Need help in picking a surround system

[Grisle]

I'm looking for an entry level system that will best fit my needs. I have a very small entry level Home Theater which includes A 42" Vizio LCD, Ps3, X360, Tivo series 2, Comcast HD Box, and a wii.

I need a system that costs $300-$400...I know I have very limited options because even though I'd like a wired setup my wife doesn't want any wires. Does anyone know if the Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System can be converted to wireless rear speakers?

I have very limited knowledge in this area so any help is greatly appreciated. My biggest preferences are the Ps3 and the Comcast Hd Box...I don't know anything about the optical outs and all that so I may need an explanation on whether a certain system will give me the surround experience. Also if there is a Home theater in a box without a dvd player I'd be interested in that because I use my Ps3 anyway. Please forgive my ignorance on this issue...I searched around and figured it'd be best to make my needs known as opposed to looking at someone else's.

[crackinhedz]

Onkyo TX-SR605 or Yamaha RX-V661

and then use something like this...Rocketfish™ Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit...to make your surround speakers wireless.

[crackinhedz]

stay away from Home Theater In a Box...

[daisuke149]

Originally Posted by Grisle

I'm looking for an entry level system that will best fit my needs. I have a very small entry level Home Theater which includes A 42" Vizio LCD, Ps3, X360, Tivo series 2, Comcast HD Box, and a wii.

I need a system that costs $300-$400...I know I have very limited options because even though I'd like a wired setup my wife doesn't want any wires. Does anyone know if the Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Surround Sound Speaker System can be converted to wireless rear speakers?

I have very limited knowledge in this area so any help is greatly appreciated. My biggest preferences are the Ps3 and the Comcast Hd Box...I don't know anything about the optical outs and all that so I may need an explanation on whether a certain system will give me the surround experience. Also if there is a Home theater in a box without a dvd player I'd be interested in that because I use my Ps3 anyway. Please forgive my ignorance on this issue...I searched around and figured it'd be best to make my needs known as opposed to looking at someone else's.

for your budget your best shot is prolly the onkyo HT-sr800 HTIB. It will not to trueHD decoding but just about everything else u should need. At least for your budget. At circuit city its almost always 450 on sale from 500 and u can buy a 10% coupon from ebay for 2 bucks and bring it down to 405.

its a 7.1 with 1080p hdmi switching 2in/1out.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by daisuke149

for your budget your best shot is prolly the onkyo HT-sr800 HTIB. It will not to trueHD decoding but just about everything else u should need. At least for your budget. At circuit city its almost always 450 on sale from 500 and u can buy a 10% coupon from ebay for 2 bucks and bring it down to 405.

its a 7.1 with 1080p hdmi switching 2in/1out.

Thats an HDMI "passthrough" system. Meaning only video is passed. You would need an optical cable for audio. (or the analog inputs)




Again, stay away from HTIB set-up's

[Genocide316]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Thats an HDMI "passthrough" system. Meaning only video is passed. You would need an optical cable for audio. (or the analog inputs)




Again, stay away from HTIB set-up's

I'm looking at replacing my Yamaha receiver I have with the Onkyo model you mentioned the TX-SR605. Is this a passthrough system as well? or will it transfer the audio through HDMI?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Genocide316

I'm looking at replacing my Yamaha receiver I have with the Onkyo model you mentioned the TX-SR605. Is this a passthrough system as well? or will it transfer the audio through HDMI?

The Onkyo 605 handles both audio and video via HDMI, it is not a "passthrough" system.


If you like Yamaha's you may even consider the Yamaha RX-V661 ($390)

hdmi 1.2a
7.1 LPCM

The advantage this has over the Onkyo 605 is that it has BurrBrown DAC and can also take 5.1 PCM signal, and process it into 7.1 PCM ... so you will always have 7.1 sound. The Onkyo cannot post process the signal this way, it will stay 5.1.

Granted, the Onkyo is hdmi 1.3, this will only be helpful if you intend on buying a 1.3 HDTV.


They are both excellent receivers and each have its own advantage. But in this price range, these are the two I would consider. Good luck.

The

[Matt X]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

stay away from Home Theater In a Box...

I tend to agree w/that. If anything, start w/ 2 really good front stereo speakers (and one of the receivers Crack was suggesting), then build from there when you can. Maybe beg borrow or steal the other speakers for a surround setup to tie you over 'till you can match the fronts. I've been doing that in one form or another for years and if you're careful about placement you'll do well................

[blackpixels]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

Onkyo TX-SR605 or Yamaha RX-V661

and then use something like this...Rocketfish™ Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit...to make your surround speakers wireless.

For your budget, I agree with the Denon or Yamaha Rcvr, but for speakers you may want to consider this: http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Searc...rchSection=All

All of this will be a bit over your budget, but perhaps you should consider maybe spend closer to $700-$800 bucks that way you can try to avoid the "HT in box" set up. It's a tough call...do your research...

[Grisle]

Alright...thanks for the replies. I was checking out the Onkyo 605 and it looks really impressive for the price. My wife and I were discussing last night and she's not stuck on wireless anymore. We bought a condo last year before the market was this bad hoping that it would get our foot in the door for a single family so our living arrangement is only temporary. The room is so small that I'm thinking about getting this receiver and a cheaper set of speakers for the time being. I've read a lot of places that the Ps3 won't give me trueHD, but some other people say it decodes inside the Ps3...does this mean somewhere down the line a firmware update can fix that or is it set in stone?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Grisle

Alright...thanks for the replies. I was checking out the Onkyo 605 and it looks really impressive for the price. My wife and I were discussing last night and she's not stuck on wireless anymore. We bought a condo last year before the market was this bad hoping that it would get our foot in the door for a single family so our living arrangement is only temporary. The room is so small that I'm thinking about getting this receiver and a cheaper set of speakers for the time being. I've read a lot of places that the Ps3 won't give me trueHD, but some other people say it decodes inside the Ps3...does this mean somewhere down the line a firmware update can fix that or is it set in stone?

