Home Theatre Systems

[Neejay]

Would a 420w home theatre sound decent enough?

Specifically this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/prod...D5039

Dont need anything TOO expensive, but I want enough sound/bass to get the full effect of it. Im trying to go through Radio Shack because my friend works there, but I'll take any other recommendations.

[Jesda]

I dont like Sony much these days. I know Radio Shack's extended warranty is inexpensive and well worth the price.

Much more appealing for only $50 more:http://www.radioshack.com/prod...D5037Git 'er done!

[Rex]

This is the perfect time to sart shopping CC, BB and any other name brand electronics store in your town for Open Box specials, you'd be surprised what you can find.

Though I will say a "complete" system for around $200 isn't bad, but Sony's enrty level stuff isn't too good.

[Neejay]

I dont like Sony much these days. I know Radio Shack's extended warranty is inexpensive and well worth the price.

Much more appealing for only $50 more:http://www.radioshack.com/prod...D5037Git 'er done!

Yeah, I was eye'ing that one too, but have you ever heard of "Onkyo"?

[Jesda]

Onkyo is a respected brand with a solid reputation. I'm actually surprised to see their products at Radio Shack. They dont sell volumes of product the way Sony does, so its less common.

[SmithSR]

Yeah, I was eye'ing that one too, but have you ever heard of "Onkyo"?

They've built some incredibly high end components over the years, but just like all other major brands, they will also build low end stuff for the masses.

[Neejay]

They've built some incredibly high end components over the years, but just like all other major brands, they will also build low end stuff for the masses.

So you're saying that particular model isnt all that good to you?

I might get that one though.

[BadMojo]

They've built some incredibly high end components over the years, but just like all other major brands, they will also build low end stuff for the masses.

Onkyo is a good manufacturer, but one thing I would add to SmithSR's comment is that "Home Theater in a Box" set-ups won't live up to separates.

Just for point of reference, I just bought an Onkyo receiver to replace my old Harman Kardon. The receiver alone cost $250, and that was on sale from $300.

You're getting a receiver, 5 satellites and a sub for $250. Obviously, you're giving up some features and sound quality in exchange for price.

Having said that, I'd get the Onkyo before the Sony. IMO, Sony's consumer level stuff (except their ES line) is pure crap these days.

Either way, it's always best if you can actually listen to both systems before you buy.

[Looneybomber]

I know of a few people with sony receivers. I have one of their home-theaters-in-a-box setup from many years ago. The speakers have held up fine but the receiver was starting to get some bugs in it.

If I were to chose between the 2 I would get the onkyo brand. They build some very nice higher end receivers and would assume that quality would also show in their entry level products as well.

I can say that this will, by no means, be an awe inspiring system in sound reproduction or build quality. Though you are saving 4000 dollars over a good system and it will be far superior than your TV's sound I'm assuming you will be happy with either of those systems and if in a few years you want something better you can just start saving some $$$ ahead of time.

[rousie13]

I also have an Onkyo receiver and I love it. If you can afford it, go with seperate components, you won't regret it. I went with an Onkyo receiver and Paradigm speakers, and I absolutely love my system.

[Neejay]

I know of a few people with sony receivers. I have one of their home-theaters-in-a-box setup from many years ago. The speakers have held up fine but the receiver was starting to get some bugs in it.

If I were to chose between the 2 I would get the onkyo brand. They build some very nice higher end receivers and would assume that quality would also show in their entry level products as well.

I can say that this will, by no means, be an awe inspiring system in sound reproduction or build quality. Though you are saving 4000 dollars over a good system and it will be far superior than your TV's sound I'm assuming you will be happy with either of those systems and if in a few years you want something better you can just start saving some $$$ ahead of time.

