HTIB or separate?

[guynexdoor]

Hello

I just bought a samsung lcd LNt4061 40inch LCD tv. It's 1080p

I use my 360 for dvd playing, but I want to buy surround sound speakers, and a receiver, for 5.1 set up.

What's the opinion on buying those htib sets? I was thinking of buying the receiver and speakers separately. Or getting a set that comes with speakers and receiver, but NOT the dvd player, since I want an upconverting dvd player.

I have been reading posts here and I was surprised to find that BOSE speakers actutally aren't very good, over rated, and over priced for the hype.

The other good speakers brands I had never even heard of. I heard that Onyko and JBL were good though.

Thanks

 

[avaserfi]

I would suggest buying seperates as you will get a better bang for your buck that way. In general with good shopping habits you can get way better deals buying everything seperately. Whats your budget?

 

[Davemcc]

Sounds like you're starting at the beginning. Take some time to read as much as you can here to get an idea of what you want. At this point, you could go a billion different directions and none of them would be wrong if they please you. When you close your eyes and think of your new TV, what would you like to see and hear when you open your eyes (and ears).

 

[dotVIBE]

yup, only HTiB i'd ever even consider would be Onkyo SR800. Most important thing is, how much do you want to spend, then the gurus round here can direct you.

 

[Adam]

In the end, it comes down to what makes you happy - weighing the price paid to your happiness with the sound and features.

That said, I'd tend to stay away from the HTIB items. They are convenient because they include everything in a box (hence the name), but they tend to be less flexible for future expansion.

What sort of price range are you comfortable with?

EDIT: I gotta learn to think and type faster! When I started...no replies. When I posted...three people had already replied.

 

[Nick250]

Hello

I just bought a samsung lcd LNt4061 40inch LCD tv. It's 1080p

I use my 360 for dvd playing, but I want to buy surround sound speakers, and a receiver, for 5.1 set up.

What's the opinion on buying those htib sets? I was thinking of buying the receiver and speakers separately. Or getting a set that comes with speakers and receiver, but NOT the dvd player, since I want an upconverting dvd player.

I have been reading posts here and I was surprised to find that BOSE speakers actutally aren't very good, over rated, and over priced for the hype.

The other good speakers brands I had never even heard of. I heard that Onyko and JBL were good though.

Thanks

What's the all impotent budget? We can go from there.

Nick

 

[avaserfi]

What's the all impotent budget? We can go from there.

Nick

Are you implying something about our new friend here ?

 

[guynexdoor]

I guess my budget would be no more 700 dollars for everything?

I do'nt know much about this stuff, except that I'm willing to do the research. Honestly though, I'm not that keen on what is great or not, but I do watch movies, and I do play video games, and I expect surround sounds, with helicopters buzzing around the living room!

Is 700 too cheap?

 

[Adam]

This gets asked a lot, so there's a number of system suggestions floating around here. You can certainly get a 5.1 set-up for $700, and you can also easily spend more than that. I think that increasing your budget a bit will pay off for you.

Just some ideas for things:

Receiver - Onkyo 505 for ~$250 ($244 at Amazon.com)

Speakers - Aperion Audio 5.1 system for $799

Adam

 

[davidtwotrees]

I am remodelling a client's bathroom. This morning I stopped by to discuss some design issues. She had her stereo on, fairly loud, and it sounded ok. It was a Htib. I asked her about it and she said it was perfect. She could hook it up herself when needed, and did get surround sound on the 1 movie a week she watches. There are 5 little bitty speakers with it. Not sure on the brand. I don't think there is a sub. She paid less than $400 dollars for it some years ago, just a receiver and some speakers. Does that sound like you? I told her she could get two decent front speakers and really make it sound better, but she wasn't interested.
I think the fact that you are on Audioholics shows that you want more than that. For $700 clams you can get a system. Or, I would spend as much as you can on your speakers initially. It is an investment that can last years.
Technically, you can watch movies, and listen to music on just two front speakers-spend most of your dough there. After that, a center, sub and rear speakers will be icing on the cake. Then buy a used receiver on ebay or audiogon. BAM! A system that rocks, and if you feel like you need more features in the future, spend the cash for a feature laden receiver.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey guys, good input here. I agree there is no substitute for personally auditioning and learning. But if the OP is anything like my friend I helped today (sick of hand wringing over HT, spending 6 months before buying the TV), I have a budget system proposal. This may* be dependent on being able to place a bookshelf vertically under the tv.

