Best HTIB?

[zodiak]

Im looking to start my HT with a HTIB, now I fully understand and have ambitions for a complete HT in the future, but for now I feel I need to start of this way.

My question is whats considered the best "start up" HTIB or simply the "best" HTIB....my first thought is to be sure the receiver has HDMI in/out so I can get the best connections for my system.

So any and all information on this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for you knowledge

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by zodiak

My question is whats considered the best "start up" HTIB or simply the "best" HTIB....my first thought is to be sure the receiver has HDMI in/out so I can get the best connections for my system.

In my opinion the best HTIB lineup is the Onkyo HT-S series. The HT-S9100THX is the top of the line, but the 7100 and 6100 are also good. They are based on an Onkyo receiver rather than a DVD player, which is a key element to consider when buying an HTIB. This both offers more connection options and the ability to upgrade your system without having to buy a new receiver.

The 6100's receiver is similar to the TX-SR606. I believe the only difference is that you can do Zone 2 with the 606. The 7100 actually uses the 606 as its receiver. The 9100 receiver is different, but all three are good enough to keep for your next upgrade because they have HDMI switching capability. This means you just run an HDMI from your HD cable, Blu-ray player, etc. and then another HDMI out to your TV.

I haven't owned an HTIB so I am speaking from spec sheets and price points only.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by repete66211

This both offers more connection options and the ability to upgrade your system without having to buy a new receiver.

That's an excellent point! +1

John

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by John72953

That's an excellent point! +1

John

The #1 drawback of most HTIBs is the fact they're not much more than a DVD player with an amp squeezed in. They may have maybe one optical and one digital coax connection. They're useless if you want anything more than what they provide. The receiver-based HTIB is a receiver with some speakers thrown in. Far more options for later expansion and far more connections.

[quest88]

Originally Posted by repete66211

In my opinion the best HTIB lineup is the Onkyo HT-S series. The HT-S9100THX is the top of the line, but the 7100 and 6100 are also good. They are based on an Onkyo receiver rather than a DVD player, which is a key element to consider when buying an HTIB. This both offers more connection options and the ability to upgrade your system without having to buy a new receiver.

The 6100's receiver is similar to the TX-SR606. I believe the only difference is that you can do Zone 2 with the 606. The 7100 actually uses the 606 as its receiver. The 9100 receiver is different, but all three are good enough to keep for your next upgrade because they have HDMI switching capability. This means you just run an HDMI from your HD cable, Blu-ray player, etc. and then another HDMI out to your TV.

I haven't owned an HTIB so I am speaking from spec sheets and price points only.

+1 I bought the SP908 about two years ago and I happy with it. The onkyo systems are excellent for entry systems.

[zodiak]

thanks for the info so far, I guess the idea I have is that of useing the HTIB receiver for future upgrade as far as speakers go, some have suggested starting with a 2.0 or 3.1 system which Im no expert but I think that means
2.0( L/R only) and 3.1( L/R + center) that might be best not sure.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by zodiak

thanks for the info so far, I guess the idea I have is that of useing the HTIB receiver for future upgrade as far as speakers go, some have suggested starting with a 2.0 or 3.1 system which Im no expert but I think that means
2.0( L/R only) and 3.1( L/R + center) that might be best not sure.

You could skip the HTIB. Get a good receiver and a pair of floorstanding speakers. Then perhaps a sub, center and rears as you are able to accumulate more resources.

[kailashu]

Originally Posted by zodiak

Im looking to start my HT with a HTIB, now I fully understand and have ambitions for a complete HT in the future, but for now I feel I need to start of this way.

My question is whats considered the best "start up" HTIB or simply the "best" HTIB....my first thought is to be sure the receiver has HDMI in/out so I can get the best connections for my system.

So any and all information on this will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for you knowledge

In my opinion, the best speaker package is either the B&W MT 30 or KEF 3005SE powered by a Denon 1909 receiver

[Bluubyu]

What about Yamaha soundbars, I have the YSP-800 and it's an excellent system with a sub. I don't believe they make the 800 anymore but their other soundbars are excellent as well, not sure about the HDMI connections though.

[wafi]

There's Pio's HTS-LX70!

