Having a hard time trying to decide...HTIAB or 2.1.

[testudoaubreii]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to decide if I need to go with an HTIAB or a 2.1 setup. I am leaning towards a 2.1 set up because (1)I don't want to worry about cable/wire management and (2)my wife is not too keen on a loud surround sound experience. It's tough

I was looking at this Denon DHT-E251BA. I am also looking at some Yamaha models and Onkyo models. I have read that some Onkyo models are having some heat issues, so I am a bit scared to pull the trigger.

As for 2.1 systems, I am only guessing that it would be best to buy everything separately. I am looking at these Pioneer TSi100. The Pioneer SX-522-K 400W, is the AVR that I am looking at.

That's it. That is as far as I have gotten. I am a complete noob when it comes to this stuff. I am open to any and all suggestions and advice. My budget is about $400, but I would not mind staying under that amount. I am in the US and I would like to stick with Amazon because I am a Prime member. However, I am open to whatever at this point.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Testudo

 

[jinjuku]

I don't know if it will come back around but that Pioneer receiver is one that I picked up from NewEgg for $135 delivered.

I would certainly recommend the Pioneer speakers given my experience with them. Easily worth the $$.

Call your local Best Buys and see if they have any open box on these.

 

[testudoaubreii]

I don't know if it will come back around but that Pioneer receiver is one that I picked up from NewEgg for $135 delivered.

I would certainly recommend the Pioneer speakers given my experience with them. Easily worth the $$.

Call your local Best Buys and see if they have any open box on these.

Thank you for your response!

I can pick up the Pioneer AVR for $145 right now. I think that I may go for it, if it is a good setup. Would I need to look into a subwoofer with those speakers, or can I hold off until a later date?

 

[j_garcia]

The BS22LRs are a very good speaker for the money. I've owned them and had no complaints about them, though rather than run a sub in the second setup I decided to step to the tower version (FS52) and I'm really happy with them. The 22s will be better off with a sub, but if the room isn't too large, you can probably get away without a sub for a bit as they have more bass than one would expect from such a small speaker. I ran my 22s with no sub for a long time.

 

[jinjuku]

If you can save a bit longer and check out:

BIC Acoustech H-100 II
Amazon.com: Acoustech H-100II Subwoofer System - 150 W RMS - Black Lacquer, Wood Grain: Car Electronics

Acoustech PL-200
Amazon.com: BIC PL-200 Acoustech Platinum Series Subwoofer: Electronics

 

[testudoaubreii]

Thanks for your responses!

What do you guys think about the HTIAB that I posted in the OP? Or, actually, HTIAB in general?

 

[zieglj01]

I would skip the HTIB stuff - not worth it

The Pioneer BS-22 is a good option

However, I favor/prefer the Cambridge S30 over them - and they have
some good tight and controlled bass, that will allow you to save for a
nice subwoofer. The Pioneer receiver will be fine
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Dark Oak | Accessories4less

Your call

 

[testudoaubreii]

What do you guys think between these three speakers?

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics

Amazon.com: Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black): Electronics

I am thinking Pioneer, just because if I am getting the Pioneer receiver...

 

[zieglj01]

What do you guys think between these three speakers?

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics

Amazon.com: Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black): Electronics

I am thinking Pioneer, just because if I am getting the Pioneer receiver...

I would for sure skip the Polk

Speakers do not need to match the receiver

I still favor the Cambridge

However, your call - enjoy the adventure

 

[j_garcia]

The S30s should be on your list. The Polks should not.

Denon tends to include good speakers with their setups, however that particular setup uses very tiny satellite speakers to achieve small size and price point. Tiny speakers usually don't deliver full enough sound and should be avoided. A better 2.0/2.1 setup will deliver a much better experience than having surround with speakers that aren't up to the task. Speakers are the most important part of the sound, so that's not where you want to save money.

 

[testudoaubreii]

Sorry, here is the third one. I must of copied it wrong:

Amazon.com: JBL ES20 High-Performance 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Black, Pair): Electronics

 

[j_garcia]

Haven't heard those ESs, but based on their past speakers, I'd say they're something you might want to try to go listen to. The L Series is more like the former Studio models that were quite decent, and the ES like is a step up replacement to the Northridge line AFAIK.

 

[testudoaubreii]

So, with the Pioneer AVR, I can run a console through it and have my PC and the other consoles running through the TV, have the TV hooked to the AVR via Optical Audio cable and all would be good to go?

 

[j_garcia]

Ideally you have only one connection going from the AVR to the TV and that is to feed the TV signal, not the other way around. The point of an AVR is for it to be the heart of the system and everything is connected to it, so make sure you pick one that has the connections you need for all your systems.

 

[zieglj01]

Sorry, here is the third one. I must of copied it wrong:

Amazon.com: JBL ES20 High-Performance 3-Way Bookshelf Speakers (Black, Pair): Electronics

I would still take Cambridge and Pioneer over them

 

[blcskate]

Thanks for your responses!

What do you guys think about the HTIAB that I posted in the OP? Or, actually, HTIAB in general?

From my experience with them. Avoid at all costs. They use horrible cables that cannot travel the required distance for back speakers without loss. I have a soundbar in my formal living room that gives better effect than the two HTIBs that I tried before it. Samsung one nothing special.

My wife hates wires so I the soundbar thing made her very happy as well.

My theater is in transition while my new house is being built. Because of that I am using a 2.1 setup right now on my movie/game TV in another room. I have 2 of my KEF speakers and my KEF sub and it greatly outperforms the soundbar (by 10 times+), but that setup would cost you a lot more too so its a trade-off.

 

[herbu]

I am trying to decide if I need to go with an HTIAB or a 2.1 setup.

You should listen to these guys.
For years before there was such a thing as Home Theatre, I had a receiver and speakers, with stuff like a phono/8-track/reel-to-reel/casette hooked up to it.
When I decided to go into Home Theatre, I didn't know anything about it, so figured a one-stop-shop HTIB would be a good answer. I got one. Started reading a bit, and a year later replaced it with another one. Continued reading, and soon replaced that one with a receiver and speakers separately. Have been adding components and upgrading separates until today. Now I'm done. Finally have exactly what I want. And it was put together one piece at a time with each component from a different company based on my needs and budget.

My point is, if you get a HTIB and continue reading/studying about audio, or go to friends homes that do, you will likely start replacing components separately anyway. So you might as well START by identifying separate components that match your demands and budget. Save some money. You won't start with top-of-the-line stuff, but you also won't start w/ everything just because it's all from the same company rather than because each component matches your needs/budget.

 

[markw]

Now I'm done. Finally have exactly what I want.

Yesh, right. ...and bears don't s**t in the woods and the check is in the mail.

 

[agarwalro]

$145 for the Pioneer AVR you linked earlier.
$190 for Bic America F12 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0015A8Y5M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1398176363&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
$150 Affordable Accuracy Loudspeaker (modded Pioneer BS22) http://philharmonicaudio.com/folio-me/html/Phil Pages/AALS.html

 

[herbu]

Yesh, right. ...and bears don't s**t in the woods and the check is in the mail.

There's a check in the mail? Cool! You know, I could use another...