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HTiB or build from scratch?

post #1 of 14
3/22/10 at 3:21am
Thread Starter 
I've been looking at the onkyo ht-s9100thx or onkyo ht-s7200, But I've been reading that HTIB aren't the best way to go. Could i build a better Home theater system than the onkyo systems i posted With a 1000$-1200$ budget?

I'll be hooking it to a 42" samsung plasma and be using it for gaming and music mostly. If that helps any


P.S if a MOD could fix my tittle please
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post #2 of 14
3/22/10 at 3:52am
Latter request done, Luke. 

Welcome to the forum.
Generally speaking it must be possible to build a better system from components than most HTiB's.
We have several very knowledgeable members here, who will gladly help you with a few practical solutions currently on the US market.

Good luck with your system.


Cees
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post #3 of 14
3/22/10 at 3:53am

Speakers and subs are the weak point in these type of systems. The speakers in the 9100 aren't that bad but here is just one other option. Polk Monitor-40's Monitor-30's CS2 for $380 shipped. Add a Partsexpress/SUB-120 for $170 and a Denon/1610 for $379 and it will leave enough for good quality cables from Monoprice.com. The 1610 might seem a little weak compared to the Onkyo receivers in the 9100 and 7200 but the 1610 will power those Polks to ear bleeding levels and it comes with Audyssey MultiEQ instead of 2EQ.

I must tell you though, Polks are considered kinda of bright compared to some other speakers.

Buying last years speakers at closeout prices can save you a lot of money. If you like the way they sound.

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post #4 of 14
3/22/10 at 10:02am
With a $1,200 budget you might want to split your budget between $400 or less for a receiver and $800 for speakers.  For this budget you could put together a better system than a HTib.  What you should do is listen to and evaluate as many $800 5.1 speaker systems as you can and evaluate the sound against the best HTib you listened to.  

More than likely the $800 speakers you like will sound better.  If not then buy the HTib and save your money for something else. 

 
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post #5 of 14
3/22/10 at 5:28pm
 For that budget I would get these:

The Denon 1610 mentioned by gene c
Fluance SXHTB for $299
SVS PB10 for $475 or the PC12 for $599

Cables/wires from monoprice.com

The Denon is an excellent brand and is quickly replacing Onkyo as the value leader.  The Fluance are not 'top of the line' speakers, but still WAY better than the HTiB speakers.  The SVS subs are very, very good.  
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post #6 of 14
3/23/10 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
I've never heard of either of those brands ( Fluance & SVS ). Are they good quality brand?
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post #7 of 14
3/23/10 at 3:37pm

Fluance is an in-expensive brand that has been around for quite a while. Members around here who have owned or heard them seem to be surprised by their sound quality.

SVS is better known for their sub woofers than their speakers but that's changing quickly. As I understand it SVS was founded by two members of this and probably a few other forums a few years ago in their garage who were looking to build a better sub woofer than what was available at the time and has prospered into a first class company. Here's a Google search of SVS/SBS reviews SVS-SBS/reviews. They also sell an MTS series speaker system which starts around $2500.

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post #8 of 14
3/23/10 at 8:26pm
Fluance is NOT a top of the line speaker company, but they are better than the typical HTiB speakers.  In fact, I lived with them for much longer than originally planned and was not unhappy with the sound (I still watched movies all the time).

SVS is, IMO, by far the best sub maker (for value vs performance).  I own one of the older 200 pound beasts (PB12 Ultra/2) and will buy SVS again.
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post #9 of 14
3/23/10 at 9:16pm
Thread Starter 
Sounds like my best bet is to go with the Fluance speakers & SVS PB10 sub. Then hook it up to the Denon 1610

I have to ask, Since i like my video games loud and my music LOUDER!. Well this setup do the trick?
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post #10 of 14
3/24/10 at 8:56am


Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke Lacy View Post

I have to ask, Since i like my video games loud and my music LOUDER!. Well this setup do the trick?
"loud" and "louder" mean different things to different people.  When I watch my Motley Crue DVD can I equal the SPL of the 3rd row at the concert?  Not even close.  But I can get it loud enough that my wife runs into the room and screams at me to turn it down.  I can see her mouth moving but I can't hear anything.  This is with a Pioneer VSX-1014 receiver, DIII center (http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/Projects/D3/dayton3.htm), DII mains (http://www.speakerbuilder.net/web_files/Projects/D2/d2main.htm) and dual 15" TC-3000 subs (http://web.archive.org/web/20070224172836/www.tcsounds.com/tc3000.htm).  The speakers are better than retail models but they aren't very efficient.  The sub is awsome but it is calibrated for a balanced sound.  This is not a bass heavy system.

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post #11 of 14
3/24/10 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
yeah i dont need front row at a crue show loud, But i do want to be able to crank the tunes on a summer day and hear it outside when the family over for a BBQ on the weekends
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post #12 of 14
3/24/10 at 3:02pm
My brother has a 1610 and even though it's only rated @ 75 wpc it drives his Boston Acoustics to pretty high levels. Those Fluance speakers have average sensitivity (86-89 spl) so I'm thinking it shouldn't disappoint. David Willow can probably answer that question a bit more accurately as I don't have any experience with Fluance.
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post #13 of 14
3/24/10 at 4:41pm
Open your windows and put your speakers in them.  You will have the cops visiting before you know it.

Or get a dual zone receiver and have a set of outdoor speakers.
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post #14 of 14
3/24/10 at 6:16pm
 I drove them quite loud with both a 50 watt HK 325 and a 100 watt Onkyo 705.  Neither amp had a problem hitting near reference in my moderately sized room.  

If you are looking for 'party' speakers, then these are not the ones you want.  Something like Cerwin Vega would be better.  CV sacrifices accuracy for decibels.  If you are looking for a set to start with a low budget and home theater is your goal, the Fluance will fit the bill.


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