top three or five HTIB brands?

[MonKENy]

I used to love Onkyo, are they still up there? What would you guys recommend?

If you can suggest something sub $1k it would be appreciated. 7.1 preferred

 

[sdifox]

how big is the room?

 

[MonKENy]

20-25ft

 

[SithSolo1]

20-25ft

20x25ft?

Assuming 9ft ceilings for buffer....thats 4500 cubic feet.

Sample setup:
Center x 1
Fronts and Surrounds, price is per pair x 3
Subwoofer x 1
Receiver x 1

This setup will blow the socks off any HTIB you can find but it does have some draw backs:

-slightly more than $1k shipped
-still need to buy cables and speakers stands(or make them)
-no pre-outs on the receiver
-the receiver is Refurbished. I've had no issue with my refurb Denon and I don't see the Yamaha kicking the bucket but you only have a 1 year warranty
-may want to add a 2nd subwoofer later on

As with most setups you can always spend more on speakers or the sub and less on the receiver. Right now we're at a 40/20/40 split speakers/sub/receiver which is not ideal. If you could drop down to 5.1 you could drop a pair of speakers, reduce the receiver cost, and probably get a 2nd or more powerful sub.

 

[MonKENy]

We have vaulted ceilings in that room, whats your opinion on 7.1?

 

[s44]

We have vaulted ceilings in that room, whats your opinion on 7.1?

Spend the money on subwoofer beef.

In fact, I'd switch to cheaper high-output speakers and put no less than $500 on the sub (SVS PB-1000).

 

[SithSolo1]

I agree with s44, you are gonna want more sub power if you really want that theater feel in a room that large. 7.1/7.2 is fine as a final goal but I highly recommend starting with a 2.1 or 3.1 setup for now and building the rest out over time. If you try to do it all at once you probably won't be happy with the results.

On the other hand if you just want something better than the TV speakers then a HTIB system or a budget DIY 7.1 setup will work but the sub is gonna fall flat on its face.

 

[truckerCLOCK]

Here is a decent set that can sometimes be found for $199...Jamo S 426 all you need is a good sub.

 

[DesiPower]

Depends on what OP wants, I have seen enthusiasts recommend a "good subwoofer" but the problem is if you spend 400-500 on sub, that leaves OP with 500-600 for avr and rest of the speakers, that's insane.
OP if you want HTIB, go for HTIB, dont listen to what people say, problem with this and other similar forums is that people are snobs when it comes to HTIBs. To your point, Onkyo and Denon still make excellent HTIBs. From my research it seems Denon is better, some even come with BA speakers but i dont think Denon makes 7.1, for that Onkyo will be our better option. Costco sells some Boss 7.1 with Denon or yamaha avr under 1k, that can be another option. As far as sub is concerned, you can get refurb HT-S9400 THX from accessories4less for around 700 and replace the sub later.

 

[Number1]

20x25ft?

Assuming 9ft ceilings for buffer....thats 4500 cubic feet.

Sample setup:
Center x 1
Fronts and Surrounds, price is per pair x 3
Subwoofer x 1
Receiver x 1

This setup will blow the socks off any HTIB you can find but it does have some draw backs:

-slightly more than $1k shipped
-still need to buy cables and speakers stands(or make them)
-no pre-outs on the receiver
-the receiver is Refurbished. I've had no issue with my refurb Denon and I don't see the Yamaha kicking the bucket but you only have a 1 year warranty
-may want to add a 2nd subwoofer later on

As with most setups you can always spend more on speakers or the sub and less on the receiver. Right now we're at a 40/20/40 split speakers/sub/receiver which is not ideal. If you could drop down to 5.1 you could drop a pair of speakers, reduce the receiver cost, and probably get a 2nd or more powerful sub.

This recommendation would be hard to beat at that price point. The reviews for those Pioneer speakers are excellent. Personaly I would drop the rear speaker and get the larger Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Pair as front left and right speakers that is if the OP likes to crank up the music a little bit.

 

[Midwayman]

You set on HTIB or you willing to get a amp and speakers separately? That opens a ton more options.

 

[s44]

Depends on what OP wants, I have seen enthusiasts recommend a "good subwoofer" but the problem is if you spend 400-500 on sub, that leaves OP with 500-600 for avr and rest of the speakers, that's insane.

It's not insane. It's perfectly sensible. I'd rather cheap out (~$100/pair) on speakers than try a way underpowered sub. And the receiver is a lot easier to swap than a giant sub.

