What's The Best Home Theater You Can Buy Under $700

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

I'm looking to upgrade my current surround sound system, I have a Yamaha 5.1 HTIB system, it's okay, but, I still feel like I'm missing something. The sub is really bad also. I was thinking of maybe just buing a receiver now, and using the existing speakers untill I can buy some better speakers, I have been looking at some Polk Audio ones.

Looking for some recommendations. What do you guys think, just buy a reciever, or can I find a really good system that will be nice for between $500 to $700.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

I'm looking to upgrade my current surround sound system, I have a Yamaha 5.1 HTIB system, it's okay, but, I still feel like I'm missing something. The sub is really bad also. I was thinking of maybe just buing a receiver now, and using the existing speakers untill I can buy some better speakers, I have been looking at some Polk Audio ones.

Looking for some recommendations. What do you guys think, just buy a reciever, or can I find a really good system that will be nice for between $500 to $700.

Do you have a BD player at all? If you do what kind...HTPC, Standalone, or PS3?

[bingtau]

Check Amazon online. You should be able to pick up an Onkyo reciever that features HDMI and 7.1 for around $300 or less and then go with the Infinity speaker package for around $3 to 400. Quality and affordable. Perfect for smaller rooms, gaming, and of course Blu!!!!

[Beta Man]

upgrading the Speakers, and keeping the receiver for the time being isn't an option?????? only the other way around?

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

Originally Posted by prerich

Do you have a BD player at all? If you do what kind...HTPC, Standalone, or PS3?

Yes, I currently have a Samsung BDP-1000, a PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD Player, DirecTV HD DVR. But, i'm moving my Sammy upstairs to my BR since it doesn't want to play the newer movies even with the latest firmware.

I was thinking about just getting a nice reciever for now, that has all the lastest capabilites and codecs, and just use my current speakers. But, I heard you can get some nice Polk Audio speakers for around $200 for the fronts, and another $200 for the sub and rears.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

Yes, I currently have a Samsung BDP-1000, a PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD Player, DirecTV HD DVR. But, i'm moving my Sammy upstairs to my BR since it doesn't want to play the newer movies even with the latest firmware.

I was thinking about just getting a nice reciever for now, that has all the lastest capabilites and codecs, and just use my current speakers. But, I heard you can get some nice Polk Audio speakers for around $200 for the fronts, and another $200 for the sub and rears.

You can get a good receiver for that much or you can get a dedicated processor to handle your hdmi inputs if your yamaha has analog inputs(unlikely).

Emotiva has a processor that will be available this summer:

http://www.emotiva.com/news.html

UMC-1 Audio/Video Processor
PLACE PREORDER NOW
price: $699 (initial run)
(image is artist rendering, not finished product)




Partial list of features:


4) HDMI inputs and 1) HDMI output.
4) each composite and s-video inputs
3) component inputs - all will be scaled and set out over HDMI at whatever resolution you want up to 1080p.
DVI and VGA inputs which will be scaled and piped out the HDMI
Full color graphical OSD on HDMI
Auto room correction with User definable EQ's.
4) analog audio inputs (not counting the 7.1 analog input),
4) coaxial inputs,
3) optical inputs and both coax and optical digital audio outputs
continuous 2 channel mix down of the audio on a fixed output level, as well as variable and independent Zone 2 output and an analog record output.
Built in AM/FM tuner, trigger output
IR in and outputs
iPOD connectivity
USB for complete flash upgrades (no need to ever send it in for an update),
Calibration microphone.
Deep menu structure that allows for assigning the inputs and selecting default modes per input.
HD formats including DTS-MA.
More details to come, as available.

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

I was thinking about this.

Sub: Polk Audio PSW10

Center Speaker: Polk Audio Monitor Series CS1

Front Speakers: Pok Audio Monitor 50 2-way floorstanding speakers

Rear: Either keep my 2 Yamaha's, or 2 Polk Audio ones.

Don't know which receiver yet.





and then decide on a receiver, like one of the Onkyo, or whatever you guys would recommend to make this sound nice.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

Yes, I currently have a Samsung BDP-1000, a PS3, Xbox 360, HD DVD Player, DirecTV HD DVR. But, i'm moving my Sammy upstairs to my BR since it doesn't want to play the newer movies even with the latest firmware.

I was thinking about just getting a nice reciever for now, that has all the lastest capabilites and codecs, and just use my current speakers. But, I heard you can get some nice Polk Audio speakers for around $200 for the fronts, and another $200 for the sub and rears.

