Budget 5.1 Surround Sound, Please Help

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Budget 5.1 Surround Sound, Please Help

Philica

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#56773 23-Jan-2010 13:13

I recently purchased a Sony 40V5500 and wanted surround sound to go with it. I have a ps3 which will be the main entertainment hub. So it is my understanding that i need something with an optical input to get the 5.1 channel. I'm not really concerned with 2 channel audio. So my question is what would you guys recommend. It needs to be relatively cheap under $700 preferably. I understand i wont get anywhere near audiophile quality for this price i just want good value for money with decent bass. Also it will be in a small room so size might be a factor.

Thanks.

Also why do i have as oz flag under my name? I selected NZ as my county

*edit Im not really fussed with the whole bravia sync thing. Ild rather get better gear than something sony just because of bravia sync.

bazzer

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#292464 23-Jan-2010 14:11

You'll want to use the HDMI if you want to take advantage of the new HD audio tracks on Blu-Ray etc..

Batman

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#292467 23-Jan-2010 14:21

there is no point(need) to get uncompressed audio on the cheapos (i'm not making a derogeratory comment, i just couldnt think of another word for ah) i mean Budget sound. so dont worry about true-hd/dts-hdMA.

as for what you want, sorry i have no experience with the home theatre in a box. probably get KEFs as apaprently they have 5 star rating? http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/home-theatre/systems/
but i think that's beyond your budget still so i'd say go sony

JKRNZ

56 posts

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#292579 23-Jan-2010 21:06

Check out the Sony DAV-DZ290K Home Theatre System ($600 down 20% to $480). Talk to the Sony guys in the shop and get their recommendation for your $700 + 40V5500 + PS3. Let us know their response.

robjg63

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#292596 23-Jan-2010 23:04

$749 for the Onkyo HT-S5205 package from JB HiFi at the moment - A step up from Theatre in a box and quite well rated from the reviews on the web. Provision to plug other things in for the future. Doesnt have a DVD/Blu-ray included - but you have the PS23 for that so you already have one of them.
Same unit up to about $1200 at Noel Leeming/Bond and Bond and the soon to be defunct (?) Eastern hiFi.

Prettymuch IS audiophile quality for the price you mention.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Philica

90 posts

Master Geek

#292702 24-Jan-2010 17:02

bazzer: You'll want to use the HDMI if you want to take advantage of the new HD audio tracks on Blu-Ray etc..

The problem with this is the ps3 has 1 HDMI connection so it goes ps3 to the tv via hdmi. From my understanding ill have to get a reciever so it will go ps3 > reciever > tv which might be out of my price range?

Philica

90 posts

Master Geek

#292704 24-Jan-2010 17:09

JKRNZ: Check out the Sony DAV-DZ290K Home Theatre System ($600 down 20% to $480). Talk to the Sony guys in the shop and get their recommendation for your $700 + 40V5500 + PS3. Let us know their response.

Just quickly looked at the specs. It doesnt have an optical input or a HDMI video pass through. So the only way ill be able to get 5.1 ch from this unit is when playing dvds through it? Please correct me if im wrong but that my understanding of it.

vinnieg

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#292706 24-Jan-2010 17:25

see if you can get a Sony DAV-IS50, I've got one in my bedroom to supplement the secondary PS3 and it works well :) good sound, good bass from the woofer and speakers sound awesome :)

One of the best home theatre in a box systems you can get, I paid $400 for mine last year during the new years specials: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Home-theatre/auction-264180264.htm They go for round 500-700

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

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Philica

90 posts

Master Geek

#292709 24-Jan-2010 17:51

robjg63: $749 for the Onkyo HT-S5205 package from JB HiFi

Ive read some good things about the unit. Good low response which is what i want. Do you think ill be able to haggle the price down? Or considering the price Noel is charging not much profit is being made of each sale?

Batman

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#292730 24-Jan-2010 19:25

Philica:
robjg63: $749 for the Onkyo HT-S5205 package from JB HiFi
Ive read some good things about the unit. Good low response which is what i want. Do you think ill be able to haggle the price down? Or considering the price Noel is charging not much profit is being made of each sale?

i've never done a business degree but my understanding is the cost price compared with RRP is 30-33% vs RRP. would that be right? (you do have to factor in the overheads, but still, the only way they "lose" cost price is a 70% off. anything else is more. of course, if you were the seller ...

Dunnersfella

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#292735 24-Jan-2010 20:11

You'd be lucky to see 20% margin on a home theatre in a box at $600 - $700...
At this time of the year, just before 2010 kit lands in NZ, prices are pretty low, especially on Sony gear as they're almost sold out in many stores.

If you can spring for a receiver with multiple HDMI inputs, go for that as it'll give you some flexibility in the future.

If not, go for a Sony system that allows you to take advantage of Bravia Sync, which will in turn allow you to cut down on remote controls.

robjg63

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#292746 24-Jan-2010 21:14

Philica:
robjg63: $749 for the Onkyo HT-S5205 package from JB HiFi
Ive read some good things about the unit. Good low response which is what i want. Do you think ill be able to haggle the price down? Or considering the price Noel is charging not much profit is being made of each sale?

You can try - but I wouldnt expect much movement.

I looked at one (havent bought anything I might add), and the sales guy said they might be able to do something with the demo one on the shelf - I wasnt actively looking at the time, but.......

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Philica

90 posts

Master Geek

#292778 24-Jan-2010 22:42

Dunnersfella: You'd be lucky to see 20% margin on a home theatre in a box at $600 - $700...
At this time of the year, just before 2010 kit lands in NZ, prices are pretty low, especially on Sony gear as they're almost sold out in many stores.

If you can spring for a receiver with multiple HDMI inputs, go for that as it'll give you some flexibility in the future.

If not, go for a Sony system that allows you to take advantage of Bravia Sync, which will in turn allow you to cut down on remote controls.

Im not really looking long term here. Im a student so when a get a decent job and good money starts coming in thats when ill seriously look into it. Just want something good value for money with a lowish price tag. Also im not really bothered with bravia sync. Ill rather pay the money for a better system than get something for ease of use.

Philica

90 posts

Master Geek

#292788 24-Jan-2010 23:14

Regarding the Onkyo HT-S5205:
If im reading this correctly does it mean i can only get 5.1 ch sound from the ps3 if i output it via LPCM? In other words decode the audio using the ps3? Or i cant get 5.1 ch unless it is connected via optical?
http://www.intl.onkyo.com/technology/glossary/hdmi-pass.html (HDMI pass through)

http://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/system_components/home_theater/ht-s5205/index.html (Product Page)