This recommendation would be hard to beat at that price point. The reviews for those Pioneer speakers are excellent. Personaly I would drop the rear speaker and get the larger Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Pair as front left and right speakers that is if the OP likes to crank up the music a little bit.

Neither this nor the previously recommended speakers are efficient enough for serious HT applications.

Given the budget (and, I assume HT use), I'd literally try to get the cheapest efficient (high output) speakers possible -- definitely nothing below 89db, and preferably much higher. Maybe BIC...

 

[SlickSnake]

I would put Harman Kardon at the top of the list, without a doubt. They also make JBL and Infinity, too. And their subs included in their HTIB are as good as you will get in a package deal.

http://www.harmanaudio.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio

 

[sdifox]

For the size of room I would not get HTIB. SithSolo1 put together a nice recommendation for the money.

I would just shoot for this set


http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/SP-PK52FS

 

[SlickSnake]

For the size of room I would not get HTIB. SithSolo1 put together a nice recommendation for the money.

I would just shoot for this set


http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers/SP-PK52FS

A hundred watt 8 inch sub on a $549 package? Not a good deal at all.

This is clearanced for $299 ($1200 retail) with a 10" sub with 150-300 watt peaks and 100 watt max speakers:

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=CS6100BG&status=

http://www.jbl.com/estore/jbl/us/pr...&matchtype=b&gclid=CJ_ol_mS-LwCFajm7AodtS4Anw

Granted the main tower speakers may be a bit smaller than on the Pioneers. But I bet the speaker drivers aren't all that great on the Pioneers, either. Since they aren't exactly known for having great speakers or subs.

Even this looks like a better HTIB system for $489 than that Pioneer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-Cinema-...21?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2330e121f5

http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=CINEMA+500

But it's impossible to compare apples to oranges without actually tasting them, or in this case, hearing them.

 

[truckerCLOCK]

Again I have to repeat the Jamo S426 set is better than the Pioneers. Even as DesiPower said some of the Denon/Onkyo - Boston Acoustic package deals would be better than the Pioneers. There are a ton of options.
This would be my top 3.....
Take Classic 5.1 Home Theater System

5.1 Denon Home Theater System with Boston Acoustics Speakers

or like I said these Jamo S 426

with any of those I would sell the sub and replace it with this ...BIC Acoustech PL-200

 

[MonKENy]

Just a note we are replacing a BOSE htib 5.1 thats way old and it still sounds great. I personally hate BOSE as a whole but I cant deny the systems sound good, they are just way overpriced.

Why bass? We dont need super deep bass, I would think we would rather have good speakers that sound clear and clean, no?

Also a lot of suggestions for 5.1, is 7.1 not significantly better or really useful?

 

[truckerCLOCK]

Just a note we are replacing a BOSE htib 5.1 thats way old and it still sounds great. I personally hate BOSE as a whole but I cant deny the systems sound good, they are just way overpriced.

Why bass? We dont need super deep bass, I would think we would rather have good speakers that sound clear and clean, no?

Also a lot of suggestions for 5.1, is 7.1 not significantly better or really useful?

To be honest I have a 7.1 set up right now and its not any better than 5.1 I had. I guess if you had a really large room with multiple seating then the extra speakers will fill in the gaps. Why bass you ask? A good sub is the backbone of any home theater. If you haven't heard (or felt) say a SVS or Rythmik Audio sub then your missing out. I had a Velodyne sub for 4 yrs, upgraded to a SVS and it was like night and day.

 

[sdifox]

A hundred watt 8 inch sub on a $549 package? Not a good deal at all.

This is clearanced for $299 ($1200 retail) with a 10" sub with 150-300 watt peaks and 100 watt max speakers:

http://www.harmanaudio.com/Search_Browse/product_detail.asp?urlMaterialNumber=CS6100BG&status=

http://www.jbl.com/estore/jbl/us/pr...&matchtype=b&gclid=CJ_ol_mS-LwCFajm7AodtS4Anw

Granted the main tower speakers may be a bit smaller than on the Pioneers. But I bet the speaker drivers aren't all that great on the Pioneers, either. Since they aren't exactly known for having great speakers or subs.

Even this looks like a better HTIB system for $489 than that Pioneer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JBL-Cinema-...21?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item2330e121f5

http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=CINEMA+500

But it's impossible to compare apples to oranges without actually tasting them, or in this case, hearing them.

