Buying a new Home Theater - Sony vs Mivi vs zebronics

[Nairrk]

Since I am not getting my present Home theater set up (Sony Blu-ray Disc/DVD Home Theater 5.1, BDV-E870) fully working (only 3.1 channel audio working now), I think it is time to go for a new one instead of wasting more money on this old (14 years) set up. Already spent a lot of time and money (purchasing HDMI splitter, Audio Extractor, Amazon Fire stick 4K, optical Toslink to mini-Toslink adapter etc.) thinking I can get 5.1 channel audio out of my existing system.

The main problem here is the HT receiver's speaker jacks (2 jacks which is meant for front L/R speakers seems not working now). Instead of wasting more time and effort fiddling with 14 years old gadgets (though they are working partially now, but can die anytime soon), I am thinking of buying a new set of Home theater.

Presently, I am not in favor of buying premium products, instead go for budget set up.

I have searched and found a couple of HT's which are:

Sony HT-S40R - 600W, comes with Blue tooth and USB connectivity, HDMI, Optical, Dolby Audio
4-year-old model, and Amazon price Rs.23,999

Mivi Fort Q700D - 700W BT 5.3 BT, Dolby, Coaxial, Optical, HDMI Arc, USB, BT.
Company price - Rs.11,999

Mivi Fort H880 - 880w, 5.2ch, 5.3v BT, HDMI (no Arc), USB, Optical, Coaxial, Dolby
Company price - Rs.15,999

Zebronics 9550 pro - 625w, 5.2, wireless sub, HDMI eArc, Optical, Dual Wireless Rear Satellites, 5.3v BT, Aux, USB
Company price: Rs.24,999

Zebronics 9900 - 725w, 5.2.4, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, DTS, 5.3 BT, HDMI eArc, Optical, Aux, USB.
Company Price: Rs.32,999

I have not searched any product from LG or Samsung. Mivi brand is an Indian company and there are many good reviews about their product.

Any suggestions, guys!

 

[suku_patel_22]

Sony, no. It doesn't have a HDMI in.

Check out soundbars with HDMI in and eARC support.

Preferably, I would suggest to get one with Atmos from leading brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, JBL.

https://www.lg.com/in/audio/soundbars/sq75tr/

Buy 9.1.4 ch Q Series Soundbar with Wireless Dolby ATMOS | Samsung India

Buy latest 9.1.4 ch Q Series Soundbar with wireless dolby atmos, rear speakers, q symphony, space fit sound pro. Know more features, price & specs visit here.

www.samsung.com

 

[Yogesh]

Also have a look at Samsung sound bars.

 

[Nairrk]

Sony, no. It doesn't have a HDMI in.

Check out soundbars with HDMI in and eARC support.

Preferably, I would suggest to get one with Atmos from leading brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, JBL.

https://www.lg.com/in/audio/soundbars/sq75tr/

Buy 9.1.4 ch Q Series Soundbar with Wireless Dolby ATMOS | Samsung India

Buy latest 9.1.4 ch Q Series Soundbar with wireless dolby atmos, rear speakers, q symphony, space fit sound pro. Know more features, price & specs visit here.

www.samsung.com

Samsung Soundbar seems a bit expensive and my old LCD, Full HD TV may not be compatible to this advanced soundbar.

LG seems ok (though I want to limit the budget within 30k), but still worried if all mentioned features will work on my old TV?

Sony S-40R has HDMI Arc and optical - is this not sufficient to get 5.1 surround sound/Dolby audio?

 

[Saiganesh]

Samsung Soundbar seems a bit expensive and my old LCD, Full HD TV may not be compatible to this advanced soundbar.

LG seems ok (though I want to limit the budget within 30k), but still worried if all mentioned features will work on my old TV?

Sony S-40R has HDMI Arc and optical - is this not sufficient to get 5.1 surround sound/Dolby audio?

