New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

New Home Theater Help

post #1 of 4
10/11/09 at 12:00am
Thread Starter 
I am looking at buying a new home theater system and I would love to get some help/advice.  It will probably be a HTIB, because I don't have the cash I would like to spend on a full-scale home theater system.  I am looking at the Onkyo HT-S7200, www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm.  I'm a bit uneducated when it comes to the newer technologies of HT systems.  First off I will be adding it to a 46" Sony Bravia XBR4 and a PS3.  I have been looking at this particular model for a while, and found it at a price of about $650.  I read that this model was capable of HDMI switching, but I was told that any receiver with multiple inputs and a single output is pass-through.  Also, is pass-through really as bad as everyone makes it sound?  Is this a decent price for a 7.1 HTIB, or could I even get a comparable from scratch system at this kind of price ($700 is my limit)?  I don't know much about Onkyo in general, any thoughts about this system particular system?  Any help is greatly appreciated.
Reply
post #2 of 4
10/11/09 at 10:25am
The model you linked to has HDMI v1.3a Repeater. That's good. Yes it will do the HDMI switching, but more important, it will allow you to listen to the HD audio formats from blu ray movies, played on your ps3.
Quote:
but I was told that any receiver with multiple inputs and a single output is pass-through.
Not necessarily. Some are and some are not.
Quote:
Also, is pass-through really as bad as everyone makes it sound?
HDMI pass-through is mainly for HDMI switching. Pass-through doesn't handle audio over HDMI, like a lot of people thinks it does. With pass-through, you need to use another audio connection (optical or digital coax) to get your surround.

It's not a bad price for a decent HTIB. Onkyo makes pretty good ones.
You could get a good receiver for less, but by the time you buy some decent speakers, you'd probably end up spending more. The weakest part of any HTIB is the speakers, but I don't think these with the Onkyo are TOO bad. You should enjoy them. This is a good system for an entry level system. Onkyo gives a lot of bang for the buck. Notice I have an Onkyo receiver. 
Good luck!

Reply
post #3 of 4
10/11/09 at 12:04pm
The speakers and sub are the weak points to these htib's. But putting together a system for $700 is a little tricky. But it can be done. Check AudioAdvisor for Energy speakers and TheNerds.com for Boston Acoustics speakers. These are on closeout so no returns. All sales final. TheNerds offers $9.99 shipping on all orders on weekends. Also look at Ac4l.com for refurbished Onkyo's and Dakmart.com for refurb Denons and a few things from Boston. Both offer factory warranties. Amazon and ebay are also good place to look but make sure the sellers are autorised dealers or the warranty may not be valid.

Almost forgot. PartsExpress is a good place for decent subs (and almost anything else) and MonoPrice and BlueJeansCables are good places to buy cables and wires.
Reply
post #4 of 4
10/12/09 at 1:16pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help, guys.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home