Yeah, I think just about anything is better than my TV. And I dont own my own house or apartment, I live with my mom until August, and even then I'll be in campus apartments with 3 other roomates (seperate rooms). So I dont think I need anything TOO expensive for right now, just looking to get a good sound from DVD/Media.
Modified by Neejay at 8:00 PM 1/2/2005

[PoorManQ45]

Onkyo = Overpriced unless 50% off. I don't buy any receivers that cost over $200~$500. And at those prices I better be getting a minimum of 200w RMS x 4 @ THD <.1 . Most of the receivers that you can buy now are way, way over rated. Even the Onkyo and Harmon/Kardon. I've noticed that the receivers will deliver about 50%~75% of there stated RMS power. Now, "back in the day", you could go buy a JVC, Pioneer, Sony receiver that was rated at like 50w RMS and it would put out close to 100W RMS!

I can say that this will, by no means, be an awe inspiring system in sound reproduction or build quality. Though you are saving 4000 dollars over a good system...

Don't mean to be rude, but...

Bull$hit, that's just total Bull$hit. The price may ring up to $4000 if you actually pay full price for the equipment, but only idiots do that .

Buy stuff when it is being discontinued, or the store is having a liquidation sale

Anyway, from how you described your situation, I think that the Sony system-in-a-box will be fine for you.

Also, check out Ebay for Receivers. I don't recommend buying whole speakers on Ebay because shipping costs an arm and leg.

[Chingon]

I am no Idiot and I would gladly shell the 10000 dollars (if I had the cash flow) that nakamichi, NAD, Rotel, or Mark Levinson ask for their high end systems.

But yes, Piecing together a system that would beat 90% of what's on the market takes only a few "vintage" stereo amplifiers, and a decent surround processor.

[PoorManQ45]

But yes, Piecing together a system that would beat 90% of what's on the market takes only a few "vintage" stereo amplifiers, and a decent surround processor.

That's kind of what I was talking about, but I didn't clearly state it

I am no Idiot and I would gladly shell the 10000 dollars (if I had the cash flow) that nakamichi, NAD, Rotel, or Mark Levinson ask for their high end systems.

Hang on one sec... Let me run right over to my 70yr old neighbor 's house and buy his Old Sansui Tube amp that's rated at 150w RMS @ 1% THD. I bet I could probably get him to sell, or give, it to me for about $200.

I'll sell it to you for about $1500

[Jesda]

Sansui went downhill so fast. And its a shame Nakamichi isnt doing much exporting to the US anymore.

Love Mark Levinson (the brand, not the dude), just dont care for it in the car.

Overrated: Bang and Olufsen, Bose.

[PoorManQ45]

Love Mark Levinson (the dude, not the brand), just care for him in the car.

We know that's what you meant to say

[Jesda]

http://www.cdfreaks.com/news/10109

[Chingon]

Hang on one sec... Let me run right over to my 70yr old neighbor 's house and buy his Old Sansui Tube amp that's rated at 150w RMS @ 1% THD. I bet I could probably get him to sell, or give, it to me for about $200.

I'll sell it to you for about $1500

So you are saying that this sansui amp can rival rotel's entry level 5x200 RMS/ch @ 8 ohms and <0.03% THD amplifier, and still look sexy as hell on my living room table?

I think not Let's face it, technology actually helps some things evolve.

[BadMojo]

I think not Let's face it, technology actually helps some things evolve.

Uh-oh...I sense a "tube" argument coming on.

Anyway, didn't someone originally ask a question in this thread?

To get back to the original poster, I'd go with the Onkyo HTIB (home theater in a box) over the Sony. I stand by my opinion that Sony's consumer electronics have really suffered a down-turn in quality over the last decade. IMO, any Sony audio product belongs in the trash bin along with anything that says "Bose" on it.

You'll get more mileage and expanability out of separates, but I don't think you'll be disappointed in the Onkyo system. Just make sure Radio Shack has a good return policy, and if you don't like it, just take it back.

[Neejay]

Uh-oh...I sense a "tube" argument coming on.

Anyway, didn't someone originally ask a question in this thread?

To get back to the original poster, I'd go with the Onkyo HTIB (home theater in a box) over the Sony. I stand by my opinion that Sony's consumer electronics have really suffered a down-turn in quality over the last decade. IMO, any Sony audio product belongs in the trash bin along with anything that says "Bose" on it.

