Looking for good Surround Sound

[Venom80]

Im looking to add surround sound to my setup but not sure which way to do...the home theaters in a box seem like a good value, but are they worth it? Im not very educated on what a good receiver is to start the whole process off either. I just know that I want 7.1, 4 hdmi inputs with 1080p and upscaling. Im also not looking to completely overboard on the spending on this either. It seems that some of the speakers can get ridiculously expensive. Im running a 52in Sony XBR9 with a PS3, Xbox360 and a HD Directv box. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Venom80

Im looking to add surround sound to my setup but not sure which way to do...the home theaters in a box seem like a good value, but are they worth it? Im not very educated on what a good receiver is to start the whole process off either. I just know that I want 7.1, 4 hdmi inputs with 1080p and upscaling. Im also not looking to completely overboard on the spending on this either. It seems that some of the speakers can get ridiculously expensive. Im running a 52in Sony XBR9 with a PS3, Xbox360 and a HD Directv box. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

how much are you willing to spend ~ Budget .

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Venom80

Im looking to add surround sound to my setup but not sure which way to do...the home theaters in a box seem like a good value, but are they worth it? Im not very educated on what a good receiver is to start the whole process off either. I just know that I want 7.1, 4 hdmi inputs with 1080p and upscaling. Im also not looking to completely overboard on the spending on this either. It seems that some of the speakers can get ridiculously expensive. Im running a 52in Sony XBR9 with a PS3, Xbox360 and a HD Directv box. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

HTIB systems are good value, but you will be much happier with separate systems in the long run. You can buy a good entry to mid level receiver from Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sherwood, Sony, and Yamaha.

As far as speakers are concerned, there are over 400 speakers companies. Look at the offerings from Polk Audio, Klipsch, Energy, PSB, Definitive Technology, etc.

As for sybwoofers, it all depends on your budget. You can check the offerings from Acoustic Audio, Premier Acoustics, Elemental Designs, SVS, AV123, and HSU Research.

A good place to start is Amazon and Crutchfield. You can read the reviews and check the most up to date prices. Crutchfield is not the cheapest, but they are factory authorized, have great customer care, and are extremely helpful.

[Venom80]

I would like to stay under/around $1500.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

HTIB systems are good value, but you will be much happier with separate systems in the long run. You can buy a good entry to mid level receiver from Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sherwood, Sony, and Yamaha.

As far as speakers are concerned, there are over 400 speakers companies. Look at the offerings from Polk Audio, Klipsch, Energy, PSB, Definitive Technology, etc.

As for sybwoofers, it all depends on your budget. You can check the offerings from Acoustic Audio, Premier Acoustics, Elemental Designs, SVS, AV123, and HSU Research.

A good place to start is Amazon and Crutchfield. You can read the reviews and check the most up to date prices. Crutchfield is not the cheapest, but they are factory authorized, have great customer care, and are extremely helpful.

What He said ^^^^^^

[HiDefRev]

Check out the Onkyo HT-S6100/6200 , the HT-S7100/7200 , or the HT-S9100THX. These are absolutely the BEST systems for the money. They meet all of your criteria and come with eveything you need right in the box. You can find them online at http://www.amazon.com and at http://www.accessories4less.com .

[Venom80]

Originally Posted by HiDefRev

Check out the Onkyo HT-S6100/6200 or the HT-S7100/7200. These are absolutely the BEST systems for the money. They meet all of your criteria and come with eveything you need right in the box. You can find them online at http://www.amazon.com and at http://www.accessories4less.com .

With the receiver that comes in these particular packages, are you able to upgrade or use different speakers for future applications? With the HTiBs that have DVD players, it seems they can only use the speakers that come with them.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Venom80

With the receiver that comes in these particular packages, are you able to upgrade or use different speakers for future applications? With the HTiBs that have DVD players, it seems they can only use the speakers that come with them.

Yes, they contain actual receivers not some hybrid proprietary hub device. That is why they are generally favored HTiB's.

