Entry Level HTIB for AV Novice

[madbullram]

Drawbacks with Philips HTiB are, after five years you will not able to upgrade the DVD-Amp. if it develops any problem. You will have to buy a new HTiB along with their set of speakers and your existing speakers will be useless.

If you go for a AVR later, again the speakers will be useless as most would be 2 Ohms and you will have to go for Goods speakers again.

Sorry if I confuse you.

Regards
Gap G J

Gap, I understand your point, but practically speaking, I have my Philips HTib for close to 4 yrs now and have never had any sleep losing issues. If it develops a problem you can always rectify it, its like any other electronic item I dont understand why u say you have to throw it.

I have seen many of my friends go through this dilema. People say there is no Upgrade path in Philips/ SOny ...HTiB, Honestly, 90% of people never upgrade. Only audiophiles and people very serious upgrade. Honestly, once we buy a system we get complacent and get settled. I have seem many guys who said I will upgrade so I am buying a separate system but have never seen them upgrade it and they live with a lousy system

Frankly, my Philips HTiB beats the crap out of most of Yam/Onkyo/Polk/ sub 50K systems. This is not an ego statement but endorsed by 99% of my friends and audiophiles who have visited my place, also I 8am saying this after using expensive rigs in US.

So my point is, if someone has a clear plan to upgrade and have around 50 to 80k slotted for it in future then yes, look and Priority one invest in a very good speaker then, Priority two comes the amplifier and others. Bcos speakers will last for ages, amps will change with technology so make no sense to buy an amp

If you are looking at not upgrading u r system for 4-5 yrs, close u r eyes and buy a very good HTiB like Philips as you will get the best performance for money. After 5 yrs throw it or move it to u r bedroom and get a full fledged HT for your house.

So dont get me wrong, I am NOT against upgrading, but in my 12+ years of audio world, have really not seen people upgrade until and unless they are serious about music and movies!

 

[ajinkya]

K Venugopalan,

If the price difference between HK and YHT is only 2K, I think the HK/JBL is the better system. Madbullram has a good suggestion about the Philips system. It may be worth your while to audition it. Since you are making this purchase for the next 5 years, do take your time to decide. Only after auditioning all the systems you like, make a final choice based on music and budget.

As far as the 30W on HK, if you're watching movies with your family and in your room size, I doubt you will need more watts than that. HK (as Samuel mentioned) have conservative power ratings. Why not try to see how loud it goes in the showroom if you can? That will give you an idea what 30w sounds like in HK terms.

I have found Onkyo systems to be great for movies but not sweet sounding or musical. So it's up to your taste what exactly you're looking for in your system.
In all cases, let your ears (and budget!) be the guide.

-Ajinkya.

 

[Yogesh]

Thanks a lot, gap g j, Yogesh, Samuel for sharing your valuable knowledge.

From the inputs received, shortlisting boils down to 3 makes: Onkyo, HK/JBL and Yamaha, within 30k max:

Onkyo - S3200 - 25k, S5105 - 27k & S5205 - Price to be found out - All models to be auditioned. S3200 - Passive SW and No Speaker A/B Drive

HK/JBL - AVR 133, Speakers 140 - Auditioned and found satisfactory. Rear side inputs/outputs are to be checked. Hypercity offer is 25 k along with DVD Player (model to be checked)

Yamaha YHT-195 - Auditioned and found satisfactory. Vijay Sales offer @ 23k. Only 6" driver for SW is a concern

Please highlight if I missed out any other models/brands.

Almost covers entire gamut of @30K. Audition all then decide. One thing about 5205 is that it doesn't have Analog 5.1 in, so in future if u buy Blu-ray player, u will not be able to play BD with HDaudio.

 

[K Venugopalan]

Yogesh, Onkyo 5205 is available at 35 k. So it is beyond my extended budget.

Ram, Thanks for your view points. Philips 3578 is still not available in showrooms. Called up Philips and I am awaiting response from them. I am not a serious upgrade type. I am a typically, buy a system, use it for 4 - 5 years and then go for the new one.

Ajinkya, I will audition Onkyo & HK 133 this weekend, only permission is required from wife for spending the weekend on HT audition as she is not very keen.

btw, please suggest what can I do with Sony VHC 333 which is still good for Audio CD/Tapes/VCD. None of the shops are interested in exchange offer. I can't move it to bedroom, becuase I have PC with i-Ball Tarang connected there. Any suggestions, most welcome.

 

[madbullram]

Sure, thats the problem with Philips, they have some amazing products but shitty marketing and service support which piss me to no ends.

One personal opinion, spend on good speakers, dont blow money on the amp, cut a balance between both.

I love HK compared to Onkyo/Yam etc, HK understates their rigs where others overstate. So try them with different combi speakers if you can

 

[madbullram]

btw, please suggest what can I do with Sony VHC 333 which is still good for Audio CD/Tapes/VCD. None of the shops are interested in exchange offer. I can't move it to bedroom, becuase I have PC with i-Ball Tarang connected there. Any suggestions, most welcome.

How about the kitchen and ensuring it plays u r wife's fav songs when she cooks? You will get more delicious food :licklips: and a more loving and less stressed wife

Just a thought!

