Great deal on Onkyo TX-SR600 surround receiver and SHS-HT500 surround speakers ($311.75 and $164 respectively)

[globalempire]

i have this same setup...it sounds great...only i paid $400 shipped for the SR600 and $350 for the HT500 speakers...o-well..still like the sound...i first bought the polk 6200 and didnt care for them..took them back and bought the onkyo speakers instead...will not go wrong with this set up....great price also..only thing is u will need to buy 1 center rear speaker..they have them at Onkyo web site for $40...

 

[tigerbait]

I just bought the SR600... I am going to pass by Circuit City and try to see the speakers before buying them. Since I had to do 2 separate purchases to get the better discount anyway, I figured I'll wait and give them a look in person.

 

[djheater]

I bought the SKS-HT500 for $170 plus tax. Free shipping rocks. Just bought a receiver so I passed on that side of it.

Thanks for the post Kwad.

 

[tigerbait]

Originally posted by: djheater
I bought the SKS-HT500 for $170 plus tax. Free shipping rocks. Just bought a receiver so I passed on that side of it.

Thanks for the post Kwad.

free shipping definitely is the deal clincher here. J&R has those speakers refurbed for $150, but shipping is $71! :Q

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: tigerbait

Originally posted by: djheater
I bought the SKS-HT500 for $170 plus tax. Free shipping rocks. Just bought a receiver so I passed on that side of it.

Thanks for the post Kwad.

free shipping definitely is the deal clincher here. J&R has those speakers refurbed for $150, but shipping is $71! :Q

The combined weight from the specs is 71.5 pounds!! :Q

Geez Onkyo, hope you've got a good UPS contract

 

[Wag]

If you guys are looking for good deals on refurbished/reconditioned speakers, try here-

Speakers at Harman Audio

I picked up a pair of JBL HLS-810s from them a while back for $100, and they are like new.

 

[tigerbait]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: tigerbait

Originally posted by: djheater
I bought the SKS-HT500 for $170 plus tax. Free shipping rocks. Just bought a receiver so I passed on that side of it.

Thanks for the post Kwad.

free shipping definitely is the deal clincher here. J&R has those speakers refurbed for $150, but shipping is $71! :Q

The combined weight from the specs is 71.5 pounds!! :Q

Geez Onkyo, hope you've got a good UPS contract

add 22 lbs for the receiver, and that's ~94 lbs being shipped free for those who order the HTS-650 complete system... I believe Onkyo uses Fedex Ground.

 

[nealh]

Can someone explain why component switiching is important for HDTV?
I just got the HTS 650 for $320

 

[NorCalSci]

Originally posted by: nealh
Can someone explain why component switiching is important for HDTV?
I just got the HTS 650 for $320

Well, in my case I have only one set of component inputs to my HDTV. Component switching will allow me to use both my HDTV receiver AND progressive-scan DVD player without plugging/unplugging.

Also, I've taught my girlfriend how to use Dish, DVD, TV, Receiver, but when I added the HDTV receiver it got "unexplainable". It's much worse when I have friends over and try to explain it to them!

With component switching you can send all signals through the receiver and select the source at the receiver. (Instead of selecting audio and video sources separately throught the receiver and TV, respectively.)


Now:

Turn on power
Choose source (Dish, DVD, HDTV receiver, or audio)

That's it!

 

[nealh]

thanks...hmmm still seem a bit confused..just a real novice

 

[Auric]

Yeah, and I have found J&R is usually really good on low shipping.

Switching is generally not recommended to maintain the best quality but it can be easier or necessary as described. I was slightly miffed to learn that with the 500 I could not hook up an S-Video in and composite in and have it output S-Video. There are converters available (as opposed to adapters) though but they ought be integrated. The other thing is you still have to switch between TV and one Video input (assuming using the sound system for TV audio too).

I suppose I should reiteretate the speakers are a great deal and are certainly more than capable it is just that I think audio is just as or even more important than video to the experience so if I was intending to match a system with large screen HDTV I would go with a receiver with more power and prolly more and better drivers because of what I am used to. But heck for that price the cabinets alone are worth it and the drivers could be upgraded in the future. Some people said that they were Polk, others have said they seemed generic and were labelled made in China. I don't know if Polk are only made in the USA or what.

 

[NorCalSci]

Originally posted by: nealh
thanks...hmmm still seem a bit confused..just a real novice

Nealh,

First, COMPONENT video cables (which carry HD video signals) are made up of a triplet of RCA cables/plugs.

Say you have MORE than one source for High Def video (e.g. Dish and DVD) and that EACH has Component video outputs. Your HDTV has Component video inputs (ONE SET). Say you are watching video from your dish and you want to watch a DVD.

