Re: Home theater system for $500?
here's the deal... it's not that people who post here are such snobs that we won't comment on such things, it's just that most of us (i'm assuming, no actual polls taken) don't or haven't listened to them so we can't give real world advice on these things.
they are not all total pieces of crap but there are some real disadvantages to them. they would include:
difficult or impossible to upgrade.
if something breaks the whole system is effectively useless.
poor sound quality (relative to even moderately more expensive systems put together by components.) specifically, high distortion (see anything over 1%THD in specs), poor or missing low end, subs that play too high (you hear where they are in the room), sat's and subs that do not meet/ overlap/ blend properly causing upper bass or mid problems.
built like most consumer level electronics - to last for the warranty period +3 to 30 days
there are some very obvious up-sides as well.
value
latest features and connectivity
sounds better than your tv's speakers
could even sound good in a smaller room
takes up less space than a typical HT system
fewer boxes, wires and remotes (maybe)
poor build quality means the perfect excuse to buy a new one often
low price
now i can't tell you how one HTIB will sound compared to another. what i can say is that like most things, if a deal is too good to be true it probably is.
good luck
