http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: What's the best HTIB system? http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/onkyo-ht-s790-black/4505-6740_7-31930511.html

You can pick up refurbished Onkyo systems from http://shoponkyo.com for $300 to $900.

You can build a component system for not too much more using careful shopping. Choosing a refurbished Onkyo a/v receiver from the site above for under $200, then a pair of Polk R50's for the fronts for about $160 from frys.com, a matching Polk CS1 center speaker (est. $200) and something like a Velodyne Vx-10 sub ($200) from on-line sources could make a very nice 3.1 system. Adding surrounds later is an option, when frys.com has the Polk R150 on sale again for $49 a pair.

]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:01PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/,and PCM . The SQ is more than adequate for me and it has plenty of kick with the sub (188w RMS). For the $200 I paid for it, it's a very tough deal to beat and it has lasted me about 5 years already. So that's my vote for the "frugal" out there.]]>Aug 7th 2008 12:23PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 4:41PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 12:26PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 12:26PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 12:27PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
I would go for a Klipsch Quintet system - while its not technically a HTIB - it’s the size of one and has the sound to back it up. You should be able to assemble a system for under $1K if you look in the right places.

As far as the cheapo HTIB packages already out there with one price tag (which you won't be doing your Bluray justice with).

I would recommend something by Yamaha - no tinny sonys for me.

I started w/Quintets and got hooked - now have a fully built Yamaha powered RF-82 setup that I love!

]]>Aug 7th 2008 12:38PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 12:29PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
They come with real receivers, and pretty good speakers to boot.]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:45PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
I like it a lot. Bought it on the cheap off Amazon to boot.]]>Aug 7th 2008 3:49PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 4:54PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 8th 2008 2:58AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
It may not perform better then a component based home theater, but for 1K$, its a deal for the person who has no home theater at all and wants everything at 1 time.

]]>Aug 7th 2008 12:52PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 1:01PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
No regular RCA (yellow, White, Red), but you do get two HDMI, 2 Optical, and Component.

Another complaint...if your bluray player is a PS3 then stay away from this system. For some reason they don't play nice and I have to reset the reciever multiple times during playing a game or watching a movie because my tv says "Mode Not Supported"

So I guess after all that I am saying that you can find something in the same price range that is less of a pain to use. ]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:05PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/

(jk)]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:08PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 2:41PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://intellexual.net/bose.html

And a little story from my past:
My father was really big in the A/V (mostly audio) market in Hawai`i. Dr. Bose himself was actually at my parents' wedding where he gave them a pair of 901s as a wedding gift. I think my dad added it to his store's stock since he was rocking Magnepans at the house. A couple of years later my dad was having a party at his house and on short notice found out that Dr. Bose was going to drop by. He rushed to his store and grabbed a pair of 901s off the shelf, came back home, stashed the Magnepans in the master bedroom and plopped down the 901s.

Any person that's into quality audio equipment knows that Bose is just a big brand name that sells crap. My dad had better quality stuff at his stores for people that knew better or would listen to reason. If you don't believe the story, ask Dr. Bose if he remembers a the guy in Hawai`i that ran Ward Audio and Tim's Electronics back in the 70s and 80s.]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:03PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:20PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
http://www.kefinstanttheatre.com/products/kit/product-range/5-speaker/kit550hd/default.aspx]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:36PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-SR700&modelid=158&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

Can get it refurb direct from Onkyo for $299. MIssed the boat on the big sale though, refurbs were going for $159.99 around the 4th last month.

]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:30PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
I would highly recommend anything HTB that Denon or Onkyo put out, both make out standing receivers and for the price range, the speakers are perfectly fine. If you are on a tighter budget, Kenwood is known for making good entry level HTBs.

If you are a little more daring and willing to do a little more work, check out speaker packages from companies like Energy (their Take 5 system is a great package), PSB, Paradigm (my personal favorite) and Axiom to name a few that I know surround sound speaker packages and/or smaller speakers. Combine it with a receiver from Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, marantz or Harmon Kardon and you will have a nice setup at a reasonable price.

You may also want to check around, I know in the past OneCall.com and other sites (stores included) have surround sound packages that you can buy and usually will save you a little money. They usually would be something that you can buy seperatly, but they just packaged it together in a deal for you.

I personally would not recommend HTBs by Sony. Their speakers are not good at all and their receivers fall short of the other leading brands listed above at the same price. I also do not recommend the Logitech systems, they may make good computer systems, but when compared to real home theater systems, they just can't hold a candle. I am also personally not a fan of sound bars, while nice and compact, they are more gimmick than anything. I am from the old school of thought where to get true surround sound, you actually need sound source all around you. I have heard a few and they just are not that impressive. Especially since I feel that you can get better sound and imaging from even a descent 2 speaker setup if you are looking save space.]]>Aug 7th 2008 1:47PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
-Will]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:17PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 1:58PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/sony-ht-ct100/4505-6740_7-32923460.html]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:01PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 7:17PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 2:12PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 2:24PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://www.partsexpress.com/ shows just how easy (or complex) it can be. And they have everything you would need at a good price on their site.]]>Aug 7th 2008 2:28PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 2:54PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/lg-lht874-home-theater/4505-6740_7-32976335.html]]>Aug 7th 2008 3:50PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
http://reviews.cnet.com/audio-system-components/lg-lht754-home-theater/4505-6462_7-32575850.html]]>Aug 7th 2008 4:05PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
only HTIB currently that decodes and outputs Dolby TrueHD, pretty simple choice.]]>Aug 7th 2008 6:55PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/

As far as a HTIB all in one box I would only by one witha reciever in it. Over all much more bang fo rthe buck. ]]>Aug 7th 2008 5:47PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
Well whats the definition of best here? Sound fidelity? Peak Volume? Sustained Volume? Frequency response? Ease of use? Cost? Best value(giving up the least for the compromises needed)?

