HTIB help

[Chadillac]

I have been looking around for awhile, and decided a HTIB set is right for me. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices and was wondering if anyone had any advice. I was all decided on the Onkyo HT-S7300. The main plus on this one is the floor standing front speakers. Then I started reading on here about HDMI switching vs. pass through. That got me looking at the Onkyo HT-S9300THX which has the HDMI V1.4a repeater. And that stuck in my mind. Is the repeater thing important enough to pass up the floor standing speakers I really like and the extra $200? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chadillac]

More info

I forgot to mention that I have a 3D TV and Blue Ray player if that makes any difference.

 

[XEagleDriver]

The HT-S9300 looks better, but . . .

I have been looking around for awhile, and decided a HTIB set is right for me. I have narrowed it down to 2 choices and was wondering if anyone had any advice. I was all decided on the Onkyo HT-S7300. The main plus on this one is the floor standing front speakers. Then I started reading on here about HDMI switching vs. pass through. That got me looking at the Onkyo HT-S9300THX which has the HDMI V1.4a repeater. And that stuck in my mind. Is the repeater thing important enough to pass up the floor standing speakers I really like and the extra $200? Thanks in advance.

Chadillac,

Welcome to the forum.

Any HTIB is a compromise, generally trading overall quality for immediate quantity. That said, it is an inexpensive way to enter the HT game.

Be advised, if you enjoy movies/music/HT hobby you will VERY likely replace the whole shebang within a year or two (experience speaking here!).

I strongly recommend you take the funds the HTIB would cost and buy a higher quality 2.0 or 2.1 system (i.e. receiver + two speakers, or receiver + 2 speakers + small sub). If this option interests you, let us know and forum members can suggest specific alternatives.

But since you indicated you are set on a HTIB, I submit the following observations about your two choices:

1) The 3.5" woofers in the 7300 package are pretty anemic as far as speaker designs go. At this price point, I would stay away from them.

2) The 5" woofers in the 9300 package are a more respectable design. I would favor this system between the two.

3) Neither system's subwoofer will rock-your-world.

4) Both receivers are very similar in features and capability.

5) The price difference is due to the speakers and not HDMI repeater function.

Best of luck,
XEagleDriver

 

[m_vanmeter]

I agree with "xeagledriver" - at the S9300 price point you can consider a system made up of an a/v receiver and speakers from manufacturers like Polk or Infinity.

What would be your budget upper limit for receiver, 5 speakers and a sub ?

 

[bigbassdave]

I have to agree with Eagle. I remember years ago I bought my first HTIB. It was an Onkyo and I thought it was one of the most amazing things I had ever heard. I thought the sub that came with it was incredible. 6 months later I sold the whole setup and started buying better gear. In retrospect I should have saved the money on the HTIB. That said, if you are set on going that rout you could do much worse than Onkyo. The nice thing about their htib setups is they usually come with a pretty solid receiver which allows for future speaker upgrades. I use two Onkyo receivers now and have never had a problem with them.
Only you know yourself. If you think you will simply be happy having surround sound with some nice added base and you are not the type to be bitten by the upgrade bug then I say buy an Onkyo htib with confidence. However, If you're like most of us here you may very well find that having that setup is like taking the first hit of something nice which will leave you wanting more faster than you expect. Good luck to ya.