Can someone recommend a good surround sound system? (1 Viewer)

I'm seeking to buy a 5.1 home theater system with a compressor or limiter that actually works, so that I can attenuate the ridiculously excessive dynamic range in BR movies. The "night mode" in my present system is useless: the walls shake during the loud parts. I tried demuxing and editing the audio stream of these movies, but all the apps for such editing create AV sync problems. I'm hoping someone can recommend a home theater system that offers functional control over dynamic range for under $500.

Amazon offers the Onkyo HT-S3500 for $389, but I can't get anyone to tell me if the system offers effective control over audio dynamic range. Has anybody found a system with a built-in compressor or limiter that works?

The 3500 doesn't have any form of DRC(Dynamic Range Control).

Why not turn the DRC on in your BD player?

By the way. BD dynamic range, by design, is 20db.

Go to www.accessories4less.com. You'll find some good Onkyo refurbs, many with Audyssey dynamic volume control.

This might be what you're looking for. Very good price.


http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamyht399ubl/yamaha-yht-399u-5.1-channel-home-theater-in-a-box-system/1.html

I ordered the "YAMAHA YHP-S101 5.1 Theater System w/ Networking & Bluetooth & Airplay" for $399.99. Hopefully the DRC will work. The one on the BR player is inadequate. Maybe the two combined will bring the range down to a sane level. I'll probably need to upgrade the cables, No?


Thanks for the referral. I don't mind refurbished goods, since they carry the manufacturer's warranty.

I think you'll be happy. While I prefer Audyssey, I thought my Yamaha did fine with noise reduction. Very solid receiver.

Thanks. I look forward to skipping the need to edit BR video.

BTW. Will it make a lot of difference if I replace the speaker cables with a heavier gauge?

Looks like you got the last one! Sold out now. Good site, fast shipping. I would replace it with some 16 gauge wire. Amazon has their own brand, 50 ft for less than $10. You can also get RCA 100 ft for roughly the same price, which is what I use.

50 ft for < $10. You can't beat that with a stick! (not that you'd want to)

Ha! Nope. Don't forget to give a review on the new system!

Just saw that the 100 ft is about $1 more. Never hurts to have extra.

Thanks for the info about the cable.

Man, my new home theater system arrived fast: it was delivered yesterday! I'll unpack it this weekend. Yes, I'll share with ya'll if the DRC feature is worth a hoot.

Now to upgrade my DVD recorder/player. Sam's Club is selling a Samsung Blu-ray player with built-in Wi-Fi, model# BD HM57C, for $74.88, which is cheaper than Amazon. But I also want to be able to record...at least DVD quality. Since my last purchase of a DVD rec/player, technology has advanced so much I feel like a newbie again.

I'm thinking of getting a unit that records on DVD+R disks but can also play BR. I don't foresee any need to get a BR recorder. Looking at various brands, I keep seeing that recording is only possible through USB: is this to stop folks from copying movies in high def through HDMI? Any recommendations for a DVD recorder/player?

Well, the setup was quite a challenge. But I managed by discarding logic.


The cons:

The documentation--as expected--is insulting. And proof that children trapped in adult bodies are increasingly running the world is reflected in the front controls labeled in medium gray on black! Without a flashlight, it's nearly impossible to read them, unless you install 1000 lux of fluorescent lighting in your living room. The rubber feet that attach to the bottom of the speakers are missing. Accessories4Less did not reply to my e-mail. The subwoofer is a little light the bass (my old and much larger 40watt AIWA packed far more punch). The speaker wire is really cheap, but I ordered some quality 14# from Amazon. The product is advertised as having a 1 year manufacturer's warranty; but Yamaha does not recognize the product, so I am unable to register it. I had to disable the dynamic range control (DRC) as the audio level during a movie would suddenly drop by an estimated 10 dB.


Pros:

The sound is very clear; so much so I found myself missing the color of the old system. It reminds me of being in a professional recording studio, where monitoring is very flat. I'll get used to it. The system arrived factory packed and looks brand new. The dynamic range control is not necessary: for some reason the insanely wild fluctuations in surround sound audio streams of BR movies is tamed with DRC disabled. I haven't calibrated the system, nor tried the Bluetooth, CRC and many other interesting features yet. Lots of inputs and sound schemes. The tuner is powerful, picking up radio stations that previously were noisy, even with the tiny antenna and short wire.


For $400, I'll keep it. But I don't think it's worth the original price.