Hey guys, dont know what forum to put this in, so I decided to put it here. I want to get a home theater in a box, with dvd, progressive scan, component out, HDMI, and optical. I currently have this TV : http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/Panasonic-PT-50LCX64.htm . Its a 50" LCD HDTV from panasonic, with any and every input output u could imagine. I want to spend less than $500, preferably $400 total on a home theater in a box. I was at bestbuy tonight, and found a 800wt 5 disc home theater system for like $300. It had component and such, no hdmi, no optical out or in. I didnt buy it because best buy sales people suck and I couldnt get any help. Anywho, I want to get the BEST bang for my buck, so if anyone here can suggest a theater in a box, please help me out!
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Home theater - help me decide what to get
- Thread starter mokkapoop
- Start date
While not the greatest out there, I've always liked Onkyo.
I currently have an older model of a setup like this HERE and have no regrets.
I got it during a sale from circuitcity.com for only $400 almost two years ago and it sounds great, looks good and supported all the various surround encoding I needed.
I currently have an older model of a setup like this HERE and have no regrets.
I got it during a sale from circuitcity.com for only $400 almost two years ago and it sounds great, looks good and supported all the various surround encoding I needed.
SpeedSlayer
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2002
- Messages
- 4,219
I also have an Onkyo..
It was a $549 model when it came out. 6.1, about 500 or 600 watts (cant remember bought it a year and half ago)
The best feature I love on it is the A/B Speaker buttons. I set up a mini-HT in my room. I put the 6 Speakers on the wall, with the sub on A Speaker, and 2 flat panel speakers on B that are next to my bed.
I cant say anything bad about these speakers nor the quality.
I purchased the setup at a steal for $250. Basically Circuit City had for $500 + $50 rebate. While Fry's had it fro $429. I bought it for $500 online. Pricematched which brought it down to close to $400 (115%), then $50 and they had another $50 in store gift card and another $50 rebate from the store that day online.
It was a $549 model when it came out. 6.1, about 500 or 600 watts (cant remember bought it a year and half ago)
The best feature I love on it is the A/B Speaker buttons. I set up a mini-HT in my room. I put the 6 Speakers on the wall, with the sub on A Speaker, and 2 flat panel speakers on B that are next to my bed.
I cant say anything bad about these speakers nor the quality.
I purchased the setup at a steal for $250. Basically Circuit City had for $500 + $50 rebate. While Fry's had it fro $429. I bought it for $500 online. Pricematched which brought it down to close to $400 (115%), then $50 and they had another $50 in store gift card and another $50 rebate from the store that day online.
SJetski71
Fully [H]
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2002
- Messages
- 17,309
Although it's more work for around $400~$500 you're better off piecing together seperate components. A dvd player just cannot compete with a receiver for music quality and volume. Frankly i read nothing but trashtalk for the speakers that are included in most HTIB. If you're willing to buy the pieces separately i'll give you a few leads to start with, but i recommend you research further for better possible choices.
Note i cant truly recommend these since i don't own them but some recent deals i've found are:
- Onkyo refurb 5.1 receiver $80: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4027006
- Fluance 5 speaker set $200: http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html
- 10" 100w Dayton subwoofer $99 shipped: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-632
- DVD player $25~?
I would have linked av123's rocket tyke home theatre but they seem to be discontinued, anybody else have any more ideas/substitutions?
An alternate setup would be to leave out the subwoofer for now, and use that cash to buy an Oppo dvd player for $190 which is claimed to be the best dvd player around $200. You can always pick up a dayton subwoofer down the line when you set aside more cash.
Note i cant truly recommend these since i don't own them but some recent deals i've found are:
- Onkyo refurb 5.1 receiver $80: http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4027006
- Fluance 5 speaker set $200: http://www.fluance.com/fluanceavhtb.html
- 10" 100w Dayton subwoofer $99 shipped: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=300-632
- DVD player $25~?
I would have linked av123's rocket tyke home theatre but they seem to be discontinued, anybody else have any more ideas/substitutions?
An alternate setup would be to leave out the subwoofer for now, and use that cash to buy an Oppo dvd player for $190 which is claimed to be the best dvd player around $200. You can always pick up a dayton subwoofer down the line when you set aside more cash.
With out a doubt get the Onkyo HT-s780.
Check it out here at Crutchfield .
the have it for $440 with free shipping, or at Circuit City for $475 shipped or pickup.
7.1 surround with 770 watts and a 150 watt sub, 920 total watts.
I have the 6.1, 750 total watt unit and I payed $500 for it 3+ years ago.
Hands down for the dollars, out of the box you can't beat these systems.
Get that then a good progressive scan DVD player for under a $100 and you are in biz.
Check it out here at Crutchfield .
the have it for $440 with free shipping, or at Circuit City for $475 shipped or pickup.
7.1 surround with 770 watts and a 150 watt sub, 920 total watts.
I have the 6.1, 750 total watt unit and I payed $500 for it 3+ years ago.
Hands down for the dollars, out of the box you can't beat these systems.
Get that then a good progressive scan DVD player for under a $100 and you are in biz.
http://www.audioholics.com/showcase/systemguide/1Kentrylevelsystem.php
I would at least look to see if you can get the Athena speakers on sale somewhere. Look at techbargains.com for some deals on Receivers and DVD Players.
I would look at getting separate components rather than a HTIB setup as you could alway upgrade to a better component in one part of the system as you got more money.
Good link to finding deals:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6325401&posted=1#post6325401
If you can spend more than $500, Amazon has 50% off all Mission speakers:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/578735/104-0914814-7413500
Here is a deal on an Onkyo 780 system with free dvd player for $450 refurbished. My brother bought a refurb HTIB from Onkyo and it's worked perfectly for the last 2 years.
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-S780&modelid=75&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1
I would at least look to see if you can get the Athena speakers on sale somewhere. Look at techbargains.com for some deals on Receivers and DVD Players.
I would look at getting separate components rather than a HTIB setup as you could alway upgrade to a better component in one part of the system as you got more money.
Good link to finding deals:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6325401&posted=1#post6325401
If you can spend more than $500, Amazon has 50% off all Mission speakers:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/578735/104-0914814-7413500
Here is a deal on an Onkyo 780 system with free dvd player for $450 refurbished. My brother bought a refurb HTIB from Onkyo and it's worked perfectly for the last 2 years.
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-S780&modelid=75&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1
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