What Onkyo Home Theater System To Get

[Cogubr]

Hey everyone,
I need some help with what home theater system to buy.
I currently have a Samsung HT-C6730W with a Samsung D8000 Tv and a playstation 3.
I've read somewhere that this samsung system is not a real 7.1 system and since I already have a blu ray player (ps3), I was thinking about giving the samsung system to my parents and buy to myself either the Onkyo HT-S5400 or HT-S6300.
So I have two questions:

1) Do you guys think that these Onkyo systems are better than my Samsung 6730w?
2) Between the Onkyo HT-S5400 and HT-S6300, which one is better?

Thanks for the help guys

 

[agarwalro]

You will not gain much from switching to the Onkyo HTIB (or any other HTIB for that matter). Further, I woud not recommend either of the two packages as they are equally a waste of money and time...

Instead, start an "upgrade fund" and slowly move to a proper 7.1 setup. Keep the budget 60-65% for speakers and spend as little as possible on electronics. Here is the AH Recommended system for $1000, to give you an idea of what is needed.

 

[sholling]

I'm not a fan of HTIB systems but if you must go that way I'd hold out for the HT-S7400 which is on sale for $380 right now.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd ether go all the way to 9300 or do separates
Onkyo HT-S9300THX THX 7.1-Ch Home Theater Package | Accessories4less

 

[agarwalro]

I'd hold out for the HT-S7400 which is on sale for $380 right now.

I'd ether go all the way to 9300 or do separates
Onkyo HT-S9300THX THX 7.1-Ch Home Theater Package | Accessories4less

Unfortunately, neither of those ship with receivers that have 7.1 pre-outs. Meaning, if one gets better speakers and needs more amp, the whole HTIB goes on the chopping block. Needless to say, if upgrade is not in the offing or if the whole HTIB can be used for a second system, this is less of a concern.

 

[sholling]

Unfortunately, neither of those ship with receivers that have 7.1 pre-outs. Meaning, if one gets better speakers and needs more amp, the whole HTIB goes on the chopping block. Needless to say, if upgrade is not in the offing or if the whole HTIB can be used for a second system, this is less of a concern.

Lots of receivers don't ship with preouts, but unlike most HTIB receivers the receivers that Onkyo includes in their better HTIB systems are real receivers (in this case similar to their TX-NR509) quite capable of powering Infinity's Primus line. So no it doesn't need to go on the chopping block just because he upgrades the speakers or the subwoofer. I'd rather see the OP piece together a nicer system like the one you suggest but if budget doesn't allow it doesn't allow.

BTW the 7400 would also make a nice bedroom system if/when the OP outgrows it for his/her main room.

 

[Cogubr]

Thanks for the replies!
Unfortunally I have a tight budget and I'm stuck on the $600 price line.
I was just thinking about getting an Onkyo because I found that the Samsung system didn't have many options for calibrating the speakers and because of the 7.1 issue I wrote about before.
And I really wanted a 7.1 ready home theater system because I am moving back to Brazil, which means once I'm there I wont really have the option of upgrading the system with time because it would be way more expensive buying things there.
So now I'm a bit lost

 

[agarwalro]

BSA's recommendation for $700 shipped is your best bet.