Onkyo or Harmon????

[onebadazn]

Ok, I'm haiving a hard time deciding which to get. I was at Fry's over the weekend and had my eyes on the Onkyo HT-S7100 Home Theater,which includes a SR606. It looks pretty nice and within my budget.

Then I saw the Harmon Kardon AVR-254 receiver...but I read reviews that there has been problems when using it with a PS3 and had to wait for an updated firmware to solve the problems from Karmon Kardon.

Therefore, should I go ahead and get the Onkyo 7100 or should I just get the HK254 alone first and buy all speakers seperately? I don't want to spend more than $700. And since the HTS7100 already has it all, it sounds pretty good to me where I'm basically paying $300 for all speakers. Unless someone has a better suggestion of speakers for the Harmon receiver. Thanks!

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by onebadazn

Ok, I'm haiving a hard time deciding which to get. I was at Fry's over the weekend and had my eyes on the Onkyo HT-S7100 Home Theater,which includes a SR606. It looks pretty nice and within my budget.

Then I saw the Harmon Kardon AVR-254 receiver...but I read reviews that there has been problems when using it with a PS3 and had to wait for an updated firmware to solve the problems from Karmon Kardon.

Therefore, should I go ahead and get the Onkyo 7100 or should I just get the HK254 alone first and buy all speakers seperately? I don't want to spend more than $700. And since the HTS7100 already has it all, it sounds pretty good to me where I'm basically paying $300 for all speakers. Unless someone has a better suggestion of speakers for the Harmon receiver. Thanks!

Might just depend on how serious you think you're going to ever be about home theater, casual user, or enthusiast. In which case HTIB with the avr and speakers is fine, but if you think you might go enthusiast, go separates (Which would destroy your budget).

[Bad8511]

I have an older Harmon 247 and I love it, especially after the firmware upgrade.

[DBlackGT]

Ok, heres what I would do, the onkyo 606 is a great receiver. It has 90 watts per channel, 4 HDMI inputs, decodes all the HD soundtracks. And then these Polk Audio speakers are way better than the ones included with an Onkyo HTIB.

Check these out and tell me what you think:

Onkyo 606: $349.02

Polk Audio RM6750: $228.88

But if you want to spend just $700 alone on a receiver and build from scratch its a totally different ball game, you will get much better components. so let me know what you think.

[onebadazn]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

Ok, heres what I would do, the onkyo 606 is a great receiver. It has 90 watts per channel, 4 HDMI inputs, decodes all the HD soundtracks. And then these Polk Audio speakers are way better than the ones included with an Onkyo HTIB.

Check these out and tell me what you think:

Onkyo 606: $349.02

Polk Audio RM6750: $228.88

But if you want to spend just $700 alone on a receiver and build from scratch its a totally different ball game, you will get much better components. so let me know what you think.

Thanks for your opinion. Someone else mentioned this to me before as well on another thread. The only reason I'm hesitating on the Polk RM6750 is because they look kinda cheap. I mean, kinda like desktop speakers or something Which is why I was leaning towards more on the HT-S7100 which is a 7.1 while the RM6750 is a 5.1 Also, the HT-S7100 come with stands to be placed as rear speakers. I asked someone at Fry's and they said that they don't suggest those speakers...

[obiwopkenobi62]

Originally Posted by onebadazn

Thanks for your opinion. Someone else mentioned this to me before as well on another thread. The only reason I'm hesitating on the Polk RM6750 is because they look kinda cheap. I mean, kinda like desktop speakers or something Which is why I was leaning towards more on the HT-S7100 which is a 7.1 while the RM6750 is a 5.1 Also, the HT-S7100 come with stands to be placed as rear speakers. I asked someone at Fry's and they said that they don't suggest those speakers...

