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Best "Home Theater in Box"?

ONKYO is KING of The HTIB

I am on my 3rd Onkyo system (1 in each room I have) I recently purchased the HT-S590 for $249 at J&R. let me say. You will not find a better HTIB for a bed room. especially under for $300. The HT-S790 is great but better suited for a living room and is over kill for a bedroom. Go with the HT-S590 you won't be sorry.
 
My listening area is 14 by 10 feet. I think probably most any of these systems would be overkill for a space that size, considering that they run 80-100 watts per channel, or more. Maybe I'm just an old-timer, but I remember when 100 watts x two channels was considered to be more output than most people would ever need. Not sure what anyone is doing with over 1,000 watts. Making their ears bleed?
 
I got a Yamaha one at Best Buy. I don't know the model number but I think it was about $400. It's awesome. My only complaint is that it only has 2 optical inputs, so I'm stuck with my PS2 on regular RCA since my Xbox and G5 take up the opticals
 
IJ Reilly said:
My listening area is 14 by 10 feet. I think probably most any of these systems would be overkill for a space that size, considering that they run 80-100 watts per channel, or more. Maybe I'm just an old-timer, but I remember when 100 watts x two channels was considered to be more output than most people would ever need. Not sure what anyone is doing with over 1,000 watts. Making their ears bleed?
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Well the guest room that I have my HT-S590 in is about 13 x 9.5 ft and it sounds incredible. The 590's Subwoofer is not powered so you don't have to worry about it rattling your walls. Also do not let anyone compare some crappy Samsung/Panasonic/or even worse SONY HTIB to these systems. Onkyo is in a totally different league. The amplifier's built into their recievers are of a much higher standard of quality. you will notice the difference right away and you won't get that tiny HTIB sound most people get with these stylish yet crappy systems. Go with a true Audio company for a HTIB and save Panny , Sammy and Sony for your next HDTV.
 
I'm reviving my old "HTIB" thread. Two more years have gone by, and I still have not bought one. I continue to listen to audio on my TV speakers (but better TV speakers on an HD set). Now of course all of the products have changed, and some HTIBs come with an integrated Blu-ray player. This may change my mind about not wanting an HTIB with an integrated disc player.

So, HTIBs -- any current recommendations? I still don't want to spend a lot of money, the room is not very large, and I need speakers which are all wall/ceiling-mounted.
 
you'll probably do lots of research before purchasing, and i wouldnt be surprised if you end up chosing the harman kardon hkts 18. awesome sounding system and gorgeous looks. and the subwoofer is just out of this world.

check out avsforums
 
IJ Reilly said:
I'm reviving my old "HTIB" thread. Two more years have gone by, and I still have not bought one. I continue to listen to audio on my TV speakers (but better TV speakers on an HD set). Now of course all of the products have changed, and some HTIBs come with an integrated Blu-ray player. This may change my mind about not wanting an HTIB with an integrated disc player.

So, HTIBs -- any current recommendations? I still don't want to spend a lot of money, the room is not very large, and I need speakers which are all wall/ceiling-mounted.
Click to expand...

Blu-ray HTiBs are god-awful expensive and the discs are, too. Look for a 5-disc DVD changer that will upconvert. I saw a Samsung at Sam's for $328 that does all that and has wireless rear speakers.
 
Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to see HTIBs with integrated Blu-ray disc players for around $600. I would still prefer to buy the player as a separate component, but mainly because I don't want to be stuck with old technology built in. (No DVD changers for me -- I can watch only one DVD at a time.)

I've also done quite a bit of reading in the avsforum, but it's difficult to find serious reviews there.
 
Look here frequently: http://www.shoponkyo.com/products.cfm?group_id=1&subcat=Systems

I got a silver S5100 for around $300 during the thanksgiving sale. Their refurbs are much cheaper than normal and they drop the silver refurbs WAY below normal price every few weeks.

The speakers are pretty big though, the 2 big ones standing up are about the same size as a regular set of stereo speakers (but skinnier), and the sub is HUGE, its a 10" woofer and about as tall as my 37" tv so its not something you can tuck away easily.

Works good as a stereo as well because of the ipod connectivity, which is surprisingly good.
 
stainlessliquid said:
Look here frequently: http://www.shoponkyo.com/products.cfm?group_id=1&subcat=Systems

I got a silver S5100 for around $300 during the thanksgiving sale. Their refurbs are much cheaper than normal and they drop the silver refurbs WAY below normal price every few weeks.

The speakers are pretty big though, the 2 big ones standing up are about the same size as a regular set of stereo speakers (but skinnier), and the sub is HUGE, its a 10" woofer and about as tall as my 37" tv so its not something you can tuck away easily.

Works good as a stereo as well because of the ipod connectivity, which is surprisingly good.
Click to expand...

yes, onkyo makes badass speakers. i have http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=SKS-HT540&class=Speaker&p=i at home hooked up to a HK reciever, and it sounds great, (although i think the reciever is a little of a letdown)

i would also recommend looking into yamaha, theyre less powerful and much cheaper but never disappoint. it also may be more worthwhile for you to find a nice yamaha speaker package, then pick your receiver separatley.

dont touch panasonic or sony with a 10 foot pole, they suck... most panasonic subs arent even powered!
 
Thanks for the additional suggestions. I've given Onkyo a close look in the past. I should have mentioned, I also have some serious space limitations. If the receiver is more than about 5" tall or 16" wide, it may not fit where it needs to go.
 
Mine is 6x17 and needs space at the top to breathe since recievers get really hot (theyre pretty much amplifiers after all). Its pretty normal size, my friends Yamaha is even taller.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Thanks for the replies. I'm starting to see HTIBs with integrated Blu-ray disc players for around $600. I would still prefer to buy the player as a separate component, but mainly because I don't want to be stuck with old technology built in. (No DVD changers for me -- I can watch only one DVD at a time.)

I've also done quite a bit of reading in the avsforum, but it's difficult to find serious reviews there.
Click to expand...

Check out the Sony HT-SS2300 or HT-SF2300. They visually match the current Sony Blu-ray Disc players. The SF has floor standing speakers. You can find either of them for well under $400.
 
Galley said:
Check out the Sony HT-SS2300 or HT-SF2300. They visually match the current Sony Blu-ray Disc players. The SF has floor standing speakers. You can find either of them for well under $400.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The low-profile receiver is certainly a plus.
 
onkyo is the only logical choice. typically the best SQ compared to other HiTBs and when you decide to step up to some real speakers chances are your onkyo a/v receiver will be more than capable of driving them.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Does anyone have any experience with this HTIB from Samsung?

http://shopper.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/samsung-ht-bd2e/4014-6740_9-33189492.html#info-5

I'm not a big Samsung fan but this one does include a Blu-ray player for a reasonable price, and the low-profile receiver I need.
Click to expand...

I just bought its bigger brother at Amazon for $487. The HT-BD2ST. The main difference is the ST is 7.1 channel. And cheaper. With free shipping. I got it on Wednesday, and it is spectacular.
 
So why is the 7.1 HT-BD2ST cheaper than the 5.1 HT-BD2E? That's strange, and there must be a reason. If I had to guess, it's in the speaker quality.
 
Try to get

Something from real audio companies known for their better price / quality ratio, such as
- Onkyo
- Harman Kardon

NOT
- logitech or anything made for computers

OTHER NOTES
Anything that integrate too many features are typically lower quality overall.
Bose are over priced.
Samsung is not known to make audio equipment. Sony is not known for high end speakers.
 
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