HTIB upgrade?

[Googer]

I won't quote anyone, Quality (not quantity) of amplification helps; but it's the speakers that will ultimately make or break the system.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.

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?

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).

LOL... you've succeeded in making me second-guess myself... again! I've been wrestling with that exact choice for weeks now. Want too really get me depressed? All you have to do is mention J&R's wild sale on the 9100THX system that I missed last week... they had it on sale for $499!! No shit. Now it's back up to $799... DOH!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.

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?

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).

LOL... you've succeeded in making me second-guess myself... again! I've been wrestling with that exact choice for weeks now. Want too really get me depressed? All you have to do is mention J&R's wild sale on the 9100THX system that I missed last week... they had it on sale for $499!! No shit. Now it's back up to $799... DOH!

Wow, If I had known; I would have snatched that up in a New York Minute and used if for my PC's audio System or a Dedicated PS3/GameRoom Audio System.

Vann's Has it for $749 with Free Shipping. How much was the shipping on the J&R sale?

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.

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?

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).

LOL... you've succeeded in making me second-guess myself... again! I've been wrestling with that exact choice for weeks now. Want too really get me depressed? All you have to do is mention J&R's wild sale on the 9100THX system that I missed last week... they had it on sale for $499!! No shit. Now it's back up to $799... DOH!

Wow, If I had known; I would have snatched that up in a New York Minute and used if for my PC's audio System or a Dedicated PS3/GameRoom Audio System.

Vann's Has it for $749 with Free Shipping. How much was the shipping on the J&R sale?

no clue... I try not to think about it too much. All I know is that I went there, the price still showed up as $499, but it also said "Out of stock"... DOH!

I'm actually delaying my purchase a few weeks in hopes of seeing it drop down again...

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Googer
That's exactly what I was trying to say to you.

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?

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).

LOL... you've succeeded in making me second-guess myself... again! I've been wrestling with that exact choice for weeks now. Want too really get me depressed? All you have to do is mention J&R's wild sale on the 9100THX system that I missed last week... they had it on sale for $499!! No shit. Now it's back up to $799... DOH!

Wow, If I had known; I would have snatched that up in a New York Minute and used if for my PC's audio System or a Dedicated PS3/GameRoom Audio System.

Vann's Has it for $749 with Free Shipping. How much was the shipping on the J&R sale?

no clue... I try not to think about it too much.

A little Paxil will make things better.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Googer
A little Paxil will make things better.

Bourbon works too... :beer:

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
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.

I agree, most DSPs kill sound and Yamaha's implementation of it is one of the worst offenders out there with Sony being worse. My Integra DTR-7.6 does a good job because it does not add reverb or any sort of similar effects, instead it put's it's focus on steering logic in which it typically improves sound by putting all 7 of my speakers to work. Not to mention the Amplifier section is more detailed than the low end Pioneer VSXD710S which sounds muddy and clock radio like using the same Paradigm Speakers.


Note: Don't confuse or assume Pioneer Elite with Standard mass market Pioneer, it's like the difference between a Mercedes Smart Car and a Mercedes S600; you just really cannot compare. Pioneer Elite Rocks.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Googer
I won't quote anyone, Quality (not quantity) of amplification helps; but it's the speakers that will ultimately make or break the system.

thats what im thinking also. I definitely dont want to keep my pioneer speakers as I have the entire thing up for sale now.

I would like to get a new AVR + 2 new or refurb fronts + 1 new or refurb center + 1 new or refurb sub. but I dont see that happening within my budget. the reason I'm leaning toward new or refurb is because of the factory warranty

 

[Aharami]

Ive never heard of Integra receivers. how do they stack up against other brands?

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive never heard of Integra receivers. how do they stack up against other brands?

They are upgraded and re-branded Onkyo systems... higher-end.

Infinity:Nissan::Integrankyo

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive never heard of Integra receivers. how do they stack up against other brands?

In terms of sound quality, better than most.

Quick Reivew:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com...ver-6-2006-part-1.html

 

[Aharami]

sweet. that's what i'll use for my basement build then!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: palehorse

Originally posted by: Aharami
Ive never heard of Integra receivers. how do they stack up against other brands?

