Asking for some suggestions about Home Theatre System under $1500

[havuanhle]

Hi there,
I just sell my Logitech Z906THX 5.1 and here are the reasons:
- Subwoofer is strong but it just makes more noise when I increase the level. Compared to Sony it really touches into my chest.
- Channel speakers are just have one full range driver compared to multi-way speakers they perform a better experience, more details than my ex Z906.
So I’m spending about $1500 to upgrade to a better system to void those issues.
I’m thinking about Onkyo HT-S9800THX or Yamaha YHT-8940.
Are these the good systems? Or please give me some suggestions to built a speakers system for Movies.
Thanks in advance.
Update: I got 3 suggestions and two of them gave me 2 systems: Canton and RSL 5.1.
I’m reading the reviews about them and hopefully I have decision soon.

VERY IMPORTANT:
About Subwoofer. I’m not sure how low they can go (The Emotiva Bass X and the TSL 10S Speedwoofer). Most people satisfy with the mussel of their Subwoofer based on how strong their Sub can shake their room. My Z906 done it good that.
BUT the Sony Subwoofer included in a HTiB I’ve got few years ago really impressed me, it was not shaking my room and my windows, It was really shaking my HEART and my LUNG even at low volume. My neighbor lady had to knock the door and tell me: “Please turn the volume down I CAN’T BREATHE” when I was watching a shooting scene in a movie I don’t remember the name. Really got high with it.
How can I find a Subwoofer like that? Miss that feeling. Please help me.

And thank you all for replying my thread.

 

[slipperybidness]

Hi there,
I just sell my Logitech Z906THX 5.1 and here are the reasons:
- Subwoofer is strong but it just makes more noise when I increase the level. Compared to Sony it really touches into my chest.
- Channel speakers are just have one full range driver compared to multi-way speakers they perform a better experience, more details than my ex Z906.
So I’m spending about $1500 to upgrade to a better system to void those issues.
I’m thinking about Onkyo HT-S9800THX or Yamaha YHT-8940.
Are these the good systems? Or please give me some suggestions to built a speakers system for Movies.
Thanks in advance.

Now would be the ideal time to get away from the HTIB and start moving towards a REAL HT system!

GOOD 2 or 2.1 Channel audio will beat mediocre 5.1 audio any day, even for movies.

You could look at a real AVR with a good set of speakers for that price range.

Or, look at a package deal like these:
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/scrtchdnt/outlet/package-deals/1.html

 

[havuanhle]

Now would be the ideal time...

Thank you for your advice. Actually I’m not so sure what is deference between a Real Hom Theatre and a Hom Theatre System in a Box. They also have a package of speakers and a Receiver (not a bluray player handles everything). Please don’t get mad at me cuz of this question.
So now I should start with a AV Receiver and a 2.1 speakers. Can you or somebody suggest me som speaker brands to look at?
One more question, for the front speakers I think a Bookshelf with a tweeter and a mid rang driver is better than Floorstanding with tweeter and woofer in Movies experience. I’m happy to use a subwoofer.
Thank you.

 

[zieglj01]

Canton bookshelf speakers
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle426mksra/canton-gle-426-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-zebra-wood-pair/1.html

Canton center channel
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle456mksra/canton-gle-456-6-3-way-center-channel-speaker-zebra-wood-each/1.html

Canton surrounds
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantproxl3whta/canton-pro-xl.3-5-2-way-flex-speaker-atmos-surround-or-outdoor-white-pair/1.html#!specifications

Emotiva BasX S12 sub
https://emotiva.com/products/basx-s12

Denon receiver
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs930h/denon-avr-s930h-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hi there,
I just sell my Logitech Z906THX 5.1 and here are the reasons:
- Subwoofer is strong but it just makes more noise when I increase the level. Compared to Sony it really touches into my chest.
- Channel speakers are just have one full range driver compared to multi-way speakers they perform a better experience, more details than my ex Z906.
So I’m spending about $1500 to upgrade to a better system to void those issues.
I’m thinking about Onkyo HT-S9800THX or Yamaha YHT-8940.
Are these the good systems? Or please give me some suggestions to built a speakers system for Movies.
Thanks in advance.