Mivi and zebronics - No refinement. Dont compare them with sony. Person going for sony wont go for these other brands.
INitially in demo mivi and zebronics will shine but on long run the hatered for these brands will grow more. The sound from these are tyring and no refinement.
I wouldnt sugest samsung also.
Sennheiser and JBL are very good.
Chose only from these and on the long run
You will be able to appreciate what these offer. The price these brands ask for is actually 10 times more worthy than mivi or zenronics. These brands wont last long and gets very hard on ears as time goes. Save your money froom these brands
I have tried all these brands. Portronics is the only brand thats kind of 'OK' to look at.
Bose is another league. It might initially sound expensive but they are worth more than what they are. (Got a lifestyle 235 - 15 years ago and still rocking)

 

[suku_patel_22]

Samsung Soundbar seems a bit expensive and my old LCD, Full HD TV may not be compatible to this advanced soundbar.

LG seems ok (though I want to limit the budget within 30k), but still worried if all mentioned features will work on my old TV?

Sony S-40R has HDMI Arc and optical - is this not sufficient to get 5.1 surround sound/Dolby audio?

Samsung Soundbar seems a bit expensive and my old LCD, Full HD TV may not be compatible to this advanced soundbar.

It's up to you. Samsung Q series are one of the best rated soundbars in the market. Check reviews on Rtings.

LG seems ok (though I want to limit the budget within 30k), but still worried if all mentioned features will work on my old TV?

Which mentioned feature are you worried about? Soundbar and TV aren't related at all.

Sony S-40R has HDMI Arc and optical - is this not sufficient to get 5.1 surround sound/Dolby audio?

From your previous thread, your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC. When you buy a new soundbar, why do you want to go through the hoops and inconsistency of a HDMI audio extractor? Get a soundbar with HDMI IN. Plug in the fire stick 4k to the soundbar's HDMI in, take the HDMI out/eARC to any HDMI port on your TV. And you should be sorted.

 

[Nairrk]

It's up to you. Samsung Q series are one of the best rated soundbars in the market. Check reviews on Rtings.

Ok. noted

Which mentioned feature are you worried about? Soundbar and TV aren't related at all.

Understood

From your previous thread, your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC. When you buy a new soundbar, why do you want to go through the hoops and inconsistency of a HDMI audio extractor? Get a soundbar with HDMI IN. Plug in the fire stick 4k to the soundbar's HDMI in, take the HDMI out/eARC to any HDMI port on your TV. And you should be sorted.

Fully agree. Will definitely keep this in mind when finalizing the set-up.

 

[Nairrk]

Mivi and zebronics - No refinement. Dont compare them with sony. Person going for sony wont go for these other brands.
INitially in demo mivi and zebronics will shine but on long run the hatered for these brands will grow more. The sound from these are tyring and no refinement.
I wouldnt sugest samsung also.
Sennheiser and JBL are very good.
Chose only from these and on the long run
You will be able to appreciate what these offer. The price these brands ask for is actually 10 times more worthy than mivi or zenronics. These brands wont last long and gets very hard on ears as time goes. Save your money froom these brands
I have tried all these brands. Portronics is the only brand thats kind of 'OK' to look at.
Bose is another league. It might initially sound expensive but they are worth more than what they are. (Got a lifestyle 235 - 15 years ago and still rocking)

Have seen this JBL 5.1 HT from Amazon

Link
Seems it has HDMI IN and HDMI eARC ports.

The problem with brands like JBL, Bose etc. are that it will not be available in offline shops near my place. Like Samsung, LG, Sony etc. are available here, and I can discuss with the shop guys if someone willing to take my old system (like exchange offer). If I have to buy online, all these old systems/speakers etc. will be left here (already lots of unused/spoiled-dead electronics items have been lying in my home).

Samsung Q series:

Soundbar 360w 3.1.2ch

Soundbar 5.1.2ch Q800B/XL

However, no rear speakers for these Samsung soundbars?

 

[Saiganesh]

Have seen this JBL 5.1 HT from Amazon

Link
Seems it has HDMI IN and HDMI eARC ports.

The problem with brands like JBL, Bose etc. are that it will not be available in offline shops near my place. Like Samsung, LG, Sony etc. are available here, and I can discuss with the shop guys if someone willing to take my old system (like exchange offer). If I have to buy online, all these old systems/speakers etc. will be left here (already lots of unused/spoiled-dead electronics items have been lying in my home).

