Home theatre system

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Geekeneer

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#273249 12-Aug-2020 16:00

Noob here. I'm looking for a simple 5.1 Home Theatre system including receiver (Blu-ray atleast) and found that they are not readily available here in NZ.

Why is this so and please recommend options.

I'm not a fan of Soundbars and I think they do not portray a true surround sound, is the world moving towards soundbars and how do they compare in terms of surround sound and movie experience?

Links of what I had in mind:

https://www.panasonic.com/au/support/product-archives/home-entertainment/home-theatre-systems/sc-btt885.html

Harvey Norman and Noel Leeming had this previously, both of them don't stock it now.

I prefer wireless rear speakers.

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#2539536 12-Aug-2020 16:51

so you want a home theater in a box?

Id take a decent sound bar over a HT in a box any day. just add on a blueray player and your good to go

But personally i would go for a receiver and then buy the speakers seperatly

Geekeneer

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#2539539 12-Aug-2020 16:56

Yes HT in a box is what I was looking for, for a decent sound experience when I watch movies over the weekend. Not something to go on all day, everyday.

I think due to ease, and price, it was the first thing I set out looking for.

Guess I will have to see the option of buying separately. Blu-ray player is not a must as I have an Xbox, and most of my watching is streaming, so all I need is a receiver really and speakers.

Dunnersfella

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#2539596 12-Aug-2020 18:30

Home theatre in the box solutions were a non-upgradable, non-updatable mess to be fair.

Sound bars create less clutter, and they're easier for the muppet at the local big box retail store to understand and sell (cable plugs into bar - same cable goes into TV - done)... hence the increase in their popularity. What's more, big whitegoods retailers can sell them in super cheap to big box stores when they buy fridges / washing machines etc! Hence the big marketing push from the likes of Samsung / Panasonic / LG etc.

However, they get absolutely smashed to pieces by a true home cinema receiver and separate speakers.

Would you be looking for floor standing front speakers, with satellite speakers + a subwoofer?

Or to build a system over time by just starting with front speakers etc etc?

Geekeneer

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#2539659 12-Aug-2020 18:47

Thanks for the info. As mentioned, I am a noob and set out to look for something decent soundwise.

My initial plan was to get a complete 5.1 system out of a box. Floor standing fronts with sub, and floor standing rear, not the small wall mountable rears.

The one I linked would have been fine for me to be honest, for the occasional weekend movie nights. The rear speakers connect to a wireless link so no cords need to run to the front receiver.
Can't find these around here anymore though.
HN and NL sold this (or a previous model) for $599.

Doubt I can match that by building a system with individual components.

Dunnersfella

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#2539741 12-Aug-2020 20:36

You'll be able to get a new AVR for under $600...

But to build an entire system - nope.

Secondhand is the best plan if you're looking to spend South of $1000.

networkn

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#2539748 12-Aug-2020 20:49

As it turns out, I have a reasonable wireless system I won, brand new still, in a box at my office, I can't recall the details, but happy to do a deal. Problem is, it will be Monday before I can get back there.

robbon44

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#2539792 12-Aug-2020 22:15

You could probably find something on trade me that would be along you line of thinking but to be honest I would go along to your local store such as Harvey Norman or JB and just see what you can get as a soundbar based system. I have listened to a few soundbar set ups that sound way better than out of the box HT systems.

That said if you really want a good 5.1 system you won’t beat a true receiver plus seperate speakers...

Balance your budget and your expectations.

Good luck.

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Davoid

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#2539841 13-Aug-2020 08:02

Would something like this be acceptable, look down the list and there are two home theater packages. (would just need to buy the Blu-ray player separate) and I am sure other Audio stores would have similar options

https://www.listeningpost.co.nz/Products/Amplifiers/Home-Theatre-Receivers/Home-Theatre-Receivers-__I.27756__C.27277

maxeon

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#2539851 13-Aug-2020 08:25

I have had Bose Soundtouch 300 Soundbar, Woofer and Surrounds for a while (new model is now 700 I think) and it works far superior than those out of the box HT and it's a pretty simple and tidy setup.

The rears are wireless with power requirement.

You should be able to get the entire lot for about 2k mark.

There is Sonos options too with similar sound.

Dingbatt

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#2539913 13-Aug-2020 09:11

As others have alluded to, the Home Theatre in a Box you linked to initially has largely been replaced by soundbars. I have both soundbars and ‘proper’ separates set up in different rooms in the house. IMO the separates perform better for Home Theatre but the soundbars are fine for everyday TV watching. I listen to music occasionally on the separates as well (usually when no one else is home :-)).

There used to be entry level (5.1) speaker packs from oems like Wharfdale that can be paired with a modest receiver. Retailers like Harvey Norman had those on display. You should be able to go into HN or JBHiFi and talk to a specialist* retail assistant and say you want an entry level receiver + 5.1 setup. Make it clear you don’t want a soundbar or HTIAB.

I have said it before, but be aware the ‘entry level system’ you seek is a gateway drug to ever increasing complexity and expense in the world of Home Theatre as you swap out better components.

*Knows more about AV equipment than the guy who sells fridges. Note: This is tongue in cheek because I have struck some really knowledgeable salespeople at both HN and JB.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

networkn

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#2539915 13-Aug-2020 09:14

My experience is way different from others. I have listened to and owned a few soundbars, and I'd take a 5.1 in a box with wireless rears every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

It won't compete with separates but price-wise hard to beat. I've heard one soundbar I'd be happy to consider swapping for a 5.1 in a box and it was about 3 x the price.

WyleECoyoteNZ

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#2539922 13-Aug-2020 09:25

What is your budget?

If you can, get good speakers, and start with an entry\mid level receiver (Onkyo \ Denon)

Years ahead it's easier to replace the receiver, rather than replacing 5 speakers and a sub.

Geekeneer

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#2539924 13-Aug-2020 09:27

Sub $1000.

In fact I saw the HT in a box systems (the one I linked in first post) around $600 and that's when I decided I want one of those.

1101

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#2540776 14-Aug-2020 10:27

"something decent soundwise"

What sounds OK to a average person will sound horrid to an enthusiast .
Thats why when a tweeter blows in one of the speakers , the av person might not even notice (Ive come across that a few times)
As you get used to a good system, then you'll notice bad the lesser systems can sound .

You may be 100% happy with a home theater in a box .
Your room might be too small (or too reflective) for a surround sound system .

There are bargains to be had on trademe . Start there .
My $500 centre speaker is literally worthless now , I'd get $50 for it . Ive bought $800 tower speakers for less than $200 used price (werent that old)
If you want wireless rears, that may limit options if looking for used bargains though .

ashnizzle

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#2549103 24-Aug-2020 21:47

I see the panasonic HTB700 is on sale at the moment at NL. For the same price I could also get a Sonos Beam (obviously excluding sub) but cant decide which one I should go with.

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