You'll get more mileage and expanability out of separates, but I don't think you'll be disappointed in the Onkyo system. Just make sure Radio Shack has a good return policy, and if you don't like it, just take it back.

Thanks. I think I will go with the Onkyo system.

But yeah, like I said I cant afford to get them seperate and I dont have my own place, so anything is almost better than my TV.

[HashiriyaS14]

Just don't ever get anything where the DVD player and Reciever are the same unit. It doesn't really matter how tiny and crappy the speakers are, so long as the reciever is ok.

That way you can get bigger speakers later and the reciever will be up to the task of driving them.

[PoorManQ45]

So you are saying that this sansui amp can rival rotel's entry level 5x200 RMS/ch @ 8 ohms and <0.03% THD amplifier, and still look sexy as hell on my living room table?

I bet you paid an arm an a leg for that thing .

Besides, if you want to play the whos is bigger game, don't make me whip out my 6 year old Sony A/V amp rated at 250W RMS x 4 <.01 THD . Guess how much I paid for it. $100.! And what beotch. I bought it back when Montgomery Wards was going out of business. So beat that

P.S. Solid State amps have got nothing on Tubes. I remember "back in the day", McIntosh and a few other "big name" companies made Tube amps rated at 400~500w RMS x 4 @<.01 THD. And the McIntosh amps were able to deliver full power into 8, 4, and 2 Ohm loads. I've shown you mine, now lets see yours

[Chingon]

I lose ...so which tube amps do you recommend? Oddly enough I have access to many vintage amps @ my local swap meet...

Oh..and I did not pay a dime for that amp. I do have a NAD 150x2 I got for 35$ and another Harman Kardon @ the same price.

[elbles]

Hehe, a tube vs solid-state debate, I love it. :-)

My opinion on it is much like the whole record vs. CD debate; yes, a CD is a very close approximation to the original analog waveform, though not exact. What a CD gives up in pure musical accuracy, it makes up in high signal to noise ratio, and a very good dynamic range. Records will tend to have an edge in frequency response, and it is an exact representation of the original, with only a conversion in "format", if that makes any sense. The majority of people have accepted CDs as being better, and for most intents and purposes, they are. But for certain other niche purposes, records still excel.

The same can be said for tube amps, I suppose. They can be more trouble at times, and it tends to be harder to make them perform with as much power and accuracy as a solid-state amp (at least for a reasonable price), but many audiophiles find a sense of warmth in the tube amps, more "analog", so to speak. I've yet to hear one in person, which I really need to do with plenty of great arguments on both sides.

That said, as an aside, let's have a "What'd you got?" home stereo sort of thing, hehe. :-) At home, away from school, I have a weird mix of stuff:Sony STR-DE415 receiver (only Pro Logic (the original), but it's good, clean sounding stereo power, 100 watts into each channel, low THD, and it doesn't take much power to get my speakers sounding awfully loud anyway)Sony SLV-675HF Hi-Fi VHS VCRSony DVP-S330 DVD Player (one of their first cheaper models, got it around 98 or 99, doesn't play CD-R's even, heh)Sony SL-2700B Hi-Fi Beta VCR (*STILL* has better picture quality than VHS VCRs)JBL Jubal L65 speakers (my dad's from the 70's . . . they sound AMAZING)Some old "Realistic" (Radio Shack brand before Optimus) center channel speakerYamaha bookshelf speakers as surrounds

Works well enough for me. Just like cars, you buy one stereo, and it's never-ending . . . and I'm only 19. My dad's Sunfire Dolby Digital preamp with 2 "old-school" Carver amps leaves me envious. :-)

[Rex]

elbles, I like where you're going, start a new thread.

And I agree, if pure digital or real analog was so clearly that much better, your upper end CD players of the late 80's wouldn't have had both digital & analog ouputs. It's like religion and politics, everyone has an opinion and is very passionate about it .

Piece meal systems are almost always the best .