7.1 Speaker Systems In a box

[Tyrant2049]

Yo Blu-Ray Folks,

So I just upgraded my receiver to a Onkyo 606, and thus far i am totally satisified. When I first invested in a a surround sound systems, about 6 years ago, I got a home theather in a box i.e Yamaha receiver, speakers and Subwoofer.

Well I now looking into a 7.1 speaker set up. Searching through Amazon I have found two 7.1 speaker systems in a box.

Onkyo-SKSHT750
Denon SYS-76HT
Onkyo HT-S5100

These prices seem really reasonable and affordable, and "Seem" a better value then buying each speaker seperatly, but my question is this a good way of going, or suffer it and buy them seperatly.

[VinnAY]

Originally Posted by Tyrant2049

Yo Blu-Ray Folks,

So I just upgraded my receiver to a Onkyo 606, and thus far i am totally satisified. When I first invested in a a surround sound systems, about 6 years ago, I got a home theather in a box i.e Yamaha receiver, speakers and Subwoofer.

Well I now looking into a 7.1 speaker set up. Searching through Amazon I have found two 7.1 speaker systems in a box.

Onkyo-SKSHT750
Denon SYS-76HT
Onkyo HT-S5100

These prices seem really reasonable and affordable, and "Seem" a better value then buying each speaker seperatly, but my question is this a good way of going, or suffer it and buy them seperatly.

Might just depend on what you want...a great sounding surround speakers, or are you a "purist"...an "audiophile". In the first case, you can't go wrong with a matched system. In the latter, it's at the very least a fantastic place to start. Might also depend on if you're in an apartment or own your own home, too.

[Tyrant2049]

I wouldn't say I am a purist or an audiophile. I am just now experience HD sound and from I hear, I want to experience 7.1 now. I am currently in an Apt but I will be buy a house next year.

[lobo81865]

I've got the Onkyo SKS-HT540 speaker package for my living room, and it's a great system for the money. They aren't my primary speakers (Infinity's for that), but they are very good for a small to medium sized room.

Of course you'll need to already have a receiver.


http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-SKS-HT54...=1J040NTCLRL33

[bacot11]

Take a look at the Sony SS speaker series. Go to sony's website to get the specs, and you will see that they are going to surpass any pre-grouped 7.1 speaker system in a box. The great thing is all the speakers are all sold in pairs except for the center speaker. Added bonus: every speaker can be found on ebay or amazon for $25 to $50 dollars below retail depending when/ where you buy. As far as the sub goes, never buy a sub packaged with speakers. It will only dissapoint you. Unfortunately, you are going to have to research for a good sub seperately from the speakers.

IMO, the best system for the money: (just speakers no sub or reciever)

Sony SSF-5000 or SSF-6000 Front left and right speakers. $130 - 190 (pair)
Sony SSCN-5000 Center speaker $75 - 90
Sony SSB-1000 Surround speakers $40 - 50 (pair) buy two pairs for 7.1

They all share the same tweeters and mid drivers ao timbre matching is not an issue, and for most people their sound is awesome.

[aramis109]

I have to ask, why are you going to a 7.1 setup with the Onkyo 606? Meaning, you can't matrix out lossless audio from 5.1 to 7.1 in most situations, plus you're wanting to go from one HTiB solution to another. Also, there aren't that many 6.1/7.1 movies available currently.

I might recommend to take that money and invest it on upgrading your speakers in a 5.1 setup. OR, taking that money and buying new front and center speakers and using your existing setup as the surrounds to get a 7.1 setup. It just doesn't make sense to me personally to trade one HTiB for another- it's an incremental upgrade.

[NovaBomb]

Originally Posted by aramis109

I have to ask, why are you going to a 7.1 setup with the Onkyo 606? Meaning, you can't matrix out lossless audio from 5.1 to 7.1 in most situations, plus you're wanting to go from one HTiB solution to another. Also, there aren't that many 6.1/7.1 movies available currently.