Samsung Q series:

Soundbar 360w 3.1.2ch

Soundbar 5.1.2ch Q800B/XL

However, no rear speakers for these Samsung soundbars?

They will almost take it for a scrap price and adjust it in the margin
Simple question to ask yourself -
'Trade out scrap to trade is a scrap?'
There is a give away thread here and then olx and then face book market place. Use them to get rid of old system.
If not throw them away in garbage. But i would never buy these half baked products.
Amazon deals are amazing and if you dont like the system There is option to return on some models. (Infact we can return any model if we have good record with amazon).

 

[Yogesh]

One option for you is to hunt a good deal on Yamaha YHT 1840. Which will cover you for future TV, Speaker upgrades. You may have to spend 10-12 K extra compare to your budget of 30K. And you have much much better sound.

 

[suku_patel_22]

Have seen this JBL 5.1 HT from Amazon

Link
Seems it has HDMI IN and HDMI eARC ports.

No rear speakers. Looks like has HDMI input and output. Confirm it in the manual. If you are checking out JBL.bar 500, you can consider Samsung q600 series too. Also LG S77TY.

https://amzn.in/d/5qpUsnK

Samsung Q series:

Soundbar 360w 3.1.2ch

Soundbar 5.1.2ch Q800B/XL

However, no rear speakers for these Samsung soundbars?

These are virtual surround. 930 is the cheapest Samsung with rear speakers.


I have heard LG S77TY and Samsung Q600B and liked them. I would probably get either for the bedroom some day.

 

[Nairrk]

They will almost take it for a scrap price and adjust it in the margin
Simple question to ask yourself -
'Trade out scrap to trade is a scrap?'
There is a give away thread here and then olx and then face book market place. Use them to get rid of old system.
If not throw them away in garbage. But i would never buy these half baked products.
Amazon deals are amazing and if you dont like the system There is option to return on some models. (Infact we can return any model if we have good record with amazon).

Thanks,
Even if I offer in the 'give away thread' in any forum, I doubt anyone take this 14/15-year-old products, unless someone wants to practice on it.
Anyway, let me think about the old set up after finalizing the new product.

One option for you is to hunt a good deal on Yamaha YHT 1840. Which will cover you for future TV, Speaker upgrades. You may have to spend 10-12 K extra compare to your budget of 30K. And you have much much better sound.

Yes, it (Yamaha YHT 1840) seems good, however the nearest Yamaha dealer shop is about 130/140kms away from my home (this is what Yamaha website shows), and will be a problem if any service related jobs come up..?

 

[Saiganesh]

Thanks,
Even if I offer in the 'give away thread' in any forum, I doubt anyone take this 14/15-year-old products, unless someone wants to practice on it.
Anyway, let me think about the old set up after finalizing the new product.




Yes, it (Yamaha YHT 1840) seems good, however the nearest Yamaha dealer shop is about 130/140kms away from my home (this is what Yamaha website shows), and will be a problem if any service related jobs come up..?

Yamaha is japnese and heard they are the most trouble free comparatively and its a best balance of all (sony, bose, jbl...)

 

[arunkvivek]

Yes, it (Yamaha YHT 1840) seems good, however the nearest Yamaha dealer shop is about 130/140kms away from my home (this is what Yamaha website shows), and will be a problem if any service related jobs come up..?

Even within the big cities, we carry AVR for 30-40kms in case of service. The probability of a serious issue should be relatively low in first few years.

I see that you have posted one zebronics kit for 32K. If you have that much funds, please double it and get serious HT.

If I were you, I would either buy a Yamaha HTiB 1840 or scout for used HTs. The speakers live for ever (almost). Taga , Jamo had great HT kits around 25K back in 2012-2016. The buyers of these kits are likely to upcycled them. Scour the internet for such packages and haggle for a price of 15-20K.

Look out for Marantz SR 5008 and above or NR 1508 and above. These would have necessary electronics for 5.1 decoding as well as decent HDMI. Haggle again for 30K price at max. You can add SW later when you raise funds

Check my blogs - I used a 90s avr (bought for 7K on OlX) with mix-matched speakers and had a great time for at least 3 years before buying a serious AVR. Patience is the key.

