Advice about Purchasing a Surround Sound System (1 Viewer)

[David Bo]

I only have about $450 to spend, and need to get a 5.1 system. Can I get a decent Home Theater System for this price range?
Here's the features I want:
DTS 5.1 digital Decoder
Dolby Digital Decoder
Dolby Pro-logic decoder
5 speakers, 1 subwoofer
around 500 watts?
Digital Optical and Coaxial inputs
Video shielding
Headphone Jack,Remote, etc.
I have been looking at these models:
Sony HTDDW830
http://www.800.com/prod.asp?P=5147
JVC DSTP450
http://www.800.com/prod.asp?P=5177
Kenwood HTB404
http://www.800.com/prod.asp?P=4670
Pioneer HTP210
http://www.800.com/prod.asp?P=5260
I will mostly be using this for DVDs and CDs.
Should I buy seperate components, or just get an all in one package?
What other models do you reccomend?
I have an Aiwa 80 watt shelf system presently, but if I get a Home Theater System, should I use my Toshiba SD-1700 DVD player to play my CD's?
Are there other features that I should look for?
And if I get this, is there a more affordable, yet quality way of connecting the speakers, instead of spending a lot on Monster cables?

 

[Joe Greca]

Trust me, everyone is going to agree, go for the KENWOOD!

 

[Thomas_Berg]

around 500 watts? ... 80 watts

watts are very relative in low end stuff. dont let this sway your decision.
good luck!

 

[Michael Caicedo]

Just wanted to mention that the NSP1s are out of stock at jandr.com I ordered my package from bestpriceaudiovideo.com for $279 + $30 shipping. Very prompt service too. Oh yeah, and I am another satisfied NSP1 owner.

 

[Brett DiMichele]

I just wanted to second Michael's opinion of Best Price Audio And Video.

I ordered my towers from them and had them at my door a day

later.

 

[Joe Greca]

Well if you can get the NSP1 package, definately go for that, it sounds great. If you can't afford it though, and need to go for the HTiB, go for the Kenwood.

 

[David Bo]

Thanks you guys, I appreciate the help.
I think what I might do is get a Kenwood 506 Reciever:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...3VR506&o=P&a=0
Which is $250. Then for the speakers I'm not quite sure, the HTD Level 1 set seems good, and especially affordable for only $150, including wall mounting brackets. The JBL NSP1 package looks great, although I would have to wait a little longer to get it. The JBL Left and Right front and Surrounds aren't too big to be put up with speaker brackets are they?
And how is the Sony SA-WM20 sub($100 less than the WM40)? I'm going to do a lot more looking around for the right speakers, but any more reccomendations for speaker systems up to $300 or so would be a lotta help.

 

[Michael Caicedo]

David, as a matter of fact, the NSP1 package comes with a set of brackets (4). Very secure and easily mounted to the walls. A very nice package indeed, superior for that price range.

 

[Keith_R]

I have the Sony HT-DDW830 and I will say I'm happy with it. I know it probably does not sound like the best system around but it does sound pretty decent. stay away from the JVC!! I've never had very good experience with JVC products. Make your final choice the Sony or Kenwood.