Best deal for under $400?

linkoaljara · 03-12-03, 06:05 PM

I am pretty new to the HT scene. i dont have one. i just got a dvd player, hooked up to some 6 yr old 2 speaker stereo and a 25" TV.

So im looking to get some surround sound because I can, i want to, and it will make things better. I have $400 to spend. and so far

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...at=242#details

I went to the best buy store and saw it there, it wasnt plugged in so i didnt get a chance to see how it sounds.

Does anyone have an opinion on the system I listed above? IT will be greatly appreciated becaus i am a n00bi3!

Anyone know of a better deal, or better system i can get for $400 or less?

PhYbEr · 03-12-03, 06:18 PM

ok, here is what I would do instead of getting that sony setup (I just dont like sony HTB's, sony makes some quality stuff but their low-mid $ equipment just doesn't cut it.. what I have here is about $100 over your budget but I can almost promise you it would be worth saving up another $100..

Onkyo Surround Sound Speaker System $299.99
Brand/Model: ONK SKSHT500
(very nice review at cnet on this one also)

Pioneer 5.1-Channel Dolby® Digital/DTS® Surround Sound Receiver $199.99 (some weeks it's $50 cheaper)
Brand/Model: PIO VSXD411

both at CC, you may be able to find a lower price somehwere on the internet..

just my 2 cents

and i promise i didn't post this just to tell you to spend more $$ it's just amazing how much better things get when you spend a little more..

linkoaljara · 03-12-03, 06:20 PM

Yea that setup does look really nice. But i think $500 is too much for me. MY budget was at $300.... but i pulled off my arm and made it $400. Those are at Circuit City you said? Ill go there and check them out, maybe they will be on sale.

PhYbEr · 03-12-03, 06:25 PM

well then thats different.. if $400 IS the max ( and I do understand that

) then go for the sony setup.. I'm not saying its BAD...just make sure they let you hear it hooked up and stuff and maybe even take in your own dvd to test it out.. something that you know sounds pretty good on what you have now...

linkoaljara · 03-12-03, 06:36 PM

I just looked at Circuit City..... found the same exact system for $50 cheaper..... this might influence my decision. the reviews look pretty solid from it as well.

http://www.circuitcity.com/frame1.js...ftchildcat.jsp

Mopower · 03-12-03, 06:50 PM

Don't buy a HTIB unless its an Onkyo. They are the best. Sony is pathetic compared to their stuff, personal opinion of course.

Go to Circuit City and listen to the Onkyo HTS650.

Then go to www.shoponkyo.com and go to the factory reconditioned section. Sign up for discounts (free). Then buy the HTS650 or do as I did and buy the Same receiver and speaker set. $550 at Circuit City. $370 with free shipping if you buy it straight from Onkyo. You can even get an extended warranty that extends the warranty from 1 year to 2. Right now I think you can get the HTS650 for $329. I bought the receiver seperate in case I had to ship something back. But factory reconditioned is just as good as new. I will get mine thursday or friday. If you do this you will save lots of cash. When I get it I will tell ya how it sounds. I can't wait!

bfrank · 03-12-03, 07:18 PM

I know for a fact that there are others as good as or better then Onkyo. But still Onkyo does not make a crap one. Most of the other do make some good and some bad.

I recommend going down and listening to each. They are all more alike the different at this price.

drmoze · 03-13-03, 07:12 AM

Based pn lots of research and reviews and reading lots of forums, Onkyo seems to be the best HTB by a fair bit in the $500-and-under market. However, if you're goung for separates, I'd recommend the Yamaha HTR-5540 receiver for $199 from J&R. It is much better than the Pioneer IMO. Greta price for a real quality receiver.

Definitely avoid the Sony. Save up if you must, or borrow the $100. It'll make a difference right at your price point. You want a system that you'll simply enjoy listening to and will sound clear, clean and loud (when necessary!). Not on ethat you'll always be hearing the shortcomings and wanting to upgrade. The Onkyo or Onkyo speakers/Yamaha receiver combo will be a 'keeper'.

linkoaljara · 03-13-03, 03:41 PM

Thank you all for your advice. It is worth as much as i paid for It. But I will take it into consideration.

03-12-03, 06:05 PM	#1
linkoaljara Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 58	Best deal for under $400? I am pretty new to the HT scene. i dont have one. i just got a dvd player, hooked up to some 6 yr old 2 speaker stereo and a 25" TV. So im looking to get some surround sound because I can, i want to, and it will make things better. I have $400 to spend. and so far http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...at=242#details I went to the best buy store and saw it there, it wasnt plugged in so i didnt get a chance to see how it sounds. Does anyone have an opinion on the system I listed above? IT will be greatly appreciated becaus i am a n00bi3! Anyone know of a better deal, or better system i can get for $400 or less?

