Samsung Vs. Onkyo (1 Viewer)

I was wondering which system is better. Samsung's HTiB model HT-H7730WM/ZA or an Onkyo Receiver (TX-NR535) and Onkyo Speakers (SKS-HT540). I currently have the Samsung and I feel like it is a good system but it could be better.

AVR and real speakers are always better than HTiB.

There's no comparison between the two. The Samsung is a clock radio is a large box; the Onyko is a full-fledged receiver. The Samsung is vastly underpowered and has inferior audio specs. Also, the speakers are small, and since the amp can only drive low ohm (proprietary) speakers you can't add better ones. If any portion of the Samsung fails, you're forced to replace the entire product (it can't be repaired and it's all-in-one).

If you look around the forum a bit you'll find we warn people away from most Home-Theater-in-a-Box products, which is what the Samsung is.

If you can return the Samsung I highly recommend you do so. You don't have to go as high as the TX-NR535, something like this wil be vastly better than the Samsung (even without a sub):

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V375-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B00B981F38/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418726261&sr=8-1&keywords=receivers
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418726159&sr=8-1&keywords=pioneer+speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-C22-Designed-Channel-Speaker/dp/B008NCD2EI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1418726159&sr=8-5&keywords=pioneer+speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS21-LR-80-Watts-2-Way-Speakers/dp/B004MEWZE4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1418726159&sr=8-4&keywords=pioneer+speakers

Thanks a lot. This is really helpful but what is your opinion on the Onkyo speakers, if you have one?

Think it all depends on your budget.

Found a review on the speakers you are looking at -- they seemed to like it - but I think the sub for any of these all in 1 systems will be your weak link.

http://www.cnet.com/products/onkyo-sks-ht540-series/2/


The reviewer above recommended the pioneer system. They have gotten many good reviews and seem to be the best bang/buck thing going around now. -- seems like the sub is a little weak on these systems as well.

http://www.cnet.com/products/pioneer-sp-pk52fs/2/

You did not mention a budget in your post on what you are looking for price wise. It is usually better to get a receiver - speaker package that matches - and a quality sub. Those systems come in many flavors and budgets.

Even a pre-package(Denon DHT or any Onkyo HT-S that doesn't start with a 3) is better than HTiB.Onkyo and Denon Pre-Packs are available at A4L for under $400.

Ok, I am definitely going to return my Samsung.

My budget is around $1,000. Since I plan to get a 7.2 receiver, I am going to buy a Bic Acoustech PL-200 subwoofer (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OFXV5IO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3MY96UAHBX565&coliid=I2Y8RSMIRBYC24).

Now I can't decide one which receiver to buy. My choices are between the Sony STR-DN1050 and the Onkyo TX-NR636. Both are about the same price with about the same features. The Sony is slightly more powerful.

Ignore power ratings.They are based on two channels only...and unless you know how much it pulls off the wall...

It's not as strong of an opinion as the negative HTiB one, but most of us avoid Sony for receivers/speakers. (TVs are fine.)
The usual list of receiver manufacturers are Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, Harman/Kardon, and Denon.
I'll add that you should probably be less concerned with the receiver than the speakers, as speakers provide most of the audio "goodness". I'd say the order of importance is speakers, room treatment, then receiver. (Although that's always a fun debate!) So as long as the receiver you pick has the features you need/want, you don't have to hand-wring too much.

kjkant8193 said:

Ok, I am definitely going to return my Samsung.

My budget is around $1,000. Since I plan to get a 7.2 receiver, I am going to buy a Bic Acoustech PL-200 subwoofer (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OFXV5IO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3MY96UAHBX565&coliid=I2Y8RSMIRBYC24).

Click to expand...

Don't mix and match the subs. Having 2 subs is not a good idea unless they are identical (or you REALLY know what you are doing).

With your budget I would get the Onkyo AVR, the BIC sub, and add a nice speaker package from someone like Fluance. Add a 2nd BIC sub later when you have the cash. Or skip the sub for now and save to get something better.