Requesting input for HT-S9400THX or other purchase (1 Viewer)

Good evening.

I’m a retired guy with hearing problems and can’t hear my TV very well so I’m thinking about getting a home theatre audio system. I primarily want to use it for movies (3d) and watching TV. My living room is about 14’ x 16’ and open into a stairway and dining room. I have an LG 3d TV and Samsung 3d DVD player. I know nothing about electronics or theatre systems.

I’m looking at getting the Onkyo HT-S9400THX (about $620 w/shipping) from ac4l.com based on the reviews I’ve read on this site. I’ve also read opinions that a HTIB may not be the best way to go however I have no experience in determining comparable system specifications. I’ve spent a couple weeks reviewing speaker and receiver specs at amazon, newegg, ac4l.com parts direct, etc and reading lots of posts on this site but I just confuse myself (easy to do) with all the varying information and data.

I’d appreciate any recommendations from the knowledgeable people on this site regarding whether or not to just buy the Onkyo 9400 or build a system. If the recommendation is to build a system I’d appreciate recommendations for the individual items that would be needed to build the system while keeping the costs in the general range as the Onkyo 9400.

Thank you!
Rog

Do you really want a surround system, or is it just because you think it will help you hear better? Have you thought about headphones and/or subtitles?

I will never recommend a HTIB, no matter what manufacturer.

The 9400 isn't really a htib. It's a regular receiver packaged with a 7.1 speaker set. Granted, the speakers are the weak link in this system as well (but much better then the other Onkyo systems) but you would be hard-pressed to duplicate the whole thing for $620 unless you went ebay/craigslist.

If you wanted to go with seperate components you could star with the Onkyo 509 (a step down from the receiver that comes with the 9400 but you probably wouldn't notice it), a subwoofer from partsexpress.com. and Polk Monitor speakrs from newegg.com

But it would end up costing you more then the 9400. And not sound all that much better. And buying a complete system from one place just makes things a lot easier.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXNR515/Onkyo-TX-NR515-7.2-Channel-Network-A/V-Receiver/1.html

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-629

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008225%2050012345&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&SrchInDesc=monitor&Page=1&PageSize=20

I used to have a set of Fluance surround sound speakers. I actually picked them up because they were relatively inexpensive, and wanted better sound then my HTIB speakers. I must say they demolished them. That being said I had the step up from the link I've provided you, but these got great reviews for budget speakers from Cnet - placed in their top 5 budget speaker systems for what it's worth. You'd just need to pick up a 5.1 receiver, which can be had fairly cheaply these days. Here's the link to the Fluance set, (via Cnet) and a link to the brand new Denon E-series 5.1 receiver. Both come with free shipping. 250.00 for the 5.0 and 250.00 for the Denon - brings you to 500 shipping included. This leaves you 100 for a sub. For budget subs Dayton comes highly recommended. I've attached a link for one that is exactly 100.00 from Parts Express. This brings your grand total to 650.00, and I think it's is a significant upgrade over the HTIB option.

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/fluance-av-htb-5/4505-7868_7-20984105.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1J70S50306

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-628

The 9400 is not HTiB.It is a pre-package.Monumental difference.However, the price of $620 is tough to beat...and stay 7.1.

schan1269 said:

The 9400 is not HTiB.It is a pre-package.Monumental difference.However, the price of $620 is tough to beat...and stay 7.1.

Click to expand...

Ahh It didn't register that it was a 7.1 not a 5.1.... And upon further research, as it's listed on Newegg for 1000 dollars with some happy buyers, for 620, with a 7.1 receiver, it does seem like quite a good deal.

Wow ... thanks for the great info! I think your expert opinions have convinced me to buy the 9400.

Thank you very much for your assistance!!!!
Rog