The PS3 internally decodes Dolby TrueHD, and sends it to the reciever as a PCM signal. (there is no difference between the player decoding or the reciever decoding.)

No worries, you will get Lossles audio with the PS3.

(DTS-HD Master is the one we are all waiting for, as of now, no player can decode this...and yes a firmware update down the road should allow this.)

[Genocide316]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

The Onkyo 605 handles both audio and video via HDMI, it is not a "passthrough" system.


If you like Yamaha's you may even consider the Yamaha RX-V661 ($390)

hdmi 1.2a
7.1 LPCM

The advantage this has over the Onkyo 605 is that it has BurrBrown DAC and can also take 5.1 PCM signal, and process it into 7.1 PCM ... so you will always have 7.1 sound. The Onkyo cannot post process the signal this way, it will stay 5.1.

Granted, the Onkyo is hdmi 1.3, this will only be helpful if you intend on buying a 1.3 HDTV.


They are both excellent receivers and each have its own advantage. But in this price range, these are the two I would consider. Good luck.

The

I guess I could go either way....I currently have a 5.1 setup and live in a little apartment at the moment. I believe you had told me before my current receiver is underpowering my current speaker setup. I'm going to replace my current receiver with one of the two you mentioned (still deciding) and move my Yamaha into my room. On that note I need some suggestions on some "decent" bedroom speakers. Again I live in a small apartment (675 sq ft.) possibly looking at purchasing a condo in the near future. I was looking at the Klipsch Quintet but they unfortunately don't come with a sub....

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Genocide316

I guess I could go either way....I currently have a 5.1 setup and live in a little apartment at the moment. I believe you had told me before my current receiver is underpowering my current speaker setup. I'm going to replace my current receiver with one of the two you mentioned (still deciding) and move my Yamaha into my room. On that note I need some suggestions on some "decent" bedroom speakers. Again I live in a small apartment (675 sq ft.) possibly looking at purchasing a condo in the near future. I was looking at the Klipsch Quintet but they unfortunately don't come with a sub....

got just the ticket for you.

KEF Home Theater Speaker System ($500)

[Grisle]

Originally Posted by Matt X

I tend to agree w/that. If anything, start w/ 2 really good front stereo speakers (and one of the receivers Crack was suggesting), then build from there when you can. Maybe beg borrow or steal the other speakers for a surround setup to tie you over 'till you can match the fronts. I've been doing that in one form or another for years and if you're careful about placement you'll do well................

This sounds like something I can do..If I start with the 605 what front speakers should I be looking at and how much might they cost?

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by Matt X

I tend to agree w/that. If anything, start w/ 2 really good front stereo speakers

Don't underestimate the importantance of the center channel. This is arguably the most important speaker in a home theatre setup since almost all dialogue is from this speaker. Plus a good center channel will keep a good sound image across the sound field to make it seem seamless between the two front channels.

Originally Posted by Grisle

This sounds like something I can do..If I start with the 605 what front speakers should I be looking at and how much might they cost?

Well consider this. The Onkyo 605 puts out 90 watts per channel this is RMS. So make sure the speakers you buy are going to be within this range. Which most 8 ohm speakers will be, but they are not going to be very "big" or "full" in the way of sound. Now if this is for a small room this will be just fine. For a larger room, look at a speakers sensitivity ratings and a speaker with a high sensitivity will be able to bring a bolder sound with lower power...just a thought.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Grisle

This sounds like something I can do..If I start with the 605 what front speakers should I be looking at and how much might they cost?

check these out to start...

flaunce.com



and as zaphod said, the center channel (and front left/right) is a key component to Home Theater. Also a good subwoofer. Surrounds you could get away with almost anything.

[Genocide316]

Ok so I have these speakers from Klipsch:

# F-1 Floorstanders
# C-1 Center
# S-1 Surrounds
# Sub-10 Subwoofer

Is the 605 Onkyo going to be a good match with these? The receiver I have now attached to these speakers make them sound awesome so I could only imagine what they will be like with a more powerful receiver. Thanks for the recommendation on the speakers!

[crackinhedz]

Yes, they should be great.

The biggest difference will be with the Lossless audio.

[ack_bak]

Crackinhedz gave out some great advice. I too would stay away from the HTIB solution at all costs. I have the Onkyo 605, and as long as you are not planning on a 7.1 setup and want to take advantage of lossless, it is a great receiver.

As for "cheap speakers" for a 5.1 setup I can also recommend Athena speakers for their price:
fronts:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...ber=ATASB1%2E2

surrounds:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099395865160

center:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...ber=ATASC1%2E2

sub:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...er=1ATASP4100B

The more you spend, the better the setup but this is a great entry level system and you will truly enjoy lossless with this. I do recommend matching your fronts and center speakers as closely as possible. As you can you can upgrade your speakers as you go.

Cheers,

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ack_bak

...as long as you are not planning on a 7.1 setup and want to take advantage of lossless, it is a great receiver.

the Onkyo 605 is 7.1 PCM capable.


(thanks for the links on those speakers, always good to have more options!)