All my plans and research just went out the window (1 Viewer)

[camarojsmith]

I was all set to buy the Onkyo HT-S5400 HTiB from best buy and they pulled all the Onkyo products. I'm not sure if they sold out of everything or what. What should I buy? It has to be from best buy (have ~$300 gift cards). I'm looking for the best system for the money with the capibility to improve the system at a later date. I'm not opposed to buying just a receiver from best buy and getting speakers elsewhere. Are the newest models coming out? Is that why best buy stopped selling the 5400? Thanks.

 

[Martino]

I'm not opposed to buying just a receiver from best buy and getting speakers elsewhere.

That is the way I would go - pick up a good receiver with your gift cards, and then looking for a speaker system to go with it. Usually, HTIB systems skimp on the speakers to save money and you end up not getting all of the sound that your receiver can deliver. You might want to check out the speaker section of the forum for recommendations based on your speaker budget and room setup. http://www.hometheaterforum.com/t/317975/any-suggestions-on-bookshelf-speakers

I'm looking for the best system for the money

There are a few internet direct companies who will maximize your bang for the buck. Depending on the size of your room (small or large), you can start by researching a few of these companies to start with: Small Room: HSU - $500.00 (includes speakers and sub) http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/performance1.html Larger Room: HSU - $1249.00 (includes speakers and sub) http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/enthusiast2.html SVS - speakers(649) + SUB (599) = $1248.00 http://www.svsound.com/systems/products?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=23&category_id=3 http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/view-all?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=200&category_id=1

 

[camarojsmith]

Little backround: My tv area is 19 long x13 wide and the entire room is 19 long x 25 wide. The entire floor is tiled with a large area rug by the couch/tv area. So I'll be using half the room for tv, movies and the other half for a game room (Fooseball, darts, Poker). I have a 70" sharp led. I'm using the tv speaker now and they are horrible. It's hard to even watch the tv. I basically want something now that is a good start and affordable $500-$600 that I can upgrade piece by piece later. That's why I was looking at the 5400. I read here that it came with a good receiver but the speaker where subpar. The plan was to make due and maybe in a year or so get better speakers.

 

[Jim Mcc]

I would not buy a HTIB system. They are subpar in every area. Are you looking for a 5.1 or 7.1 system? I would buy a receiver and 2 front speakers to start with, and a sub as soon as you can. Then buy the center channel speaker and surround speakers when you can.

 

[camarojsmith]

I don't need a 7.1 system but it would be nice to have that option.

 

[Al.Anderson]

The 5400 was a good option for you. It's very low priced at Amazon right now. That and the fact that Onkyo has a number of receivers on their site marked as "coming soon" leads me to believe that Best Buy pulled everything because they're about to do a model year swap. If you really need to use those BB gift card you might just want to hold out a few weeks. But if you have the cash you could probably save some money by getting it through Amazon while they still have last year's models in stock.

 

[Jim Mcc]

I was going to suggest 3 receivers from Best Buy, but they are all 5.1 receivers. They're all $249 or less. If you want 7.1, the only receivers less than $300 are Sherwood and Sony, and I wouldn't recommend either of those brands. You need to decide if you want a 7.1 receiver for sure, and how much you want to spend on the receiver from Best Buy.

 

[camarojsmith]

I'd be fine with a 5.1 system. I was just thinking about a 7.1 for "future expansion" but it's not really needed. Can I build an ok system from best buy? I wouldn't mind buying a $300 receiver at best buy and then spending another $300 on speakers online or buying the receiver online and speakers at best buy. I'm just looking for a good starter system (everything I need but able to upgrade) without spending a ton of money ($300 best buy plus another $200-$300).

