Best home theatre in a box

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › Best home theatre in a box

dragon12

24 posts

Geek

#24404 23-Jul-2008 10:31

Hey guys

im looking at getting a home theatre in a box system that is of good sound quality.
im very partial to samsung stuff. love the look and usually they rock. however i have heard that there home theatre is not very good. is this true?
what should i look for in a system?
what in your view is the best system out there for a reasonable price?
would be good to hear your opinions

old3eyes

8356 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#150620 23-Jul-2008 12:55

I bought one of these a year or two ago.

http://www.sony.co.nz/products/product/home-theatre/theatre-systems/htddw7000.jsp

Sounds fine and can be found for less that $1200 these days.

However if I was buying again I would make sure that the HT amp supports hidef audio format as well with audio processing in the HDMI stream. The Sony unit above just does HDMI switching..

Regards,

Old3eyes

fieryblast

18 posts

Geek

#153537 2-Aug-2008 12:38

Hey

You mentioned you can get the HTDDW7000 for under 1200? Where from?

marmel

1617 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#153570 2-Aug-2008 13:41

Noel Leeming has this package for $1199

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/audio/hi-fi-systems/rack-systems/sony-sony-htddw1600-hm-theatre/prod4293.html

I think it has a slightly different receiver though.

EDIT: Just realised the difference is the above system is 6.2, not 7.2. Bond and Bond also have it for $1099.

fieryblast

18 posts

Geek

#153623 2-Aug-2008 16:58

Yeah the older ones are only 6.2 and have no hdmi audio support. The newer ones are 7.2 and are around $1333 with free shipping from sony style. Bond&Bond have them for $1350 if you ask nicely for a discount.

old3eyes

8356 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#153652 2-Aug-2008 19:20

fieryblast:
Yeah the older ones are only 6.2 and have no hdmi audio support. The newer ones are 7.2 and are around $1333 with free shipping from sony style. Bond&Bond have them for $1350 if you ask nicely for a discount.

You sure that the new 7.2 amps have audio over HDMI support?? The Sony website makes no mention of HD Audio formats..

Regards,

Old3eyes

fieryblast

18 posts

Geek

#153656 2-Aug-2008 19:29

yes they support 7.1 lpcm audio over hdmi. unsure of dolby digital or dts over hdmi tho. definately doent have truehd decoder but most blu ray disc players decode to 7.1 lpcm and output that over hdmi. I read the manual of sony's website and it's quite clear in that part.

Im not sure if I should by the ES3200ES or the HTDDW7000 or a Pioneer Receiver capable of truehd etc. All around the same price more or less. The only advantage the es3200es has over the HTDDW7000 is video upscaling to 1080i over hdmi and OSD. The pioneer one is capable of truehd but its only 90w*7.

That being said I'm now confused over what to get. I have a semi-decent 5.0 system already but I dont think it really compares to the HTDDW7000.

Any sugestions?

marmel

1617 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#153672 2-Aug-2008 20:27

Keep in mind also that the new models are about to be released. They have a couple of model numbers up on the Sony site, the STRDA2400ES and STRDA3400ES, although no details or price.

Both new models will decode the new DTS HD and DD HD etc. Google for the full specs.

There might be some cheap deals on the old models once the new ones hit the shelves.

richms

23294 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#153684 2-Aug-2008 21:10

Do these receivers let you setup the delays on the 2 subs independently? I ask, since I have had 2 subs in the past and found it a total pig to get them positioned so they didn't have a huge nul at some frequency at the listening position. Also, whats the bass management on them like, will it correctly pass the bottom end from the rears to the sub and not the mains when configured with small rears?

Only asking because I need a new receiver with up conversion and these look to be the best deal, can use the mediocre speakers and my old receiver as a second system.

Richard rich.ms