Is there such a thing as a "good HTIB"?

[rise]

Hi all, I am looking for a simple home theater solution for a simple person (shockingly, not me). He told me a friend of his suggested a sony 5.1 which seems to have mixed reviews. Though looking at various other HTIB it seems most have about the same, especially in that price range.

Main requirements he wants are:

sub $500 (cheaper the better)
wireless rear speakers
connecting at least one hdmi (xbox)
3D (why?)
"good sounding" as he says, lol.

So if he is hooking up his xbox 4gb, can he stream files wirelessly from his computer to his TV? I think he has a panasonic #D tv right now.

Any help is appreciated

 

[Rio Rebel]

At sub $500 (or even cheaper) for a setup that includes receiver and player integrated as well as the speakers, don't expect to upgrade. Get the cheapest setup that sounds decent, and accept it for what it is. It won't sound BAD, it will just inevitably have gaps and shortcomings.

If I had that budget and those needs, I'd get a good used receiver and used front three speakers, and throw just about anything that could produce sound in the rear. Then I'd get the sub when I had the money. But it all depends on what you emphasize. Many people aren't looking for high quality sound, they just want something that will play out of 5 speakers and a sub without distortion. And that's ok too.

 

[rise]

Thanks Rio, yes, I think he's less concerned about the high quality and more about having some surround, blu-ray and 3d. I don't even think he uses the 3D anymore but since he has the TV he wants the player, which seems not a big deal as most appear to be #D capable anyway now.

He's not going to buy used or in steps, I've tried that with him with his computer.

Is Sony gonna be my best bet for a HTIB you think? I'm not a sony fan for other reasons but it's not my money, just trying to get the guy the best bang for his ~500 bucks, lol.

Is it inportant that I find a receiver that shows "ARC" or is that standard now?

 

[Rio Rebel]

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...7886212&sr=1-1

I am not a fan at all of Sony speakers, but I don't have a lot of experience listening to htib comparisons. Onkyo would be a better bet to me - and then add a blu-ray player

 

[soulcougher73]

The sets with Denon receivers and Boston Acoustis speakers are probably the best HTiB if you have to go that route.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DHT-1312...1+home+theater

Plus you can upgrade speakers later if you want.

 

[rise]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna look around when I get home, I appreciate the input.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Ehh, at $500, he'd probably be better off going with an entry level reciever for like $200-250 and then looking for a pair of used speakers for like $150 and then a sub for whatever he has left ...

 

[Midwayman]

$500 won't buy you anything worthwhile new. I'd check craigslist, etc for people dumping older systems. You can usually pick up some screaming deals.

Depending on what his actual application is you might look into 5.1 systems designed for PC gaming. Often they are pretty self contained and things like wireless tech I see often enough in PC speakers.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I agree on going used and buying quality pieces as he can afford it, but he already said his friend isn't interested in that. So within the constraints of the question, I would at least steer toward a company with a history of quality audio.

 

[rdb4133]

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3500...7886212&sr=1-1

I am not a fan at all of Sony speakers, but I don't have a lot of experience listening to htib comparisons. Onkyo would be a better bet to me - and then add a blu-ray player

I'd have to agree with Rio Rebel regarding the Onkyo HTIB. I have the HT-S3400 and it sounds great and my friend has the HT-S3300 which is great as well. They are just the previous years version of the HT-S3500.

 

[fralexandr]

while those HTIB provide a nicely balanced easy solution, they don't have wireless surrounds.
If wireless surrounds are really important, the sony 5.1 seems pretty nice.

instead of getting something like the Onkyo/Denon HTIB you could also pick up a receiver + 5.1 set, sadly there aren't any great deals on 5.1 sets atm though (stuff like the klipsch quintet, energy take, energy micro, and martin logan mlt tend to go on sale several times a year)

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR309...dp/B004O0TRCE/
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882981012

 

[Rio Rebel]

I glossed right over the wireless rear speakers. Damn, this guy wants a lot for $500.

 

[Naeeldar]

I glossed right over the wireless rear speakers. Damn, this guy wants a lot for $500.

Exactly. Just let him buy whatever he wants. Because it's not going to make any noticeable difference which one he chooses for that feature list/price point. He's just not being realistic.

 

[Midwayman]

Exactly. Just let him buy whatever he wants. Because it's not going to make any noticeable difference which one he chooses for that feature list/price point. He's just not being realistic.

Yup. A halfway descent set of wireless rears will cost at least half that budget alone. I'd suggest that maybe he look at speakers as an investment. They don't need changed often like electronics. I have a set thats over a decade old and still look and sound great. A quality set of speakers will last you through many receiver changes. That $500 HTIB you'll be wanting to toss in a couple years.

 

[reallyscrued]

No. There is no such thing.

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-5.1-Channel-A/V-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882981012

Call it a day.


The receiver is refurbed but 1 year factory warranty from Denon; A4L is legit Denon seller as well. The things never die anyway. See the back of the 1612? All binding posts. Quality. Audyssey MultiEQ with Microphone and 3D.

 

[sdifox]

No. There is no such thing.

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-5.1-Channel-A/V-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882981012

Call it a day.


The receiver is refurbed but 1 year factory warranty from Denon; A4L is legit Denon seller as well. The things never die anyway. See the back of the 1612? All binding posts. Quality. Audyssey MultiEQ with Microphone and 3D.

You missed the rear wireless speaker part. I hop op's friend knows the rear speakers have to be powered somehow.

 

[reallyscrued]

You missed the rear wireless speaker part. I hop op's friend knows the rear speakers have to be powered somehow.

Oh.

...

Just get him a used 5450. Wonder if he'd know the difference.

 

[NutBucket]

The only sets I know of with wireless rear speakers are some of Panasonic ones. They sound.....acceptable.

 

[soulcougher73]

For wireless rears just get this and add to whatever speakers you want

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfi...&skuId=8275528

 

[sdifox]

For wireless rears just get this and add to whatever speakers you want

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Rocketfi...&skuId=8275528

that would need wires run basically between the rear speakers. And it of course has to be plugged in.