Who's smarter than Sony?

[Mtn. Steel]

Okay, back story is that I have a HTIB..sony bvd-IS1000. Love the BR, hate the sound. I would like to add a receiver and 7.1 (or5.1) speaker system to it. I think it boils down to whether or not the HDMI out sends a DTS signal. No one at Sony knows for sure. Can I run...say the Onkyo 9100thx system w/ my Sony being used soley as a BR player??? I will grant eternal peace on the death bed of any one who can answer this question DEFINITVELY! Okay...maybe I`ll just send you a king sized Twix bar.

 

[JohnA]

#
HDMI™ Audio

* Dolby® Digital Plus bit-stream out : Yes

* Dolby® Digital bit-stream out : Yes

* Dolby® TrueHD bit-stream out : Yes

* LPCM 2ch (192kHz/96kHz/48kHz) out : Yes/Yes/Yes

* LPCM 6ch (192kHz/96kHz/48kHz) out : Yes/Yes/Yes

* LPCM 8ch (96kHz/48kHz) out : Yes/Yes

* dts® bit-stream out : Yes

* dts®-HD High Resolution bit-stream out : Yes

* dts®-HD Master Audio bit-stream out : Yes

Link to the specs

 

[Mtn. Steel]

Cool John,
Thanks for the reply! I knew somebody here was smarter than both me and the 5th graders working for Sony! I think that I am going to pull the trigger on the Onkyo 9100thx system. I am sure it will blow the Sony audio away and I am also sure it will not be state of the art, heart stopping theater sound that the local audio store is trying to talk me into. I simply do not have 3G+ to drop on sound. Any additional advice/input would be welcome.

 

[lsiberian]

Cool John,
Thanks for the reply! I knew somebody here was smarter than both me and the 5th graders working for Sony! I think that I am going to pull the trigger on the Onkyo 9100thx system. I am sure it will blow the Sony audio away and I am also sure it will not be state of the art, heart stopping theater sound that the local audio store is trying to talk me into. I simply do not have 3G+ to drop on sound. Any additional advice/input would be welcome.

Hey they are 6th graders! get it right

FYI I think you could do a lot better than a 9100 at it's pricepoint

Like this for speakers
http://store.audioholics.com/product/2298/17/emp-htp-571-7-1-speaker-system

And this for a receivers
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR705/Onkyo/TX-SR705-THX-100w-x-7ch-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

That would net you a much better system then the 9100. Onkyo makes the best HTIB's IMO, but the speakers are still not that great. The EMPs would be much better IMO.

I do think they make great receivers. Hence why I own a 705. This is from an Onkyo fanboy. IOTW listen and you will have better sound overall.

For speaker wire get this. http://www.antonline.com/p_RCA--AH16100X--Rca-AH16100X-16-Gauge-100-Speaker-Wire-_277967.htm or go to monoprice.com

 

[jamie2112]

To the OP's question: Answer: Me........

 

[Mtn. Steel]

Okay, I`ll bite. I like the look of the size of the speakers. I do want all wall mount units. Price is good. Receiver looks like an upgrade. One question....will the smaller size of the speaker cabinets still give as much richness and thump as the bigger Onkyo? Yes, I am a newbie and know it, but I always thought size matters when considering speakers. Does the Onkyo 290 watt sub trump this 100watt sub?

 

[flippo]

speaker system

Here is another nice speaker combo for great price:

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542253461/energy-take-classic-5-1

 

[TLS Guy]

Okay, back story is that I have a HTIB..sony bvd-IS1000. Love the BR, hate the sound. I would like to add a receiver and 7.1 (or5.1) speaker system to it. I think it boils down to whether or not the HDMI out sends a DTS signal. No one at Sony knows for sure. Can I run...say the Onkyo 9100thx system w/ my Sony being used soley as a BR player??? I will grant eternal peace on the death bed of any one who can answer this question DEFINITVELY! Okay...maybe I`ll just send you a king sized Twix bar.