[callas01]

Here would be the Best HTiB that you can find. Why? because its not actually a HTiB, its a set of speakers better then the better HTiBs and has a real receiver, and a great one at that. If you want something a little less expensive check out this or if you prefer a little less but great KEF speaker here you go just make sure that reciever does process LPCM, or you can check out this package to, Yamaha and Energy

Those would be the HTiBs I would look at, cause they can be upgraded piece by piece, not all at once with most HTiBs.

[Kyo28]

repete66211 makes a very good point. I'm also contemplating getting one of those Onkyo HTiB sets for the same reasons he mentioned.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

repete66211 makes a very good point. I'm also contemplating getting one of those Onkyo HTiB sets for the same reasons he mentioned.

The Onkyo HTIBs are great if you want everything made by the same company. But if I were doing it I'd skip the HTIB and just buy separate speakers. Setting up a system is not very difficult and the cost:benefit is so much better. So please consider buying a receiver you like (Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer) and making a trip to Newegg to pick up some of the Polk Monitors. They've had some deals that allow for a great mid-tier (Monitor 60s, 30s and a CS1) setup. Assuming you have the room and resources, the ~$1,300 you would spend on these larger speakers, a good sub and a good receiver will give you a system ten times better than a high-end HTIB costing $1,000-$1,200.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by repete66211

You could skip the HTIB. Get a good receiver and a pair of floorstanding speakers. Then perhaps a sub, center and rears as you are able to accumulate more resources.

+1

Skip the HTIB. I had one for a few years and even though it served me well I wish I would have done the above. Sure it requires more patience to get everything the way repete suggests, but your end result will be FAR superior to any HTIB you're thinking about. Also IMO a good receiver and a pair of floorstanders sound better than most any HTIB with small satellites.

[Propellarhead9]

I was looking around on newegg and saw the M20s that are relatively cheap and I was curious if they are even worth buying. I was comparing them to the 50s and I didn't really see that much of a difference between aside from the like $50 price difference

[MookDaddy333]

Originally Posted by repete66211

In my opinion the best HTIB lineup is the Onkyo HT-S series. The HT-S9100THX is the top of the line, but the 7100 and 6100 are also good. They are based on an Onkyo receiver rather than a DVD player, which is a key element to consider when buying an HTIB. This both offers more connection options and the ability to upgrade your system without having to buy a new receiver.

The 6100's receiver is similar to the TX-SR606. I believe the only difference is that you can do Zone 2 with the 606. The 7100 actually uses the 606 as its receiver. The 9100 receiver is different, but all three are good enough to keep for your next upgrade because they have HDMI switching capability. This means you just run an HDMI from your HD cable, Blu-ray player, etc. and then another HDMI out to your TV.

I haven't owned an HTIB so I am speaking from spec sheets and price points only.

I have the 6100 and am really happy with it, and it does the zone 2 also. The only differences between the 6100 and 7100 are that 2 of the rear speakers come with stands and it's Sirius radio ready. Definitely an awesome HTiB though.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by MookDaddy333

I have the 6100 and am really happy with it, and it does the zone 2 also. The only differences between the 6100 and 7100 are that 2 of the rear speakers come with stands and it's Sirius radio ready. Definitely an awesome HTiB though.

The 7100 uses the TX-SR606. The 6100 uses the HT-R667.

[repete66211]

Originally Posted by Propellarhead9

I was looking around on newegg and saw the M20s that are relatively cheap and I was curious if they are even worth buying. I was comparing them to the 50s and I didn't really see that much of a difference between aside from the like $50 price difference

Monitor 50:
Mid/Woofer: 2 - 5-1/4" Diameter
Tweeter: 1 - 1" Diameter

M20:
Mid/Woofer: 1 - 6.5" Diameter
Tweeter: 1 - 0.75" Diameter

So two smaller woofers and one larger tweeter vs. one larger woofer and one smaller tweeter. Is the difference worth $50? I think so. But then I think the Monitor 60 is the best deal at $140/$150, especially if one of them is open box ($66.99).

[i-Dak]

I have a Philips 5.1 1000 watt DVD HTiB and it works just fine. I've had people who built their systems with Pioneer, and Onkyo receivers say mine puts out as good sound as theirs, and are shocked about it.