Economical Home Theater System

If you can find it to purchase a DVD player seperately (added cost, but not a lot if you are will to purchase a modest cost DVD) may I recommend you looking at one of the Onkyo systems, or at least the Kenwood?

The Sony and Panasonic systems really weak points are (a) their speaker quality, (b) amplifier stage output current capability. The Onkyo for sure has both those areas beat hands down, without even breaking a sweat, against the Sony and Panasonic. Not to mention that an Onkyo receiver is practically (practically) bulletproof - you just might end up dying with the thing still in your possession if you don't mistreat is.

The Onkyo 760 (see:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Home_video/4...l?tag=dir-htib

is quite a system for $500 typical street cost. If you shop around you may be able to pick it up even lower than that (like the shop I used to work at would, most likely, sell it for less - if you're local). Shop around, but most importantly listen to it. The Sony's and Panasonics look nice...but, IMHO, sound...

Good luck!
Snake

The Onkyo 760 system is currently available as "refurbished" directly from Onkyo's website for US$459.00, including shipping with full warranty. Plus you get a free Onkyo DV-SP301 DVD player. Yes, $459.00 for everything shipped.

this seems to good to be true. Can someone verify that this is the complete 760 system (refurbed) with receiver, etc?? crazy good deal I might be due for an upgrade myself hehe

http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.p...ls#productTabs

mtbiac,

Give J&R a call. I've ordered many times from J&R and they are authorized to sell Onkyo merchandise. But that $101.00 shipping charge....yikes. That's over $400.00 w/ shipping. Considering Onkyo sells the same setup new, directly from its website, for $500.00 or $450 refurbished w/ a DVD player.

How about refurbished Onkyo HT setup for $169.95??

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=329661

ezra2323,

As an alternative to Sony and Panasonic, perhaps you might also want to check out Cambridge Soundworks 505. This system comes with a DVD/receiver, 5 satellites and one subwoofer. Their speakers might be of slightly better quality than Sony or Panasonic.

Here's the 505 link
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...tegory=ht_htib

I would also recommend another speaker system from Cambridge Soundworks that might sound better than 505 satellites/subwoofer. Its the Ensemble III home theater speaker system. The bass might not go as deep as the 505 speakers, but I suspect the overall sound is better. The Ensemble series was originally designed by the late Audio Hall of Fame inductee, Henry Kloss.

The only catch is that, the Ensemble III system does not come with a DVD/receiver module. But the speakers are on sale for $190. So you will have money left over to get the DVD/amp.

Here's the Ensemble link
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...gory=clearance


THe 505 speakers are part of the newer Newton series line. I've heard some of the Newton speakers and subwoofer (not the 505's satellites though) and was not as impressed as I was with the Ensembles.

However, these Newtons speakers would still be better than the run-of-the-mill sony speakers.

Have fun shopping!

I'm using the Newton 150W 8" sub in conjunction with Celestion 1 mains and Newton center / surrounds. The sub is somewhat position sensitive; as an 8 it can go into very low midrange frequencies and can couple with walls somewhat easily. As usual, just experiment with placement.

For instance, in my situation (I have it in a window 'alcove', the only place I had) it is currently about 10 inches from the back and 1 foot from the right walls. Good for theater work (vibrates my furniture! Hard to believe about an 8, but true!) but a bit warm for critical listening (OK for rock and non-critical work). For better listening I (just) found out that moving it 7 inches more forward, and 4 inches more left (the left wall is further than the right, so it's closest to the right wall) tightens things up nicely. As the satillites also have 2 listening positions ('storage / non-critical' and 'critical') I've ended up with 3 versions of the system sound.

But, overall, the Newtons can get a thumbs up. I'm using 50's for surround and center, but wouldn't use them for mains (that's why I'm using Celestion); too much the 'Bose' sound for my taste, and Bose sound is not my preference (but, much much better 'Bose' than Bose anyday). If you do like the Bose sound the Newton 50's do it a hell of a lot better, so give them a try.

If you do not like the Bose sound just get a Newton system with 2 way mains, which I think all the newer Newtons feature now, and I'm sure it will sound really good for the size and price.

If you can get a great deal on a Cambridge system like that then go for it, you probably should like it a lot. If you can't get a good deal, no closeouts, refurbs or such, I still humbly think the Onkyo is a better deal at the price point (so much so that I just arranged getting an Onkyo system, the 660 in silver, for the guy I work with. We picked it up last night; he thinks it sounds great).

Sorry if speaking my opinion ruffles someone, but I humbly hope this stuff helps.

Thanks for your patience,
Snake

Snake, feel free to speak your mind... this is a discussion forum after all. Just as long as there is no ad hominem attacks, opinions on hi-fi are more than welcomed!

I'll like to add that Cambridge soundworks does sell refurbished products on ebay. they have an ebay store. Just search for their products. It comes with full warranty. Sweet deals sometimes....

Yamaha makes great HT products that are affordable and very durable. You cant go wrong with Yamaha. I owned a nice DD/DTS receiver for 2 years and never had any problems.

Agreed. I'd take a Yamaha receiver over a comparably-priced Onkyo any day.

Also consider Denon's Home-theatre in a box solutions. not sure of pricing in the US tho...

check the range out here
DHT-700DV

DHT-1000DV