Looking at your gear and your need for at least 3 HDMI input (4 if the XBox 360 is capable), the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K is a good contender $539.00, I usually don't recommend Sony gear unless its ES but with your price point and needs I must include the Sony STR-D920 $499.00, I will also include the Denon AVR-1909 $599.00 (that machine plans on making a big splash) and the Yamaha RX-V863 which can be found for $630.00. Listen to them, research them and find out what fits your needs. Happy Hunting!

P.S. I forgot about the Onkyo 705 for $504.00

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

Originally Posted by prerich

Looking at your gear and your need for at least 3 HDMI input (4 if the XBox 360 is capable), the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K is a good contender $539.00, I usually don't recommend Sony gear unless its ES but with your price point and needs I must include the Sony STR-D920 $499.00, I will also include the Denon AVR-1909 $599.00 (that machine plans on making a big splash) and the Yamaha RX-V863 which can be found for $630.00. Listen to them, research them and find out what fits your needs. Happy Hunting!

P.S. I forgot about the Onkyo 705 for $504.00

Thanks.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

Thanks.

No probs.

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

I think i'm going to splurge a little bit more then I originally intended. I just ordered the Onkyo TX-SR805. I'm going to a specialy store later on today and listen to some speakers to go with my new receiver. I leaning towards Polk Audio 50s, but, once I get there, who knows. Since I'm spending way more on a reciever then I ever intended, I will make a smart choice on my speakers. Especially after buying another PS3, don't want to make the wife mad.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

I think i'm going to splurge a little bit more then I originally intended. I just ordered the Onkyo TX-SR805. I'm going to a specialy store later on today and listen to some speakers to go with my new receiver. I leaning towards Polk Audio 50s, but, once I get there, who knows. Since I'm spending way more on a reciever then I ever intended, I will make a smart choice on my speakers. Especially after buying another PS3, don't want to make the wife mad.

Atta boy!!! Make sure to give the Bowers & Wilkins M-1 speakers a try if they have them. Compact little buggers but they put out some heavy sound without taking up too much room. Their only downside is that they are not floor standing speakers. They are bookshelf and wall mount unless you buy the floorstands extra. But, I'm sure that you will have so many brands flying through your head by the end of the day that my suggestion will just become a blurred pin-prick of light in the darkness...

Whatever you do... JUST HAVE FUN!!!

P.S. Don't worry about the little misses until after she sits down and experiences what the money got you! She will end up thanking you in the end.

[Beta Man]

My wife wanted the M-1's, I said "NO WAY" and got my big monsters instead.......then when it was time to get a system for the bedroom, I got the M-1's.... funny thing is... she wasn't as happy about it the second time around!!!! (she doesn't like even having a T.V. in the bedroom..... something that will be changed at the new house for sure)


The M-1's sound great though.

[Stephan.klose]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

I think i'm going to splurge a little bit more then I originally intended. I just ordered the Onkyo TX-SR805. I'm going to a specialy store later on today and listen to some speakers to go with my new receiver. I leaning towards Polk Audio 50s, but, once I get there, who knows. Since I'm spending way more on a reciever then I ever intended, I will make a smart choice on my speakers. Especially after buying another PS3, don't want to make the wife mad.

the onkyo 805 is a very fine choice. We have it at the store. I think it sounds equal to the 875. After getting this kind of receiver you shouldn't save on the speakers. Otherwise you'll never use the potential

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

Originally Posted by Stephan.klose

the onkyo 805 is a very fine choice. We have it at the store. I think it sounds equal to the 875. After getting this kind of receiver you shouldn't save on the speakers. Otherwise you'll never use the potential

You are correct. I listened to some really, really nice speakers today. Didn't know speakers could sound that good. I'm off this weekend, so, I'm going to hit a few more places before I make my decision.

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

I ordered the 805, but now, I'm thinking the 605 would work, think I will order that one too, and then listen and compare.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

I ordered the 805, but now, I'm thinking the 605 would work, think I will order that one too, and then listen and compare.

I would cancel the 605 right now.

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I would cancel the 605 right now.

Any particular reason, I was on Cnet, and they said the 605 is everybit as good, and hundreds cheaper.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by ItsGettingHotInEER

Any particular reason, I was on Cnet, and they said the 605 is everybit as good, and hundreds cheaper.

the DAC's on the 805 is far superior than the 605. Not to mention THX and power supply.

Its nothing against the 605, as I had my own father buy a 605...but as far as audio quality, I think the 805 stands above.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I would cancel the 605 right now.

+10000000000000000000! OP, Listen to him!