HT Advice, Onkyo HT-S6100 or separate components?? (1 Viewer)

[jjordan27]

Hello all, this is my first post and I am about to purchase my first surround sound setup. I have been researching a long time and am very close to figuring out what I want. My main problem is budget.

My budget is about $500, but I can push it to $550, $600 if I can really work some charm on the wife. Charms however, my not work so well as she wants me to get a $300 all in one htib.

Here is my dilemma. I REALLY want the Onkyo HT-S6100. It has all the main features that I really want, which are:

4 hdmi in and 1 out (no separate audio wire needed)
7.1 audio with decent speakers (I believe)
Mic auto setup
Blu Ray HD sound
1080i upscaling
Speaker A/+B
Ipod dock with onscreen menu

However, the cheapest I can find this is $600, and thats before buying speaker mounts and hdmi cables.

So I am considering buying separate components but the only receiver that offers all these features are the Onkyo 606 and Sony 820. Both of which are running for $400 right now leaving me only $100 for speakers. I also hear the 606 isn't very good at upscaling and the 6100 is.

I could the the Onkyo 506 model for 229 but it doesn't have the HD sound, video upconversion, and is HDMI pass through only.

I am rambling so here are some actual questions.

1. Is there any major difference in the Blu Ray sound (I dont have one but want a "future proof" receiver) with and without a receiver that decodes the HD sound? This may be one area I can cut costs on.

2. To anyone who has heard the Onkyo 6100 speakers, can you suggest speakers that are significantly better and around 200 to 300 dollars that would justify me getting a $200 receiver but "better speakers?"

3. What are the chances of the 6100 getting to $500? It was $550 right after Christmas on Newegg, but I didn't have to cash then and yes, unfortunately the $50 does make a difference.

4. Does Onkyo have any new products coming out soon that would drop the price of their receivers?

I watch a lot of Netflix through my Xbox. I steaming them from online and use dvds, so this would be my primary reason for wanting the ability to upscale to 1080i at least.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments, or questions, feel free to ask. I'm a poor man trying to do my best to get a rich mans surround sound. Help would be appreciated and I'm sure many others are in my same ship, trying to stay afloat.

I am running a Samsung 40" 1080P
Xbox 360
Direct TV

 

[gene c]

#1: It's better to have the receiver do the decoding but I'm using a Samsung with the analog out's and it sounds pretty good too. But a BluRay player that internally decodes the new formats and sends them out the 7.1 analogs usually run about $100 more than those that don't.

#2: I haven't heard the speakers in the 6100 but it would be pretty difficult to get speakers and a sub for around $300. Maybe something like two pair of these Energy C-50, one of these Energy C-C50 and one of these Onkyo sub but it would probably be over $300 with shipping on the sub.

#3: AC4L.com-Onkyo 6100 lists the 6100 as a factory refurb for $499 but they are currently out of stock. But keep looking.

#4: I think their new stuff comes out around May?

 

[Al.Anderson]

I'm not familiar with the specific models, so I can't be any help there.

But here's some random thoughts.

- How big is the room you'll be listening in? A samller room will need less receiver and you can more afford to compromise.

- Have you considered buying used? You can save a boatload that way. I know a used receiver that conks out would be a big risk. But that problem is much reduced with speakers.

- Consider getting the reciever you want and building up the speakers. You only *really* need stereo to start. Then you could add a center channel and a sub. Then mid surrounds. And when you're feeling extra flush, rear surrounds. (In my opinion 5.1 is more than sufficient and 7.1 is icing on the cake.)

 

[hodedofome]

As someone who has a friend with an Onkyo HTiB similar to this one, you will not find anything better at this price. Sure separate components are better but unless you can buy used or piece it together over time like the above poster suggests (that's what I did), the Onkyo system is the way to go. In any case, the receiver in the system is a good deal and you can upgrade the speakers/sub down the road if you wish.

 

[jjordan27]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think if the price of the 6100 doesn't go down soon, I am going to go with the Onkyo 576 and buy separate speakers.

Does anyone know how the Polk RM6750 5.1 speaker setup is? Its going for 229 right now on newegg. The Onkyo 576 is going for like 300.

Does anyone know how these speakers compare to the Onkyo ones?

Or does anyone know of any other speaker packages that are comparable to these?

Also, if anyone knows a comparable receiver for $300 let me know, but I don't think anything comes close to Onkyo for the price.

If anyone sees a good deal on a used one let me know. The ones I've seen on ebay were more expensive than amazon and newegg.

Thanks everyone for welcoming me with great advice. Especially Gene, I didn't realize that I could just get a better blu ray player later and save money now.

 

[gene c]

If you're not afraid of factory refurbs then here's a few option from Ac4l.com you might want to take a look at.

Marantz 4002-$249, Marantz 5002-$299, Onkyo 576-$249, Onkyo 606-$299. Also, the Onkyo HTS-R800-$299. In my opinion the speakers in the 800 will be a bit better than the 6001. Just add one of those BR players that decodes the new formats and sends it thru the 7.1 channel analog outs. Just something else to think about.

 

[jjordan27]

Those are some good prices on there. I saw that AF4L also offers a 1year warranty. That usually puts my fears away. The HT 800 is nice, but it doesn't transport the audio over the HDMI. So I am thinking about combining the Onkyo 576 with the SKS-HT540

Onkyo SKS-HT540 Surround Speaker System reviews - CNET Reviews

Still looking at speaker packages... and also, I am not sure if the 576 supports a separate station so you can play something different in another room.

 

[ehindes]

Gene, I am needing to purchase my HTIB to complete my new HT. I was looking at the Yamaha yht-390bl then someone recommended the Onkyo 6100 which was a little higher than I wanted to go. However, these Factory reconditioned Onkyos are in my range. Would the HT-SR800 be the better of these and how would it compare to the 6100?

Edited to add what is the BR decoder you speak of do we need that?
Eric

 

[gene c]

The best way to get the new DolbyTrueHD and DTS-Master Audio sound formats from BluRay players is to have a receiver that is HDMI vs. 1.3a and internally decodes theses new formats. Another way is to have a receiver that accepts PCM (Pulse Code Modulation-the method of transferring digital sound, like on a cd) from a BluRay player that does the decoding itself (not all do). The third way is to have a receiver with 7.1 Channel analog inputs (most have them) and a BluRay player that decodes the formats internally and sends them out it's analog outputs (don't assume that if a BR player has 7.1 outputs that it also internally decodes the new formats and sends them to it's output's-many don't).

The 6100 is HDMI 1.3a and decodes the new formats. The SR800 and YST390 are not and the analog inputs with the appropriate BR player is another option to get TrueHd and Master Audio. BR players that are so equipped usually run about $100 more than those that aren't. Examples: the Sony 550 is about $100 more than the 350 and the Panasonic 55 is $100 more than the 35. Yes, it is very confusing. That's why we like avr's that are 1.3a around here sooo much

.

 

[jjordan27]

Thanks everyone for the help. I just bought the 6100 for 599 with free shipping and handling from Vanns. Now I saw these speakers are big, so I was wondering about speaker mounts. I think they just have one screw hole in the back. Does that mean they will work with any speaker mount?