They are upgraded and re-branded Onkyo systems... higher-end.

Infinity:Nissan::Integrankyo

Onkyo = Mercedes Smart Car
Integra = Mercedes Benz
Integra Research = Maybach (super upscale Mercedes brand/ Car of choice for Saudi Oil Tycoons)

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Aharami
sweet. that's what i'll use for my basement build then!

This DTR-4.6 is a great starting point. And I would like to ask all ATOT-ers to have some courtesy and not bid against Aharami for this good deal, though even if bidding gets competitive, I don't expect for it to sell much over $50. If bidding gets over $80-90, I'd quit and wait. I have seen the DTR 4.6 sell for less than $50 and sometimes the auction ends with no interested bidders even though the asking price was very low.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...Name=ADME:B:SS:US:1123


EDIT:
I was darn close. The auction ended at $61

 

[Aharami]

thanks. i'll keep an eye on it

 

[Googer]

Pioneer Elite HTS-LX70, not only looks good but the Elite badge and price tag suggest that it sounds good too. Though I am familiar with the high standard of their elite line, have not heard this particular one.

http://www.pioneerelectronics....ci.HTS-LX70.Kuro?tab=B


HTS-LX70-blu-ray_300.jpg

EDIT: It's only a 4.1 system with simulated center channel speaker* that is very stylish.

Each left and right speaker has an addional driver that carries center audio.

 

[Googer]

I cannot comment on this system, but the price seems right.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16882117259

 

[Googer]

Amplifiers can add "colour" to sound and/or cause distortion, add bass, or affect timbre, mid and high frequencies

Buy a good quality high end speaker set and amplification then if the opportunity prsents it's self try (borrow) a very low end receiver from Kenwood or Sony*. You wil notice how muddied and detail lacking the sound becomes.

Wattage isn't everything, infact that number should almost be ignore when buying amplification. Instead focus on speaker sensitivity, that is the number that will determine how loud your system will play. Speaker sensitivity is measured in Watts per decibel-meter (W- DB/m) or the amount of sound put out by a speaker compared to the amount of energy input. 93w per DB/M is considered a good number but higher is better. Adding just a mere +3db of sensitivity is like doubling the wattage of your amp

http://stereos.about.com/od/gl...rmss/g/sensitivity.htm
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-E...e/speakers_faq.html#11

However, you never want to buy audio equipment based on the numbers and the only way to do it is with your ears and depending on your knowledge level you may want to seek advice from a dealer who specializes in audio.



*Sony ES is a different animal than plain old Sony found at Big-Boxes. ES is to Sony what Elite is to Pioneer and Integra is to Onkyo and Lexus is to Toyota.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Googer
Amplifiers can add "colour" to sound and/or cause distortion, add bass, or affect timbre, mid and high frequencies

Buy a good quality high end speaker set and amplification then if the opportunity prsents it's self try (borrow) a very low end receiver from Kenwood or Sony*. You wil notice how muddied and detail lacking the sound becomes.

Wattage isn't everything, infact that number should almost be ignore when buying amplification. Instead focus on speaker sensitivity, that is the number that will determine how loud your system will play. Speaker sensitivity is measured in Watts per decibel-meter (W- DB/m) or the amount of sound put out by a speaker compared to the amount of energy input. 93w per DB/M is considered a good number but higher is better. Adding just a mere +3db of sensitivity is like doubling the wattage of your amp

http://stereos.about.com/od/gl...rmss/g/sensitivity.htm
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-E...e/speakers_faq.html#11

However, you never want to buy audio equipment based on the numbers and the only way to do it is with your ears and depending on your knowledge level you may want to seek advice from a dealer who specializes in audio.



*Sony ES is a different animal than plain old Sony found at Big-Boxes. ES is to Sony what Elite is to Pioneer and Integra is to Onkyo and Lexus is to Toyota.

Sensitivity is typically expressed in dB with a certain voltage and distance specified. The standard is approximately 1M at 2.83V

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Googer
I cannot comment on this system, but the price seems right.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16882117259

I would never recommend anyone spend their money on a HT that involves a DVD/receiver and proprietary speaker inputs.