HTIB upgrade?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Right now I have a Pioneer HTP-2550DV which is basically a HTP-2600 plus a DVD player. Right now this is serving as a 5.1 system in my bedroom. I'm moving to a new house soon and I dont think this will cut it as a HT for the living room. Also this Pioneer doesnt offer much in terms of SQ and I/O and I'd like to upgrade to a better and more powerful system for the living room of my new house.

Now Ive read thru most of the stickied HT Audio thread and I know I have two paths that I can take - either piece together components (more money but better quality) or buy a HTIB. The reason Im strongly considering the HTIB route is because I have a basement which I will be finishing and making it into a media room sometime next year. So I'd rather save the bigger/better materials/budget for that. Also the WAF factor is more important in the living room and we dont think big floor standing or bookshelf speakers would go nicely with the decor.

So Ive been looking around and since Yoyo mentioned Onkyo as one of the better HTIB brands, Ive been looking mainly at them. Ive been looking at the S5100. I figure with the live cashback, I get a new one for around $250 - $300. Not sure if I should care about the lack of audio over HDMI since Id have to get a much nicer receiver for that feature. I do want the receiver to do A/V switching so that only one wire is going up to the TV.

The TV will be a Samsung LN46A650 (mounted on the wall). I have an upconverting DVD player but will be building a HTPC with Blu-Ray in the near future.

So will this Onkyo S5100 be enough of an upgrade from my Pioneer? Any other brands/models I should consider?
 
K

krotchy

Golden Member
Mar 29, 2006
1,942
0
76
I don't think you can do much better than the 5100 in your price range. Onkyo makes good stuff and is definitely the best on the low end. I have heard the 5100 and I like it, but I cannot compare it to the Pioneer system which I have never heard but I would suspect it will be a better impact system overall. Can you find a circuit city with the Onkyo on display to check it out?
 
3chordcharlie

3chordcharlie

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2004
9,859
1
81
What do you need for I/O?

I think you could do much better by replacing the front speakers or possibly the subwoofer with your $250-$300 budget.

A good pair of fronts would give you much better music-listening (and better surround, too, with either a matching centre, or no centre at all). With your WAF needs, I'd suggest a relatively small pair of bookshelfs.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
If you insist on an HTIB; in it's price class, you won't find very much better than Onkyo.

It's a good idea to get HDMI now. Or you may end up like me and wish you had it, because it's the best way to get quality 5.1/7.1 out of your PS3.

But I think your best bet is to go on ebay, find an older Integra DTR-5.5 or DTR-4.5 and match it up with some Paradigm Cinema Speakers with Matchin ADP surrounds and CC center channel. The paradigms cinema's are awesome speakers that are generally neglected by ebayers in favor of that companies larger stuff, but that does not mean they are not any good.

When buying Paradigm Speakers, to get a matched sound be sure to purchase speakers that are of the same version. Stuff that is version 1 (v1) is usually not labeled, but versions 2 (v2) and on are labeled with their version nuber (v#)

Here I found an Integra DTR-7.3 (Powerful) for $149 with no bids


USED Integra Receiver $25-150 (more than $800+ when new)
Paradigm Cinema's have been seen on ebay selling for around-
Paradigm Cinema Front's $20-100 per pair
Paradigm Cinema ADP Less than <$100 per pair. (Dipole Surrounds)
Paradigm Cinema CC Less than $100 (Cinema CC or Cinema 110 C)


In the end, you will have a with a system that is better than most HTIB's, except Onkyo's top of the line HT-S9100THX that MSRP's for over $1,000.

EDIT: Onkyo's HT-S9100THX is currently on sale for $799 with free shipping at vanns electronics
http://www.vanns.com/shop/serv...9100thx?v_c=GoogleBase










http://www.paradigm.com/en/par...-series-1-2-2.paradigm
http://www.paradigm.com/en/par...-series-1-3-2.paradigm

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R4...cat=See-All-Categories
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0...adigm+cinema&_osacat=0

http://www.integrahometheater....7.3&class=Receiver&p=i

And any well reviewed subwoofer will do fine. With your budget, I'd be consider a PDR-8 or if you have enough cash left, a PDR-10 or Velodyne.



 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
Paradigm is good stuff.

If you're really on a shoestring budget, consider getting a used set of the Cambridge Ensemble 5.1 speakers. They're not half bad - I have a set - and you can get them for under $100. The passive subs are likely as good as anything powered you'll get in your $300 HTIB - maybe better.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Paradigm is good stuff.

