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Of these systems what is the best? Help! (1 Viewer)

ChuckM

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
149
1. Which of these has the most bang for the buck.My current price range is Under $400.

Kenwood HTB-205 $239.97
Kenwood HTB-505 $345.00
RCA RT2600DVD $299.99
RCA RT2280 $269.00
Sony HTD-DW840 $324.99
Sony HTD-DW740 $267.77
Panasonic SC-HT400 $314.95
Yamaha YHT-300 $309.00
Pioneer HTP-220 $305.00
JVC DS-TP350 $335.00
JVC DS-TP370 $270.50


2. Is it worth spending a hundred bucks more to upgrade from the kenwood HTB-205 to the HTB-505, likewise with the sony HTD-DW740 TO THE HTD-DW840.

3. If you know any other good systems that I could buy or build for under $400 please tell me.

TIA
 

Stephen Hopkins

HW Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2002
Messages
2,604
I would limit the options you have presented to the Pioneer HTP-220 or the Kenwood 505. The arguments for the two are as follows... the Pioneer has a better receiver with a cleaner amp section and a few more features, however, the Pioneer speakers/sub are the week point. The Kenwood has the leg up on speakers and sub, but the receiver is pretty bare bones.

Given your choice, I would probably go with the Kenwood. Since your budget is limited, i'm guessing any future upgrades are not in the near future. For total sound quality the Kenwood will sound better because of superior speakers and sub. If you were planning on upgrading the speakers and/or sub in the next few months, i would go with the Pioneer system though, because i like the Pioneer receivers much better.

The Kenwood 505 is well worth the extra $100 compared to the 205 for two big reasons. The 205 has small plastic enclosures and full range speakers. It also has the sub amplifier built into the receiver. The 505 has much larger wood cabinet 2-Way speakers and the sub amp is on the sub.

Also, the Pioneer system is available in either silver or black. The Kenwood system is only available in black. This is an afterthought for most people, but it's nice to have all the info at hand.
 

ChuckM

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Aug 12, 2002
Messages
149
I would also like to know what you guys think about the RCA RT2500.

Thanks for the reply Stephen.
 

AaronJB

Second Unit
Joined
Nov 2, 1998
Messages
460
Panasonic SAHE70 reciever + Onkyo SKSHT-500 speaker set should come out in the $400 neighborhood (although probably a little bit over), although that may vary depending on the retailer.

I've looked at & listened to the Yamaha YHT-300. The reciever seemed very nice, but I didn't think the speakers sounded that great.
 

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