First post, 2 questions

[Samiam]

I have been wanting to get into projector tv for quite a while now and am ready to make the jump. I bought the Sony HT6900DP Component HTIB from Costco and haven't opened it yet. I want to pair that with my comcast hd dvr, my computer and a Panasonic PT-AE900U (which I have 2 weeks to buy with the $400 rebate).

My main question is on the sony theater in a box. Also, what are your opinions on these two becoming one?

 

[Samiam]

bah

50 views and no response...


BUMP!

 

[j_garcia]

HTiBs are generally frowned upon. Most of the Sonys are half decent for the price, but not exactly the best way to go (depends on your budget). If you got a good price on it, then I'm sure it will do. The main problem is that the Sony receivers are mediocre at best, and the speakers that come with most HTiBs are not their strong point. At least it is a component set that will not limit you when upgrade time comes.

I've heard plenty of good things on the AE900U, so I'd probably go for that one. Where did you find this rebate? A friend is looking for one of these guys.

Hooking it up to all the other stuff should be fairly straightforward.

 

[mtrycrafts]

50 views and no response...


BUMP!

Well, you aren't making instant OJ or coffee
But, j garcia came to your rescue

 

[Samiam]

HTiBs are generally frowned upon. Most of the Sonys are half decent for the price, but not exactly the best way to go (depends on your budget). If you got a good price on it, then I'm sure it will do. The main problem is that the Sony receivers are mediocre at best, and the speakers that come with most HTiBs are not their strong point. At least it is a component set that will not limit you when upgrade time comes.

I've heard plenty of good things on the AE900U, so I'd probably go for that one. Where did you find this rebate? A friend is looking for one of these guys.

Hooking it up to all the other stuff should be fairly straightforward.

Thanks j_garcia, I appreciate that. I seriously haven't opened the box, I was waiting for a move to happen before I did. Most of the reviews are good and when I went to Costco the speakers sounded pretty good! But, seeing all these systems here, I don't want to be a drugstore cowboy so to speak, especially since I'm getting the ae900u. So thank you, I'm going to be bringing it back.

Next question, what would you recommend as a good starter system for a newb?

Oh to answer your question, the rebate I am going with is here:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11110043&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

You can't beat Costco's return policy!

 

[Samiam]

Well, you aren't making instant OJ or coffee
But, j garcia came to your rescue

Sorry, no breakfast foods here, how about a icy cold beer?

 

[Kai]

More info is needed for such suggestions Samiam.
Specifically how much are you willing and able to spend on the audio portion of your new ht system. Mid range receivers are around $500 ish US and decent bookshelf speakers, center, surrounds start at $200 or so per pair US again depending on variables. You can do without a sub to start and add it as able but that is another $500 ish and up.

Many on these forums suggest getting good front speakers and a decent receiver...speakers last a long time with care and give you the sound that makes you smile...the bones of the system...Good advice. Add the center/surrounds and sub as able. The receiver will balance the audio depending on its settings.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Sorry, no breakfast foods here, how about a icy cold beer?

Is it instant

 

[mouettus]

I have a better HTIB at home sitting there waiting to be sold (it was my first system). I'm way sure it's going to be better than your sony for a lot cheaper. PM me for further info if interested.

 

[Samiam]

good points

More info is needed for such suggestions Samiam.
Specifically how much are you willing and able to spend on the audio portion of your new ht system. Mid range receivers are around $500 ish US and decent bookshelf speakers, center, surrounds start at $200 or so per pair US again depending on variables. You can do without a sub to start and add it as able but that is another $500 ish and up.

Many on these forums suggest getting good front speakers and a decent receiver...speakers last a long time with care and give you the sound that makes you smile...the bones of the system...Good advice. Add the center/surrounds and sub as able. The receiver will balance the audio depending on its settings.

Right now I am living in a condo, ergo, gotta watch the bass! The main reason that I bought the Sony is because it sounded really nice. I like the spatial effect it had on my ears. You know, where the sounds make you feel like you are in a space bigger than you are.

My budget is around 1000K for speakers AND receiver. It could go up from there in the future, but probably not till the fall. So what is a good receiver? I'll be hooking up a good DVD component player, ps2 and likely a wii, along with my hd comcast dvr.

 

[Kai]

Spending between $350 and $500 for the receiver and the balance on a good pair of front speakers will serve you well and are capable of additional upgrades as time goes on and money is available.
Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon, etc. all make a decent receiver or two in that price range. You may also be able to get a higher quality refurbished receiver at the same price by doing some looking at the brand sites.

Personally I have the Yamaha RX-V659 which retails for $500 and is the 2006 model in that price range. It is a great sounding receiver. Pioneer has also received some great reviews recently. I would check the sites and google for reviews of any receivers you are interested in.

Your best bet though is to go and listen to receivers and speakers in this price range at a local HT store or two. Take a favorite dvd movie and several favorite music cds and test drive some equiptment. Your ears will make the decision.