[DerrellB]

With 1500 for a budget, you can put together a nice budget system.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

I suggest pieceing something together yourself. HTIB packages don't usually provide high fidelity equipment. For a small % more of a price tag you can find yourself with something that hard while acquiring a high fidelity system that you won't feel the need to upgrade until you build a proper HT room from scratch.

My setup (see my sig below) ran me $3000 (in Canada) 2 years ago. That means that it could easily be had for $1500 these days in the U.S.. The B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) M-1 speaker series are compact and don't take up much room. They also offer some SERIOUS quality audio for a smaller speaker.

[Beerserker]

You don't have to go stupidly expensive to best the performance of the HTiB's, but if you just want surround sound and don't want to the extra leg work and learning/shopping perhaps HTiB is the way to go. There is better value in piecing together a system but it takes effort for best results. Kind of all depends on your expectations, viewing environment, and the importance you place on the experience. The better HTiB's are usually good enough to satisfy more casual enthusiasts.
I'd go the piece by piece way, but then again I hate to compromise. Do you by chance have any other speakers you could use for surrounds? I would lean more towards the component route and putting the money into the CC, and sub and using "good enough for now" surrounds. If you listen to a lot of music you will want to step up the mains as well. Wise shopping can get you what you need for under your budget. Someone will be along to post some current good deals soon enough.

[callas01]

Where do you live, do you have HT stores around you that you can listen to speakers to see what YOU like. We all have our favorites, but what sound do you like? Warm, bright, forward..... there are a lot of options. You have a good budget too, so I would say lets us it wisely. But first we need to know what type of speakers you like. So audition, or let me know in a Private message and I can try and direct you to some local shops in your area within 60 miles or so.

[Venom80]

Originally Posted by callas01

Where do you live, do you have HT stores around you that you can listen to speakers to see what YOU like. We all have our favorites, but what sound do you like? Warm, bright, forward..... there are a lot of options. You have a good budget too, so I would say lets us it wisely. But first we need to know what type of speakers you like. So audition, or let me know in a Private message and I can try and direct you to some local shops in your area within 60 miles or so.

I live in northwest Maryland, 5 minutes from Delaware. I think there a few places, other than Best Buy, close to where I live. I just never went into any of them because they almost look like that run down 7-11 that shouldve been torn down in 1983. But, looks can be deceiving. As far as what speakers I like and what sound I like, Im really not sure. Something with a clean sound and with movies is balanced and not too loud at the explosions and, not loud enough for dialogue. The only surround sound Ive ever owned was a Boston Acoustics 5.1 setup that wasnt impressive at all, even in 1998. It seemed to have a delay with running optical, and had horrible power. I would have to turn it all the way up to have it even at a comfortable level, and at that point it was distorted and filled with static

[kareface]

The Onkyo HT-S6100 or 6200 is a good starting point. Your receiver will be one of the last things you replace in the set because the sucker works. Pick it up, and instead of getting a moderate system now, save up and replace each piece of the system with a better one as you go. Based on the budget the difference in quality you'll see going with a slightly better system now would be negligible. You could get a slightly better system now, or save the difference and be that much closer to main speakers that'll rock.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by sentinel41

The Onkyo HT-S6100 or 6200 is a good starting point. Your receiver will be one of the last things you replace in the set because the sucker works. Pick it up, and instead of getting a moderate system now, save up and replace each piece of the system with a better one as you go. Based on the budget the difference in quality you'll see going with a slightly better system now would be negligible. You could get a slightly better system now, or save the difference and be that much closer to main speakers that'll rock.

see, i personally think otherwise. i just believe in 'investing' in a good set from the start, avoiding upgrades in the future. with his price point, we have a lot of flexibility to work with, and still get a good quality setup for the price.

i hate replacing things i dont really need to, thus wanting to push my budget to a point where it would hurt at an initial cost, but be satisfied with each and every component for the next 3-5 years.

lets say you purchase a HTIB for hmm... 800 FOR EXAMPLE?

that same 800 bucks can go towards a quality component, then slowly build from there. good 800 dollar pair of speakers, or a great receiver.

i hate the concept of double dipping, and try to avoid purchases on the whim so to speak.

you dont rush or drop a good amount of dime in buying your first car or home, why do the same with your home theater?

callas will be posting his suggestions soon.

