Budget HTIB

[esdub20]

I want some ideas one a budget HTIB. I know these are highly ridiculed, but I'm on a tight budget for a while. Budget is set at $250 or less. Two options that stand out so far are:

1) Sony HT-DDW700
2) Onkyo HT-S3100

Browsing BB, CC, and the like, I also found a handful of DVD player integrated systems available as well.

I have posted a similar thread on AVS forum, but seems like AVS is more video-focused. Any ideas or opinions will be appreciated.

[kpkelley]

Do you have any existing audio equipment or speakers that could be used if you built up a system one piece at a time?

[esdub20]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Do you have any existing audio equipment or speakers that could be used if you built up a system one piece at a time?

No existing equipment. I'm starting from scratch. I figure that if I get a HTIB setup with a receiver, I can always upgrade speakers later. How's that?

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by esdub20

No existing equipment. I'm starting from scratch. I figure that if I get a HTIB setup with a receiver, I can always upgrade speakers later. How's that?

Yeah, but with the budget in question the receiver will probably be an hdmi passthrough receiver without analog inputs. Do you have a blu-ray player already? If so, which one?

[kpkelley]

Either of these htib will certainly work, but the receiver's with them would not be suitable when you upgraded the speakers. My suggestion would be to look online at auction sites like Ebay or Audiogon for an entry level hmdi receiver like the Onkyo 605(6) or the Sony STR-DG720 and then augment it with two polk bookshelf speakers and then build from there. When all is said and done you would have spent less many for your system than if you had bought an htib and then replaced it a year later.

Also if check your local B&M stores for any returned items from Christmas or your local pawn shop. Sometimes you'll be surprised by the deals you can find.

[esdub20]

Originally Posted by kpkelley

Either of these htib will certainly work, but the receiver's with them would not be suitable when you upgraded the speakers. My suggestion would be to look online at auction sites like Ebay or Audiogon for an entry level hmdi receiver like the Onkyo 605(6) or the Sony STR-DG720 and then augment it with two polk bookshelf speakers and then build from there. When all is said and done you would have spent less many for your system than if you had bought an htib and then replaced it a year later.

Also if check your local B&M stores for any returned items from Christmas or your local pawn shop. Sometimes you'll be surprised by the deals you can find.

Thanks for the ideas. I will explore that route and see if I can afford it upfront right now. My main motivation for a cheap HTIB is that I want it now, but without a lot of spending money.

As for a blu-ray player, I'm currently using my PS3. I don't think it's necessary to get a standalone since I already have this.

As for the HTIB I listed, neither has HDMI inputs, only Toslink which I decided would be good enough for now. I don't necessarily NEED to have TrueHD sound, just something better than the TV speakers, and some surround sound to feel the "experience" of movies that you all speak of.

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by esdub20

As for a blu-ray player, I'm currently using my PS3. I don't think it's necessary to get a standalone since I already have this.

It's certainly not necessary to get a standalone as the ps3 is a terrific player and can handle all the hd audio codecs over hdmi. While an htib may give a surround experience with the legacy DD and DTS from the optical cable, even a 2-channel set-up from an hdmi capable receiver will give you a clear advantage over the television speakers. A lot of the people here who get budget systems look at the Polk RM6750 for their speakers, which are much better than you'll find in budget htib's. If you could find a used Sony STR-DG720 for around 150 that would bring it to a total of $325 for a system much better than either of those you listed.

[tntkain]

These get good reviews
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650703861
They could help you get by with a nicer receiver and then you could slowly buy better speakers. I have insignia bookshelf speakers in my bedroom and they have a nice sound

[BrendonR]

esdub,

I can't comment on the HTiB systems you quoted, as, frankly I didn't really look at them. (sorry bout that)...

MY $.02 would have to agree with the others. Try and find yourself a cheap(ish) HDMI receiver, and a front setup. you do say that TrueHD isn't "needed" right now, BUT it IS increadible lol.

I was in your position a month ago as well. Wanted a budget speaker system. these guys here made "ahem" convinced me to stretch my budget... and I couldn't be happier. I ended up doubling my budget (Mr. Mastercard LOVES me right now) and got the setup in my gallery (Polk RTi6's/CSiA4/PSW505). The difference between TV speakers and DD/surround IS huge, but IMHO, the difference between HTiB and TrueHD is just as huge!