These were designed by Andrew Jones and widely talked about as very good for the price.

 

[sdifox]

Just a note we are replacing a BOSE htib 5.1 thats way old and it still sounds great. I personally hate BOSE as a whole but I cant deny the systems sound good, they are just way overpriced.

Why bass? We dont need super deep bass, I would think we would rather have good speakers that sound clear and clean, no?

Also a lot of suggestions for 5.1, is 7.1 not significantly better or really useful?

7.1 is not a significant improvement but definitely a lot more hassle.

Anything mentioned so far will blow the Bose out of the water.

 

[s44]

These were designed by Andrew Jones and widely talked about as very good for the price.

The sound is good, but the sensitivity (mid-80s) is too low for serious HT use.

There are a couple of deals at Best Buy that OP should be looking at.

Cheap: Polk T15, $60/pair. Buy three pairs, use a single speaker as a center, use the other as a rear in 6.1 if you like. 89db sensitivity.

More expensive: Klipsch Icon KB-15, $150/pair. Buy two pairs and a center (also $150). Can also use the cheaper 4" Icon KS-14 as the surrounds, but that only saves $20. 94db sensitivity.

The Klipsch horns can have a harsh (treble-heavy) sound played straight, but any decent AVR will be able to equalize that out.

 

[sdifox]

The sound is good, but the sensitivity (mid-80s) is too low for serious HT use.

There are a couple of deals at Best Buy that OP should be looking at.

Cheap: Polk T15, $60/pair. Buy three pairs, use a single speaker as a center, use the other as a rear in 6.1 if you like. 89db sensitivity.

More expensive: Klipsch Icon KB-15, $150/pair. Buy two pairs and a center (also $150). Can also use the cheaper 4" Icon KS-14 as the surrounds, but that only saves $20. 94db sensitivity.

The Klipsch horns can have a harsh (treble-heavy) sound played straight, but any decent AVR will be able to equalize that out.

I could never get used to Klipsch sound.

 

[giantpandaman2]

I would recommend the Pioneer set over the JBL set. For the money, it's hard to beat those Pioneers for the value. Considering your budget, I'd stick with 5.1. I have a 7.2, and, truth told, it doesn't sound much better than if I had stuck with 5.2. If you plan on going for a higher budget, many factory direct speakers will smash speakers that you can buy from a store for the same money. The difficulty is you won't be able to listen to them first.

 

[purbeast0]

i'd recommend not getting a HTIB and instead spending that $1k on a 2.1 setup. a $1k 2.1 setup will sound a lot better than pretty much any HTIB, ESPECIALLY in a room that is 20x25 feet (if that is what you meant by 20-25ft)

 

[giantpandaman2]

Again I have to repeat the Jamo S426 set is better than the Pioneers. Even as DesiPower said some of the Denon/Onkyo - Boston Acoustic package deals would be better than the Pioneers. There are a ton of options.
This would be my top 3.....
Take Classic 5.1 Home Theater System

5.1 Denon Home Theater System with Boston Acoustics Speakers

or like I said these Jamo S 426

with any of those I would sell the sub and replace it with this ...BIC Acoustech PL-200

My brother in law has the take classic 5.1 (I recommended them to him because my sister wanted smallish speakers.) I have the Jamos for my computer system. The classics are nice if you prefer smaller speakers, but they don't sound as good as the pioneers. The Jamos can get extraordinarily loud and sound decent. Critical music listening they can be a bit lacking, but I don't do critical listening with my computer system. I can blast it loud enough so I can hear it throughout my whole house when I'm cleaning etc. I would still recommend the Pioneers, though, if the OP has the space. Given the size of the OP's theater, I'd recommend the Jamos over the Classics. The Jamos excel at being able to get very loud with very little distortion at a very cheap price. Frankly, I think the classics would struggle to fill the space.

The Pioneers get plenty loud. Reference levels (85dB) are simply too loud for most people and I don't think should be the deciding factor for 95% of the population that prefers not to blow out their ears. To each their own, though. The pioneers and jamos are pretty easy to listen to in in stores. The classics are a little harder to find.

As for a subwoofer: go internet direct. For the money you really can't touch the internet direct subs until you get to the much higher end. I have two SVS subs which I'm very happy with. I'm sure other people can recommend other internet direct subs that are also excellent.