Need HTIB advice, KEF KHT-3005? - Blu-ray Forum

fronk777 · 06-07-2009, 09:55 PM

Looking to pick up a HTIB for around $1000 to go with the Pioneer SC07 I just picked up. Was thinking about getting the KEF KHT-3500 for $900 through 6th avenue. Is this a good price for this system? Are there better options available? Is the 5005 worth the extra money?

How would these sound compared to Polk M70's paired with a CS2?
How is the Energy Take Classic compared to these?

I will mainly use the system for watching Blu-ray movies and TV, don't listen to much music at all. I also live in a condo, so I am looking more for clarity and detail versus power.

Sorry about all the dumb questions..but I am far from an audiophile and could use some good advice, which is why I am thinking about getting a HTIB instead of separate speakers. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I guess this should be in the HTIB forum, sorry bout that.

DonRSD · 06-08-2009, 05:40 PM

go to
www.newegg.com

look up the polk monitor 50 & 60s
then look up the monitor 30s for the front
a CS1 polk center
couple that with an onkyo 507/607 amp and youre UNDER $1000 bucks and have much better equiptment than an htib

theres a reason people buy HTiB's and upgrade quickly.
its a waste of money
at BEST an HTiB is for the bedroom for the wife

Driver_King · 06-08-2009, 05:52 PM

Being an audiophile means you are a connoisseur of good sound. Do you like nice sound? Well, then you can consider yourself an audiophile. Having a boombox doesn't mean you aren't an audiophile, nor does an HTIB system, Especially if you're looking for detail and clarity. I would not look an an HTIB system at all, especially at $1000. Plus, you have a flippin' condo to put it in! Not an apartment or a closet sized room (probably). Separate speakers are your best bet. I would audition some speakers at your local Hi-fi shop to get an idea of what real nice sound is and that are far out of your budget range. Then when you go to look for speakers in your range, you have some reference to what you should be looking for in speakers. If that is absolutely not possible to do, I can recommend a system.

callas01 · 06-08-2009, 10:10 PM

I Agree with DK that you need to shop around and you can find great bookshelf speaker, but you should listen to them (if possible), but I would suggest that you keep these on your short list of speakers to consider.

Energy Reference series
RC-10 with RC-Mini bookshelf and either Mini Center OR RCLCR Center

Paradigm
Perhaps 2 pairs of Paradigm Mini Monitors with this to match CC190 Center

B&W
Maybe these up front 685 with these as surrounds 684 and a HTM62 Center to match.

EDIT:: PSB's
Image B25's as fronts with some surrounds like these Image B15 and a Center to match, Image C40

lojack1976 · 06-09-2009, 04:07 AM

First off those are not an HTIB. The KEF's are a speaker package...no receiver included. I just think there needs to be a bit of clarity here before the HTIB bashing commences. The KEF speakers are good high quality speakers that are designed for people who want small satellite speakers as opposed to large speakers. They typically make a good sounding product. There is nothing wrong with satellites if that is what you want. Now, if you want the best bang for your buck and don't mind larger speakers then there are a wide range of options. Satellites were great for me, but I eventually moved up to towers and a larger center down the road. The front satellites will be my side rears when I get the speaker stands for them.

You should definitely go out and listen to various speakers before you make a decision. Right now there are some great deals on Newegg for Polk speakers and you can grab an Audio Acoustic sub for $200 or less depending on the size you want. Vann's has a 50% off Klipsch sale going right now and you can get a great 5.1 package there also for just $699.99 shipped. If you are more inclined to go with satellites then yes the KEF's are pretty good, but there are other options too. Energy makes some very good sounding speakers that are pretty small. I have some Energy's in my bedroom and the sound quality is terrific and they get surprisingly loud too. Check out accessories4less.com too for some great speaker deals. They have some KEF towers for good prices and Mordaunt Short speaker packages you may want to look at. Again, go out and audition various speakers if you can. You may find a distinct sound that you really want to have in your home after you hear it.

Oh, and congrats on the new receiver!

