AVR's vs. HTiab

[rivrbyte]

I'm over-thinking this I know, but mesmerized by the many Speaker,AVR options.

Because of the lack of money, I was going to settle on a Sony THiab, only to be told to stay away from Sony,Yamaha, and Panasonic, and even Bose by numerous people.. Well, there goes my small budget thinking theory right out the door.

Bottom Line, I want to hang the TV on the wall,and I have only one HDMI cable waiting for it. I'd hate to remove to hook up another cable. I guess this depends on which way to go on the hookups. I'm still looking at AVR's comparably to HTiab units.

I've been told to spend a little more than the THiab units for something like the OnkyoSR606, along with these polk speakers...

2)Polk Audio PLK M10 2-way bookshelf, 89db
2)PLK M20 (amp power recom,20-150w) or M50 Floor monitor,
1)PLK Center CS10,and
1)PSW Sub 10" (8ohm all nominal impedance)

This 5.1 set up, which would cost about $670.00+tax.,(amazon) OR maybe a HTiab like the Onkyo HTS5100 with included speakers,but they don't look like they would sound like anything special.

I thought that the lower ohms, the clearer,brighter sound..are most entry level sound 8ohms?

HTiab is more pocketbook friendly than the component setup, I do realize I'd have to spend upwards of $2,000 for a above average sound system,but I just don't have,nor ever will have that kind of money.

What to do? Does anyone have any above mentioned Polk speakers,or can you recommend something else, and the same with the A/V receiver....should I stay the course with Onkyo?

My set up will ONLY be as follows...

Samsung 46" A750 (I have now)
TimeWarner HD-DVR Box (I have now)
Sony BluRay 350 (will get soon)
and whatever receiver/speakers I end up with.


I'm thinking this...
1 HDMI Time-WarnerHD-DVR Cable box to Receiver,
1 HDMI Blue ray to Receiver,
1 HDMI)Receiver to TV (TV's hdmi out to receiver hdmi IN)

And no optical from tV to receiver.



My room is only a 12' x 9', so I do want a decent system without breaking the bank or breaking the sound barrier. Thanks!

 

[Seth=L]

For SQ I would avoid HTIAB systems. The suggested system (Polk/Onkyo) sounds like a far better setup than the regular HTIAB setup.

8 ohms is a nominal resistance rating, all it means is that those speakers are pretty much standard for standard audio equipment. 4 ohm speakers would be a bit harder to drive for the run of the mill receiver (although the Onkyo can probably handle 4 ohms just fine). But in order to find 4 ohm speakers you would either be buying cheap garbage (which you don't want) or something expensive (which your budget doesn't allow).

 

[Highbar]

I'm going to start with the fact that you don't need to run any cables from the TV OUT to the Receiver IN. All of your sources are going to the receiver first so the audio will be pulled out and only a video signal will going to the TV, so you'll only need to the one HDMI from the receiver out to the tv in.

As for the systems. If you can afford it the Onkyo/Polk system sounds much better than any HTIB that you can get. I would go with that.

There are many people here, including myself, that are slowing piecing our systems together. Many have started with just a receiver and two fronts speakers and have added over time. I started with a decent system and am now starting to replace it as I go. I just purchased a new receiver last week, maybe in six months I'll look into a new set of surround speakers and a center, and then another six months to a year I'll look into a new sub. Than I'll finally have a 5.1 system

 

[mperfct]

I think that if you are willing to put in a bit of time and effort, and it seems that you already have done some homework, that you should be able to get a system that would blow away a HTIB.

I think that HTIB is a market driven solution for people that either are unaware of better choices for comparable prices or don't want to take the time to seek out those choices.

I'm not trying to denigrate anyone who buys a HTIB solution, and certainly not everyone is willing to drop $1k let alone $5k+ on a speaker setup and whatnot. But if you have the time to look at better alternatives, I think it will be time well spent.

I had a Sony HTIB for a long time, and I made a huge jump ahead, but spent probably 10x what I paid for that HTIB. That being said, the HTIB served it's purpose, and I got surround sound out of them. I thought they were great, until I got my RBH's. So don't go listening to $15k setups...it's like test driving a Porsche. Unless you're ready to buy, it's a bad idea to test drive one.

 

[allargon]

Rivrbyte, you only have two sources. That is the most common HDMI receiver out there--two in, one out.

Which Sony HTtiB were you getting? If you are getting anything under $200, then it's not a bad deal. The sound quality will stink compared to most other HTtiB and mix and match component setups. However, it's not bad for the price.

Skip the Polk sub out of that arrangement. If you like the sounds of the Polks, (ignore the Onkyo for right now) you are good, get the polks. Buy your speakers first! I repeat buy your speakers first! Then, get your sub. Then determine what receiver you want.

 

[jostenmeat]

FWIW, I actually prefer Onkyo HTIB speakers to Polk's bottom of the line.

 

[rivrbyte]

RBH /Onkyo 706

mperfect,

So you do have RBH speakers,and do you like them? I can only get them through a dealer and not factory direct,which I was wanted to save some money.

I was thinking about the CT 5.1 channel (Black) for $1200.00,they also have white for less, but don't want white.) I see you have a Marantz, nice.
I don't know if anyone has the HSU research Performance 1 6.1 speakers($500.00) or the RBH 5.1,(1200.00) or even the SVsound 5.1 channel system (1200.00) powered by the Onkyo 706 or the 806, without any problems.

I was reading about the Onkyo 706 and it;s misquoted as saying that it is a 100w Power supply, but only with the two fronts. If I was using let's say a 7.1 channel,then it would be about 20w per channel,is this going to suck on the overall experience?

 

[mperfct]

Did you ever get a PM from me? I have a dealer friend you can use and he can get you some pretty fair pricing.

So far, I love my RBH's. No complaints whatsoever.

I had to look up the 706, and it's 100watts per channel, and can drive 7 channels. The "two channels driven" was a reference for the distortion and other specs they quoted. The more channels driven, typically the more things that can happen to your SQ. I wouldn't be worried though.

Here's a good review on the 806, which isn't too far off of the receiver you're looking at. They also have reviews on the 8001 which I have, and the 7002.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/processor-and-receiver-reviews/receivers/onkyo-tx-sr806-thx-ultra2-plus-7.1-a/v-receiver.html

I think you're system is coming along nicely. Just make sure you give those Onkyo's some room to breathe (dissipate heat).

mperfect,

So you do have RBH speakers,and do you like them? I can only get them through a dealer and not factory direct,which I was wanted to save some money.

I was thinking about the CT 5.1 channel (Black) for $1200.00,they also have white for less, but don't want white.) I see you have a Marantz, nice.
I don't know if anyone has the HSU research Performance 1 6.1 speakers($500.00) or the RBH 5.1,(1200.00) or even the SVsound 5.1 channel system (1200.00) powered by the Onkyo 706 or the 806, without any problems.

I was reading about the Onkyo 706 and it;s misquoted as saying that it is a 100w Power supply, but only with the two fronts. If I was using let's say a 7.1 channel,then it would be about 20w per channel,is this going to suck on the overall experience?

 

[Exit]

EMP speakers from the Audioholics store are the internet versions of RBH speakers more or less. Look at the last post in this thread and see if it might be a good deal for you too,

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50541