Recommendations?

[jmensinger]

Excuse me if this isn't in the correct place...this is my first posting on this site. I was wondering if someone could please help me out. I just finished my basement and am installing a Sanyo PLV-Z3 projector and a 106" Da-Lite screen. I started looking for a home theater system and am completely overwhelmed. My budget is about $500-$1000. I was looking at the Onkyo HT-S870 HTIB with the THX certified receiver. Also looked at your $1000 system in your recommended systems section. Is this system better than the Onkyo HT-S870 HTIB at $595?? Just looking for some suggestions, I plan on using the system mostly for HT - HDTV, DVD, PS2 and PS3. Thanks in advance and let me know if this is not the correct spot to post this type of inquiry.

 

[brian32672]

Excuse me if this isn't in the correct place...this is my first posting on this site.

This area to post is fine... When you start wanting specific equipment after researching the below recommendations, and may go different routes, then post that equipment in the proper area (speaker area, Amp & receiver area, DVD Display area, etc...)

HTIB are not usually recommended, specially if you are using that big of a screen. You will want good sound dispersion. And with components I have listed, it will leave room for future upgrades (if wanted).
(Stay away from way over priced BOSE)

I see your budget is 500-1K, is this with or without a dvd player. What kind of speaker set-up would you like (I would go minimal 5.1)(Better would be 6.1 or even a 7.1) How big is your room, granted with this tight budget sub recommendations would be hard.

For speakers (no sub) I would say look at these, they can be had new on eBay for about 190.00 shipped http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html (BTW, I have some slightly used set for sale in the classifieds) The sound great, and have plenty of bass. A sub is not absolutely needed, but is highly recommended with any system. Also with that set, the weak part is the center so the upgraded center would/could be needed http://www.fluance.com/fluancemv670c.html And that can be had for about 65.00 shipped. (by getting the upgraded center, the other center could be used for the rear for a 6.1 set-up)
If you don't need a dvd player then try their SX-HTB set.

For a receiver I would say check out a Yamaha HTR-5860 http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/HTIB/HTR5860.htm (330.00 shipped) or a 5890 (540.00 shipped), Pioneer my favorite THX Select 2 certified VSX-1015tx http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4153_209686388,00.html (about 425.00 shipped, however its out of stock across the world, but is probably just now getting back in stock, and is worth the wait)

And dvd player is a little tricky, what features are you looking for. I would assume a dvd player that upconverts - so it will have a DVI or a HDMI to connect straight to your projector, at which point I say the New HVD-2085 (by chance it is at $1 shipping right now, I posted over at deals) http://www.neuneo.com/body/product/hvd2085/feature.asp might be a great choice (I have the 2081) Also the Oppo http://www.oppodigital.com/ has gotten great reviews, and some reviewers put it in a class of dvd players costing 1K.
Or instead of those almost any decent dvd player that will do 480p with component cables (RGB) connected would be fine as well.


Cables can be expensive (don't fall for the hype, super expensive is needed - specificaly speaking of buying Monster Cable at Best Buy is a no-no). But 14awg speaker cable from westlake electronics can be had for about 0.16 a foot and 16awg for about 0.13 a foot CL3 rated twisted Beldin wire. (this will be about the cheapest you will find, for a great quality) Not sure how long your runs are because room dimensions would be needed for a apprx quote.
As far as a DVI or HDMI cable, I have one of these and it works great...
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-High-Quality-30FT-HDMI-to-DVI-HDTV-Cable-30-Gold_W0QQitemZ5806576811QQcategoryZ73387QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
If you do not need the dvi/hdmi then component cables (RGB) like these would be fine. I have a set of python's and they are super quality for the price. (well built, super thick)
http://cgi.ebay.com/25-Python-gold-plated-3-RCA-component-video-cable-HDTV_W0QQitemZ5807294508QQcategoryZ64631QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
For audio, Optical or Digital Coax is fine here is a decent optical
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pro-6-2M-Digital-Audio-TOSLink-Optical-Cable_W0QQitemZ5806198765QQcategoryZ64594QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Or this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/6-Ft-Digital-Audio-Optical-Toslink-Cable-NAVY-GOLD-STSI_W0QQitemZ5806278617QQcategoryZ64594QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Everything listed above with shipping should come around your 1K budget. If you want to be a little more precise, with what you may be looking for. Then it can be narrowed down easier. Also do you mind used equipment, or is it a must to have new. Is their a WAF involved. (as far as appearance of equipment, since budget is set then she already knows that)
If you do not need a dvd player, then that money could go towards a sub costing around 250.00 (which a sub is highly recommended, but I own a set of the AVB speakers (spare set, actually for sale), and they do have great bass range)
Subs to look at are the Cadence X-Sub (245.00), JBL E250p (232.00), or a H100 Acoustech (260.00) (all under 270.00 shipped)