Driver_King · 06-09-2009, 08:37 PM

I wasn't bashing HTIB systems or KEF speaker packages. I'm just trying to give him better options. If he goes out and auditions as many speakers as he possibly can and still thinks he should go for the KEF, then by all means. Otherwise, I would look around.

lojack1976 · 06-10-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Driver_King

I wasn't bashing HTIB systems or KEF speaker packages. I'm just trying to give him better options. If he goes out and auditions as many speakers as he possibly can and still thinks he should go for the KEF, then by all means. Otherwise, I would look around.

I know you weren't but I could already see it coming since this is posted in the HTIB thread(an easy target..lol), and another user has already bashed HTIB's. I just wanted to differentiate what the OP was inquiring about from what a typical HTIB is. That's all. This thread really should have been posted in the speaker forum since the KEF's the OP mentioned are a speaker package. He's already purchased a receiver. Aside from that I just reiterated what you already said...that he should audition as many speakers as possible. I threw out a few options that I thought he should take a look at, but I still think he should listen to as many offerings as possible. There's always that one sound out there that one can fall in love with and hopefully the OP will have fun looking for that sound that fits his tastes.

mike from nyc · 06-10-2009, 06:14 PM

HSU sells HTIB speakers, from what I heard on other forums and magazine reviews, they are pretty good.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/packages.html

StimpsonJCat · 06-10-2009, 06:28 PM

Here is an amazing deal from AV123:

From their anouncement:
_______________________________________
For $998 dollars you can now buy The Ultimate Expression In Staycation Enjoyment

How about this system (in Cherry Only)…

One Pair ELT525 Towers

One pair ELT 525 Monitors

ONE ELT 525 Center

And

One MFW-15 in Cherry Rosa Satin (a perfect match for these ELT’s)…

___________________________

I do want you to know that AV123 has had many issues in the recent past and you should research that fully before considering this deal. But it really is a good deal. Also, the sub won't ship until the end of June at the earliest (probably later). But if you like cherry finishes I doubt you can find a better speaker package for anywhere near this price. I'm not sure on the shipping cost of this setup, but I don't think it is included in the deal.

06-07-2009, 09:55 PM	#1
fronk777 Power Member Member since:Nov 2008 4K collection:211 Blu-ray collection:3523 Digital collection:6	Need HTIB advice, KEF KHT-3005? Looking to pick up a HTIB for around $1000 to go with the Pioneer SC07 I just picked up. Was thinking about getting the KEF KHT-3500 for $900 through 6th avenue. Is this a good price for this system? Are there better options available? Is the 5005 worth the extra money? How would these sound compared to Polk M70's paired with a CS2? How is the Energy Take Classic compared to these? I will mainly use the system for watching Blu-ray movies and TV, don't listen to much music at all. I also live in a condo, so I am looking more for clarity and detail versus power. Sorry about all the dumb questions..but I am far from an audiophile and could use some good advice, which is why I am thinking about getting a HTIB instead of separate speakers. Thanks in advance. Edit: I guess this should be in the HTIB forum, sorry bout that. Last edited by fronk777; 06-07-2009 at 10:14 PM.

06-08-2009, 10:10 PM	#4
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	I Agree with DK that you need to shop around and you can find great bookshelf speaker, but you should listen to them (if possible), but I would suggest that you keep these on your short list of speakers to consider. Energy Reference series RC-10 with RC-Mini bookshelf and either Mini Center OR RCLCR Center Paradigm Perhaps 2 pairs of Paradigm Mini Monitors with this to match CC190 Center B&W Maybe these up front 685 with these as surrounds 684 and a HTM62 Center to match. EDIT:: PSB's Image B25's as fronts with some surrounds like these Image B15 and a Center to match, Image C40 Last edited by callas01; 06-09-2009 at 03:24 AM.