If you're really on a shoestring budget, consider getting a used set of the Cambridge Ensemble 5.1 speakers. They're not half bad - I have a set - and you can get them for under $100. The passive subs are likely as good as anything powered you'll get in your $300 HTIB - maybe better.
Click to expand...

The setup I listed above combined with a little patience can be assembled for a final cost of $300-400. You'll get a better system and it fits his budget.
 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
Originally posted by: Googer

The setup I listed above combined with a little patience can be assembled for a final cost of $300-400. You'll get a better system and it fits his budget.
Click to expand...

I find your prices a bit optimistic. Also, you forgot a subwoofer - those Cinema Series speakers are dead useless below 80hz.

$100 for 5 surrounds and 2 passive subs is hard to beat, and you can do a lot worse than Cambridge.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Originally posted by: Googer

The setup I listed above combined with a little patience can be assembled for a final cost of $300-400. You'll get a better system and it fits his budget.
Click to expand...

I find your prices a bit optimistic. Also, you forgot a subwoofer - those Cinema Series speakers are dead useless below 80hz.

$100 for 5 surrounds and 2 passive subs is hard to beat, and you can do a lot worse than Cambridge.
Click to expand...


I know such a system is possible for that price, because I have done it myself.

Those prices would be optimistic if they were Paradigm Monitors, Studio, or Studio Signature. But the cinema series are very under rated. I know this, because I have been watching them on ebay for 2 years now and get daily email alerts from ebay. I once watched an Integra DTR-6.6 sell for $25 and I was kicking myself for forgetting to bid on it.

For $100 you can do much better than cambridge, I saw a set of 5.1 Athena (Canadian Speakers) sell for $100. I should have bid on them to use with my computer. I'd rather have one quality subwoofer than two sub-par units.
 
C

cheesehead

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
10,079
0
0
I'm a big Yamaha fan - I have owned quite a bit of low-end Yamaha gear, and none of it has gone wrong, including a 33-year-old receiver I have in my basement. Just stay away from the DSP and effects - they ruin everything.

Originally posted by: Googer

For $100 you can do much better than cambridge, I saw a set of 5.1 Athena (Canadian Speakers) sell for $100. I should have bid on them to use with my computer. I'd rather have one quality subwoofer than two sub-par units.
Click to expand...


I quite like my Cambridge speakers - my dad had a pair when I was growing up, and I bought a set at an estate sale. I'm referring to original models from the early to mid 90s - the ones designed by Henry Kloss.

You might be able to get a proper 5.1 setup with a powered sub for under $100 - if you can find one from Athena, go for it, as it will likely be even better. However, if you can't, I can guarantee you that the Ensemble series is way, way, way better than anything you'll find in a HTIB.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Kloss died and along with him, so did all of his work. Creative bought them out and well..... enough said.
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Athena is a Canadian Speaker Company whom Kilpsch bought out a few years ago. On ebay, These athena 5.1 speakers sold for $134 but sell for $400-500+ at Best Buy and Audioholics.com gives them a five star review.

http://www.athenaspeakers.com/micra6SystemSpeakers.htm


Shopping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Energy-Act...3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...4110944&ci_sku=6376628

Reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Athena-M...-Speaker/dp/B0002H6M12
http://www.audioholics.com/rev...a-technologies-micra-6
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com...a-speakers-8-2004.html

Shop ebay and you can find quality 5.1 high powered receivers for around $50.
http://cgi.ebay.com/INTEGRA-DT...3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.com/Onkyo-TX-S...3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
thanks for all the responses

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
What do you need for I/O?

I think you could do much better by replacing the front speakers or possibly the subwoofer with your $250-$300 budget.

A good pair of fronts would give you much better music-listening (and better surround, too, with either a matching centre, or no centre at all). With your WAF needs, I'd suggest a relatively small pair of bookshelfs.
Click to expand...

I'm going to hook up my HTPC (gotta research on how to hook that up to the receiver), Comcast cable box, DVD player, and some sort of gaming system (Xbox 360 or wii) to the receiver.

I also found this thread in avsforum that gives alternatives for HTIB.

I gotta see how much I wanna spend because i really didnt wanna go all out (or semi all out) for this build since I still do have my basement to play with (which will eventually become a true media room). Will the S5100 be THAT much worse in terms of SQ compared to separates?

