Theater-in-a-box questions
 

I've decided to upgrade to 5.1 sound because stereo just doesn't cut it anymore (and I have a new job). I was thinking it would be easiest just to get a home theater in a box, but I have a few questions -
1)How is the quality on wireless speaker systems?
2)I have an XBOX, and I plan on buying a record player and a Wii in the near future. Will I be able to connect them all to the same thing, or would that not work?
I'd like to keep things under 500 dollars, if possible. Any suggestions?

IMO:

1.) DO NOT buy the Wireless system, read horrible reviews, the technology is still too new, also a lot of loss in quality over wireless.

2.) I prefer the Onkyo brand, I am no expert in HT, but I recently purchased the Onkyo HT-S680 in silver. I love it, it is a 6.1 setup and the sound is excellent for the price which is just under $400.

for more info and research on HT I would visit http://www.avsforum.com/

Depends on two things:
1. What receiver you get. Each receiver has varying connection options.
2. What you want to connect to the receiver. The audio? The video? Both?

If you spend enough money, you can run virtually everything through a receiver, but for a $500 budget for your entire setup, your connection options will probably be fairly limited - but they may still work for what you want to do.

I've read threads at AVS about getting refurb Onkyo receivers with some separate speaker packages. I don't have any links handy, but do some reasearch in the "HTIB" forum there. Many say that's the best bang for the buck.

Also recently bought an Onkyo reciever from a HTIAB system, and I too will say my ht-r320 is awesome. Huge improvement over my old Kenwood. While I know you're looking for a whole HTIAB system, the Onkyo is awesome for a budget system. I haven't head too many complaints about Onkyo's.

Just for the love of God stay away from Sony systems. Also you might think about ordering directly from Onkyo, I believe they give you 10 points you can use when you first sign up. The points are the equivelent of $10 off if you use them. Also they carry refurbished items as well, but you'll have to buy speaker wire separate, which you should probably do anyways to get some that's a decent gauge.

Don't get wireless.
Don't get a HTIB (there are few that are ok to fair, but that's about it)
If you want a record player look careful. I believe some of the newer/low end units do not have a phono input.

Try looking into an Athena Micra system with Onkyo reciever.

If you're going to get a home theater in a box get one of Onkyo's at www.shoponkyo.com. They have some good prices, but it would still be best to pair say an Onkyo 503 or 504 reciever with the Micra 6 set.

I think those are the ones I was referring to in my post above. I just couldn't remember the name of them off the top of my head.

When I get around to getting surround sound for our living room, that's the direction I'm headed...