 

[Nairrk]

No rear speakers. Looks like has HDMI input and output. Confirm it in the manual. If you are checking out JBL.bar 500, you can consider Samsung q600 series too. Also LG S77TY.

https://amzn.in/d/5qpUsnK

These are virtual surround. 930 is the cheapest Samsung with rear speakers.

++

Virtual surround system may not be suitable for my living room (where the TV is kept) as it has no entrance door, instead have a big opening like below:

(image just for example)
​

I heard that Virtual surround sound takes advantage of sound reflections, hence need a closed room for full effect of the surround sound. It often does not work very well in extremely large, open rooms or in rooms without doors.

Given these circumstances, it seems I have to concentrate on true sound system than the virtual sound system.

 

[suku_patel_22]

Yes. Actual speakers are always better. I was watching the original Bhool Bhulaiya on my setup and loved the soundstage in the movie.

 

[Nairrk]

From your previous thread, your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC. When you buy a new soundbar, why do you want to go through the hoops and inconsistency of a HDMI audio extractor? Get a soundbar with HDMI IN. Plug in the fire stick 4k to the soundbar's HDMI in, take the HDMI out/eARC to any HDMI port on your TV. And you should be sorted.

I have checked the Sony HT-S40R in Samsung website where it mentions as 1 HDMI IN and 1 HDMI Arc Out.

​

Link

 

[Saiganesh]

Even within the big cities, we carry AVR for 30-40kms in case of service. The probability of a serious issue should be relatively low in first few years.

I see that you have posted one zebronics kit for 32K. If you have that much funds, please double it and get serious HT.

If I were you, I would either buy a Yamaha HTiB 1840 or scout for used HTs. The speakers live for ever (almost). Taga , Jamo had great HT kits around 25K back in 2012-2016. The buyers of these kits are likely to upcycled them. Scour the internet for such packages and haggle for a price of 15-20K.

Look out for Marantz SR 5008 and above or NR 1508 and above. These would have necessary electronics for 5.1 decoding as well as decent HDMI. Haggle again for 30K price at max. You can add SW later when you raise funds

Check my blogs - I used a 90s avr (bought for 7K on OlX) with mix-matched speakers and had a great time for at least 3 years before buying a serious AVR. Patience is the key.

Excellent +1 +1 +1

 

[Nairrk]

@suku_patel_22

The information (post No.17) about Sony HT- S40R seems wrong. Now I have got the picture of the set-up rear side which shows only one HDMI Arc Out port.

​

Sorry for the wrong information.

 

[Nairrk]

Even within the big cities, we carry AVR for 30-40kms in case of service. The probability of a serious issue should be relatively low in first few years.

Yes agree. May be 30/40 km is ok, but 130/140 km one way is a bit high distance to service a product.

I see that you have posted one zebronics kit for 32K. If you have that much funds, please double it and get serious HT.

If I were you, I would either buy a Yamaha HTiB 1840 or scout for used HTs. The speakers live for ever (almost). Taga , Jamo had great HT kits around 25K back in 2012-2016. The buyers of these kits are likely to upcycled them. Scour the internet for such packages and haggle for a price of 15-20K.

Look out for Marantz SR 5008 and above or NR 1508 and above. These would have necessary electronics for 5.1 decoding as well as decent HDMI. Haggle again for 30K price at max. You can add SW later when you raise funds

Marantz SR 5008 costs around Rs.70000, NR 1508 around Rs.65000/-. I believe these rates are for the receiver only, and we had to buy speakers in addition. My existing speakers (5.1) are in good working condition, but its jack plug size is a different shape which may not fit into the Marantz or Yamaha receivers.

speaker jack of Sony


Speaker jack of most of the other receivers
​

I am fully aware that any day these Marantz, Yamaha, Harmon, Bose etc. brands are superior ones, but presently I do not want to spend a lot of these gadgets and to restrict anything around 30/40k including speakers.

Thanks

Check my blogs - I used a 90s avr (bought for 7K on OlX) with mix-matched speakers and had a great time for at least 3 years before buying a serious AVR. Patience is the key.