Please Help! HTiB or Buy Separately?!

[BlackDevil]

Hey guys, first time poster. I’m sorry if this is in the wrong section but I had a lot of general audio questions. I’m kinda new to high quality sound. I have a Samsung Series 7 LN-46A750 46” 1080p LCD and a PS3 (Fat) and I’m dying to experience HD audio.

Right now I’m using these old computer speakers by Creative (Inspire Digital 5500) and they’re terrible, half the time I turn them off and just use the TV’s speakers. I can barely even watch most of my blu-rays because the sound levels are so off. (Ex: The Dark Knight, you can barely here the voices, but the music shakes the room.) So I need to buy a new receiver.

Right now I’ve been looking at a HTiB set because I don’t have a lot of money and I’m sick of not having sound so I’m considering buying either the Onkyo HT-S6100 or the HT-S7100 (The speaker stand would be nice but I’m not sure it’s worth the extra $150). I’ve heard very good thinks about both systems and the fit my price range (Under $600)

The only thing is I’m not sure I need 7 speakers. So do you think it might be better to just buy the receiver that comes with it and then purchase the sub, left and right speakers and the center one separately ( I have 2 rear speakers built into my living room wall. I just really wanted your guys opinions. I live in a small apartment (College student) and my living room is only 15’x20’.

[kpkelley]

Normally I would say seperates, but given your budget and the HTIBs you are looking at(Onkyo, really a receiver and speaker system not a HTIB), then I would say that either of those would work very well for your situation.

You can get higher fidelity sound from purchasing components seperately, but you will have to search for deals in order to fit them into your budget. Besides, that receiver can stay if you decide to upgrade the speakers later.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Save up and buy separates...the onkyo package will work but you probably will be left wanting down the road.

Yamaha 665 = $500
PSB Alpha B1 = $217
PSB Alpha C1 = $174
HSU Ventriliquist x2 = $80
Acoustic Audio HD Sub 10 = $168

Total = $1139

[Drew664]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

...my price range (Under $600)

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

Total = $1139

I'd get the Onkyo package. Save some money, and research the hell out of higher fidelity speakers/components. When you are out of college and have some extra coin to spare, you will be able to make a much better decision on what you need and like.

[D1-2005]

Why not get a reciever that excepts pcm? I think a few can be had for $300 to 350.00 and get the polk 5.1 system for $200. Thats $500 to $550 right in your budget and it leaves room to upgrade later.

[BlackDevil]

Yeah I dunno I think I'll just go for the Onkyo, I'm sure it will be more than enough for my small apartment, and when I graduate and move out then I'll really go crazy when I get a job.

However I have a question about connecting the receiver. Do you just plug in the HDMI from the PS3 into the receiver and use it for Video and Audio because I've heard that you lose video quality by having the video go through the receiver and I definitely don't want that, also my TV has more than enough HDMI ports, is there a way to separately connect the audio to the receiver?

[langn08]

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...035/energy-rc-

Energy
RC MINI CC
Mini cherry Reference-series center-channel speaker


Energy
RC MINI
2-way cherry RC-series satellite bookshelf speaker


Energy
RC MINI
2-way cherry RC-series satellite bookshelf speaker


When purchased separately: $724.94
Package savings: $345.06

Package Price: $379.88


Then you can add a receiver that will give you lossless(depending on video source)

Yamaha 465 - $329.00 w/free ipod dock

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882115194

Puts you around $709

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

However I have a question about connecting the receiver. Do you just plug in the HDMI from the PS3 into the receiver and use it for Video and Audio because I've heard that you lose video quality by having the video go through the receiver and I definitely don't want that, also my TV has more than enough HDMI ports, is there a way to separately connect the audio to the receiver?

You can connect the audio to the receiver seperately, by optical or analog cables, but you would not be able to utilize the HD audio tracks on any blu-ray discs if you did.

The video will not suffer from being routed through a receiver when connected by an hdmi cable.

[BlackDevil]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

The video will not suffer from being routed through a receiver when connected by an hdmi cable.

Oh great, wonder what fool gave me that idea.

and Langn08 those are some awesome speakers, but I would also need to get a sub so that would be another $300 and now were into the $1000+ price range!!

[langn08]

yea, I just would hate to see you be disapointed that you did not go with seperates. I started with a HTIB and regret spending $500 on it. Even if you have to live w/o a sub for the time being I think it would be better to go seperates. In the end it is up to you, your fate is in your hands....

[BlackDevil]

You really think I would notice that big of a difference? I'm really not that big of an audiophile yet, but are the speakers that come with the Onkyo set really that bad?