I notice that we have a few facts to work from, He already has a blu-ray player so any solution that includes that is unnecessary. He lives in an apartment so space is a large consideration. The big question here to me is what is his budget?

You can get HTIB systems from just over $100 to over $2000. Frankly like anything else you get what you pay for. Cnet is a good resource for doing basic research to filter out most of the models. You can then decide on a price range from there and then (oh my god get this.. go OUT AND LISTEN) So many people are very quick to recommend a brand but rarely recognize that people hear sounds differently and a system that sounds bright and full can sound muddled to someone else.

I will say this much, when you go out, take a CD (not a MP3 player) but a CD with songs that you are extremely familiar with. You may be surprised, the higher end systems may play parts of the music you've never heard before. Conversely, some systems may play songs where part of the music appears to be missing. Cnet will also let you compare features so you can see that the audio Codecs are all coveres. (DTS, etc)

Frankly the best system is that which you can afford and sounds good to YOUR ears. So do a search on a place like CNET and get about 4-6 systems in your price range and then go listen to them. Just be aware that the location your listening to them won't be ideal. Oh and listen to all the systems at flat settings, don't boost the base and treble, those are there to compensate for distortions in your listening environment. (and too many people boost the highs and the bass forgetting that much of the richness of music comes from the mid range, not to mention that voices are all midrange)
]]>Aug 7th 2008 6:47PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 7:30PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 7th 2008 8:21PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XXO6GS/ref=s9subs_c2_at1-rfc_g1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0CW9ZX8AHZEV87B5JNG1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846
and
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0015S8PGW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ALAQLAKJ574UN&v=glance

Comes out to about $800.]]>Aug 7th 2008 9:43PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
One Major Brand has all the features, but sound like headphones. They are small and provide no clarity. They are really small. REALLY small. The major thing here is Bass is huge, treble is blured, and you'll get highs! Hard to watch dialog on. Music can have a hard time hearing vocals.

Another Major Brand are cheap. Its gonna fall apart. Consider the warranty if you can get 5 years for less than 10%. Usually they are cheap on systems $499 or less. Speakers sound like cell phones. Bass is non-existent.

Other Major Brands offer 'Real' amplifiers or receivers, with a brand of speakers. They are usually pretty identical, but nice if you want to upgrade. If you care about upgrading - you know how to install it right? Exactly, these are really for people looking to put off system purchases, but needed a fix.

My first system was a sherwood 'component' system bought some years ago. It was a steal, but I quickly got better speakers as I could save. It was college, as I got more space, my stack got taller.

If you want Surround sound - for Movies and Games - You will enjoy your HTIB. Music will need better speakers, and TV will either be awesome (broadcast well - HD stuff can sound as good as movies), or kinda muffled, you will turn it up a lot, and get blasted by commercials.

Good luck world.]]>Aug 7th 2008 11:17PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
And for the Receiver you can go with the entry level stuff from Onkyo or HK. I personally like the deep rich sound the HK receiver puts out compared to the Onkyo. You can get the Onkyo TX-SR606 for under $400 which is a great value or you can get the HK AVR 254 for a little bit above $400.

Then you can go to Monoprice.com and buy all your A/V cables for a lot cheaper than what the stores charge. I still laugh to this day when I got to BestBuy and see HDMI cables going for $100.]]>Aug 8th 2008 9:47AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 8th 2008 11:06AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
If you want, you can get an Onkyo receiver, then a surround-set of speakers. For space constrained reasons, beware of the crappy Bose setups... on the other hand, you can get pretty decent with a setup from Cambridge Soundworks - MUCH better quality than Bose. They carry Onkyo, too, if you needed it all from one place.]]>Aug 8th 2008 11:44AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 8th 2008 1:45PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 9th 2008 6:13PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Thanks Engadget]]>Aug 8th 2008 8:59PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/
www.roundsound.com/adiva-home-theater.htm
www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-line.php?id=337
www.kef.com/ht3000/index.htm
www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=32
Incredibly small speakers but with great fidelity.

To everyone recommending the Onkyo, I'm sorry I've had one of their 7.1 systems, while the receiver was ok (good lord did it run hot though), the speakers themselves were awful. The bass was muddled and muted, the bookshelves were either dull and mushy or outright awful. In fact in many cases there were places where the guitar was outright missing in their sound reproduction.

Energy, Anthony Gallo, KEF, Paradigm and others offer much better speakers for not much more money and are certainly much more compact and stylish.

I realize not everyone has the budgets for these systems but many people I know who purchase the Onkyo or similiar HTIB systems end up replacing their systems within 3-5 years. On the other hand people who have spent the money to purchase the higher end speakers (read that as above normal consumer level, not the high end reference systems), end up owning them for 10-40 years. So again who is saving money on these systems?

Buy smart, go listen to the good systems and decide from there. ]]>Aug 12th 2008 3:15AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2008/08/07/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-htib-system/Aug 15th 2008 8:57AM