Is my Speaker system Good?

HazemA. · 01-13-2004, 01:55 PM

I just bought a KOSS 300-Watt Home Theater System from Best Buy, and I was wondering how good it is. It's a 5.1 and I got it for 150.00. Thanks in advance.

JasonMA · 01-13-2004, 02:10 PM

In the world of home theater, you usually get what you paid for. Some people spend as much on wire to hook their systems up as you did on your whole system. However, it doesn't matter how much you spend in the end really. What's important is how you think your new home theater package sounds, whether it cost $150.00 or $15,000.00.

Set up your system, pop in your favorite movie, and sit back and enjoy. If you like what you hear, then keep it. If it sounds truly horrible and you can't stand it, then you may want to save a few more bucks and get something better.

As a quick note, you'll find that most HTIB (Home Theater In a Box) systems, such as the kind you bought, are not really that good. There are some exceptions though. You'll find alot of info, some good and some not-so-good, on HTIBs in this forum if you do a search.

Remember the most important rule though, if you like the way it sounds, that's all that matters.

Jack Briggs · 01-13-2004, 02:15 PM

Here's where you want to post when seeking feedback on a recent HTiB purchase. The Basics area is for general discussion at the beginner level only.

John S · 01-13-2004, 03:19 PM

Bewteen Optical, Digital Coax Audio, Component Video, speaker wire, svideo, and analog RCA audio/video cables, I think I have about twice invested in just my cables, than you have in your system.

With that said, if you like the way it sounds, that is all that matters.

HTIB's are best for many people. You must understand this is a forum where most of us tend to be into either high end video or higher end audio, or higher end both.

And I tend to be at the more bargain end of those that are members here.

Robert Cowan · 01-13-2004, 04:29 PM

hehe, i have one cable that costs more than that. my power cords cost more, etc...

BUT! if you are happy with it, consider yourself lucky that you dont have to plop down thousands on cables for your system!

**HTF Ads**

Bruce-E · 01-13-2004, 05:21 PM

Just enjoy it now,because you will get the urge to upgrade just like the rest of us.Finding new and better gear is half the fun of home theater!

Jonathan Dagmar · 01-14-2004, 01:21 AM

What you have is absolutely fine as a beginners system.

I myself spent a LOT of time (read: a year) researching Home theatre. When I finally had an opptorunity to make my purchase I knew what I wanted, and what I could afford, and struck a balance between the two. I decided to buy every component separately, to make it easy to upgrade one by one.

As I also wanted to get the best picture quality that I could afford, I needed a new tv as well. At some point in my life, hopefully sooner than later, I intend to be a wealthy person. However, at 19 years of age, I am not ashamed to admit that my funds are limited. For that reason I gave myself a budget of $2000 hard earned dollars.

I purchased:

-JVC i'art 27" TV. Analog, featured 16:9 squeeze for anamophic DVDs. Paid $599 Canadian.
-Panasonic XR-25 full digital reciever. $479. This reciiever provides plenty of power, plenty of inputs, and superb sound quality, all in a nice compact package. I had tried a couple of more traditional "analog" recievers in store, both were somewhat more expsnive, but this one sounded much better. Really.
-Panasonic F65 DVD players. I have nothing to compare it to, but I feel that the image quality couldn't be much better. I like that it offers extensive uder control over shaprness, contrast, etc. $229.
-A Yamaha NS P436 speaker package. Includes 5 fairly heafty sattelites, center channel, and a 100w powered sub. $499. This is the only purchase that I am not 100% satisfied with. I think I focused a little to much on cost, and probably should have spent slightly more. That said, it does prodivde a very nice sound for the price, and certainly much, much better than the plastic sattelite/passive sub combos that most HTIAB feature.

Of course, I already have upgrade fever. I would love to replace my speakers with Athena bookshelves all around. Space constraints and cost prevent me from doing this just now. Similarly I would really love to have a big beatiful Hi Def progressive scan LCD TV.

BUT, and here's the big but, and the reason I posted all of this. I still am very, very happy with that I have right now. When I sit down and watch a movie, I enjoy it like I have never enjoyed movies before. EVen a modest system like mind is more enjoyable than going to the theatre. I find myself waiting for movies to come out on DVD these days rather than seeing them in the theatre, save for big big releases like Lord of the Rings, I could never wait for that...

And now my point. (Yeah, I do have one!)

$2000 may be a lot more than a $150. But I would be willing to bet that you $150 system will sound better than anything you have ever heard in your home before. There is no reason why you should feel insecure about your purchase, and I suggest you enjoy it to the fullest. $150 dollard is a small enough sum that if you really get into home thatre it wont hurt to much to start fresh.

Kevin G. · 01-14-2004, 08:42 AM

Quote:

You must understand this is a forum where most of us tend to be into either high end video or higher end audio, or higher end both.

John S · 01-14-2004, 11:37 AM

Kevin G., you don't feel most of us that are members here tend to be into higher end audio and video? Mind you that I did not say all of the members here, but I think the statement about most members here is true.

I'm not sure what you are disagree'n with?? lol

Scott L · 01-14-2004, 01:36 PM

I think *most* of us are into bargains, great sound for cheap. This is the place that gave the JBL Northridge speakers, Sony WAM-40 12" sub, and X1 a name.

I'd uprgade in a heartbeat if budget would allow, but I am content with my POS for the time being.