Googer, thanks for all your suggestions but I'd like to stick to something newer when it comes to receivers. It would be nice if the receiver could do HDMI switching but it's not necessary. I'm also open to the idea of spending my budget ($400) on a receiver, 2 fronts, a center, and a sub for now. Is that possible while sticking to newish technology?
Since this is the living room, looks do matter.

what about the Athena LS-100, LS-300 or WS-60 speakers here?
http://home-audio.audioadvisor.com/search?w=athena&x=0&y=0

hmm but these speakers alone (2 fronts and 1 center) will eat up $300 of my budget

I should also add that I dont need earth shattering bass or ability to go really loud for this build. That will be left for the basement. I need something with good SQ (and good looks).
 
3chordcharlie

3chordcharlie

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2004
9,859
1
81
There's nothing wrong with the Onkyo package you're looking at.

But for overall SQ improvement from $200-300 you would be best off upgrading speakers. The trouble seems to be that you don't have the inputs available on that receiver to do what you want.

Check around used/locally, you might manage a receiver that does at least component switching and 3 digital inputs for pretty cheap.

The Athena LS aren't bad, though not IMO as good as the older AS series, which you might find used. By not bad, I still mean many times better than the tiny sattelites in an HTIB.
 
palehorse

palehorse

Lifer
Dec 21, 2005
11,521
0
76
Are the surround speakers from your current setup salvageable? If so, then I would suggest simply upgrading to a newer receiver and subwoofer.

The Onkyo TX-SR606 AVR can easily be had for around $300. With a $400 budget, you could simply use your current pioneer speakers, the Onkyo receiver, and the remaining $100 for an active subwoofer. This would also allow you to take advantage of the newer Onkyooptions, and it would handle whatever speakers you decide to buy in the future.

Just a thought...

EDIT: Here's a halfway-decent subwoofer for $100 shipped!
tSc ASW-10 10" Subwoofer

Some speakers to go with it (silver in color -- but at this price, you can't be picky!)
Dayton HTS-1200S

Just be sure to max the subwoofer at 100 Hz, and they should all tie together nicely.

Total cost = $460 for all new speakers, sub, and AVR! Or you could leave out the speakers, and just stick with the existing pioneer surrounds, a tSC 10" sub, and the suggested Onkyo AVR to hit your $400 mark!

you really have more options than you think...
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: palehorse
Are the surround speakers from your current setup salvageable? If so, then I would suggest simply upgrading to a newer receiver and subwoofer. I'm putting a fairly cheap system together with the following separate components:

-------------------------
AUDIO SYSTEM
-------------------------
AUDIO VIDEO RECEIVER: Onkyo TX-SR606 90w x 7ch HDMI Theater Receiver BLACK = $306.65
SURROUND SPEAKERS AND SUB: Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Six, Black) = $247.49
FRONT R/L CHANNEL SPEAKERS: Polk Audio Monitor 50 Single Two-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker Black = (2X 99.99) = $199.98
SPEAKER WIRE: 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud SPEAKER Cable - 100ft (For In-Wall Installation) = $22.40
PLUGS: (14 PAIRS) High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type [JX-74043] = (14x $1.98) = $27.72
------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED AUDIO SUBTOTAL = $804.24
------------------------------------------------------------------

The Onkyo TX-SR606 AVR can easily be had for around $300. With a $400 budget, you could simply use your current pioneer speakers, the Onkyo receiver, and the remaining $100 for an active subwoofer. This would also allow you to take advantage of the newer Onkyooptions, and it would handle whatever speakers you decide to buy in the future.

Just a thought...
Click to expand...

That's a very nice setup, but the price of the just the Onkyo alone exceeds his entire budget by $6.65!