Moral of the story?

Your credit card company might love you - but you'll love the result even more if you you stretch!

BrendonR

[BrendonR]

OH! and watch those DVD/5.1 integrated setups... alot of them won't have any secondary inputs that allow you to hook up your PS3 (or another component).

besides, why would you want a DVD player when the PS3 does the work?

[AidansDadNJ]

Just as an FYI, you can get a refurb Onkyo HTIB from shoponkyo.com and save a bundle.

[esdub20]

Originally Posted by BrendonR

esdub,

I can't comment on the HTiB systems you quoted, as, frankly I didn't really look at them. (sorry bout that)...

MY $.02 would have to agree with the others. Try and find yourself a cheap(ish) HDMI receiver, and a front setup. you do say that TrueHD isn't "needed" right now, BUT it IS increadible lol.

I was in your position a month ago as well. Wanted a budget speaker system. these guys here made "ahem" convinced me to stretch my budget... and I couldn't be happier. I ended up doubling my budget (Mr. Mastercard LOVES me right now) and got the setup in my gallery (Polk RTi6's/CSiA4/PSW505). The difference between TV speakers and DD/surround IS huge, but IMHO, the difference between HTiB and TrueHD is just as huge!

Moral of the story?

Your credit card company might love you - but you'll love the result even more if you you stretch!

BrendonR

.
I've been slightly convinced to use my BB credit card. Does BB carry any nice HDMI receivers (TrueHD, if you will) at an affordable price?

Also, how will I wire up the set up? The PS3 only has one HDMI output and my TV does NOT have HDMI output. I think I may need a receiver that will allow me to go from PS3--->Receiver--->TV.

Man, that more I think about this, the more burdened I am about the debt I'm about to incur.

Edit: Just because a receiver has HDMI inputs doesn't mean it can do TrueHD, right? What's this HDMI pass-through that some of the cheaper receivers have?

[tntkain]

they carry the yamaha 663. That is a nice receiver. They also have a sony and a harmon kardon (not sure of the model #) that would work

[BrendonR]

Originally Posted by esdub20

.
I've been slightly convinced to use my BB credit card. Does BB carry any nice HDMI receivers (TrueHD, if you will) at an affordable price?

Also, how will I wire up the set up? The PS3 only has one HDMI output and my TV does NOT have HDMI output. I think I may need a receiver that will allow me to go from PS3--->Receiver--->TV.

Man, that more I think about this, the more burdened I am about the debt I'm about to incur.

Edit: Just because a receiver has HDMI inputs doesn't mean it can do TrueHD, right? What's this HDMI pass-through that some of the cheaper receivers have?

You can save yourself some money - and ignore the TrueHD for now. Your PS3 decodes it, so you don't have to buy a receiver that also decodes it. Just one that accepts audio through HDMI.

Not sure what BB carries down in the states - but Canadian BestBuy.ca has:

Yamaha 6130b

Which I would recommend - I have the 6160 and LOVE it.

I've also seen people on here recommend the Sony 720 I haven't listened to it, so can't comment.

Speakers - you COULD go with Satalites (PolkRM6750's recommended above). OR you could get a good set of front speakers, and upgrade to surround later. Depends how badly you want NOW as you're already stretching the budget.

Personally, I'd rather have Satalites & full surround than have to wait. I like hearing a bullet shot from behind me, then it hit somebody out in front.

BrendonR

[esdub20]

Originally Posted by BrendonR

You can save yourself some money - and ignore the TrueHD for now. Your PS3 decodes it, so you don't have to buy a receiver that also decodes it. Just one that accepts audio through HDMI.

Awesome. I didn't know that. I'm really glad to hear that I don't have to spend $500+ to get a receiver that can decode TrueHD. PS3 rocks! Damn, for the money and when it was released, the PS3 was prepared for the future.

Originally Posted by BrendonR

I like hearing a bullet shot from behind me, then it hit somebody out in front.

BrendonR

That's what I'm going for =D