How big is your room? Is it open to other spaces? What are new system would be main usage? Movies/Music/Games?
In your price Range I'd focus on these brands/series: Sony Core, Elac Debut 2.0 series, Pioneer BS/FS by Andrew Jones, Philharmonic AA
For subs: HSU subs is typically provide one of best values

 

[psbfan9]

Hi there,
I just sell my Logitech Z906THX 5.1 and here are the reasons:
- Subwoofer is strong but it just makes more noise when I increase the level. Compared to Sony it really touches into my chest.
- Channel speakers are just have one full range driver compared to multi-way speakers they perform a better experience, more details than my ex Z906.
So I’m spending about $1500 to upgrade to a better system to void those issues.
I’m thinking about Onkyo HT-S9800THX or Yamaha YHT-8940.
Are these the good systems? Or please give me some suggestions to built a speakers system for Movies.
Thanks in advance.

Hi @havuanhle, Welcome to the forum.

A few more details would help. If you have a very large room that is open to other rooms that may change some of the recommendations.
For now, considering your budget I would suggest either one of these two RSL systems. Both are under budget and leave room for a nice AVR.

$999.00

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-1-home-theater-system-special-edition/

$1079.00

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-1-home-theater-system/

Both systems include free shipping and a free 30 day in home trial. Return shipping is paid by RSL if you're not satisfied.

 

[lovinthehd]

The reason to move away from HTIBs depend somewhat on the HTIB but generally you'll not get very good speakers with them, sometimes the receiver is a regular receiver, sometimes not. The Onkyo and Yamaha HTIBs you mention have decent receivers but personally I wouldn't consider having speakers from either.

 

[havuanhle]

Canton bookshelf speakers
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle426mksra/canton-gle-426-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-zebra-wood-pair/1.html

Canton center channel
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgle456mksra/canton-gle-456-6-3-way-center-channel-speaker-zebra-wood-each/1.html

Canton surrounds
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantproxl3whta/canton-pro-xl.3-5-2-way-flex-speaker-atmos-surround-or-outdoor-white-pair/1.html#!specifications

Emotiva BasX S12 sub
https://emotiva.com/products/basx-s12

Denon receiver
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs930h/denon-avr-s930h-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

Thank you for your suggestions I am searching for review of them.

 

[havuanhle]

How big is your room? Is it open to other spaces? What are new system would be main usage? Movies/Music/Games?
In your price Range I'd focus on these brands/series: Sony Core, Elac Debut 2.0 series, Pioneer BS/FS by Andrew Jones, Philharmonic AA
For subs: HSU subs is typically provide one of best values

My room is about 20m2. Mostly for Movie with surround sound. For music fewer and gaming sometimes.
Thank you for your information. Really appreciate it. I will do some research about them.

 

[havuanhle]

Hi @havuanhle, Welcome to the forum.

A few more details would help. If you have a very large room that is open to other rooms that may change some of the recommendations.
For now, considering your budget I would suggest either one of these two RSL systems. Both are under budget and leave room for a nice AVR.

$999.00

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-1-home-theater-system-special-edition/

$1079.00

https://rslspeakers.com/products/cg3-5-1-home-theater-system/

Both systems include free shipping and a free 30 day in home trial. Return shipping is paid by RSL if you're not satisfied.

Seem a good suggestion from you. A bit heavy for my pocket. Very impressive about their customer service. I prefer the $1079 one because it has a {#traditional#} horizontal Center Speaker design.
Hope that it worths it and won’t let me down at low high frequency.

