Anyone of one of the Home Theater in a Box style setups?


Do you like it or do you still wish you had a real system? Right now I have a surround sound system for a PC but I use it on my Television. The result is that I only get simulated surround sound etc. I'm not a big spender so I'm considering one of these $300 or so systems. Would I just be wasting my money? The next step up would problably be a $1K system but I dont know if I want to go there. I'm just hooking up to my 32" Sony.

 

for your intended use...you should be fine....just stay away from the "off-brands".....JVC, Kenwood, Sony, RCA all have sub $500 setups....

 

Thanks Bill; your comment was steak sauce.

 

You can even find a THX certified 5.1 systyem in a box for around the $500 mark. I woulnt go to the $1K range unless it is THX certified and atleast 6.1 perferably 7.1

I want a THX 8.1 reciver but have not found it yet, I'm sure it's out there, probably in commercial grade though and likely cost few K's.

edited to add:
BTW incase your curious about the X.X numbers... the first number is the number of speakers not counting the sub, the second number is either .0 or .1. That is sub or no sub. .0 = no sub, .1 = sub

The 8.1 that I want would be 8 speaker,

Front center
L & R Front
L & R Mid
L & R rear
Rear center
Sub

 

I have a JVC home theater system on my 36" TV in the office. It sounds damn good. It was right around $400.00

Technology has come a long way- I'd say it sounds just as good as my old "self-built" hometheater system, with the 5:1 amp... For some damn-near invisable speakers, it will wake the neighbors if I choose too.

My HT system


I didn't put on on my Sony 62"... The speakers that SOB came with are pretty darn good... If I hook it up though, I'll probably go with a professionally installed system, and some Yamaha or Onkyo equipment..

then again, maybe not... I'm thinking about treating myself (If Uncle Sam doesn't want too much of my bonus on April 15th...) To that 50" Maxent Plasma wall-mountable Flat screen TV, move the 62" 4:3 big box into the Office (and onto the JVC) and put the 36" in the bedroom.

 

Damn, and I made fun of my buddy when he moved his 32" into his bedroom after upgrading.

 

I just have a 21" in my bedroom.

 

I refuse to have a TV in my bedroom....my bedroom is ONLY for fooking and sleeping....lately it has just been for sleeping.......

 

I have a 31" in there now...


These are my TV's.

61" Sony KP-61H Circuit City Special) 3 years old (Family Room)
36" Sanyo (Wal-Mart Special) 7 years old. (Office)
31" Sanyo (Wal-Mart Special) 8 years old (My bedroom) *Probably why I'm getting far less than I used to...
25" Sanyo (Wal-Mart Special) 10 years old (In guest room)
13" Symphonic (Best-Buy Special) 5 years old (In son's room)

 

Hmm...depends on what you want. Do you just want tru surround and thats it? Or do you want earth shaking bass, crystal clear highs and a true theater sound? Those small systems are ok, but not great IMO. But then again, I like the earth shaking bass and all that. I've built my own system piece by piece and love it. But again, its all in what you want. But as it was said, stay away from the off brand ones.


BREW

 

Urban,

For what you want you be fine with one of those all in one units. If you have a Sam's Club or Costso card they have some good deals on a variety of brands. I am REALLY partial to Onkyo. I have heard some of their all in one units and they sound very nice for the price.

Here is one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Onkyo-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

I have a system similar to that. 600 watt RCA. The only thing I did was to swap out the sub-woofer for a powered one. Sounds great for what I want. I did use the digital connections only though. Make sure you have enough for what you want to connect. I have a TV, DVD player, and satellite receiver, all connected with a digital connection.
Other than the powered sub-woofer (a Yamaha) the only other things I bought were wall mounts for the front and rear speakers. The center sits on a shelf, and the subwoofer on the floor.

 

Looks like a fair system.
What encoding is the reciever?

UC,
If it's not Dolby and/or THX certified (tip look for certified, because many claim to be compatable, it's not the same.) If it's not Dolby and/or THX certified (or atleast compatable). Then it is either frequency channel selection or sound delay, maybe a combination of the two. Which are simulated surround sound, they can't actually read and seperate the tracks in to thier own channel as it was recorded. In all honesty 7.1 is great but most movies you rent or buy from a retail store are only recorded in 5.1. So don't get caught up in the (This is 20.1) channel "marketing" and want all those channels, unless you are ready to pay $200 + per movie to hear 6.1, 7.1 or 8.1 etc etc.
I'm not saying to pass up on a 7.1 just because it is 7.1.... but dont buy it just becasue it's 7.1 either.

 

Great point Mag!

 

Anybody have any experience with the Bose 3 2 1 system?

TC