6.1 w/ Sub + Receiver. $600 total, very similar to HTIB price:

-$255 Onkyo 505 @ Amazon direct w/ free shipping (they are authorized dealers for everything they sell) or $270 at CC. Receiver has 7.1 mca inputs, Audyssey, and 2x hdmi 1.3a/1080p pass.

-3 pairs of Polk R150 @ a mind blowing $150 at Fry's (that's $25 a pop, new. Online only. I was at the store today, $180 for the pair!)

-Av123 x-sub for $200

I know this because I shopped with my friend today, and researched earlier in the week. I have now convinced him to up the sub to the Hsu stf-1 for $100 more. (I would also encourage anyone to increase the sub's budget if funds are available). And he was soooo close to a Panasonic HTIB last week for $500 or something. Wife constrained budget is $700. He better be buying my beers. Cheers.

 

[guynexdoor]

well, thanks. I am not the lady in the bathroom type.

How many people think it's good to buy 2 good speakers first...and then add on later?

 

[guynexdoor]

I notice that it's a 7.1 receiver. I'm planning to do a 5.1 setup? Is that OK? Am I overspending for feature that I am not going to use?....unless I go 7.1 in the future...but from what I've read here, people say 5.1 is fine.

 

[mazersteven]

well, thanks. I am not the lady in the bathroom type.

How many people think it's good to buy 2 good speakers first...and then add on later?

If you have a small budget, purchasing 2 speakers, and adding later when funds are available is a better way to a quality system. Only if you have the ability, and discipline to save, and add speakers, and electronics as you go.

 

[guynexdoor]

Is the Onyko 505 one of those receivers where it automatically calibrates the speakers for you? I heard of ones with a mic, and you put the mic where you would be sitting, and it will adjust the speakers.

I like the idea of starting out with 2 speakers...How about I do this:

Buy a receiver...
2 front speakers
1 subwoofer

with a budget of $500-600

what would be the recommendations?

 

[Adam]

I notice that it's a 7.1 receiver. I'm planning to do a 5.1 setup? Is that OK? Am I overspending for feature that I am not going to use?....unless I go 7.1 in the future...but from what I've read here, people say 5.1 is fine.

IMO, that Onkyo offers good features at a good price. Don't worry that it's 7.1. You're not really paying extra for it. Their 500 series is a solid line of receivers, and they add more and more features every year to keep up with the consumer market. I think that the 503 model was 5.1, but then they added more channels.

 

[Adam]

Is the Onyko 505 one of those receivers where it automatically calibrates the speakers for you? I heard of ones with a mic, and you put the mic where you would be sitting, and it will adjust the speakers.

Indeed, it is! It actually allows you to place the mic in two separate positions (for different seating locations) and will try to calibrate the best sound for both locations.

 

[mazersteven]

I like the idea of starting out with 2 speakers...How about I do this:

Buy a receiver...
2 front speakers
1 subwoofer

with a budget of $500-600

what would be the recommendations?

I would kick the sub for now. JMO

 

[Adam]

guynextdoor, I'd recommend that you really consider jostenmeat's suggestion. Polk's aren't my preference, but there are a lot of people that like them. Three pairs of bookshelves for $150 (before tax and shipping) is a great price.

For budget subs, the x-sub gets recommended a lot around here. How big is your room, by the way?

 

[guynexdoor]

Why do I need 3 pairs? That would mean 6...