Don't fall into the trap of settling for something less costly because you get more parts. You will eventually wind up paying much more to get where you want to be and will have a lot of used stuff laying around. It took me a while to learn that lesson but eventually I did.

If after test driving other equiptment your ears still say the Sony htib is best go with it and enjoy. What makes your experience a good one is fine just make sure you compare to get the best you can for the budget you have.

 

[jcPanny]

Onix X-LS

The Onix X-LS 5.0 speakers are only $500 and an extra $200 for the X-sub. Add to that a Yamaha HTR-5860 for $300 and you have a great entry level HT system with room to grow. Check out the AH review of the X-LS bookshelf speakers. If you think that the little 8" sub is too much for your appartment, then wait for the floorstander version of the X-LS for $300 a pair (play down to the 40 Hz range) and forgo the sub for now.

 

[j_garcia]

The only problem is, both the X-LS and the X-sub are sold out at the moment (X-LS supposed to be available again in 2 weeks).

 

[jcPanny]

Worth the wait?

The only problem is, both the X-LS and the X-sub are sold out at the moment (X-LS supposed to be available again in 2 weeks).

I think that the performance difference between an Onix X-LS bookshelf system and a HTIB would be worth the wait.
Costco has a great return policy so you could probably get away with using the HTIB for a couple weeks and returning it when you get the "real" HT equipment.

 

[tomahawktim]

Audioholics Buying Guides, $1000 system

Samiam, in post # 10 you mentioned your budget may be in the $1000 neighbourhood. Since you're here at the Audioholics forum, why not consider some quality advice found here:

http://www.audioholics.com/showcase/systemguide/index.php

As an added bonus, the Athena speakers recommended are on massive reductions right now. (end of the model type discounts)
These speakers and subwoofer have recently been reduced to about $299 Canadian and I have seen one sale price of $249.
I'm pleased with mine (bought at $299). Please keep in mind that speakers manufactured by or for companies like Sony are usually not very good.

Good luck and good hunting.

 

[Samiam]

Well well well, what a difference a few months make....

Just to update, I did end up taking the Sony htib back to Costco. I hate doing that, but I never opened the thing and it just sat there for a month. I decided that if I was going to jump into the home theater thing, then I was going to go all the way.

I am just about ready to purchase the following:

Panasonic AE100
Polk RTI8 x 2 for the front
Polk CSI3 x 1 for the center channel
Polk FXI3 x 2 for the rear-surround

My problem lies in the receiver and also the two fxi3 rear surround speakers.

The people at Frye's recommend that I get the Onkyo TX-SR674S 7.1 the only reason they recommend that one is because it has hdmi switching. You see everything I have is going to go through one hdmi connector to my panasonic projector.

The problem with the fxi3 rear surround speakers is their size. I can't believe how great they sound, but really, they're huge! (12" H x 11" W x 7-3/8" D) I have a smallish room I am making into a theater that is 13 by 17 and they still seem big. When I talked to the salesman at Frye's they said that it's what I wanted....ok....so how about some smaller polk rti4's for the surround? He said that they didn't have the dipole. Considering the size of my room, I don't know how well they would work anyway.

So.

My needs for a receiver are pretty simple, awesome spatial sound, something worthy of a audiophile, lots of power, everything converted into a hdmi out, easy intuitive menu and programming, in the $500-$650 range. Braggin rights would be nice too.

thoughts anyone?

 

[AVRat]

You might consider the Pioneer TSX-1016 also: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4111547

Regarding the surrounds, I would prefer the FXis, but the RTi-4 setup will work well for your nice 5.1 setup also. If your listening position is against rear wall then I'd go with the 4s.

 

[Samiam]

You might consider the Pioneer TSX-1016 also: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4111547

Regarding the surrounds, I would prefer the FXis, but the RTi-4 setup will work well for your nice 5.1 setup also. If your listening position is against rear wall then I'd go with the 4s.

Thanks AVRat. The fxi's would go on either side of a couch, maybe directly behind.

Just off the top of your head, outside of price do you know of a big difference between the Pioneer and the Onkyo?

 

[AVRat]

The Pioneer offers 120 W/ch vs. Onkyo 95W. The Onkyo now offers the Audyssey EQ.

 

[Samiam]

I guess I'm a tad torn. It looks like the Pioneer has more wattage and more decoding abilities. Or just more paid for certifications.... And I found it for $359...as opposed to the Onkyo for $699.. omg decisions decisions!

I just found out that the Pioneer has "Multi-Channel AcoustiC Calibration System (MCACC). Using the supplied microphone. MCACC makes your initial set-up easy and accurate by automatically measuring your room's acoustic environment, then fine tuning the sonic performance of your system"
Which sounds an awful lot like the Audyssey EQ on the Onkyo for less money!!!



I'm in over my head, I know nothing at this point of phase, crossover etc. I hope I do this right!

Any other help for a newb is appreciated!