[D1-2005]

I bought my entire audio setup for around a 1000.00 bucks and it easily puts my old htib to shame. Well minus the fxi3's, I originally had the 30's. And that includes my subwoofer

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by jomari

see, i personally think otherwise. i just believe in 'investing' in a good set from the start, avoiding upgrades in the future. with his price point, we have a lot of flexibility to work with, and still get a good quality setup for the price.

i hate replacing things i dont really need to, thus wanting to push my budget to a point where it would hurt at an initial cost, but be satisfied with each and every component for the next 3-5 years.

lets say you purchase a HTIB for hmm... 800 let say?

that same 800 bucks can go towards a quality component, then slowly build from there. good 800 dollar pair of speakers, or a great receiver.

i hate the concept of double dipping, and try to avoid purchases on the whim so to speak.

you dont rush or drop a good amount of dime in buying your first car or home, why do the same with your home theater?

callas will be posting his suggestions soon.

A good receiver and two or three front speakers would be the wisest choice for a $1500 budget. Add surrounds later when you have more cash to spend.

just make sure you get a receiver with pre-outs (which the HTiB receivers do not have). This will allow a much better upgrade path downt he road.

$500-600 = receiver
$900-1000 = speakers

[kareface]

Originally Posted by jomari

see, i personally think otherwise. i just believe in 'investing' in a good set from the start, avoiding upgrades in the future. with his price point, we have a lot of flexibility to work with, and still get a good quality setup for the price.

i hate replacing things i dont really need to, thus wanting to push my budget to a point where it would hurt at an initial cost, but be satisfied with each and every component for the next 3-5 years.

lets say you purchase a HTIB for hmm... 800 let say?

that same 800 bucks can go towards a quality component, then slowly build from there. good 800 dollar pair of speakers, or a great receiver.

i hate the concept of double dipping, and try to avoid purchases on the whim so to speak.

you dont rush or drop a good amount of dime in buying your first car or home, why do the same with your home theater?

callas will be posting his suggestions soon.

The 6200 is 520$ shipped and I would say that it would be worth the value for the receiver alone. I think it all comes down to what degree he plans to take the theater to. If you plan on investing 1000-1500 and never worrying about it again, then buy separate. If you plan on making this the first step to something a lot nicer than your current budget then go with the onkyo box option. 1500$ wouldn't cover the cost of my 2 subs so upgrading slowly was something that was a requirement for me.

[jomari]

@lou and sentinel,

why the quote if i may ask?

is it towards the $800 price point?

i used that amount as an example.

If you plan on making this the first step to something a lot nicer than your current budget then go with the onkyo box option. 1500$ wouldn't cover the cost of my 2 subs so upgrading slowly was something that was a requirement for me.

id rather put that money towards quality components, instead of buying a HTIB, then buying new components all over again. but thats just me avoiding double dipping purchases so to speak.

my opinionated priority would be
- Front Left and Right (Center if possible to get everything matched)
- Receiver
- Sub
- Surrounds

HTIB's, soundbars, and 2.1 channel setups do have their purposes, and with the right use, can definitely be satisfying. For a primary home theater tho, id suggest to look at it from a long term point of view. Investing in them, and not simply replacing a $400 dollar htib. that $400 can go again, into a better product.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by jomari

@lou and sentinel,

why the quote if i may ask?

is it towards the $800 price point?

i used that amount as an example.



id rather put that money towards quality components, instead of buying a HTIB, then buying new components all over again. but thats just me avoiding double dipping purchases so to speak.

my opinionated priority would be
- Front Left and Right (Center if possible to get everything matched)
- Receiver
- Sub
- Surrounds

HTIB's, soundbars, and 2.1 channel setups do have their purposes, and with the right use, can definitely be satisfying. For a primary home theater tho, id suggest to look at it from a long term point of view. Investing in them, and not simply replacing a $400 dollar htib. that $400 can go again, into a better product.

Originally Posted by Venom80

I would like to stay under/around $1500.

In post #4, he notes a $1500 budget.