter (last years model). Its a decent system for what i paid for at circuit city. If you do buy anything at circuit city, the internet price is always cheaper and changing. the store prices stay the same mostly (Place your order online then pick up in store or just print out the page and bring it to the store)

 

For that price, it is a quite nice system. 3 years ago, that system would easily cost $500 - we bought a 500 Watt, 360 continous watt panasonic system that cost $300 and we wanted a 7.1 system. We forced 2 extra speaker wires in the main output oops

but that with a HDMI Output??? wow

 

How are you liking that system? I still haven't bought and have been looking very closely at that Onkyo.

 

Your room seems to be very big since you are going to put a 42" TV there. I think you may want to invest a little bit more. Those HTiBs won't cut it if you have a big room. You need something with floor standing speakers. Those tiny speakers won't work for you...

 

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Speak...ategorylist.do

These set of Pioneer speakers seem to have a very good price. (<$300 out the door)


Pioneer Bookshelf Speaker (S-HF41-LR) for the front
Pioneer Bookshelf Speaker (S-HF21-LR) for the back
Pioneer Center Channel Loudspeaker (SHF11C) for center


I peronally use a set of the cheapest Infinity. They are ok but not great. For the money, I think Klipsch is the best for the money.

http://www.klipsch.com/

 

I'm about to pull the trigger on a HTIB this weekend. I'm pretty much sold on the SLS Q-line gold. I think BB is the lone distibutor for them, fucker rocks. It's $549.00 I believe.

 

That is not necessarily true. In most cases perhaps, but there are some decent HTIAB's that have enough power and good enough speakers to compensate. The Onkyo's that have been mentioned come to mind. Their speakers come with a larger speaker encloser then some of the others, and they are not made of a cheap thin plastic like Sony uses. Actually, the Onkyo's sound better then some systems that I have heard that were pieced together. Make sure whatever system you get, that you search in the setup menu on your DVD player. A lot of DVD players have the ability to play DTS decoded DVD's but they do not have it enabled. You have to turn it on in the menu. Almost all of the HTIAB's will sound very good while listening in DTS mode, especially if you have no reference point as you have never had surround sound before. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

shop onkyo has the s780 refurb for 300 now. not sure if they have any left in stock, great unit

 

I just purchased a Sony entry level system. The problem I am having there is not much adjustment on the sound other than the preselected " rock, pop, classical" settings and none are to my liking.

If I spend a little more on a system, are these some of the things you can do?

 

It has more to do with the set of speakers. Those tiny speakers won't cut it. If you want good sound (or decent sound), you need something that has at least a 4" speaker. go with 6" speaker if you want the best for the buck sound.

 

It's definatley getting returned, probably leaning towards the Onkyo HT-S790. Circuit City has the silver one for $410 after rebates. Anyone have any feedback on this or were there might be a better deal.

 

What part of CT are you from?

 

Southington, you?

 

Norwalk. I have a guy that I work with sometimes in your area if you need any help with anything. He is in New Britain.

 

Hard hittin new britain

 

How about the Pioneer I got? The VSX-816 has a 5-band equalizer that you can set for each of the 5 speakers individually.

So, if you want more bass from the left front speaker, you can set it to pump more bass to the left front speaker.

Pretty cool for this low end Pioneer.

 

I'll take a closer look at it, any speaker recomendation to go along with it?

 

You still got some CT in you!

 

Now I am really undecided on what to buy. I was in Costco last nite and saw they had the Samsung HT-TQ85 for $399 which has a 5 disc DVD player which would be nice to have.

So I have it narrowed down to either the Samsung or the Onkyo HT-S790 from Circuit City for $410(which is online only and would have to wait for it to be shipped).

Any pros or cons for each system. I am looking to purchase it tonite.

 

Sorry havent responded since,
But the 780 is ok. Im not impressed but not disappointed either. It hink i paid $350 for it so i knew i wanst getting anything spectacular. I run it with 5 speakers instead of the 7 so then again, im not taking full advantage of the system. I have it hooked up with a 42in in a 13x19 room and it is more than adequate.

The 790 is the current model. i think it just has a bit more power than the old 780.

 

I purchased an Onkyo HTIB from Circuit City probably about 4 years ago and it still works great. Its a 5.1 system and I think it was around $400 back then. I still use it all the time. I think now they sell a nice 6.1 system from Onkyo.