For $749, you can get Onkyo's HT-S9100THX and have a system that sounds like a system that others charge twice as much for. I mean, it sounds like a $9,000 BOSE 5.1 system.
 
palehorse

palehorse

Lifer
Dec 21, 2005
11,521
0
76
Originally posted by: Googer
Originally posted by: palehorse
Are the surround speakers from your current setup salvageable? If so, then I would suggest simply upgrading to a newer receiver and subwoofer. I'm putting a fairly cheap system together with the following separate components:

-------------------------
AUDIO SYSTEM
-------------------------
AUDIO VIDEO RECEIVER: Onkyo TX-SR606 90w x 7ch HDMI Theater Receiver BLACK = $306.65
SURROUND SPEAKERS AND SUB: Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Six, Black) = $247.49
FRONT R/L CHANNEL SPEAKERS: Polk Audio Monitor 50 Single Two-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker Black = (2X 99.99) = $199.98
SPEAKER WIRE: 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud SPEAKER Cable - 100ft (For In-Wall Installation) = $22.40
PLUGS: (14 PAIRS) High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type [JX-74043] = (14x $1.98) = $27.72
------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED AUDIO SUBTOTAL = $804.24
------------------------------------------------------------------

The Onkyo TX-SR606 AVR can easily be had for around $300. With a $400 budget, you could simply use your current pioneer speakers, the Onkyo receiver, and the remaining $100 for an active subwoofer. This would also allow you to take advantage of the newer Onkyooptions, and it would handle whatever speakers you decide to buy in the future.

Just a thought...
Click to expand...

That's a very nice setup, but the price of the just the Onkyo alone exceeds his entire budget by $6.65!

For $749, you can get Onkyo's HT-S9100THX and have a system that sounds like a system that others charge twice as much for. I mean, it sounds like a $9,000 BOSE 5.1 system.
Click to expand...

he actually said a few posts later that he'd be willing to spend $400... and please see my edited post above! ;)

I hear you on the HT-S9100THX though... I've been considering it for myself instead of the above Onkyo/Polk combo. I think it's out of the OP's league though...
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: palehorse
Originally posted by: Googer
Originally posted by: palehorse
Are the surround speakers from your current setup salvageable? If so, then I would suggest simply upgrading to a newer receiver and subwoofer. I'm putting a fairly cheap system together with the following separate components:

-------------------------
AUDIO SYSTEM
-------------------------
AUDIO VIDEO RECEIVER: Onkyo TX-SR606 90w x 7ch HDMI Theater Receiver BLACK = $306.65
SURROUND SPEAKERS AND SUB: Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System (Set of Six, Black) = $247.49
FRONT R/L CHANNEL SPEAKERS: Polk Audio Monitor 50 Single Two-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker Black = (2X 99.99) = $199.98
SPEAKER WIRE: 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud SPEAKER Cable - 100ft (For In-Wall Installation) = $22.40
PLUGS: (14 PAIRS) High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type [JX-74043] = (14x $1.98) = $27.72
------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED AUDIO SUBTOTAL = $804.24
------------------------------------------------------------------

The Onkyo TX-SR606 AVR can easily be had for around $300. With a $400 budget, you could simply use your current pioneer speakers, the Onkyo receiver, and the remaining $100 for an active subwoofer. This would also allow you to take advantage of the newer Onkyooptions, and it would handle whatever speakers you decide to buy in the future.

Just a thought...
Click to expand...

That's a very nice setup, but the price of the just the Onkyo alone exceeds his entire budget by $6.65!

For $749, you can get Onkyo's HT-S9100THX and have a system that sounds like a system that others charge twice as much for. I mean, it sounds like a $9,000 BOSE 5.1 system.
Click to expand...

he actually said a few posts later that he'd be willing to spend $400... and please see my edited post above! ;)

I hear you on the HT-S9100THX though... I've been considering it for myself instead of the above Onkyo/Polk combo. I think it's out of the OP's league though...
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.
 
palehorse

palehorse

Lifer
Dec 21, 2005
11,521
0
76
Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.
Click to expand...
I hate to hijack his thread; but, for me, it's really a case of pitting the Polk speakers against the "THX" Onkyo speakers. I really won't know unless I somehow test both... but, since I probably can't test them, my gut tells me (along with some research) that the Polk speakers, especially with the tall floor-standing fronts, will beat the Onkyos.

Do you believe otherwise?
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: palehorse
Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.
Click to expand...
I hate to hijack his thread; but, for me, it's really a case of pitting the Polk speakers against the "THX" Onkyo speakers. I really won't know unless I somehow test both... but, since I probably can't test them, my gut tells me (along with some research) that the Polk speakers, especially with the tall floor-standing fronts, will beat the Onkyos.

Do you believe otherwise?
Click to expand...

For that price I do. I am familiar with the Polk sound and have listened to Several of Onkyo's top HTIB kits and the quality of sound that comes from the second to the top of the line Onkyo HTIB unit is unbelievable (Last years model, cant remember the number).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom