[jkuli6]

Hello,
I am looking for any recommendations on any good "out of the box: home theater systems. I am mostly interested in wireless surround speakers, and making sure that there is a digital/OPTICAL input. I want to be able to hook up my PS3 to it.

I was checking out the Panasonic SC-PT960. Any other recommendations would be great. Thanks!

[John Brill]

Welcome to HTF Joseph!

I'm sure you've browsed through some of the discussions in this forum already and realize there isn't a whole lot of love for HTiB solutions. Most people here will recommend going with better quality receivers, CD/DVD systems, and speakers than can be had in a HTiB.

I'll tell you though, I got started in this hobby with a basic Yamaha HTiB and as my budget grew, so did my system...

To answer your question, can I ask you a couple of my own?

Why are you interested in wireless rear speakers? You do realize that they are not truly wireless and will need to be pluged into a wall outlet for power? Also, sound quality with wireless technology can be suspect (interference, etc...).

What is your budget, needs/wants (you already mentioned abilility to plug in your PS3, any other needs?), what is your room dimension?

If HTiB is truely what you want with wireless rear speakers, I don't know of a better product out there than the Panasonic mentioned at that price point. Sony puts out a similar product but has less connectivity options.

[jkuli6]

Thanks for the response, John.

The room size where I'd like to put the surround sound is about 14'W x 20' L.

I have a surround system setup in my basement with a reciever (about a 4 yr. old RCA) and a mix of Sony front/center speakers and Polk Audio rear.

I tried to go the receiver route in the room I refer to above, but with all the wires behind the tv (w/ the PS3, DVD player, and VCR) it just seemed to be a bit of a fire hazard. I didn't really enjoy the idea of having to lift up carpet to hide wires for the surround speakers, as I am renting the place. Plus, and it was probably user error, I had trouble hooking it up and getting good results (image on the tv screen, etc.)

I like the panasonic I was looking at because the rear speakers are wirelss (so to speak, I know they are wired to each other and plugged into a wall). I also like that it upconverts DVD's to 5.1. The price is attractive, too ($500). I know it's not as powerful as a stand-alone receiver ( I think the THD is 0.1% and it is "measured at 6 ohms, not 8).

Any other thoughts?

[John Brill]

Well, if you have carpeting that probably means you have baseboards as well. Should be fairly easy to tuck speaker wire in between there (unless there is an opening somewhere on both sides...).

As for wire clutter, hardly a fire hazzard, I take the time to make sure nothing crosses or "nests" are formed and I use lengths of thin plastic flex pipes (they sell lengths of the stuff at Home Depot and Ikea) to keep like the clutter down.

For the size room you have, I think you will be disappointed in the HTiB if it's going to be your main Movie watching. If it's going to be secondary, should be more than fine.

[jkuli6]

John,
Thanks again for the reply.

I'll have to check out Home Depot fpr those "flex pipes" (good idea). I'm pretty careful about my wiring. I make sure there are no "nests", wires wrapping around each other, and things of that nature. I always "loop" the excess wire together (like it is in the package when you open it, and tie it up off to the side if I can).

We really don't watch THAT many movies, and I mostly plan on using the surround for playing the PS3. I am basically looking to augment my HDTV's speakers.

I wish I had the $$ right now for a more sophisticated system (stand alone receiver and some nice add-on speakers). I have a friend who has a Panasonic system simialr to the one I'm looking at, and it doesn't sound too bad, actually.


Joe

[Goose4540]

Joe
I actually recently bought the Panasonic 760, 1 step down from the 960 you are looking at. I actually will be returning it to Best Buy after this weekend. The system itself isnt a bad one by any means, I'm new to home theatre myself and the system actually produced decent sound. I'm in a similar sized room as you (18x12) but ive quickly realized there are other options that are much better but similarly priced.

regarding the wireless speakers, i think you would be just as good without them because honestly there isnt much comin out of them whether its music, DVDs or the PS3. the system also leaves much to be desired regarding inputs & outputs, and theres pretty much no way you can upgrade it, you are stuck with it, and even the guy at best buy told me probably within the year one of the speakers will crap out on me.

some of the other options you might want to take a gander at are
onkyo sr-800 (shoponkyo.com) can be had for ~350 shipped
samsung as720 - on sale at best buy for around 500ish i think

i would imagine even if you got a decent receiver, a center channel, left and right front speakers and some sort of decent sub and you would be way ahead of what the panasonic will do. also since u have the ps3 the dvd player in there doesnt help you either.