What makes you think adding a receiver will improve your sound? Sony HTIB + poxy HTIB wall mount speakers = poxy sound. Receiver + poxy wall mount HTIB speakers = poxy sound.

 

[scott911]

I agree with above poster...

A home theater in a box is typically for someone who just wants to plug in the nice, color matched wires, and be done with it...

But you're already on an upgrade path.... Good for you, you have a decerning ear!) BUT trying to keep parts of that HTIB system just doesn't make sense to me... If you don't like the sound, I would think changing out the amp will make almost no difference - except maybe to emphasis the lower quality of the speaker?

I would say, - just sell the HTIB to someone who wants that type of system and use the money wisely to start a good system for yourself.

Will you miss the Blue Ray? - maybe, but I'd rather live with a $40 upconverting DVD player (what I happily use now in a ~ $5K 2.1 system) than cobble in a HTIB unit...

I think you mentioned 7.1 too and at the same time expressed concern for budget ? Well, my opinion is again to take baby steps - get the amp you're already planning on, and add a pair of fronts and perhaps a sub. Then later add a center and the back surrounds...

Don't worry - with today's sound processing - you'll be much happier with two good fronts than you would be with a whole circle of too-cheap speakers...

Buy the best you can and cry once.. and buy it in smaller chunks. Otherwise, I think you're going to be throwing good money after bad.

say bye, bye to the sony, please!

 

[lsiberian]

Okay, I`ll bite. I like the look of the size of the speakers. I do want all wall mount units. Price is good. Receiver looks like an upgrade. One question....will the smaller size of the speaker cabinets still give as much richness and thump as the bigger Onkyo? Yes, I am a newbie and know it, but I always thought size matters when considering speakers. Does the Onkyo 290 watt sub trump this 100watt sub?

That sub would most likely outperform the over specced Onkyo. I highly doubt that Onkyo really pulls 290 watts. A Dayton 12" would likely smoke the Onkyo. If you are looking for massive bass I suggest you upgrade your receiver and subwoofer. Then look into a speaker upgrade. I can tell you that my Infinity Betas would have way better thump and they are very cheap on Ebay these days. They are the best speaker you can buy for 70 bucks period. They are the superior cousins of the Infinity Primus series. You could use a couple of those for the fronts and a 250 for the center. Then use the old HTIB speakers as surround until you can get something better. I use kef eggs because they are very light and easy to mount. They can be smaller because they put the tweeter in the midrange driver. They are able to drive down fairly well for their size.

Speaker matter far more than the receiver though.

But don't step down from blu-ray I think that's a bad idea. You seem to have a 1000 dollar budget and a good system can be put together in that range that will likely satisfy you. The EMPs, the Energy or a beta setup would all be a major step up from a sony HTIB. heck you can combine that energy setup with the onkyo receiver and have an amazing 5.1 system for the price. You could also mimmick my setup. I am a budget buyer and put it together for far less than 1000 dollars. If I were sticking retail I wouldn't change a thing, but of course I'm going DIY. All of my stuff came at a fraction of retail.

 

[lsiberian]

A home theater in a box is typically for someone who just wants to plug in the nice, color matched wires, and be done with it...

But you're already on an upgrade path.... Good for you, you have a decerning ear!) BUT trying to keep parts of that HTIB system just doesn't make sense to me... If you don't like the sound, I would think changing out the amp will make almost no difference - except maybe to emphasis the lower quality of the speaker?

I would say, - just sell the HTIB to someone who wants that type of system and use the money wisely to start a good system for yourself.

Will you miss the Blue Ray? - maybe, but I'd rather live with a $40 upconverting DVD player (what I happily use now in a ~ $5K 2.1 system) than cobble in a HTIB unit...

I think you mentioned 7.1 too and at the same time expressed concern for budget ? Well, my opinion is again to take baby steps - get the amp you're already planning on, and add a pair of fronts and perhaps a sub. Then later add a center and the back surrounds...

Don't worry - with today's sound processing - you'll be much happier with two good fronts than you would be with a whole circle of too-cheap speakers...

