Home Theater Direct Level I vs. HTiB (JVC DS-TP230) (1 Viewer)

[Jeff Meininger]

I have been using a JVC DS-TP230 for over a year, and am very happy with it. I need to get another HT setup for another room, and am considering the HTD Level I 5.1 speaker set because the specs (and even the form factor and style) look very similar. Looks and dimensions aside, do you think these speakers are on par with the JVC speakers I'm used to? Any other $150-range speaker set recommendations?
I can't afford Level II... don't even go there.
Thanks!!

 

[EricHaas]

Don't. I don't mean to malign your gear or your budgetary limitations, but there are no good complete 5.1 packages in that price range. You aren't going to get any significant sonic improvement for any package below $200.
Instead of spending your $150 on a new package, spend it on a piecemeal upgrade. Later, when you have another $150 or so, do another. Start out with your front mains.
The best deal running for a pair of speakers for that price is the JBL S26 bookshelf speakers from www.jandr.com for $159 with free shipping. Replace your JVC mains with those. The difference in your music and HT experience will be night and day. Later, save up for the S-center ($150 on some sites). Still later, maybe grab a Sony SA-WM40 sub. ($135) You can keep your JVC surround speakers for a while.
The other option at that price would be a pair of Paradigm Atoms. ($150) Later you would get the cc-170 center to match.
You can also do nothing and save until you have the money for a better package like the lvl 2's. But if you are itching to upgrade now, consider doing something like what I have suggested. In the long run, you will wind up with a better system that way than the lvl 2's. The JBL's for example are vastly superior to the lvl 2 bookshelf speakers.
Good luck!

 

[Jeff Meininger]

I don't wish to upgrade the JVC... I need an entirely new system for a completely separate room.

 

[EricHaas]

I see. Well, the jbl NSp1 is about the best really inexpensive system out there. Unfortunately, best online price is about $225, and it doesn't include a subwoofer. That's about the best I can do. Good luck.

 

[Maneesh]

Jeff,
I would like to suggest a fantastic deal. The speakers are called Michaura M55. If you do a search on http://www.audioasylum.com you will find a ton of good reviews about them. These speakers are very similar to the Axiom M22 (which is a fantastic speaker and very well regarded) and are most likely made by Axiom.
They are currently on auction at ubid - http://www.ubid.com/actn/opn/getpage...tionId=7358229 - for $29-39 apiece. Ubid has them on sale frequently from what I've seen.
I have upgraded my own modest HT with 5 of these and am very very happy - I got these for only $29 each.
Though I haven't read any reviews on the HTD level 1, it looks a great bargain and HTD has good reviews. For 1st time buyers, they offer 30 day return as well as free return shipping - so you really don't pay a penny to try them out. I say go ahead, try them out and judge for yourself. Also consider the Michaura's seriously - for not much more moeny you will get a huge boost in quality.
Hope that helped!