HTIB recommendations

[cgk]

I was recently identified as an audio "expert" at a family gathering and my mother-in-law's sister wants recommendations for a surround sound system. Her budget is pretty low, so I was at a loss for what to recommend.

She wants an easy to install system for less than $700. I believe that she already has a TV and wants to get electronics and speakers.

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[j_garcia]

That's a pretty tight budget. I'd say look at the Onkyo 780. The speakers are the weak point, IMO, but that's why it doesn't cost a grip either. It's not bad for the price, and you'll have enough over to pick up a decent basic DVD player.

 

[h4ma]

Onkyo 870. It's a $100 more, but sometimes you can find it for less than $700. It has better sound, more details and dynamics. Much better bass response, tighter. Better receiver, THX certified. The low-end onkyo HTIB's are bad.

 

[jaxvon]

I think you could go with a BIC system and get much better sound than a HTiB. Pair that with a Pioneer VSX-815K and you're there.

 

[Tomorrow]

This is pretty hard to beat for the price. I assume she likes the inconspicuousness of little speakers. Check it out...it's VERY well received by reviewers and the pricing is outrageously good......-----> http://www.hsustore.com/vt-12-stf-2.html

Good cheer.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

For 500 bucks the Onkyo 780 is a pretty good deal. It is almost always on sale at my store for around 450. I've never heard the 870 because we don't carry it! But it sounds like that one would be a good one too.

~Chuck

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

AV123 has a Rocket tyke bundled with a Kenwood receiver for around $500. http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=42.1

 

[BMXTRIX]

I was recently identified as an audio "expert" at a family gathering and my mother-in-law's sister wants recommendations for a surround sound system. Her budget is pretty low, so I was at a loss for what to recommend.

She wants an easy to install system for less than $700. I believe that she already has a TV and wants to get electronics and speakers.

Anyone have any suggestions?

You will get LOTS of suggestions, but I believe some important questions are being overlooked.

1. Is she planning on installing this herself?

2. Does she need a DVD player?

3. Is she using cable? Or does she have some other HDTV TV service... or what? That is, specifically what is required of this system?

4. If installing it herself, is she (or someone) prepared to run wires for rear surround speakers? It basically is unavoidable.

5. Is there are SPECIFIC reason she wants HTIB instead of the best possible setup for $700.00?

6. Is she against using industry standard equipment instead of proprietary, non-upgradable equipment? That is, Bose, while easy to set up (and overpriced), has no upgrade path, so if something fails or she doesn't like something, she is simply 'stuck' with it. In my opinion, industry standard is the ONLY way to go no matter how much, or how little is spent.

If going industry standard, I agree with the Pioneer 815TX recommendation, then a set of inexpensive speakers from one of the quality manufacturers listed here. It would be nice to have a larger budget, but that just isn't possible for some people, which is fine.

If I had to go HTIB, then the Onkyo stuff or perhaps the Yamaha. But, stay away from proprietary setups.