Please help me build my HT

[painted_klown]

Hello all.

I have a modest system now that consists of an old Kenwood Dolby digital HTIB system, studio moniters, ps3 "fat", and a cheap t.v.

The receiver is a Kenwood VR-406.

For speakers I am using the speakers that were the originally mains in the box as the surround speakers, the center channel that came with it, the 10" powered sub that came with it, and Alesis monitor one mkII's for my mains (studio monitors).

My television is a Vizio VP244 42" plasma with a 720p native resolution.

I know what you are thinking but I have a total of $675.00 invested in this entire setup. And that is just for the Vizio and ps3. My GF's brother upgraded his HT when he got married and gave me the HTIB. The ps3 I bought for $275.00 from a friend and he had 4 games with it. I also once (several years ago) hooked up a friend by buying him a mixing board and so when he upgraded his studio monitors he gave me the Alesis set, and the Vizio I just bought from a friend to help him out as he needed the money.

Anyway, I have decided that it is time to start working on the audio portion of my setup as it is seriously out dated and I need my Alesis monitors in my home studio so I don't have to keep moving them back and forth, dependant on what I am doing at the moment...

I have been heavily considering getting the Onkyo HT-S9100THX HTIB as it is reasonably priced for a system that decodes HD audio, is a 7.1 system, is THX certified, and it IS an Onkyo...seems almost like a no brainer and a winner to me.

What do you guys think? Should I get that or just go peice by peice starting with the receiver?

Obviously buying seperate components would be better but I have a feeling it would be twice as expensive to build such a system in that price range...perhaps I am mistaken. That is why I decided to ask the experts!!!

Thanks. -Dave

[HiDefRev]

Personally, I like the 9100. It will do everything you need, has plenty of power, and the speakers are decent. One thing about Onkyo HTiBs - you can upgrade the speakers as necessary. That's something you can't always do with HTiBs. The only recommendation I have is to change the speaker wire ASAP to something 16 gauge or larger. Otherwise, I think you'll be very happy with it.

[mrf]

I did the same thing you are considering.

Bought the Onkyo HT-S7100 then upgraded the fronts, as you already know you won't get the best sound right away, but it's definitely a good option.

[Kryptonic]

Purchase a good entry level receiver from Denon, Yahama, or Pioneer that does HD decoding and pick up a good set of front speakers. Then add surrounds and a new sub later on.

[callas01]

I think getting it piece by piece would be the better way to go.

I would suggest looking into a refurbished Marantz 5003 or 4003. You could get them for less money and still have a great receiver. With the PS3 you don't need a receiver that decodes HD audio, just one that can output LPCM, the 4002 or 4003 could do that and be had for $299-349 with a 1 year warranty. Besides all the newer blu-ray players decode the audio internally too, so even if you get rid of the PS3 fat for a standalone, its still wouldn't matter anyways.

Then look into the Energy C-300s and a C-C50, $330, and then add C-50 surrounds for $85 more @ audioadvisor.com. Finally add a Premier Acoustics PA-120 for $229 or an Acoustic Audio HD-Sub10 for $170 @ thedeepdiscount.com. $585 to $644 and you have a system that could last you 5 years or more. Maybe you upgrade the receiver or Sub at some point but the speakers would last 8-10 years easily.

[painted_klown]

I am quite curious as to what receiver and speaker/sub models would be comparible to the Onkyo ones that comes with this HTIB. I think that would give me a better idea of how to shop around for things.

Certainly I can match them up against other components with similar specs and features but spec numbers and features do not always translate to quality. This is when I wished I had a subscription to several home theater magazines or had a friend who did. I like to read reviews for products and that is how I got pointed in the direction of the Onkyo THX HTIB.

Would just about any Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, ect... mid level ($500.00 or less, as that is what I figure the Onkyo is probably equivelant to) be just as good as the next?

Also, I was thinking if I go the "seperate peices" route that Athena speakers (audition series) would be an excellent choice. Perhaps even the Energy speakers suggested here (I have read great things about the "take classic" series), the Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD, JBL (that's what "real" theaters and concert arenas seem to be using)or just some decent Polk audio or Klipsh speakers...those are easy to find (best buy about 1 and a half hours away) and I would save on shipping.
So many different choices...its driving me crazy!!!m

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts/opinions so far all.

EDIT: I am also a serious music lover so I would like something that would work well for music listening as well. I am more into getting accurate sounds than into getting hyped highs and lows. If I were to buy seperate speakers (as opposed to a HTIB) I would like to keep the price as low as possible because I will eventually defeat the purpose of trying to build a similar system for a similar price...I hope that makes sense...

[callas01]

Originally Posted by painted_klown

I am quite curious as to what receiver and speaker/sub models would be comparible to the Onkyo ones that comes with this HTIB. I think that would give me a better idea of how to shop around for things.

Certainly I can match them up against other components with similar specs and features but spec numbers and features do not always translate to quality. This is when I wished I had a subscription to several home theater magazines or had a friend who did. I like to read reviews for products and that is how I got pointed in the direction of the Onkyo THX HTIB.

Would just about any Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, ect... mid level ($500.00 or less, as that is what I figure the Onkyo is probably equivelant to) be just as good as the next?

Also, I was thinking if I go the "seperate peices" route that Athena speakers (audition series) would be an excellent choice. Perhaps even the Energy speakers suggested here (I have read great things about the "take classic" series), the Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD, JBL (that's what "real" theaters and concert arenas seem to be using)or just some decent Polk audio or Klipsh speakers...those are easy to find (best buy about 1 and a half hours away) and I would save on shipping.
So many different choices...its driving me crazy!!!m

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts/opinions so far all.

