Best Valued Home Theather Sound System?

[TheBuzzer]

hi I am trying to figure out a good home theater sound system.

I know based on many website bose system are really not that great but it is easy to use.

I have no clue how about other home theater sound system in a box. So I am trying to figure out what is the best one to get for different price range.

So my price range is 0 - 3000 max.

I would just need I guess a retriever, speakers, and sub.
I don't need a dvd player, tv.

Also I want the speakers to be small sized. Don't want huge speakers.

One of the speakers I might buy but no clue if it is good is :
ONKYO HTS9100THX 7.1 Channel Home Theater System (Black) at newegg costing $879.00 (sorry i cant post links yet)

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I would just need I guess a retriever, speakers, and sub.

Are you going hunting or do you want a home theater Just Kidding my friend!

Welcome to the forums! I'm no good with receivers or retrievers but I'll suggest some great sounding speakers and subs.

From SVS the SBS-01 Speakers and Sub - Without grills:

Stands are optional. Subs are 10" or 12" and Systems are 5.1 or 7.1 Prices range from $999.00 - $1,299.00 30 day in home trial.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[captiankirk28]

That SVS SBS-01 Speakers and sub will sound better than any HTIB hands down, it is a very nice system fr the price!

 

[XEagleDriver]

Buzzer,

Welcome to the forum! What is the size of your room? That will help to narrow down recommendations.

For starters, here are a few of my opinions on your questions:

With a "price range is $0 - 3000 max" you should be able to get a system way better than most of the HTIB offerings. Most HTIB are equipped and priced for a smaller budget. Not needing a DVD player or TV will help a lot in getting great sound well inside your stated budget.

Some suggested approximate divisions of cost to consider are:
~$500-750 for the receiver (Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer and Onkyo all have excellent models in this price range). There is plenty of research available in these forums to help you decide.
~$500-750 for the sub (SVS and HSU are two good places to start looking). I have the SVS PB-10NSD referenced in Gimpy Ric's post and concur with his endorsement.
~$1000-2000 for the other five speakers (FL, FR, C, SL and SR). The SVS SBS-01 system previously recommended or a set of Definitive Technology's PM800s or 1000s are two good choices to look at which meet your criteria of small size, in your budget, and are big on sound! I have not heard the SBS-01s (but have read lots of good words on them), I own PM1000s, used to own PM800s (my start up speakers), and would recommend both Def Techs.

I would NOT recommend the ONKYO HTS9100THX Home Theater System unless your room is very small and low total cost is a high priority. From a brief review of the Newegg site; the speakers have relatively low sensitivity ratings of 81 to 83 dB/W/m and this correlates with the customer review of "Good sound, No volume . . . marginally loud . . ." The included sub appears to be a bit of a "light weight" and I doubt it would hold a candle to those offered by SVS.

Best of luck in your search, and have fun!

 

[the grunt]

Besides the excellent recommendations already made another speaker brand you may want to consider is Emotiva. They got a great review here at Audioholics.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/emotiva-er-5-0-speaker-system-review

If you haven’t already I found these recommendations from Audioholics helpful in getting some ideas and perspective on how much to spend. Since you already have the DVD and TV the $5,000 full HT systems could give you some other ideas about the audio portion of your system.

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/system-buying-guides/

Cheers,
Dean

 

[TheBuzzer]

So for better sound, the speaker and sub isnt in one package?

 

[jopela]

It's not a better sound issue, it is a size issue. The sub could be placed in the speaker, but the speakers would need to be so big to accomidate the necessary air volume they would become impratical. Since subs are omni-directioal a seperate sub option gives you the convienance to put it anywhere and maintain smaller speakers, as well as a seperate internal amp for the sub.

One thing you mentioned is the ease of the Bose system. If ease of use is something you are looking for then add a Harmony 880 remote to the to buy list. It is activity based and gives you one button control to turn off and on all of the conponents for an activity as well as setting them to the right input source.

