Best "Home Theater in Box"?

IJ Reilly

IJ Reilly

macrumors P6
I've started looking at "home theater in a box" systems. I'm having a difficult time sorting out the good from the bad from the mediocre. The stores don't seem to have any of these systems set up on working displays, so it's virtually impossible to test and compare quality (which is how I'd normally decide). My basic criteria:

  • I don't want to spend a lot of money (under $500, preferably)
  • I don't want a built-in DVD player
  • I need small speakers for wall-mounting (not freestanding)
  • I'd prefer a 5.1 system
  • Power output is not a major issue

Any thoughts on theater-in-a-box systems you've owned, used or heard? Thanks!
 
Logitech Z-5500 is what i use and would recommend. i'm using optical out of the dvd player which leaves me coax and analog inputs for other devices. easy to setup and control, good sound, and more power than most homes can use. new is high $300's, but can be found refurbished for less than $200. HERE is a decent place to buy from, but they seem to have zero stock right now.
 
I'll look that one up, thanks. In my research, I discovered what might be an ideal system, SLS Audio Q-Line. Good price, supposedly excellent sound. Unfortunately, nobody actually seems to sell it!
 
I know you're looking for a HTIB, but I think you should consider a component system. There are many advantages to seperate components, not the least of which is the ability to upgrade incrementally, building a better system over time.

The main reason I don't think HTIB systems are a a good value is that their speakers are almost always the weakest link in the HT chain. There lots of good speaker packages out there that blow away the ones that come in most HTIB sets.

You can get lots of good advice over at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ .
 
You absolutely cannot beat the Onkyo HT-S790 at present. The receiver has a ton of options, its well built and the speakers are quite nice (plus its 7.1). Plus its only $499 ($450 on sale).

I have it and it really does a nice job of delivering. I haven't heard it distort anything and it sounds brilliant delivering whatever you are playing through it, be it stereo music from an iPod or CD player or Dolby Digital EX from a DVD. It'll even turn stereo into 7.1 using Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing which actually does a nice job. The sub is nice and low but really kicks in when needed for movies and music.

Just read the reviews at Crutchfield

"I honestly don't think you can beat the quality sound and features of this HTIB without jumping into the $1200.00, or higher, price range." - reviewer Jim

"I never expected such high power, clarity, and standard features from a HTIB. Kudos to Onkyo!" - reviewer Pete

h580HTS790B-f.jpeg


h580HTS790B-B.jpeg


Well, I hope this helps. I really do recommend this HTIB and certainly think its the best out there bar none. You will not be disappointed.
 
I've looked at the 5.1 version of the Onkyo. It was already near the top of my list, if I can't track down an SLS Q-Line. I assume the five-speaker version of the Onkyo is similar to the 7.1 version, but I haven't found any reviews. I was so hot on the SLS because of the speakers, which are supposed to be excellent for the price. Well, they might as well cost a million dollars now, as impossible as they are to find.

As for component vs. HTIB, I'm splitting the difference by avoiding a system with a built-in DVD player (which automatically eliminates about half of them).
 
I would go for the 7.1 version because the speakers are of higher quality. The 5.1's are smaller and cheaper.

ps. the only thing I would recommend is buying a better gauge speaker wire. Something like 18 and under instead of the 22 gauge they include. Forget the monster cable and go for some plane old lamp cord. Thats right, its the same exact thing only a heck of a lot cheaper. If the gauge is low enough you will have a nice clean signal even though its not monster cable. Speaker gauge vs length of cord is what really matters. The longer the cable run the lower the gauge you need to maintain a clean signal.
 
I really like the HTS790 over the 590. Sounds much better IMHO, and you get a semi-real receiver.

Plus I've sold like 5 790's in the last months compared to 1 590.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I've started looking at "home theater in a box" systems. I'm having a difficult time sorting out the good from the bad from the mediocre. The stores don't seem to have any of these systems set up on working displays, so it's virtually impossible to test and compare quality (which is how I'd normally decide). My basic criteria:

  • I don't want to spend a lot of money (under $500, preferably)
  • I don't want a built-in DVD player
  • I need small speakers for wall-mounting (not freestanding)
  • I'd prefer a 5.1 system
  • Power output is not a major issue

Any thoughts on theater-in-a-box systems you've owned, used or heard? Thanks!
Click to expand...
you can get some good sony systems. beautiful sound
even though it was about $AU300
 
QuarterSwede said:
I would go for the 7.1 version because the speakers are of higher quality. The 5.1's are smaller and cheaper.
Click to expand...

I was trying to avoid 7.1 if only because the installation would be significantly more complicated -- the side speakers would have to go in a very awkward location. Either way this is going to require a lot of time in the attic and in the crawlspace under the house -- so I don't want to do it again for a long time!

Onkyo really uses different speakers in the 5.1 system? This is verified?
 
IJ Reilly said:
I was trying to avoid 7.1 if only because the installation would be significantly more complicated -- the side speakers would have to go in a very awkward location.
Click to expand...
So leave out the 6th and 7th channel. :)

Most DTS and Dolby Digital signals are only good for 5.1, anyway. You won't really start to see 7.1 until you upgrade to Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I was trying to avoid 7.1 if only because the installation would be significantly more complicated -- the side speakers would have to go in a very awkward location. Either way this is going to require a lot of time in the attic and in the crawlspace under the house -- so I don't want to do it again for a long time!

Onkyo really uses different speakers in the 5.1 system? This is verified?
Click to expand...

Well, you're looking at cabinet bookshelf center and front speakers in the 790,while you get much thinner curved 'bookshelfs' in the 590. Like said, just don't use the 2 rear centers, that's all.
 
The Onkyo looks really nice, but would it be too powerful for a bedroom or dorm room? If so then I'm probably going to go for a cheaper alternative like the Samsung HT-Q45...consumer reports rated it a best buy (but they also loved the Onkyo, rated it best sound and features). And what does the "HDTV Capable" (on the circuit city site linked in the previous posts for the Onkyo) mean?
 
I'm one of those folks that would recommend that you skip the HTIB and go with component systems. It is pricier, and you might have to wait on the rear channels, but the end result might be worth it. A reasonable combination for you, might be:

Onkyo TX-SR504 $ 225
Polk M10 (pair) $ 80
Polk PSW-10 - $150
100' Speaker Cable - $20

At Circuit City, that adds up to $ 475 (before tax) and would give you everything but the rear and center channels. More importantly, the sound quality should be a ton better. It's up to you though. I personally went down this route, but didn't stop with the Polk, and ended up spending more than I ever imagined I would - so beware, for my fate might befall you!
 
Check this site out

http://fluance.com/

Everything I've ever read about their speakers and especially their HTIB is very positive. And they're surprisingly cheap.

EDIT: I've just realized this aren't true HTIB since they only sell speakers and not receivers. But still worth having a look.
 
ChrisBrightwell said:
Most DTS and Dolby Digital signals are only good for 5.1, anyway. You won't really start to see 7.1 until you upgrade to Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.
Click to expand...
This is true, but from what I've found, a few DVD's I have say they are only Dolby Digital 5.1 but my receiver picks them up as Dolby Digital EX (6.1).
 
QuarterSwede said:
You absolutely cannot beat the Onkyo HT-S790 at present.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at this system also and have a few noob questions about installation. Basically what I would like to do is have the wires run through the walls/attic with a 7.1 banana plug wall jack (ala this.) When hooking the wires into the receiver, is it just bare speaker wire on the receiving end? How about on the speaker end? I know I'll have to put banana plugs on the ends going to the wall, I was just curious about the other hook ups. Thanks
 
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