Need help upgrading sound system.. FAST

[GOAT]

Im looking at these 3 "systems" for my HD TV... not too familiar with how sound works so is this ALL I would need to buy to have great sound? Looking at buying all 3 seperate

Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12790108

Sony STR-DH700 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12790108

Sony DAV-HDX285 Bravia Theatre System
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ndingMethod=rr

PS - I would like something very good and to spend under 300, really under 200... not sure if that is possible... please help. Thanks!

[un4gvn94538]

your links dont work. are you looking at 2-300 per component (speakers, receiver) or total? imho, save and be patient. youll be happier in the long run with a better system.

[GOAT]

thats weird they dont work... about how much for a system id really like?

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster2007

thats weird they dont work... about how much for a system id really like?

what are you using for a player?
when i click on them it says they cant find what im looking for

[GOAT]

yeah i get the same with the links... its an insignia player (not the best for sure)

[un4gvn94538]

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR507...9893504&sr=1-1

as of now from amazon for $323

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Cha...9893599&sr=1-4

speakers for about $215. you can always either add a couple speakers later or even upgrade but i think this would be better in the long run. its something that i would look at on a budget if im starting out. dont forget to shop around as well. you may find better deals.

[HiDefRev]

Well, with either of the receivers you'll need to purchase AT LEAST 5 speakers and a subwoofer to go along with it ! ( That's going to be over $300 right there ! ) As far as the HTiB goes, it does NOT decode the HD audio on Blu-Rays, and it has received some really BAD reviews on the web. You may as well face the facts, you're NOT going to get an audio system that is worth anything for under $300. If you need a complete system right away, my suggestion would be to go to http://www.accessories4less.com or http://www.amazon.com and check out the Onkyo HT-S6110/HTS-S6200 or the HT-S7100/HT-S7200 AV systems. They are going to be a little outside your stated budget, but they have everything you need in the box, they decode all of the HD audio codecs and they are very easy to set up.

[GOAT]

I think I will wait til I get my tax return and get a nice set

[RBBrittain]

Would you please state the exact model number of your Insignia player? Of the three systems you posted, only the STR-DH700 will handle HD audio, and then only as LPCM; thus your player will have to decode (not bitstream) both TrueHD & DTS-HD MA to work fully with it.

From what's on the Insignia website, it appears most of their BD players don't support TrueHD or DTS-HD MA at all; they might handle uncompressed LPCM tracks as HD audio, but otherwise you're limited to lossy DD/DTS. If you have one of those players, you must upgrade it before even considering a sound upgrade.

Only one Insignia model (NS-WBRDVD) will decode both; it's the only one that will play all HD audio with the STR-DH700. If you have one that will bitstream but not decode one or both formats (i.e., the NS-BRDVD3 only bitstreams DTS-HD MA, though it will decode or bitstream TrueHD), you'll need an AVR with HD decoders like the Onkyos suggested earlier. (Insignia also makes a low-end AVR with HD decoders now.)

If you had something that decoded both, there's a Sony HTIB (HT-SS360) with LPCM-only inputs that fits in your budget (I use its predecessor, the HT-SS2300, with my "fat" PS3 which decodes and won't bitstream), though its speakers are not upgrade-friendly. However, since it appears your Insignia won't decode both, it probably isn't your best option.

(Edit: Waiting for your tax return so you can get something nicer isn't a bad idea in your case.)