$300 or so: Onkyo HTIB or Standalone Receiver?

[Edge1]

As the title suggests I have in the neighborhood of $300 available currently for a basement sound system to go with a new 55" Panasonic Plasma. The room is approx 25'x25', but the seating around the TV is more like 12'x15'. Still, I imagine viewing will occur from the whole room at times (working out, social gatherings).

I sort of suspect that the recommendation will be to pump that $$ into a receiver and wait to buy something better with respect to speakers. I may do that. This forum suggested an Onkyo receiver that I am pleased with in my upstairs, just wondering what thoughts are about current receivers and/or deals.

I already have a 3D BR player that came with the Panny TC-P55ST30 TV. The HTIB I was considering: http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5400...0324443&sr=8-1

The receiver you guys mentioned and I bought last time was the Onkyo TXSR507.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

 

[Edge1]

One example of a receiver I found that might be an answer is this Denon 1611: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1611...pr_product_top

Guess I'm just wondering how "bad" would the Onkyo HTIB setup sound. Would it be really weak or would it be perfectly fine for someone who is not a complete audiophile. Still want good sound though.

 

[MrBond]

I was always happy with my Onkyo HTIB and I am not an audiophile. I thought the speaker volume may have been a bit low, but I also had the majority of the speakers sitting on the (carpeted) floor and I lived in a condo at the time, so I was always hesitant to really turn it up.

I bought mine through the Shop Onkyo outlet section and bought a refurbished model. The website says the refurb models don't come with cables or batteries, but mine had both (and I seem to remember that being the experience of others who bought there as well). Other than the nondescript cardboard box, I couldn't tell that mine wasn't brand new. They usually run sales around the holidays when the pricing is even better (assuming they have what you want in stock).

For about $50 more, you could get a refurb HT6300, which is more powerful and includes the iPod dock from the outlet.

 

[Edge1]

Good feedback MrBond. Glad to hear the sound is good for you. I also like the suggestion of the HT6300. I see the refurb is available at accesories4less for $329. Seems like a no-brainer if the quality is there.

 

[queequeg99]

One example of a receiver I found that might be an answer is this Denon 1611: http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1611...pr_product_top

Guess I'm just wondering how "bad" would the Onkyo HTIB setup sound. Would it be really weak or would it be perfectly fine for someone who is not a complete audiophile. Still want good sound though.

One thing to consider is that a few authorized dealers occasionally sell Denons for prices that are incredibly lower than Amazon. But you have to call them to bargain them down on price. For example, I managed to picked up the Denon 2112ci for $420 shipped (it's shown at $650 on most sites). I got mine from J&R shortly after it was released to market earlier this year. You have to lurk around the the appropriate forum at avsforum.com to see what you can get a given receiver for these days by calling and haggling. Just be sure you get it from an authorized dealer or you may run into warranty issues down the road.

 

[gorb]

$2000 tv

$300 on speakers? :/

I am definitely not a big fan of htibs, but a $300 onkyo htib will most certainly be better than your tv speakers.

I would of course advise saving your money up for a real system though.

 

[SithSolo1]

Check http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...iver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html for refurb Onkyo receivers and http://www.macmall.com/s?rch&q=deno...c&removedLicenseFilter=true&includeImage=true for referb Denon receivers.

I got a refurb Denon AVR-590 from Macmall for $150 shipped and the thing looked brand new w/ all the accessories. Working flawlessly so far. You don't need a ton of power, 70+ watts a channel should be fine.

This Denon AVR1611 would be good for $204+ shipping AVR1611 Edit: This receiver supports 3D. Make sure to check for HDMI 1.4 input for 3D.

You could always get a decent receiver and toss a pair of these on there to hold you over until you get some real speakers. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

 

[Edge1]

Hey good feedback again everyone. Thanks so much. Gorb when you put it like that it does seem silly. TV cost was $1299. Sithsolo I'm thinking of using one of the 2 dealers you suggested. Probably going to get a solid receiver, skip the HTIB. I do have Sony SS-B3000 bookshelves for now that will work until I can do better. Maybe the Denon 1611 or 1911.

 

[gar655]

That's a really big area to fill with sound. 55" TV from 25'? If you want anyone to hear anything at the far reaches of the room AND have it sound decent you're going to have to spend a wee bit more than $300.

Minimum if you don't want a subwoofer would be a pair of Infinity Primus 363 or 362 towers at about $200 each. Fairly big, fairly efficient, so-so bass response. And if you want to really feel any base in a room that size you're going to have to spend a minimum of about $600 and $1000 would be better.

Get the most powerful AVR you can afford. You can never have too much power. Speakers will get damaged very easily from over driving them with under powered amps.

 

[Edge1]

Followup:

Ended up getting a refurb Onkyo HT-RC260 7.2 ch 3D Ready avr from accessories4less.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-RC260.../dp/B003FSTAVY

Pretty excited based on reviews and my own past experience with Onkyo. Looks to have enough power to "fill the room" as per gar655. Have Sony ss-B3000 bookshelves for now until can afford better speakers.

 

[SithSolo1]

Glad you're happy though it looks like you could have gotten a brand new one from Amazon for a few $ less.

 

[Edge1]

Glad you're happy though it looks like you could have gotten a brand new one from Amazon for a few $ less.

You're gonna laugh but I noticed that earlier and cancelled my a4L order...and bought it from Amazon. Two year warranty vs one year also. That said it might have been cool to get the networking features of the RC360 at a4L for $299. Not necessary though.

 

[SithSolo1]

No laughing here, I've done it before too.

 

[mshan]

My dad owns a cheap Samsung HTIB and major positive I've noticed is easy intelligibility of voice and sound effects (everything was presumably calibrated to work together and spec'd to what I assume dvd mastering is calibrated to, like say music singles mastered for playback on car radio and cheap boom boxes might sound most right on those systems, vs. true high end system that is a lot more transparent and true to source material).

Obviously bass extension and ultimate spl are compromised, but if price is right, not a bad temporary solution till you build true home theater system.

 

[Natter]

Av receiver for < $300 i recommended onkyo 2 models

1 Onkyo tx-sr309 :not have a large budget and want to listen in a small to medium sized listening room in good quality music and movies goes, awarded with the cheap price

2. Onkyo tx-nr609 :may not have high demands on the equipment. Those looking for more features, a sophisticated sound and very good video capabilities, and perhaps already has a proper home cinema room is available.

and more information comparison tx-sr309 and nr609

 

[rivethead]

Check http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...iver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html for refurb Onkyo receivers and http://www.macmall.com/s?rch&q=deno...c&removedLicenseFilter=true&includeImage=true for referb Denon receivers.

I got a refurb Denon AVR-590 from Macmall for $150 shipped and the thing looked brand new w/ all the accessories. Working flawlessly so far. You don't need a ton of power, 70+ watts a channel should be fine.

This Denon AVR1611 would be good for $204+ shipping AVR1611 Edit: This receiver supports 3D. Make sure to check for HDMI 1.4 input for 3D.

You could always get a decent receiver and toss a pair of these on there to hold you over until you get some real speakers. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652

Hey SithSolo1 - thanks for the tip on looking for refurb receivers at Macmall!

My Pioneer is dying (won't process 5.1 anymore and keeps cutting out in general) so I've been in the market for a Denon. Right now I'm trying to decide between the 1912/1712/1612 (or 2011 models). And picking up a refurb model at Macmall looks like it could save me some $.