If you don't have COMPONENT VIDEO SWITCHING on your receiver, you have to get up, go behind your AV equipment, pull out the wires from the Dish box to the TV, and plug in the wires from the DVD player to the TV. Or you have to buy a separate piece of electronic equipment to "switch" the video from one SOURCE to another SOURCE, and send the signal to your TV.

But, if you have a receiver with COMPONENT VIDEO SWITCHING, you plug the COMPONENT video cables from the Dish Box into the receiver COMPONENT IN 1 jacks and you plug the COMPONENT video cables from the DVD player into the COMPONENT IN 2 jacks. Then connect a cable from COMPONENT VIDEO OUT on the receiver to the back of your HDTV. Now, if you want to change from watching Dish to watch a DVD, you pick up your receiver remote and press the DVD button--that's all you have to do. The receiver now chooses the right video signal (from DVD) and sends it to your TV. Hopefully you also have your DVD audio connected to the receiver and the receiver plays the correct sound through your speakers.

It's really basic, just like switching audio sources through your receiver. Only many AV receivers in this price range do not include COMPONENT VIDEO SWITCHING because it adds cost.

Most AV receivers DO include SVIDEO switching and COMPOSITE video switching, but not COMPONENT VIDEO SWITCHING. That's what makes this one just a little bit more special!

 

[nealh]

NorCalSci..thank you very much..it figures I buy my first Home theater setup and I screw up...I jut had the HTS650 delivered I figure the sound is fine for me an I am no audiphile but the this component video switiching sounds like a very important feature with my new HDTV....I wish I would have seen this on Sunday when i ordered the system for extra $150 it would have been worth it...

If I am using digital cable that has a HDTV smart box...I assume this will be an issue if I want to switch from my dvd to cable..darn it....this is the one bad thing about buying over the net no easy way to return this setup and get the new receiver..wonder if I could send it back the receiver and upgrade to this???

 

[brianboru]

Dumb question:

So I picked up the 600 and the HT500 speakers a couple weeks ago and am finally going to have a chance to set it up this weekend. Well obviously, the speaker wires are pretty thin, so I'm planning on replacing them with some long monster cable runs going under the floor to the other side of the room.

Wondering about the subwoofer cable though. It looks like a normal RCA cable...? I suppose I could pick one up specifically for subwoofer cables, but do I need to? Is there anything special about it? Will any general use RCA-type cable work just as well?

 

[brianboru]

<sorry - dupe>

 

[tigerbait]

another thing to note for the SR600 is that the component switching is 50Mhz, which is high enough for true hi-definition. Some receivers use 27Mhz switching which caused problems with HDTV.

 

[aperry]

Sure am glad my HDTV (Toshiba 57H82) came with 2 component video inputs. That being said, I an reeeeeeeaaaalllllyyyy tempted to get in on this deal...

 

[Kwad Guy]

Yeah, my HDTV (Sony 36") also has two HDTV inputs. But if you want to listen to the sound through your receiver, extra HDTV inputs on your TV is not gonna help...You need switching on the receiver.

Trust me on this one: The TX-SR600 is the cheapest full featured, high quality surround receiver out there. You can pay less, but you miss out on useful features like component video switching.

The only thing this receiver lacks is a phono in jack. (The TX-SR700 adds that)...For us dinosaurs with huge vinyl collections...

Kwad

 

[huesmann]

Can't you use AUX or something else for the phono?

 

[Dood]

Kwad, what is your opinion of the Kenwood VR-6070, THX, 7.1, pre-outs, component switching, 100 watts (tested at 92 WPC on a 6.1 setup), .07 THD, etc.? It is on clearance at CC for ~$300. HERE is a quite lengthy thread with some VERY positive reviews on this receiver.

 

[eyeguy]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Can't you use AUX or something else for the phono?

if you have LP's, vinyl that is, you need a phono pre-amp
audio-express just did a review of them - I don't have it here

but there are kits and pre-builts

http://www.paia.com/riaa.htm

http://www.audiomidi.com/common/cfm/product.cfm?Product_ID=3289

http://www.proaudioreview.com/par/november00/TerraTec-Web.shtml

radioshack

 

[Auric]

Any ol' well shielded cable will do for the subwoofer so I would use a video cable or make one with RG59 or 6 "cable TV" cable. If you already have one or can pick one up cheap with the necessary length and already fitted with "F" connectors then screw on RCA adapters could be used. For the speaker wire here is a guide on gauge versus length.

 

[PrelateBishop]

Just logged into the site and the SHS-HT500 surround speakers are now listed at $255.00 for a set.

Gee...that kinda sux.

 

[MemnochtheDevil]

Originally posted by: PrelateBishop
Just logged into the site and the SHS-HT500 surround speakers are now listed at $255.00 for a set.

Gee...that kinda sux.

Thats for the new speakers. The refurbished set that Kwad Guy listed are still $180 (minus club points). Still a great bargain!

 

[lordofdeath]

how do i get the discount point apply into my order ?