 

[lovinthehd]

FWIW a true traditional center speaker would be identical to the left and rights (and positioned the same, upright). The horizontal center speakers are generally compromises as tvs do not permit proper placement in the middle of the screen (but you can with an acoustically transparent screen and a projector, many do just that in home theaters); the horizontal design is to allow placement under a tv more than anything. MTM (tweeter flanked by mid-woofers) is not really a particularly great speaker format. Try this article https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/center-channel-designs

 

[havuanhle]

FWIW a true traditional center speaker would be identical to the left and rights (and positioned the same, upright). The horizontal center speakers are generally compromises as tvs do not permit proper placement in the middle of the screen (but you can with an acoustically transparent screen and a projector, many do just that in home theaters); the horizontal design is to allow placement under a tv more than anything. MTM (tweeter flanked by mid-woofers) is not really a particularly great speaker format. Try this article https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/center-channel-designs

Thank you for your information. Let me check those systems again.

 

[shadyJ]

Seem a good suggestion from you. A bit heavy for my pocket. Very impressive about their customer service. I prefer the $1079 one because it has a {#traditional#} horizontal Center Speaker design.
Hope that it worths it and won’t let me down at low high frequency.

If it is possible to avoid MTM designs, do so. The only traditional center speaker designs that I can get behind are 3-way speakers where there is a midwoofer below the tweeter. That means the bass drivers can be used at a low enough frequency where lobing isn't going to a problem.

 

[havuanhle]

If it is possible to avoid MTM designs, do so. The only traditional center speaker designs that I can get behind are 3-way speakers where there is a midwoofer below the tweeter. That means the bass drivers can be used at a low enough frequency where lobing isn't going to a problem.

So I better choose the set with 5 bookshelves? One of them will be the Center Speaker?
And also a cheap 5.1 Receiver to pair with them please. I have about $250 left to get a receiver.
Hopefully it will better than Onkyo HT-S9800THX.

 

[shadyJ]

So I better choose the set with 5 bookshelves? One of them will be the Center Speaker?
And also a cheap 5.1 Receiver to pair with them please. I have about $250 left to get a receiver.
Hopefully it will better than Onkyo HT-S9800THX.

Yes, I would just use a bookshelf speaker as a center. It will perform better and it will be cheaper.

 

[lovinthehd]

This is a little over budget https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1400h/denon-avr-x1400h-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

This is a little over budget https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrx1400h/denon-avr-x1400h-7.2-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

Model is ok, but I'd recommend buying it from amazon as "used" from authorized reseller.
Reality is - none of these are "used" - these are open boxes or better - selling them as "used" is only way for reseller to clear old stock at reduced prices.
Electronic expo is one of such Denon authorized resellers and you'd get 3 year warranty since day of purchase instead 1 year on refub.

This has been confirmed with Denon several times

 

[havuanhle]

Model is ok, but I'd recommend buying it from amazon as "used" from authorized reseller.
Reality is - none of these are "used" - these are open boxes or better - selling them as "used" is only way for reseller to clear old stock at reduced prices.
Electronic expo is one of such Denon authorized resellers and you'd get 3 year warranty since day of purchase instead 1 year on refub.

This has been confirmed with Denon several times

Good tip thank you so much. Hope that I can find a bargain.

 

[havuanhle]

Just find out that it has more functions than necessary, can I go for a Denon 5.1 or 5.2 Receiver?
The AVR-X540BT instead is fine?

 

[lovinthehd]

Depends what you deem necessary of course. As long as the feature set works for you but for the likely small savings I'd still prefer the X1400. Is the 540 avail in the US now? What is it's price, I couldn't find one here.

FWIW any 5.1 receiver can handle an external splitter for sub signal; this 5.2 only has an internal splitter. There are some receivers that can handle two subs in terms of setting delay/level separately, the least expensive of which are Denon's X3300/3400 models which have Audyssey XT32/SubEQ which can do such, otherwise internal or external splitters can support at least 4 subs easily enough. Audyssey would be better for sub eq even on the Audyssey XT version of the X1400 than would the X540's simple setup routine.

Just find out that it has more functions than necessary, can I go for a Denon 5.1 or 5.2 Receiver?
The AVR-X540BT instead is fine?