I also agree with everyone telling you not to get at HTIB, seperates are definately the best way to go.

Minus the TV my system below was about $3k

 

[soundhound]

One of the speakers I might buy but no clue if it is good is :
ONKYO HTS9100THX 7.1 Channel Home Theater System (Black) at newegg costing $879.00 (sorry i cant post links yet)

Don't do it, it's a big mistake. Get the SVS system mentioned above and a good receiver, you won't be sorry.

 

[TheBuzzer]

Ok on the svsound page

7.1 Surround Sound Speakers with PB10-NSD - Black**
$1,175 + $184 shipping = $1,359

Is that good speaker and sub combo? Or should I just get the 5.1 one?


Also if I get that I guess all i need left is the rechiever or is there other stuff I need to get?

 

[malovich]

The SVS system is a very good choice, if you want some alternatives in the small department might I suggest Orb Audio or Anthony Gallo speakers. if you are willing to go a little bit larger i'd suggest taking a look at AV123. Generally a company that makes excellent speakers will make mediocre subs and vice versa, Exceptions are SVS and AV123 who make everything excellent.

 

[soundhound]

Ok on the svsound page

7.1 Surround Sound Speakers with PB12-NSD - Black **
$1,299

Is that good speaker and sub combo? Or should I just get the 5.1 one?


Also if I get that I guess all i need left is the rechiever or is there other stuff I need to get?

Depends on if you want 5.1 or 7.1. For my use I don't have much need for 7.1 and prefer 5.1, but that's up to you. How big is your room? I think that PB12 is probably a monster.

do you have cables and speaker wire? you'll probably need some of that if you don't have any. I like having banana plugs, too - makes life a lot easier if you ever start switching out speakers. I recommend monoprice.com, they have great prices and fast shipping.

 

[TheBuzzer]

ya at first i thought it was just a new model. but it was just a bigger sub. so I will get the 10" one not the 12" one

 

[TheBuzzer]

i might get the 12" one. it isnt for my room but for my living room.

not going to use it as computer speakers but home theater speaker.

 

[soundhound]

By all means. Don't let me talk you out of the 12. Go for the biggest sub you can afford, you'll rarely regret it. Just pointing out it is going to be a monster compared to that HTIB you were thinking about -- in a good way, of course.

 

[TheBuzzer]

well which one should I get though 5.1 or 7.1?



5.1 is common but if I get a 7.1 will sound usually come from it? like will a good rechiever decode the sound into the 2 extra speakers?

Also bose always says their sound will sound correct at any place even behind stuff. does this speakers do that? I am thinking that sound distrotion thing from bose is just bs but I not sure.

 

[EJ1]

well which one should I get though 5.1 or 7.1?



5.1 is common but if I get a 7.1 will sound usually come from it? like will a good rechiever decode the sound into the 2 extra speakers?

Also bose always says their sound will sound correct at any place even behind stuff. does this speakers do that? I am thinking that sound distrotion thing from bose is just bs but I not sure.

I think the decision to go 7.1 over 5.1 is most dependent on the size of your room. You don't want to cram 7.1 in a small room just to have 7.1. Some BD's have high resolution 7.1 tracks.

 

[TheBuzzer]

if I get the 7.1 I could not use the 2 extra speakers though right?

So i have a option to use just 5.1 if needed.

 

[TheBuzzer]

also do I need to buy cables to connect the speakers? or does it come with cables?

 

[EJ1]

if I get the 7.1 I could not use the 2 extra speakers though right?

So i have a option to use just 5.1 if needed.

You can matrix a 5.1 soundtrack to 7.1 using Dolby Pro Logic IIx, for example, if the receiver allows.

 

[phlakvest]

also do I need to buy cables to connect the speakers? or does it come with cables?

You will need cables.

Your best bet is probably to buy bulk speaker wire, its much cheaper than getting pre-cut speaker cables.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2748&seq=1&format=2

You can find it at lowes/homedepot/walmart, but it will be a little more expensive.