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06-08-2009, 05:40 PM	#2
DonRSD Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2009 Location:South Florida Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:254 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:129	go to www.newegg.com look up the polk monitor 50 & 60s then look up the monitor 30s for the front a CS1 polk center couple that with an onkyo 507/607 amp and youre UNDER $1000 bucks and have much better equiptment than an htib theres a reason people buy HTiB's and upgrade quickly. its a waste of money at BEST an HTiB is for the bedroom for the wife

06-08-2009, 05:52 PM	#3
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	Being an audiophile means you are a connoisseur of good sound. Do you like nice sound? Well, then you can consider yourself an audiophile. Having a boombox doesn't mean you aren't an audiophile, nor does an HTIB system, Especially if you're looking for detail and clarity. I would not look an an HTIB system at all, especially at $1000. Plus, you have a flippin' condo to put it in! Not an apartment or a closet sized room (probably). Separate speakers are your best bet. I would audition some speakers at your local Hi-fi shop to get an idea of what real nice sound is and that are far out of your budget range. Then when you go to look for speakers in your range, you have some reference to what you should be looking for in speakers. If that is absolutely not possible to do, I can recommend a system.

06-09-2009, 04:07 AM	#5
lojack1976 Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Aug 2008 Location:7 Cities, VA Home Theater Gallery:62 Blu-ray collection:203	First off those are not an HTIB. The KEF's are a speaker package...no receiver included. I just think there needs to be a bit of clarity here before the HTIB bashing commences. The KEF speakers are good high quality speakers that are designed for people who want small satellite speakers as opposed to large speakers. They typically make a good sounding product. There is nothing wrong with satellites if that is what you want. Now, if you want the best bang for your buck and don't mind larger speakers then there are a wide range of options. Satellites were great for me, but I eventually moved up to towers and a larger center down the road. The front satellites will be my side rears when I get the speaker stands for them. You should definitely go out and listen to various speakers before you make a decision. Right now there are some great deals on Newegg for Polk speakers and you can grab an Audio Acoustic sub for $200 or less depending on the size you want. Vann's has a 50% off Klipsch sale going right now and you can get a great 5.1 package there also for just $699.99 shipped. If you are more inclined to go with satellites then yes the KEF's are pretty good, but there are other options too. Energy makes some very good sounding speakers that are pretty small. I have some Energy's in my bedroom and the sound quality is terrific and they get surprisingly loud too. Check out accessories4less.com too for some great speaker deals. They have some KEF towers for good prices and Mordaunt Short speaker packages you may want to look at. Again, go out and audition various speakers if you can. You may find a distinct sound that you really want to have in your home after you hear it. Oh, and congrats on the new receiver!

06-09-2009, 08:37 PM	#6
Driver_King Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Tampa Bay, Florida Home Theater Gallery:96 Blu-ray collection:28 Trading Score:10	I wasn't bashing HTIB systems or KEF speaker packages. I'm just trying to give him better options. If he goes out and auditions as many speakers as he possibly can and still thinks he should go for the KEF, then by all means. Otherwise, I would look around.

06-10-2009, 06:14 PM	#8
mike from nyc Member Member since:Jun 2009 Location:NYC Home Theater Gallery:6	HSU sells HTIB speakers, from what I heard on other forums and magazine reviews, they are pretty good. http://www.hsuresearch.com/packages.html

06-10-2009, 06:28 PM	#9
StimpsonJCat Expert Member Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Texas Home Theater Gallery:5	Here is an amazing deal from AV123: From their anouncement: _______________________________________ For $998 dollars you can now buy The Ultimate Expression In Staycation Enjoyment How about this system (in Cherry Only)… One Pair ELT525 Towers One pair ELT 525 Monitors ONE ELT 525 Center And One MFW-15 in Cherry Rosa Satin (a perfect match for these ELT’s)… ___________________________ I do want you to know that AV123 has had many issues in the recent past and you should research that fully before considering this deal. But it really is a good deal. Also, the sub won't ship until the end of June at the earliest (probably later). But if you like cherry finishes I doubt you can find a better speaker package for anywhere near this price. I'm not sure on the shipping cost of this setup, but I don't think it is included in the deal.

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