[Drew664]

For reference, I started off with an Onkyo HTiB. I still have most of it. I've only upgraded wire, towers, and soon to be center. It does have it's limitations as it doesn't have pre outs and can't decode HD audio (no HDMI). I spent $750ish for the package, and I'm glad I did. The sound is/was great even though I"m planning on replacing every piece.

Think of it this way. You will most likely upgrade everything at some point even if you upped your budget to the 1k range. And I would advise fitting a sub into your budget, as they are a huge part of the HT experience.

Again, wait until you are out of college and save up for a stronger budget.

[langn08]

[QUOTE=BlackDevil;2301326]You really think I would notice that big of a difference? I'm really not that big of an audiophile yet,but are the speakers that come with the Onkyo set really that bad?[QUOTE]

1. Yes, I think for a budget around there you can get quality speakers that will be noticeably better hands down.

2. I would not say they are terrible but for the money I think you are really just paying for the receiver.

This speaker package would blow away the Onkyo HTIB speakers hands down. $179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882269004

[BlackDevil]

[QUOTE=langn08;2301428]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

This speaker package would blow away the Onkyo HTIB speakers hands down. $179.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882269004

Really?! Well if that's the case maybe I should just get that and pick up a nice receiver. Which one would you recommend that does everything I need. (HD Audio, HDMI, PS3 friendly...)

[langn08]

apparently through sixth ave name your price you can get a Onkyo TX-SR607 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver - Black for $360.00

[louisdamani]

Parts-express has 5.1 speaker packages by Dayton. The one with the powered 12" sub is on sale for $218 shipping included. Then you need a receiver. I have not heard it but, it has good reviews on the site.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-696

[Ataneruo]

I guess I don't understand the people on this site. I play multiple instruments and have listened carefully to music and audio all my life. A quality audio experience is important to me, and people who know me say that I'm very picky when it comes to these things. And yet, despite all the warnings about HTiBs on this site I recently purchased the Yamaha YHT-591BL 5.1 HTiB and I LOVE it. Excellent sound, excellent full solid bass, versatile receiver, all for just $479 on Newegg. The sound fills my living room without the slightest strain on the system, and if I ever feel the urge to go 7.1 the receiver supports it so all I have to do is add two more speakers for the rear channels. Sound quality is simply not an issue, and while I plan to upgrade my HDTV indefinitely, I don't see myself ever needing a significant HT upgrade as long as my system lasts. BlackDevil, get a good HTiB, it is the best value for your money, you do NOT need an $800+ system to fully enjoy your surround sound experience (especially if you are essentially upgrading from built-in TV speakers), and I can first-hand attest to the fact that the Yamaha 591 is an excellent choice.

[langn08]

Originally Posted by Ataneruo

I guess I don't understand the people on this site. I play multiple instruments and have listened carefully to music and audio all my life. A quality audio experience is important to me, and people who know me say that I'm very picky when it comes to these things. And yet, despite all the warnings about HTiBs on this site I recently purchased the Yamaha YHT-591BL 5.1 HTiB and I LOVE it. Excellent sound, excellent full solid bass, versatile receiver, all for just $479 on Newegg. The sound fills my living room without the slightest strain on the system, and if I ever feel the urge to go 7.1 the receiver supports it so all I have to do is add two more speakers for the rear channels. Sound quality is simply not an issue, and while I plan to upgrade my HDTV indefinitely, I don't see myself ever needing a significant HT upgrade as long as my system lasts. BlackDevil, get a good HTiB, it is the best value for your money, you do NOT need an $800+ system to fully enjoy your surround sound experience (especially if you are essentially upgrading from built-in TV speakers), and I can first-hand attest to the fact that the Yamaha 591 is an excellent choice.

1. False, a HTIB is not the best value for your money

2. I am not saying you need to spend $800+ to enjoy audio, I giving him suggestions to get the best bang for his buck

[BlackDevil]

Langn08 I'm liking that Energy set and the Receiver. Getting both would be a nice $538, which is $100 cheaper than the Onkyo HTiB.

Now their "Name your price" promotion that's the lowest they'll go on it I guess right. (It also ends tomorrow so I really have to decide )

Also that receiver supports HD Audio (Lossless, LPCM, etc) and HDMI input right?

[langn08]

Originally Posted by BlackDevil

Langn08 I'm liking that Energy set and the Receiver. Getting both would be a nice $538, which is $100 cheaper than the Onkyo HTiB.

Now their "Name your price" promotion that's the lowest they'll go on it I guess right. (It also ends tomorrow so I really have to decide )

Also that receiver supports HD Audio (Lossless, LPCM, etc) and HDMI input right?

I would go ahead and shoot them a lower price and see what happens. I'm actuall in my corp finance class but ill look up the specs tonight. Otherwise if a seasoned audio guru will hopefully chime in like big daddy he should be able to verify that's a good receiver