Need Advice Choosing Home Theatre System

[workman1586]

Hi,

I am more or less a newcomer to the home theatre system world. I currently have an older HTIB that I am wanting to replace shortly. I have been looking more or less at Futureshop and Bestbuy here in Canada. I think I have narrowed it down to 2 or 3 choices. Unfortunately I cannot post links to the forum yet but the model numbers are as follows.

Choice 1 - Pioneer Receiver with Polk Audio speakers $599
Found on Futureshop's website -
Pioneer Receiver VSX-522-K
Polk Speakers RM6750

Choice 2 - Onkyo 5.1 Receiver and Speaker System $499
Found on Best Buy Canada's website
HTS3400

and Choice 3 - Onkyo 7.1 System $549
Also found on Best Buy Canada's website
HTS5400


I don't know a whole lot about wattages and so on. Obviously the cheaper the better but without sacrificing quality. The Pioneer/Polk system at $599 is about as high as I'd like to go. My question is which of these systems would you recommend. I have never heard of Onkyo before but I have heard of Pioneer and Polk, and from the research I have done people have good things to say about them.

The system will be set up in a fairly large rec room in a basement. I do live in a duplex and share a wall with a neighbour so obviously I won't be shaking the house too often. Basically I want a good system that will last for a while and the best value for the money. Any comments/recommendations would be very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[fuzz092888]

1) HTIB heavily frowned upon here

2) Going and auditioning before you buy, preferably with CDs/DVDs you actually plan to use with the system is highly highly highly recommended

3) Generally speaking, if you are serious about getting into home audio the recommendations are that you start with a budget AVR and as good front left and right speakers as you can afford and build up from there.

4) Choice number 1 isn't bad as long as you like how the polks sound. There are many around here who don't like polk because they measure badly, but there are just as many people out in the world who like how they sound, whether from ignorance or because they just enjoy them is for others to debate.

5) Value for money can be had, but how serious you are about getting into home audio will dictate how the recommendations eventually come

I would take a read through this thread.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/79364-speaker-recommendations.html

There are some good speaker advice in here and AVR advice more or less depends on what you want out of the AVR (connectivity, inputs, outputs, calibration software, etc)

Hope that helps a little. For the record, on your budget, what most would consider a "quality" setup is going to bump the budget up a bit (if you want to get a full 5.1 or 7.1 without building up) Quality speakers, AVR, etc cost money and we won't recommend something in your price range just for the heck of it, if there is something better out there for a little bit more. Getting your expectations for this system clear and concise will help you and us.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

.......Yeah, I'm going to have to say No to Polk & Onkyo.

I don't know what's available to you, but from Amazon Canada, I would say Energy or Harman Kardon:

Energy PS500B 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System with Tower Speakers (Black): Amazon.ca: Electronics

Harman Kardon HKTS20BQ 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System (Black): Amazon.ca: Electronics

 

[fuzz092888]

Hey hey hey hey hey, pick on polk all you want, you leave my onkyo out of this.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey hey hey hey hey, pick on polk all you want, you leave my onkyo out of this.

Oops, sorry.

Sound quality and measurement - wise, I have a lot of respect for Onkyo/Integra. Pretty great measurements, even the $300 AVR.

But I just personally worry about customer support if he ever needs it.

 

[fuzz092888]

Customer support, agreed. I have yet to deal with them and pray every day I never have to

 

[CDogg]

I have to agree with Fuzz as there is nothing wrong with Onkyo. I've had my system up and running now for over several weeks, and had no issues. Of course I have Infinity speakers instead of Polk and the sound is fabulous.

For under $700 I don't think I could have done better. However, I am sure there are those who would disagree with me, but that is the beauty of audio. It all depends on what sounds good to you on your budget.

Good luck in your search, and may you have years of enjoyment!

 

[workman1586]

.......Yeah, I'm going to have to say No to Polk & Onkyo.

I don't know what's available to you, but from Amazon Canada, I would say Energy or Harman Kardon:

The problem with those is that they are roughly $500 and have no receiver. I am actually stretching my budget as it is to get to the $600 range.

I appreciate all the advice and some day I will definitely be getting a better set up, however, as of now it would be unwise to spend anymore than that. The systems that I posted are only on sale until tonight, so of the 3 which would you be more inclined to purchase? I was leaning toward the polk system because I have heard good things, but now I am not sure.

Thanks again,
Scott

 

[fuzz092888]

If you have to pick a system by tonight, and you're not willing to pass up the potential deal to get something that could be better I vote for the polk setup.

If you can wait, then odds are you'll be able to get some good recommendations in your price range.

Just be careful with the pioneer receiver, I've dealt with a few and they can be complicated compared to other brands.

 

[CDogg]

I forgot to mention... My system came from Crutchfield and everything arrived in a couple of days. Of course this will depend on where you live. I cannot say enough good about the Crutchfield reps I have spoke to on the phone. The last time I was on the phone with one was for over 3 hours. The experience was great. Unless it is a have to case, I will never buy retail again. You can save yourself lots of money, and you don't have to worry about lugging everything in your house when the delivery guy will do that for you.

 

[jonnythan]

Crutchfield is awesome in the service department.

 

[workman1586]

I decided to go with the Onkyo HTS5400 from best buy. The total was $630 with tax. I figured for a few dollars less I would opt for it being that it was a 7.1 system out of the box whereas the Polk/Pioneer combo was only 5.1. That plus the Audessy Microphone setup was enough to tip the scales.

The sales were about to end so I picked it up knowing that I can return it within the 30 days if need be. So if anyone comes upon any deals in the $600 range for receiver/speaker combo please let me know.

Appreciate all the advice.

Cheers,
Scott