I have those Polks and they are fantastic. They may be small, but they are solid, nothing like computer speakers, and they pack a wollup hooked up to my Onkyo 605. I also bought 2 extra Polk sats so I could go 7.1. I won't be upgrading for a very long time. By the way I bought the Polk 5.1 set from Frys.com for 199.00

[aramis109]

Onkyo HTiB speaker specs:

Speaker Type -
Front/Center 2-way acoustic suspension
Surround 2-way acoustic suspension
Surround Back 2-way acoustic suspension
Subwoofer Bass reflex powered
Drivers -
Front 3 1/8" (8 cm) cone woofer x 2
1" (2.5 cm) balanced-dome tweeter
Center 3 1/8" (8 cm) cone woofer x 2
1" (2.5 cm) balanced-dome tweeter
Surround 3 1/8" (8 cm) cone woofer
1" (2.5 cm) balanced-dome tweeter
Surround Back 3 1/8" (8 cm) cone woofer
1" (2.5 cm) balanced-dome tweeter
Subwoofer 10" (25 cm) cone
Frequency Response -
Front/Center 60 Hz–50 kHz
Surround 60 Hz–50 kHz
Surround Back 60 Hz–50 kHz
Subwoofer 25 Hz–150 Hz
Output Sound Pressure Level -
Front 79 dB/W/m
Center 79 dB/W/m
Surround 76 dB/W/m
Surround Back 76 dB/W/m
Subwoofer -
Max. Input Power -
Front/Center/Surround 110 W
Surround Back 110 W
Subwoofer -
Max. Output Power -
Subwoofer 290 W
Nominal Impedance -
Front/Center/Surround 8 ohms
Surround Back 8 ohms
Subwoofer -
Input Sensitivity/Impedance -
Subwoofer 140 mV/20 k-ohms

Polk RM6750 specs:

Driver Complement
Fronts
Midrange 1 - 3-1/2" Diameter (8.89cm)
Polymer composite cone
Tweeter 1 - 1/2" Diameter (1.27cm)
Silk/Polymer composite dome
Surrounds
Midrange 1 - 3-1/2" Diameter (8.89cm)
Polymer composite cone
Tweeter 1 - 1/2" Diameter (1.27cm)
Silk/Polymer composite dome
Center
Midrange 2 - 3-1/2" Diameter (8.89cm)
Polymer composite cone
Tweeter 1 - 3/4" Diameter (1.91cm)
Silk/Polymer composite dome
Subwoofer
Subwoofer 1 - 8" Diameter (20.32cm)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Electrical
Overall Frequency
Response 40Hz - 24kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 45Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 20kHz
Nominal Impedance 8 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power 20 - 100 w/channel
Power Handling (continuous) 50 w
Power Handling (peak) 100 w
Efficiency 89 dB

Inputs Spring clip speaker wire inputs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dimensions
Fronts
Cabinet Size 6-1/2" H x 4-1/16" W x 5" D
(16.51cm H x 10.32cm W x 12.70cm D)
Weight 2.00 lbs. (0.91kgs)
Mounting Options Built-in keyhole slot and threaded insert to accept articulating brackets such as Omni Mount
Enclosure Type Vented via rear-mounted Power Port
Surrounds
Cabinet Size 6-1/2" H x 4-1/16" W x 5" D
(16.51cm H x 10.32cm W x 12.70cm D)
Weight 2.00 lbs. (0.91kgs)
Mounting Options Built-in keyhole slot and threaded insert to accept articulating brackets such as Omni Mount
Enclosure Type Vented via rear-mounted Power Port
Center
Cabinet Size 4-5/16" H x 11-3/16" W x 5-13/16" D
(10.95cm H x 28.42cm W x 14.76cm D)
Weight 5.25 lbs. (2.38kgs)
Mounting Options Built-in keyhole slot and threaded insert to accept articulating brackets such as Omni Mount
Enclosure Type Vented via rear-mounted Power Port
Subwoofer
Cabinet Size 15-7/8" H x 11" W x 13-1/2" D
(40.32cm H x 27.94cm W x 34.29cm D)
Weight 28.00 lbs. (12.70kgs)
Enclosure Type Slot-load port

The drivers in the Polk are bigger and have a lower frequency response rating....

One thing you gain is a 10" sub and 7.1 vs. an 8" and 5.1. Honestly, I'm not sure it's that great a purchase. It's probably the best HTiB available though.