03-12-03, 06:18 PM	#2
PhYbEr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The chair at the top of the stairs.. Posts: 853	ok, here is what I would do instead of getting that sony setup (I just dont like sony HTB's, sony makes some quality stuff but their low-mid $ equipment just doesn't cut it.. what I have here is about $100 over your budget but I can almost promise you it would be worth saving up another $100.. Onkyo Surround Sound Speaker System $299.99 Brand/Model: ONK SKSHT500 (very nice review at cnet on this one also) Pioneer 5.1-Channel Dolby® Digital/DTS® Surround Sound Receiver $199.99 (some weeks it's $50 cheaper) Brand/Model: PIO VSXD411 both at CC, you may be able to find a lower price somehwere on the internet.. just my 2 cents and i promise i didn't post this just to tell you to spend more $$ it's just amazing how much better things get when you spend a little more.. Last edited by PhYbEr; 03-12-03 at 06:20 PM.

03-12-03, 06:50 PM	#6
Mopower DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Janitor's closet in Kinnick Stadium Posts: 15,469	Don't buy a HTIB unless its an Onkyo. They are the best. Sony is pathetic compared to their stuff, personal opinion of course. Go to Circuit City and listen to the Onkyo HTS650. Then go to www.shoponkyo.com and go to the factory reconditioned section. Sign up for discounts (free). Then buy the HTS650 or do as I did and buy the Same receiver and speaker set. $550 at Circuit City. $370 with free shipping if you buy it straight from Onkyo. You can even get an extended warranty that extends the warranty from 1 year to 2. Right now I think you can get the HTS650 for $329. I bought the receiver seperate in case I had to ship something back. But factory reconditioned is just as good as new. I will get mine thursday or friday. If you do this you will save lots of cash. When I get it I will tell ya how it sounds. I can't wait! __________________ http://www.twitter.com/andrewveedub Last edited by Mopower; 03-12-03 at 06:54 PM.

03-12-03, 07:18 PM	#7
bfrank Moderator Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: So. Cal Posts: 20,608	I know for a fact that there are others as good as or better then Onkyo. But still Onkyo does not make a crap one. Most of the other do make some good and some bad. I recommend going down and listening to each. They are all more alike the different at this price. __________________ B Be good humans!

03-13-03, 07:12 AM	#8
drmoze DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New York City Posts: 4,961	Based pn lots of research and reviews and reading lots of forums, Onkyo seems to be the best HTB by a fair bit in the $500-and-under market. However, if you're goung for separates, I'd recommend the Yamaha HTR-5540 receiver for $199 from J&R. It is much better than the Pioneer IMO. Greta price for a real quality receiver. Definitely avoid the Sony. Save up if you must, or borrow the $100. It'll make a difference right at your price point. You want a system that you'll simply enjoy listening to and will sound clear, clean and loud (when necessary!). Not on ethat you'll always be hearing the shortcomings and wanting to upgrade. The Onkyo or Onkyo speakers/Yamaha receiver combo will be a 'keeper'. __________________ NOT THE SAME: affect/effect; lose/loose; compliment/complement; then/than; accept/except; palate/palette; site/sight; incite/insight; peek/pique SPELL: d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e; r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s; r-e-f-r-i-g-e-r-a-t-o-r; w-e-i-r-d; c-e-i-l-i-n-g; s-e-p-a-r-a-t-e NOT ENGLISH: alot; wallah; spendy; would of; could of

03-12-03, 06:20 PM	#3
linkoaljara Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 58	Yea that setup does look really nice. But i think $500 is too much for me. MY budget was at $300.... but i pulled off my arm and made it $400. Those are at Circuit City you said? Ill go there and check them out, maybe they will be on sale.

03-12-03, 06:25 PM	#4
PhYbEr Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: The chair at the top of the stairs.. Posts: 853	well then thats different.. if $400 IS the max ( and I do understand that ) then go for the sony setup.. I'm not saying its BAD...just make sure they let you hear it hooked up and stuff and maybe even take in your own dvd to test it out.. something that you know sounds pretty good on what you have now...

03-12-03, 06:36 PM	#5
linkoaljara Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 58	I just looked at Circuit City..... found the same exact system for $50 cheaper..... this might influence my decision. the reviews look pretty solid from it as well. http://www.circuitcity.com/frame1.js...ftchildcat.jsp

03-13-03, 03:41 PM	#9
linkoaljara Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 58	Thank you all for your advice. It is worth as much as i paid for It. But I will take it into consideration.