 

[gene c]

The Onkyo 5400 is still listed on BB website and I'm pretty sure you can use gift cards on-line can't you? Otherwise, you're in a pickel! If Onkyo is out of BB then there really isn't a decent receiver or speaker/subwoofer package for $300. Ac4l.com has the refurbished 5400 for $289 + shipping and refurbed 5300 for $269 + sh. Use the gifr cards for something else. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/brand/onkyo/results/1.html If you have to buy something from BB then it comes down to the Yamaha 371 or Denon 1312. I just can't find any speaker/sub there worth buying for under $300 but you could ask them if they can give you a good price on the Pioneer http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/SP-PK21BS This speaker system isn't that bad for $149 + sh http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKSKSHT540/Onkyo-SKS-HT540-7.1-channel-Home-Theater-Speaker-System/1.html Better than what came with the 5400 maybe. From Vanns.com's clearance center. Open box customer return Boston Acoustics CS2310B ($239 + sh). http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/clearance/544779013/boston-acoustics-cs2310b

 

[Jim Mcc]

The three 5.1 receivers from Best Buy I would recommend are: 1) Insignia NS-AV511 for $199 - I have the earlier version of this and I really like it. I've had it a couple years in my theater. 2) Yamaha RX-V371 for $229 3) Denon AVR1312 for $249

 

[TheGary]

There's also the Pioneer 521 which is pretty good too.

 

[camarojsmith]

Thanks guys, I have some decisions to make. I'm going to make a few phone calls with best buy and see if that gets me anywhere with the 5400. If not I may wait a couple weeks to see if a newer model comes online. Then decide. It took me a month to make a decision then I'm a day late when it comes time to order.

 

[camarojsmith]

Ok so Best Buy people are clueless as to when the new models will be in stock. So my plan is buy this with my gift cards http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Denon+-+550W+5.1-Ch.+3D+Pass+Through+A/V+Home+Theater+Receiver/2127161.p?skuId=2127161&id=1218310410062 or http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Denon+-+600W+5.1-Ch.+3D+Pass+Through+A/V+Home+Theater+Receiver/2127198.p?id=1218310762391&skuId=2127198 What are the differences in the receivers other than $100? and this. From Vanns.com's clearance center. Open box customer return Boston Acoustics CS2310B ($239 + sh). http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/clearance/544779013/boston-acoustics-cs2310b Anyone have experience with these speakers and/or company? How is this setup for the money? Is it a good starter system that I can upgrade later if I want to? Thanks.

 

[gene c]

The biggest difference between the receivers is the 1612 includes Audyssey MultEq automatic setup and room eq along with Dynamic Volume and EQ.. That's a pretty big bonus. IMO it's worth the $100 but some might say it's not. Vanns is one of the most recommended e-tailers around. My brother uses the same speakers in 2310B as surrounds along with towers and the center channel from the same line and they're pretty good for the price. Nice wood cabinets and good over-all sound. They are very small speakers though.

 

[camarojsmith]

HOLY CRAP!! I just went to buy this: Boston Acoustics CS2310B ($239 + sh). http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/clearance/544779013/boston-acoustics-cs2310b and there gone. I just can't win. I'm buying something today. Can anyone recommend me something of similar quality and price? Thanks.

 

[Martino]

Energy Take 5.1 Classic - goes for $353 + shipping....a little more than your 239... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001202C44?ie=UTF8&tag=gosale-20&m=A395JGV5Q29RVN Or the Energy Micro for 349... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269003&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwordsplaNANA

 

[camarojsmith]

My procrastination is getting the best of me again. Are the Energy Take 5.1 Classic's good for my room size? I'm going to keep watching the vanns website and jump on an open box setup. Are there any other websites that are recommended similar to Vanns? Thanks guys. Ordered the The Denon 1612 from best buy finally.

 

[Martino]

The Energy's are more geared for small to mid sized rooms...but they will be a large improvement over using your TV speakers for sound and fit into your budget. I had a friend with a similar budget issue that lived in a mid-sized condo that bought them - and was more than pleased with the results. Looking at the speakers you attempting to get from Vanns - they are in the same catagory/configuration (sat/sub package). When the Energy's first came out, they were the top buy from home theatre magazine for quite some time, and have received many favorable reviews.... http://www.hometheater.com/content/energy-take-classic-speaker-system I think with either system you will be happy to not have to use the TV speakers...

 

[camarojsmith]

Just bought the Energy Take 5.1 Classics. Thanks for your help Martino. I'm sure I'll be impressed.

 

[Martino]

Good luck with the new purchase - please come back and update the thread after you get them setup and let us know how they are working for you.