HTIB Recommendation ~$1,000

[Kreyson]

Looking for a home theater in a box set up, with DVD (Blue Ray not required) for about $1,000.


Suggestions?

 

[jostenmeat]

What I might suggest... forget HTIB, and piece it together.

Pana BD-35 bluray, $150-240. Let's say $200...
Onkyo refurbed 505, $149 (no HDMI audio, but forget that for now)
5x studio monitors, whether Behringer 2030p or KRK ST6. $500.
Sub: either DIY for a monster, or entry ID brand, $400.

That is $1,250 roughly. IOW, a 25% over-blowing of budget. But the returns on both video and audio are well worth it.

*side notes:
-use upright bookshelf for center (you'll be way ahead in the game for a first timer)
-if you have more money available, I vote to blow either more on sub (depending on room size) or nicer HDMI audio capable receiver.
-benefits of HDMI audio (lossless audio) won't make a lick of difference if you don't have nice speakers/sub. And a lot of folks say that even if you did, you still might not hear a lick of difference.

Good luck.

 

[Cpt.America]

Suggestions?

My suggestion is, don't do it. Spend $400 on a decent HDMI AV reciever that can decode all modern audio formats, then look for a pair of mains for somewhere around $300 a piece. Then later, add a sub to go 2.1, then later add a center to go 3.1, then later add your surrounds to go 5.1.

 

[skers_54]

What I might suggest... forget HTIB, and piece it together.

Pana BD-35 bluray, $150-240. Let's say $200...
Onkyo refurbed 505, $149 (no HDMI audio, but forget that for now)
5x studio monitors, whether Behringer 2030p or KRK ST6. $500.
Sub: either DIY for a monster, or entry ID brand, $400.

That is $1,250 roughly. IOW, a 25% over-blowing of budget. But the returns on both video and audio are well worth it.

*side notes:
-use upright bookshelf for center (you'll be way ahead in the game for a first timer)
-if you have more money available, I vote to blow either more on sub (depending on room size) or nicer HDMI audio capable receiver.
-benefits of HDMI audio (lossless audio) won't make a lick of difference if you don't have nice speakers/sub. And a lot of folks say that even if you did, you still might not hear a lick of difference.

Good luck.

+1. I just got a pair of the Behringers and they outperform the Paradigm Atoms they replaced. shoponkyo.com has the 506 refurb for ~$150 if you register. It adds Audessey, which is great IMO.

 

[Kreyson]

Thanks for the feedback.

Recommendations for a sub?

I dont know the audio lingo.

"Sub: either DIY for a monster, or entry ID brand, $400"

??


Thanks

 

[Cpt.America]

Since you are on a very slim budget, I recommend:

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=406

eD doesn't make the prettiest subs with cherry wood finishes and all that other foo foo crap (i kid i kid,... id kill for a ulrtra 13 in cherry ) But, they do give a heck of a lot of bang-for-buck, and they ship for free. I have the a3-300 and it shakes my entire house..

They also make VERY reasonably priced mains, center, and rear speakers for those that want a quality speaker, but are on a budget. Id check those out too while you are there.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=96

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Looking for a home theater in a box set up, with DVD (Blue Ray not required) for about $1,000.


Suggestions?

You know how they always ask you on job interviews about how you see yourself in 10 years?

Well, how do you see your system in 5 years?

If you are thinking about being a serious audiophile and getting into this hobby, then please forget about any HTIB.

Be patient and just take one step at a time. For example, start with that $200 BD player + receiver that allows for future expansion (5.1 Analog Inputs & 5.1 External Outputs) + 5 identical satellite speakers + Subwoofer. If not, then just do 3 front satellites + 1 Subwoofer and then add the 2 identical surrounds later.

 

[calnbs]

For bookshelves, I would definately look into these. Over your budget a little bit without a receiver but worth a look:

http://svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

 

[ChrisJam]

I'm in the camp that says that a person looking for HTIB can do better buying individual pieces and putting together a system.

But I know that some poeple just LIKE the idea of a HTIB. A good friend of mine is an example. He'd heard my 5.1 set-up, which at the time was mediocre. (It's far improved now.) He liked it, but due to scheduling problems and my friend's second child being born this year, we haven't had a chance to have a new movie night.

For a year I tried to suggest to his wife that she get her husband some good, but inexpensive speakers to start a good system. I recommended av123's x-ls speakers in cherry, because his wife loves cherry wood and liked the pics of the speakers that I sent her. Then she could get more for him for birthdays and other holidays--a decent center, a sub, surrounds, and a new AVR.

That didn't work, because my friend decided that he wanted everything at once. He wanted to sacrifice quality for having-it-now. So he got a HTIB.

At least he asked my advice on what to buy, and took it. I recommended a decent Onkyo system for him.

It's funny, though--in other areas he loves getting new and good toys. In audio/HT it's different. Oh well, as long as his wife and he are happy...

Chris

 

[jostenmeat]

I dont know the audio lingo.

"Sub: either DIY for a monster, or entry ID brand, $400"

??


Thanks

DIY = Do it yourself.

ID = Internet Direct (ie SVS, HSU, Epik, Elemental Designs, Ascend Acoustics, AV123, Axiom, etc).

edit: and +1 to ChrisJam. If HTIB, I think Onkyo is the only candidate.