Need HT recommendations please. (1 Viewer)

[Jason_Graham]

I am preparing to buy some HT equipment, my budget is around $700-$800. I already have a Sony KP-53HS10 and a Sony DVPNS715P DVD player. So I guess all I really need is Receiver and Speakers.

I have been looking at some of the HTiB solutions from Kenwood and Onkyo.

Can I build a better setup from seperate parts?

Bottom line is, the rooms isn't massive, maybe 12x15 or even a little smaller.

I would like to stay around $750, and if I order online would like it to be a very reputable dealer.

I had also looked at the Sony STRDE985 receiver, it has Component Video Inputs which I liked since I have my DVD to the HD Component hookups on my TV.

So whats the best I can do on this budget?

Thanks!

 

[ChristopherBer]

If you can find the JBL NSP1 Series I online for $199 it would be really great. And then add a nice subwoofer for like $300. Then you can get a nice Pioneer 811 reciever for $300 online. That's $800. I would think the Pioneer is a better reciever than the Sony but it's just my opinion. Good Luck!

 

[DavidQc]

Jason,

I have the Pioneer VSX-811D receiver.
I love it.

It fabulous, and it is paired up with the Onkyo speakers (HTS500?)

I just need to upgrade speaker cables and sub cable soon.



-david

 

[AaronJB]

Onkyo SKSHT_500 Speakers ($250ish)

&

Panasonic SAHE100 (6.1 capable - DTS-ES Matrix/Discrete + unofficial DD-EX; PLII, DTS NEO-6) Reciever ($269-299)

or

Pioneer-811 Reciever (6.1 capable - DTS-ES Matrix/Discrete, DD-EX; PLII - probably NEO-6, too) ($299-399)

If you choose a 6.1 system, Onkyo also sells an additional back surround speaker through their website for $40.

 

[Jason_Graham]

I had looked at the Onkyo speakers before, and liked what I saw.

Here are a couple more question if you guys could help out.

The HTiB package that Onkyo has the HT-S650, is that the same speaker package but with a TX-SR500 receiver that Onkyo makes? It doesn't say thats the model receiver but sure looks the same.

Also I can't find just the speaker package many places, just Circuit City and Amazon.

Last question : What speaker stands work good for the fronts and rears? Or I can wall mount them, does it matter if the two front speakers are a little behind the center?

I would put the center on top of TV and put the fronts on the wall facing forward, I guess about 2 feet behind, if not then on stands..

 

[AaronJB]

The Onkyo HT-650 is made up of the Onkyo HT-500 reciever and the SKSHT-500 speaker set. Both of these items can be purchased together or separately. I paired the SKSHT-500 speaker set with the Panasonic reciever because I wanted 6.1 capability. I've been very pleased with both.

Also, I'd heard conflicting reports about the power of the Onkyo. Recently, there was also a thread in the recievers section of this site that many were having trouble with the subwoofer output of the HT-500 reciever (the one that comes with the HT-650 HTIB). I'm not sure if this issue was ever confirmed by Onkyo or what happened. That thread is linked below.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...ighlight=Onkyo

Yes, the only places the speaker set seems to be available are amazon & CC. The Onkyo website has them (shoponkyo.com).

You can have the front speakers a bit behind your center (that's how I have it and it works perfectly fine.)

However, I don't have the front speakers mounted on the wall - they sit on a shelf above the TV.

 

[GregoryW]

AaronJB. I couldn't agree with you more regarding your combination of speakers and receiver. I have been doing a lot of research on systems that would fit my budget and concluded that I would buy the same speakers and receiver. It was strange to see others choosing this same setup. Anyway, have you been impressed with the setup, both for music and surround??