Home theatre in a box- reviews? What one?

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 20 Sep 2006, 1:02 pm

#536206

Picking the brains of the collective out there.

I have a new 6 x 5 mtr room, 3-4mtr ceilings.

Im looking for my best bang for buck home theatre system.

I have a pioneer system that I am happy with but am openminded.

sub $1k via JB hifi or eshmay

Will eventually have a big screen tv but just noise at the mo as I have prewired the walls etc.

Any review sites to recommend?

cheers

kkk

ps dont get too audiophile, the room has acres of tempered glass louvres, ply ceiling and hardwood floors. bouncy bouncy bouncy

This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied

Euro_67 Wolfsburg Wizard

690 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 20 Sep 2006, 8:43 pm

#536374

Dont know if you already have signal source devices like dvd player, am/fm tuner, etc. Most sub $1000 systems usually have the dvd, etc built in. I bought this one as I already had high end dvd, etc and didnt require one built into the surround sound. I is simply astounding for the price !
it also has wireless rear speakers, they just require ac power, so you dont have to run the speaker signal cables. You can also buy them from EB games but they are mre expensive than big ben

http://www.bigbencomputer.com.au/viewproduct.php?id=3033

Here is the same model with wired rear speakers

http://www.bigbencomputer.com.au/viewproduct.php?id=3032

[ Edited on 20-9-06 by 1964_Notch ]

vwrallycar Insano Dub Head

721 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 21 Sep 2006, 5:25 pm

#536614

personally i reckon Yamaha, very good quality, or even Onkyo for your amp, and if you want big power from them you gotta pay the bucks, although yamaha have come down down a lot in price.
i have some awesome floor standing front speakers which are Infinity brand.
im afraid $1000 wont get you a great deal of good gear, but will get you a really good amp
my front speakers were $2200!
i recommend spending most of your money on speakers, and even a top end DVD player
hope that helps

amazeer Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,029 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 21 Sep 2006, 6:53 pm

#536637

I've got a yamaha which looks similar to this http://www.yamaha.com.au/products/avit/htsystems/YHT-175S.asp

Cant seem to find my exact one. My receiver looks 100% identical to the one in this package but is a HTR-6830. The centre speaker looks the same but my satellite speakers are taller, and my sub is a lot bigger. I think it cost me about the same $599 as quoted for this lot.

When we were buying, the wife and I had a massive fight in the shops. I wanted speakers that were furniture, she pretty much didnt want any but had to stop me whining. I didnt think that tiny speakers like that would sound anywhere near decent. The guy in the shop was on her side saying we didnt need bigger.. which made me more against the small ones because I figured he was going along with the wife just so he would make a sale. Surprisingly though, they do sound pretty good. I think the average person would be 100% happy. I'm happy too 98% of the time, I just think they could be better when listening to accoustic music.

Watching movies though, the floor shakes, you get the whole surround experience. Plenty of times I've looked out the front door wondering what was going on outside, or got up to answer the phone when it was just rear speakers.

Only real issue I have is that they arent massive glossy black beautiful things.

koolkarmakombi enkarmarising

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 21 Sep 2006, 7:52 pm

#536672

Thanks guys,

I do like the Yamaha, it also compares well to the pioneer I bought @ $900

Amazeer, is the sub powered by the amp or separate ac?

I am after small speakers like that to hide up in the corners of the room and push the sound down to minimise noise to the neighbours.

I didnt realise I could get components like that so cheap.

kkk

This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied

amazeer Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,029 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 21 Sep 2006, 8:08 pm

#536678

Sub is powered seperate with its own cord.

Dunno if its a cool thing or not... probably wank value but the sub has its own volume control on the back. it also has a switch to turn it off, on or auto. I've got mine set on auto, and it is off most of the time and sparks into life when it gets a bass signal.

My other gripe is that I need to buy a programmable remote. It takes 4 sets of buttons to turn on the TV! One for TV, one for set top box, one for hard drive and then the reciever. Add to that theres another set top box for when I want to watch one thing and record another, and the air con remote. We have a box next to the lounge to keep them in.

I love my telly even though I dont watch it much, new house plans have a 7 x 5 tv room 👍 Might need an upgrade to do it all justice

koolkarmakombi enkarmarising

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 22 Sep 2006, 8:12 am

#536826

Cheers mate,

That looks like the go. Ive found it for high three hundreds on ebay.

I like the smaller speakers as I dont want the furniture peice type ones as I have one toddler and another on the way. If they cant reach it......

I wanted a separate power for the sub as I am putting the base unit a fair bit away and the wire is long.

This also means I can buy a dvd player with divx and all and upgrade it later as the formats evolve. More than 5.1 would be wasted on me too.

I hear you on the remote business, esp what wee boy pinches one, into the dog bowl and under the bookcase!

kkk 😉

This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied