Best HTIB that I can buy from Costco/CC/WalMart/Target?

[Gunslinger08]

So I think I finally need a HTIB. I'd like one with a built in upconverting DVD player, but that's not a must have. What's the best I can do at local stores? I don't like waiting on shipping.

 

[wyvrn]

Check gottadeal.com (Rossman's site) for pre-Thanksgiving sale ads. And the TG ones too when they are available.

A good one, if you can find it on sale, is from Onkyo. They make excellent receivers and their boxed sets have gotten great reviews.

 

[destrekor]

yamaha makes good sets...
but look at getting bookshelfs, as the tiny speakers included in MOST HTIB's are pathetic for the most part.
not sure if any HTIB have bookshelf speakers in them or not... but yea Yamaha makes good speakers... no time to really look up anything right now though.
maybe YoYo will see this and help you.

 

[DougK62]

Onkyo

 

[murphy55d]

Yep...Onkyo. I have a 6.1 setup and it's awesome for the price.

 

[jpeyton]

Onkyo something. They typically lead the market in inexpensive HTIB. Of course, you can also pair any good receiver with a set of HT speakers and get the same effect. I'm very happy with set of Athena Micras paired with my Panasonic digital receiver.

 

[tmc]

onkyo hts-790. u should be able to get it for like ~$400.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Originally posted by: tmc
onkyo hts-790. u should be able to get it for like ~$400.

I can't seem to find the specifications for this system. I just saw it at Circuit City, but it doesn't list the inputs on the box. Anyone know what inputs/outputs it has?

 

[Gunslinger08]

Which would you buy? Onkyo HTS-790 (7.1, no DVD) for $500 from CC, or the Samsung HT-TQ85 (5.1, upconvert DVD player) for $400 from Costco.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: joshsquall
Which would you buy? Onkyo HTS-790 (7.1, no DVD) for $500 from CC, or the Samsung HT-TQ85 (5.1, upconvert DVD player) for $400 from Costco.

Onkyo.

 

[funboy6942]

Thoes who know me know I gotta say get the Logitech Z5500 set up and a external dvd player (or go with a dvd/divx/burner/upconverting set up with the money you save).
Wont be disapointed at all

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Thoes who know me know I gotta say get the Logitech Z5500 set up and a external dvd player (or go with a dvd/divx/burner/upconverting set up with the money you save).
Wont be disapointed at all

I think more than a few of us would be plenty disappointed with that setup. Single driver satellite speakers, severely limited connectivity options...they might work okay for a studio apartment or bedroom home theater, but that's it.

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: funboy42
Thoes who know me know I gotta say get the Logitech Z5500 set up and a external dvd player (or go with a dvd/divx/burner/upconverting set up with the money you save).
Wont be disapointed at all

I think more than a few of us would be plenty disappointed with that setup. Single driver satellite speakers, severely limited connectivity options...they might work okay for a studio apartment or bedroom home theater, but that's it.

Im sorry but your wrong, THX cert speakers and every review on them tell you to use them for both PC and HT. Got 2 digital inputs and if you need more can buy the 3 in 1 out tosling switch. The never versions of the set up does not have the set speaker wires attached so you can use any wires you wish. And I use them in my HT room which is 18' x 35' and has enough sound and bass when I first hooked them up and played some music I cracked the window in my kitchen. Ive owned ALOT of stereo systems from HT in a box to expensive single componant type with high dollar speakers and for $250 nothing I have bought comes close in terms of sound quality these put out without shelling out thousands of dollars.

But thats cool. I know first hand on these and if you dont wanna listen thats ok too

 

[FlashG]

Buy 5 small bookshelf speakers (5" minimum speaker size) and any name brand receiver on sale. Fry's might have some Polks. Buy a spool of 12 gauge lamp wire from Home Depot. Enjoy.

I don't think your going to get a decent sub with your budget. I would save up and get an 8" one from Parts Express. I know their e-tailers but they have a good rep.

I almost forgot. Stop buy Radio Shack and get a sound meter and setup disk.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: funboy42

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: funboy42
Thoes who know me know I gotta say get the Logitech Z5500 set up and a external dvd player (or go with a dvd/divx/burner/upconverting set up with the money you save).
Wont be disapointed at all

I think more than a few of us would be plenty disappointed with that setup. Single driver satellite speakers, severely limited connectivity options...they might work okay for a studio apartment or bedroom home theater, but that's it.

Im sorry but your wrong, THX cert speakers and every review on them tell you to use them for both PC and HT. Got 2 digital inputs and if you need more can buy the 3 in 1 out tosling switch. The never versions of the set up does not have the set speaker wires attached so you can use any wires you wish. And I use them in my HT room which is 18' x 35' and has enough sound and bass when I first hooked them up and played some music I cracked the window in my kitchen. Ive owned ALOT of stereo systems from HT in a box to expensive single componant type with high dollar speakers and for $250 nothing I have bought comes close in terms of sound quality these put out without shelling out thousands of dollars.

But thats cool. I know first hand on these and if you dont wanna listen thats ok too

You mean these? I wouldn't get them. Look at that frequency response graph! And a boomy, overcompensating sub! Yes, I know Audioholics liked them, and said they were good value, but that's only if you plan on keeping them forever. The OPs upper budget is $500 - let him pick a real HTiB setup with a nice receiver that he can upgrade the speakers on if that's what he wants.

Oh, and if these speakers "cracked your kitchen window" it means that there's probably something wrong with your house for it to be able to transmit vibrations in such a way, that it breaks a window.