[onebadazn]

Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll see if anyone else have any other suggestions/recommendations. If not, then I'll just go for the Onkyo 606 and the Polk RM6750.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by onebadazn

Thanks for the suggestions guys I'll see if anyone else have any other suggestions/recommendations. If not, then I'll just go for the Onkyo 606 and the Polk RM6750.

Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of other suggestions if your budget is a little larger or you're willing to just buy the fronts/center and add from there...

[DBlackGT]

Heres just some other suggestions:

Polk Audio RM705

Klipsch Synergy Quintet II

Klipsch Synergy Quintet III

But with your price range you are kind of limited. So you need to decide on having entry level receiver and entry level speakers or do you want a so to say medium level receiver and start piecing your theater together progressively?

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

Polk Rm6750 great size and actually good sound surprisingly. But today Ibought the polk cs1 center channel for $50 other then center i think they are great!

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

oh and I would def go with the Onkyo 606

[hardcorefrokid]

Originally Posted by onebadazn

Ok, I'm haiving a hard time deciding which to get. I was at Fry's over the weekend and had my eyes on the Onkyo HT-S7100 Home Theater,which includes a SR606. It looks pretty nice and within my budget.

Then I saw the Harmon Kardon AVR-254 receiver...but I read reviews that there has been problems when using it with a PS3 and had to wait for an updated firmware to solve the problems from Karmon Kardon.

Therefore, should I go ahead and get the Onkyo 7100 or should I just get the HK254 alone first and buy all speakers seperately? I don't want to spend more than $700. And since the HTS7100 already has it all, it sounds pretty good to me where I'm basically paying $300 for all speakers. Unless someone has a better suggestion of speakers for the Harmon receiver. Thanks!

I bought the AVR-254 yesterday from Fry's. Watched The Day After Tomorrow, it sounded amazing. I still need to buy two extra speakers to complete the 7.1 experience. I highly recommend AVR-254. But, I don't know much on the PS3 problem.

[lojack1976]

Well if you go the Onkyo route I would say go with the 6100 instead of the 7100 since its much cheaper and basically the same setup. The 7100 has a few extras, but the price isn't worth it. You can get the 6100 HERE for $579.99 with free shipping. Buying the 606 receiver and Polk speakers seperate isn't a bad idea, but I don't think the sound difference would be significant. Onkyo speakers are not bad, especially for the price. Are they great? No. The Polks I'm sure are good, but nearly everyone that buys them upgrades eventually, because they too are not great. They are just a great value for the money. I've had Onkyo speakers in the past and for the price they are a good value. The sub in particular is pretty solid with the Onkyo speaker package. Either way you go you will probably want to upgrade the speakers in the future...well if you become an enthusiast.

[onebadazn]

Ahhhhhh!!!!!! Decisions! Decisions! Can't make up my mind!!

Maybe I'll just flip a coin...

[onebadazn]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of other suggestions if your budget is a little larger or you're willing to just buy the fronts/center and add from there...

My wife and I just bought a house...my budget can't be a little larger

Donations are welcome

[onebadazn]

Originally Posted by DBlackGT

Heres just some other suggestions:

Polk Audio RM705

Klipsch Synergy Quintet II

Klipsch Synergy Quintet III

But with your price range you are kind of limited. So you need to decide on having entry level receiver and entry level speakers or do you want a so to say medium level receiver and start piecing your theater together progressively?

I have no patience When I want something, I have to have to full package. Don't like waiting to build...

[SeanMF]

I went from the Onkyo 605 to HK254 and couldn't be happier. No issues with it using the ps3. Works great and looks a lot better than the Onkyo.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by onebadazn

I have no patience When I want something, I have to have to full package. Don't like waiting to build...

I can be the same way. However, as you can see in my sig, I'm now paying for that decision as I upgrade...

[onebadazn]

Anyone know if I could place the Polk RM6750 front and rear speakers on stands instead of mounting them on the wall? I think I've decided to go with the Harmon Kardon receiver and the Polk RM6750. Any I'll probably get 2 more powerful front speakers later in the future to make it a 7.1 setup. What do you guys think?