Buy the best you can and cry once.. and buy it in smaller chunks. Otherwise, I think you're going to be throwing good money after bad.

say bye, bye to the sony, please!

The OP never mentioned budget
And if his goal is home theater a 2.1 setup just won't cut it IMO. surrounds can be cheap and still make a nice difference as long as you get a good brand. 7.2 is the way to go if you want the best theater. But a 5.2 would be a good compromise. and a 5.1 could work in some rooms.

to the OP, so what is your real budget?

 

[Mtn. Steel]

MY real budget is a grand or less thanks to current economic crapola. I admit that I do not have the time or knowledge to piece a system myself via internet. To do so would rely purely on others opinions of what sounds good. I also live in a very remote area of Co. and do not have the option to visit sound rooms and listen/test. I have no idea WTH poxy means! It seems to me (after reading a billion pages of opinion) that the main item called into question w/ the Onkyo is the speakers. I believe that I will purchase the 9100THX and it will definitely be an upgrade to what I have now. As I can squirrel away a few bucks, I will replace the front speakers and sub and in time, perhaps all speakers. I have been able to resell everything that I have ever purchased to local friends (read:lots of short term folks who will spend just a few bucks to have some sound...not an "investment" for them). I thank everyone for their input. I am going to go ski a foot of fresh powder tomorrow on my "non-poxy" skis (whatever the hell that means) and I hope you all have a great day with whatever flips your switch!
Oh, and no matter how much you love your system...don`t forget to go outside and get some vitamin D!

 

[TLS Guy]

MY real budget is a grand or less thanks to current economic crapola. I admit that I do not have the time or knowledge to piece a system myself via internet. To do so would rely purely on others opinions of what sounds good. I also live in a very remote area of Co. and do not have the option to visit sound rooms and listen/test. I have no idea WTH poxy means! It seems to me (after reading a billion pages of opinion) that the main item called into question w/ the Onkyo is the speakers. I believe that I will purchase the 9100THX and it will definitely be an upgrade to what I have now. As I can squirrel away a few bucks, I will replace the front speakers and sub and in time, perhaps all speakers. I have been able to resell everything that I have ever purchased to local friends (read:lots of short term folks who will spend just a few bucks to have some sound...not an "investment" for them). I thank everyone for their input. I am going to go ski a foot of fresh powder tomorrow on my "non-poxy" skis (whatever the hell that means) and I hope you all have a great day with whatever flips your switch!
Oh, and no matter how much you love your system...don`t forget to go outside and get some vitamin D!

Dictionary of the English vernacular is required for this site!

Poxy, to have pimples of small pox. So in other words, ugly/unpleasant is the translation.

 

[lsiberian]

MY real budget is a grand or less thanks to current economic crapola. I admit that I do not have the time or knowledge to piece a system myself via internet. To do so would rely purely on others opinions of what sounds good. I also live in a very remote area of Co. and do not have the option to visit sound rooms and listen/test. I have no idea WTH poxy means! It seems to me (after reading a billion pages of opinion) that the main item called into question w/ the Onkyo is the speakers. I believe that I will purchase the 9100THX and it will definitely be an upgrade to what I have now. As I can squirrel away a few bucks, I will replace the front speakers and sub and in time, perhaps all speakers. I have been able to resell everything that I have ever purchased to local friends (read:lots of short term folks who will spend just a few bucks to have some sound...not an "investment" for them). I thank everyone for their input. I am going to go ski a foot of fresh powder tomorrow on my "non-poxy" skis (whatever the hell that means) and I hope you all have a great day with whatever flips your switch!
Oh, and no matter how much you love your system...don`t forget to go outside and get some vitamin D!

I have given you a very simple recommendation that is similar in cost and superior in sound. All you have to do is buy the EMP speakers and the onkyo receiver. You still get an Onkyo receiver and you get very good well liked speakers. If you need cables just go to monoprice and pick up a roll of 16 gauge. This doesn't require research, auditioning or any of that and will more than satisfy you.

If you were patient you could build a system for even less off ebay. But that's up to you. If you mimmicked any person on this sites setup you would probably also have a very satisfying system.