All these recommendations would be considered a entry level audiophile system, and should kill just about any HTIB.
BTW, Have a good day, and happy hunting

 

[Takeereasy]

I like Brian's ideas, and here are mine:

Speakers: Athena .5 Just read the reviews of this setup. Kills most HTIBs, that Onkyo included. $200

Subwoofer: Cadence X-sub Again, you might not have heard of this guy, but do a search for it on this forum. Can't be touched for under $300 unless you are willing to build a sub yourself. I can not tell you how critical a decent sub is. My biggest regret is skimping on a sub when I got all my other speakers. I'm currently in the process of saving to buy one for myself, I would have gone with this sub but I live in Canada and to get it shipped up here is cost prohibitive. $229

Reciever: Onkyo 602 Not THX certified, but a darn good receiver for this price! $250

DVD player: Panasonic F87 This is the best bargin priced DVD changer on the market IMO. Comes in black or silver. $130.

I agree with Brian about cable. Don't waste a lot of money there, just get decent quality stuff. Westlake, radioshack, and even home depot have excellent quality speaker wire for less than $.20 a foot. 14AWG is more than acceptable in almost any case. Pick up at least 100' and budget $20 for wire. The wire that comes in that Onkyo HTIB is crappy anyway. To get great cables and interconnects cheaply look at impactacoustics.com (you get a discount there for being an AH member) and accessories4less.com is clearing out some Acoustic Research cables at very low prices. Also check out walmart for some philips or RCA brand cables that are cheap and very well made. YOu should buy some component cables and some optical or digital coax cables to connect your equipment. Factor in $100 for cables and speaker wire. That plus shipping will be close to a grand, but you will have a complete HT.

 

[j_garcia]

That's one heck of a deal on the .5! The Athenas are very decent budget speakers. I was fairly impressed with the b1 bookshelf for the price.

AC4L is always clearing out cables, and they have good customer service. I highly recommend them, as well as www.partexpress.com For inexpensive, decent cables, take a look at their own Dayton line. They also have a basic 6' AR component video cable for $8.99 right now. I bought a few to have around for customers. I haven't seen a better $9 cable.

I'll second the Onkyo receiver, very good for the money. I've installed them for 3 customers recently (601, 502, 8011), and I was pretty happy with the quality vs price and performance.

I'll also second the F87, it's an excellent changer for the price.

 

[Ron Temple]

I looked at the 870 quite hard before finally deciding it wasn't worth the price ($800) vs. the 770 ($500) about a year ago. Initially, I thought it was a great deal and going from no HT to the Onkyo was wonderful. The receiver is the best piece. After a few months spent defending my decision on AVS . I checked out some Polks floorstanders, R30s for fronts for $100/pr. This small upgrade was a huge improvement. The Onkyo speakers just couldn't cut it. I gave the R30s to my son and eventually swapped out everything in my 770 for about $800.

R50s Frys $140 fronts
R15s Frys $50 surrounds
CSi3 Ebay $90 center
Cadence XSub Ebay $250
HK 235 Ebay HK Direct $280

Others have upgraded similarly because of Frys great pricing and while some are critical of the R series speakers compared to the RTis, I find them a great fit for my room and musical taste. A wonderful value.

I'd place them a notch up on the Fluance and Athena satelites. A great entry level HT. There are still some good deals to be found for the Athena AS series for just a few more dollars and they maybe a step up again.

For under a grand, you can get a nice upgradeable platform that is far superior to HTIB.

Just another alternative