Home theater in a Box (1 Viewer)

[Rick Westfall]

I realize this is probably a bad thing to talk about on this forum, but my father-in-law is looking at one. Any suggestions? He has an Onkyo in his sights from Fry's Electronics.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't know anything about these since I have kepted away from them.

Range is $500 or less.

 

[Ed Moxley]

It's been my understanding that Onkyo makes a very good HTIB....
HTIBs make a good starter setup for HT. Once he gets it going, and watches and listens to a few movies, the upgrade-itis bug will probably bite him. You can help him. Say, "this sounds real good, but it CAN sound a whole lot better. Once he's started getting used to it, take him to an HT store, and have them demo a really good system for him. Let him see what it can sound like. It will be fun to watch his reactions............

 

[Bill**H]

Rick,

At $500 The Onkyo HTS-760 is the way to go! You will still need to buy a DVD player,speaker stands and spend about $100 in cables.
I have last years model the HTS-650 and the only thing I upgraded was the Subwoofer,(2 Sony SA-WM40's). I run the Subs 6 DB hot and have no trouble reaching 105+ DB peaks at my seat which is 13 feet from the TV in a room that is 11'3" by 33'. All speakers set to 75 DB. When both Subs are on the SPL Meter shows 81 DB. For a low buck system it Rocks!
The "upgrade-itis" bug has bitten me. I want a 57" RPTV, but can't afford it right now as the 36" direct view is just to small. I'd also like to have an SVS Sub. Whats a poor ole WV boy to do when he needs a new roof on the house and wants $3500 worth of new toys...

Bill

 

[Scott*B]

The Onkyo 760 is in his price range and a good system. The great thing is the receiver is very good so if he gets the bug to upgrade later all he's gotta do is replace the speakers.

 

[Steve Adams]

I would shy away from any htib. go seperates and get something worth while.....for the same price...

 

[John S]

I would normally say stay away from HTIB, but with the Onkyo you get a real deal DD/DTS receiver, so they make a solid platform to upgrade upon if you so choose.

 

[Chuck W]

I agree John. The Onkyo HT-760's receiver is the SR501(rebadged as HT510 I think), which is a 6.1 receiver with component video switching. For that price, it's is as good a choice as you are gonna find for a HTIB.

The receiver is a good one(I had the SR501 for a week, but exchanged it for an SR601, only because I wanted a bit more power and the DTS 96/24 support).

 

[ChrisLazarko]

Onkyo makes a decent HTIB, I also like Yamaha HTIB's.

 

[Harold Wazzu]

Another vote for the Onkyo here. I went and looked at it at Circuit City one time and it looks pretty dang nice. I don't think you could get a better HTIB for the price.