Home Theater Help

[AUDIOPHILE34]

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to set up a home theater on a budget under $1000. I've received advice from friends who tell me to go with a THX certified Onkyo HTIB model HT-S9100. But others advise against this. I want a 7.1, but is that possible with this budget? I'd like to get some input from the experts here. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lsiberian]

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to set up a home theater on a budget under $1000. I've received advice from friends who tell me to go with a THX certified Onkyo HTIB model HT-S9100. But others advise against this. I want a 7.1, but is that possible with this budget? I'd like to get some input from the experts here. Thanks in advance for your help.

I'll tell you first off 7.1 is a waste of money and I actually have 7.1. It's a hassle not worth your time or money.

HTIB's are also generally a waste of money. The receivers in them usually suck and the speakers are very bad.


Before I can make a proper recommendation I'll need more information about your room and listening/movie habits.

How far is your seating from your display?
How far off the back wall is your seating area?

If you could post photos that would really help. if you need a post pad we have one in the feedback section.

 

[njedpx3]

Isiberian makes some good points

I'll tell you first off 7.1 is a waste of money and I actually have 7.1. It's a hassle not worth your time or money.

HTIB's are also generally a waste of money. The receivers in them usually suck and the speakers are very bad.


Before I can make a proper recommendation I'll need more information about your room and listening/movie habits.

How far is your seating from your display?
How far off the back wall is your seating area?

If you could post photos that would really help. if you need a post pad we have one in the feedback section.

Isiberian makes some good points.

I genearlly alos do not like HTIB systems. It makes it extremely hard to upgrade without full replacement ( and all audiophiles upgrade when the get the itch and the $$ )

The fronts are absolutely the most important spend 1/2 of your $ on them.
There are lots of good fronts, audition the ones you like that fit your budget.

For movies and TV (dialog coes from center speaker) get a matching center to maintain timbre ( seamless front sound) spend 1/6 of your $.
After fronts and center a good sub is next in importance for bass and low frequencies. Get a good sub spend 1/6-1/3 $. A cheap sub sounds bad. SVS and Hsu are good brands. There are good inexpensive subs such as the Dayton SUB-120 HT from Parts Express for $155. http://www.partexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

And last for enhancement/fill think about adding surrounds. If you want louder turn up the gain. spend you remining 1/6 or less $.

============

If you are starting out and want a good low cost system ( I would stick with 5.1 I agree with Isberian 7.1 is a waste). Look at bookshelf speakers such a Cambridge Audio S30 or Mordaunt Shorts. The Dayton sub is a good inexpensive start. When you upgrade, then the fornts can become your surrounds

Audioholics Online Store sells a very good starting AVR the Yamaha RX-V365 Surround Receiver for $229.95
http://store.audioholics.com/product/2360/66343/yamaha-rx-v365-surround-receiver

Good Luck!

NJ

 

[lsiberian]

Isiberian makes some good points.

I genearlly alos do not like HTIB systems. It makes it extremely hard to upgrade without full replacement ( and all audiophiles upgrade when the get the itch and the $$ )

The fronts are absolutely the most important spend 1/2 of your $ on them.
There are lots of good fronts, audition the ones you like that fit your budget.

For movies and TV (dialog coes from center speaker) get a matching center to maintain timbre ( seamless front sound) spend 1/6 of your $.
After fronts and center a good sub is next in importance for bass and low frequencies. Get a good sub spend 1/6-1/3 $. A cheap sub sounds bad. SVS and Hsu are good brands. There are good inexpensive subs such as the Dayton SUB-120 HT from Parts Express for $155. http://www.partexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635

And last for enhancement/fill think about adding surrounds. If you want louder turn up the gain. spend you remining 1/6 or less $.

============

If you are starting out and want a good low cost system ( I would stick with 5.1 I agree with Isberian 7.1 is a waste). Look at bookshelf speakers such a Cambridge Audio S30 or Mordaunt Shorts. The Dayton sub is a good inexpensive start. When you upgrade, then the fornts can become your surrounds

Audioholics Online Store sells a very good starting AVR the Yamaha RX-V365 Surround Receiver for $229.95
http://store.audioholics.com/product/2360/66343/yamaha-rx-v365-surround-receiver

Good Luck!

NJ

still pushing those Dayton subs.

the AH store sells them with a 3 year warranty and free shipping to be about the same.

 

[AUDIOPHILE34]

Thanks guys. I'm setting it up mainly for movies, and some gaming. I'll try to post photos asap.