Home theater purchase advice????

[Jay-Stew]

Hi , Now that I have me a new TV I now need a new receiver and speakers. I now have a 46" Sony Vega, and a prog. scan DVD. I know it is not much but hey I gotta start somewhere. What I would like to know is what could I get to "compliment " it. I would like to get a "in the box" set up if possible. I would also like to have HDMI switching if possible. Price range $500 or so . Does anyone have any suggestions ?

 

[Kai]

You have a nice tv so you are off to a very good start.
Spending $500 "or so" will get you very little value or sound wise. If $500 is what you have to spend I strongly suggest setting it aside and continue saving until you have around $1000. That is the price point, give or take a few bucks, that will give you good value for your dollar.

You would be better served by starting with a decent receiver and pair of fronts. As money becomes available add a sub then the surrounds and center channel. It may take a while buy you will be much better off than the big box htib that are generally of inferior quality and poor value for their cost.

Here are a few links to get you started:
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm
http://www.paradigm.com/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/ParadigmModels/CinemaCT/CinemaCT_Series.html
http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/procinema/procinema.html

 

[Nick250]

AVS Forums has a HTIB forum. I would check it out if I was in the market for one. http://www.avsforum.com/

Nick

 

[highfihoney]

I understand your budget but i gotta agree with kai when he says to save your cash till you can afford better than a htib,every store you go into has these systems & the tv is flooded with the bose 321 commercials & these things make people think they will get better sound from these systems when infact all you get is a little wider sweet spot due to the fact you can spread out the plastic speakers wider than the tv speakers.

If your tv has an external speaker hook up buy a inexpensive pair of monitors to hold you over till you can save for a real system,htib's are a total waste of money.

 

[Nick250]

AVS Forums has a HTIB forum. I would check it out if I was in the market for one. http://www.avsforum.com/

Nick

One more thing Jay, if you do go check out the AVS Forum, I would be very interested to hear what you think about it. Was it helpful or not helpful?

Nick

 

[Jay-Stew]

Thanks Guys, for the advice. I will go and check out the AVS forum. I hear you when you say HT ITB are a waste. I am not surprised at that when you look at the prices and see you can get it all for 5-600$ or just a receiver for that. I think I will do just that and start pricing and comparing receivers and front speakers. I really want to take advantage of the HDMI outs on the TV. Any suggestions at what to look for in a receiver? Watts, name ,cost, etc..? One more thing I am using a Progressive scan DVD right now. Should I think about replacing that or just worry about the better sound for now?

 

[jcPanny]

HT speaker system

You might consider starting with a 2.1 sound system and adding the center and surround channels when the budget allows. Something like the following would be a good start:

Entry level receiver: $1-200 (Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, etc.)
Onix X-LS speakers: $220 new, $175 b-stock
Onix X-Sub: $200 new, $175 b-stock

This 2.1 system would sound much better than most HTIB systems in your budget. In your price range, don't worry about HDMI, connect it directly from the source to the TV. If you don't have enough HDMI inputs on the TV, get a $30 HDMI switch box from Monoprice.