I might recommend to take that money and invest it on upgrading your speakers in a 5.1 setup. OR, taking that money and buying new front and center speakers and using your existing setup as the surrounds to get a 7.1 setup. It just doesn't make sense to me personally to trade one HTiB for another- it's an incremental upgrade.

True, there isn't very many movies that have 7.1, but the number is growing. I've recently moved up to 7.1, and I love the set-up, and oh yeah, if your a gamer and have a PS3, almost all games are 7.1, there are just a few that are 5.1.

I had a few issues on my reciever accepting LPCM 7.1, had to upgrade the firmware on my DenonAVR, after that I had LPCM 7.1

[Tyrant2049]

While my disc collection isn't huge by all means but out of the 27 titles I have about 1/3 of them are 7.1. I have been such a huge fan of 5.1, why not upgrade to 7.1.

As for the HTiB, I am looking at Speakers-in-a-box. With the speaker select you presented, I am looking at high end of $380 and that doesn't include a Sub. The reason I am looking at these is a lower cost then buying them seperatly.

Plus as Nova points out too, is I am a gamer. So the best sound is what I am looking at.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Tyrant2049

While my disc collection isn't huge by all means but out of the 27 titles I have about 1/3 of them are 7.1. I have been such a huge fan of 5.1, why not upgrade to 7.1.

As for the HTiB, I am looking at Speakers-in-a-box. With the speaker select you presented, I am looking at high end of $380 and that doesn't include a Sub. The reason I am looking at these is a lower cost then buying them seperatly.

Plus as Nova points out too, is I am a gamer. So the best sound is what I am looking at.

Well, that's why I'm suggesting something that's more than an incremental upgrade... like the second option I presented. Use your current speakers for the 7.1 surrounds and buy some better-quality front and center speakers.

I've got around 103 BD movies, and only 3 or 4 of mine have anything greater than 5.1 that I can think of off of the top of my head. Also, only first party games definitely have 7.1 sound- otherwise they typically have 5.1 surround.

Regardless of 5.1 or 7.1 though... I just think it would be money better spent to pick up some decent towers and a center to improve your front soundstage. In the end it's your money, but I'm just trying to make a suggestion.

[bacot11]

Every Disney release has 7.1 audio. As well as Lionsgate, and the number is always increasing. 7.1 will eventually be the standard. I will agree in saying that upgrading to 7.1 is not mandatory. However, I dare anyone to listen to a home theater with 7.1 after one with 5.1 and not want to upgrade. The added depth achieved in a 7.1 soundfield really makes a difference. For a good example, listen to the nightmare before christmas on blu-ray. I know its not action soundtrack awesomeness, but it works for the demonstration. Listen to the 5.1 standard dolby track, and then listen to the dolby true hd 7.1 track. Changing from track to track in the pop up menu for quick reference. This also a great disk to compare and contrast lossy and lossless tracks. The difference is more convincing than other disk.

[aramis109]

Not a true comparison of 5.1 to 7.1 if the 5.1 is lossy.

I guess for me it really depends on room dimensions and equipment. Personally I wouldn't do it without having a receiver that could always matrix out 5.1 to 7.1 (if I have the speakers, I want to use them!). I also see a lot of folks cramming speakers into too small a space where there just isn't room and the speakers are stepping all over each other. There's no improvement to be had there. For me, in my current setup, I have absolutely no room for 7.1 (and 5.1 is almost pushing it).

[CJS234]

Personally, I have the Onkyo-SKSHT750 speakers. I got them along with the 606 Receiver for about $450. The speakers sounds great after you change the settings on the receiver a bit. Get yourself some good speaker wire like 12AWG or 10AWG and youll be solid.

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by CJS234

Personally, I have the Onkyo-SKSHT750 speakers. I got them along with the 606 Receiver for about $450. The speakers sounds great after you change the settings on the receiver a bit. Get yourself some good speaker wire like 12AWG or 10AWG and youll be solid.

+1 Ya these are the ones I have as well if these are the ones that come in the HT-S7100 (check out my gallery). I bought receiver plus speakers for same price as a new receiver and im pretty happy with the sound, even with the thin wires that are included. Just ordered some thicker gauge wire so cant wait to swap that out.