EDIT: I am also a serious music lover so I would like something that would well for music listening as well. I am more into getting accurate sounds than into getting hyped highs and lows. If I were to buy seperate speakers (as opposed to a HTIB) I would like to keep the price as low as possible because I will eventually defeat the purpose of trying to build a similar system for a similar price...I hope that makes sense...

RED: Yes just about all the $500 and less receivers are the same. I would say unless you get the Marantz 4003. It has pre-outs and very true power ratings. Sound wise they are all going to be different. Features, Power, HDMI inputs/outputs, HD Decoding, etc. are all pretty common. Pioneers power ratings fell quite a bit this year so I may stay away from them at the moment. Otherwise... find what you like and get it. But I think the 4003 is probably the best.

BOLD: OK, so you really enjoy music. Then I really suggest that you look at the Energy speakers. They are excellent musical speakers. I would suggest that you get the C-300s towers and C-C50 center. I would NOT get the Take setup, only because when it comes to music, yes they are not bad, but in 2-channel listening, the C-300 towers will really bring alive your music. Highs are accurate and the Aluminum dome tweeter is a common factor for accurate and detailed highs found in many different high-end speaker models. The Mid-range is full, and detailed, Allowing for accurate reproduction of acoustic guitar, Piano, and female voices. When I listen to alternative music they can get loud and stay accurate with the fast rifts of Foo Fighters or Incubis. Lows are good, but they will not be super deep or inaccurate. They give you the sound the way that it was recorded, and if its a bad recording you will know.

Lately I have been delving into some symphonies and listening to the way that MY speakers can deliver every sound of a violin or piano recital. This is new to me because before I got these speakers, if it wasn't Tool or Incubis or Rise Against or any other alternative rock band, I wasn't listening to it. Now I find that my speakers are able to accurately play music I have never heard before and now I am even considering getting an LP Turntable so that I can enjoy some good Vinyl Records.

Also, I feel that a great musical speaker makes for a great HT speaker as well. I really like watching movies or just TV on my system. My speakers are always on if I am home and awake. I never get tired of listening to them.

Hope that helps you.

PS: Since you are into reviews, go here and you can see on the first post the review for the C-Series, that is for the C-500 which is the big brother of the C-300. But that way you can read a reveiw.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=98103

[BluBrown]

+1 for the Energy speakers! I recently updated my setup from a HTiB and got the Onkyo TX-SR607 along with Energy C-300s for the fronts, C-C50 center and the Energy ESW-S10.3 subwoofer....the quality of these speakers is RIDICULOUS for what they cost. Good Luck!

[painted_klown]

OK, I have been looking around at various receivers and I really like the Onkyo TX-SR707. It can be had for about $650 or so on Amazon and it seems like it would be a great choice.

I really want a THX certified receiver and thus the reason I find their HTIB so appealing as it comes with a THX certified receiver and speakers. This leads to my OCD kicking in and here is my thoughts.

The Onkyo THX certified HTIB (complete with all the speakers and a powered sub) can be had for $850.00
The Onkyo reciever (cheapest THX model that Onkyo, or ANY brand that I found, currently being produced) without any speakers can be had for $650.00. That means I am only paying $200.00 for those speakers and it's done and done. I am up and running and can always save up and buy nicer speakers and a better sub as I go along.

This poses the million dollar question. Is the Onkyo TX-SR707 going to sound THAT much better than the HT-R960 receiver that comes with the HTIB? I seriously drive myself crazy with this stuff...

Perhaps its just silly but I also want a Panasonic THX certified television. I feel that products that meet the criteria in order to gain the THX logo are probably going to be of a slightly higher quality than their non-certified counterparts (even of the same brand). I could be way off base with this line of thinking and I will be honest I have never really dug into HT as much as I am looking to now.

Does the THX certification REALLY mean that much? From my understanding it has to do with power and distortion tolerance ranges that each product must fall into in order to recieve the certification.

EDIT: In doing some more (online) research today I stumbled across some very interesting information. This was pulled from the Athena website.

Brand Company Locations:
athena TECHNOLOGIES — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mirage — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Energy — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Klipsch — Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Jamo — Viborg, Denmark

I have always heard great things about Klipsch speakers, then I read a ton of great things about Athena, and now have been turned on to Energy. Seems to me that more than likely these speakers would probably all be great choices. They are all coming from the same company!!! Not sure if that is where the similarities end but I would venture to say that there is probably some technologies that are similar across the entire lineup of brands with each specific brand excelling in one thing or another that differentiates them from the next. Price points seem to vary widely as well. Anybody know much about these different lineups and how they may be similar to and/or different from one another?

[callas01]

There are many companies that have products that meet THX certification requirements that do not submit their products to THX and pay to have them certified. So in my opinion, NO THX certified doesn't mean its higher quality or has anything that is gonna make it more special. IF it did make it better then wouldn't the 807 be THX also? But its not.... but it is higher up their brand line and costs more.....??

Each of the speaker companies that are owned by Klipsch have their own ability to produce speakers in their own way, the only crossover I have seen is that Mirage and Energy both have ribbed eliptical rubber surrounding the speakers driver. Other then that they all have their own sound. Jamo and Energy tend to be on the warmer side, Mirage is neutral with a little lean to warmer sounding, and Klipsch are Bright, I have no idea what the Athenas sound like. My guess is probably a warmer sound too.

Danish speakers companies, Dynaudio, Jamo, Dali, are all great speakers.
Canadian speakers vary but are usually well received, Energy, Mirage, Totem, Paradigm, PSB
Klipsch speakers, tend to have people that either love them or hate them.