 

[K Venugopalan]

Hi Members,

I have visited HyperCity & Reliance Digital, Vashi today.

HyperCity - Auditioned the following models:
Yamaha V-363 + NSP 270 (Similar like YHT 195) - 22 k - 1k lower than Vijay Sales. Performance is decent for both music & movies. 6" SW is a concern.

Onkyo - S3100 - 21.6k, Very good for movies but very average for music in stereo mode. Passive Sub Woofer is also a concern

HK 133 + JBL SCS 140 BK - 25 k with free DVD Player & HDMI Cable. Disappointed as the few speakers were not playing as the cables were not connected properly. Waited for 1/2 hour but they couldn't fix.

Denon DHT 390 - 30 k, Very good for both music and movies. I am satisfied with this as mid range is very sweet. All speakers are 100W including 8" SW outputting very nice bass.

Reliance Digital
Very professional set up and had two audition rooms. Sales guy, Manish is very competent and knowlegeable.

Onkyo - S3100 - 21.5 k, Very good only for movies.
Denon - DHT 390 - 35.5 k, very happy with music & movies. Better than the audition I had at Hypercity.
HK 133 with Jamo FS + SW - Around 50k. Beyond my budget so not very with audition.

I think lot of negotiation/bargaining is required at Reliance whereas Hypercity was straight forward with best prices.

My final shortlist is as follows:

1. Denon DHT 390 - 30 k, no freebies(1st choice)
2. HK 133 + JBL - 25 k (Seems outdated AVR, even not listed in HK's site)
3. Yamaha - V 363 + NS 270 - 22k, no freebies (3rd choice)

I would be grateful if members can share their experience with DHT 390. Meanwhile, I will try to visit Croma & e-Zone for a last try in the next week.

 

[Yogesh]

Hi Members,

I have visited HyperCity & Reliance Digital, Vashi today.

HyperCity - Auditioned the following models:
Yamaha V-363 + NSP 270 (Similar like YHT 195) - 22 k - 1k lower than Vijay Sales. Performance is decent for both music & movies. 6" SW is a concern.

Onkyo - S3100 - 21.6k, Very good for movies but very average for music in stereo mode. Passive Sub Woofer is also a concern

HK 133 + JBL SCS 140 BK - 25 k with free DVD Player & HDMI Cable. Disappointed as the few speakers were not playing as the cables were not connected properly. Waited for 1/2 hour but they couldn't fix.

Denon DHT 390 - 30 k, Very good for both music and movies. I am satisfied with this as mid range is very sweet. All speakers are 100W including 8" SW outputting very nice bass.

Reliance Digital
Very professional set up and had two audition rooms. Sales guy, Manish is very competent and knowlegeable.

Onkyo - S3100 - 21.5 k, Very good only for movies.
Denon - DHT 390 - 35.5 k, very happy with music & movies. Better than the audition I had at Hypercity.
HK 133 with Jamo FS + SW - Around 50k. Beyond my budget so not very with audition.

I think lot of negotiation/bargaining is required at Reliance whereas Hypercity was straight forward with best prices.

My final shortlist is as follows:

1. Denon DHT 390 - 30 k, no freebies(1st choice)
2. HK 133 + JBL - 25 k (Seems outdated AVR, even not listed in HK's site)
3. Yamaha - V 363 + NS 270 - 22k, no freebies (3rd choice)

I would be grateful if members can share their experience with DHT 390. Meanwhile, I will try to visit Croma & e-Zone for a last try in the next week.

Consider 5105 as well. It is available @27-30K.

 

[K Venugopalan]

Yogesh, I couldn't find Onkyo 5105 so far on display. Visited Croma at R City.

Following systems were available:

Denon DHT 390 - 30 k
Yamaha V 463, AVR, Black - 25 K
Yamaha 6140 AVR (same as V463), Silver - 20 k
Yamaha 5.1 Speaker NSP 270 - 9k
Yamaha V 365 with NSP100 - 27 k
Onkyo 3105 - 21.5 k

Plus they had some Yamaha speakers NS 70, etc. Pricewise Croma is good. But I couldn't audition any of the system as the staffs were least interested or incompetent.

I kindly request the members or owners to share their experience of Denon DHT 390

Meanwhile I just explored others options over phone:

Jamo A102 HS5 - 30 k at Cinebels
Sherwood AVR - 20 k at Cinebels
Wharfedale Moviestar 65+ - 21k at Designer Audio
Wharfedale Moviestar 70 - 29k at Designer Audio

All prices are negotiable. Can anybody please share what is the realistic prices for the above ?

 

[hemantwaghe]

1. Denon DHT 390 - 30 k, no freebies(1st choice)

sorry I forgot to mention that
also are you ready for Floorstanders - Hypercity has some decent Jamo ( only 5 sp[eakers- no sub _ For 13-14 K

Hey you too are from navi mumbai? Anyway in nerul thetre is a shop 5.1 sound ( Nera Jama Sweets ,Very close to Turn from palm beach road) enquire there too!

Also dassera diwali is due - if you can -wait for some time!!

 

[K Venugopalan]

Hi Hemant. Thanks for the suggestion. I am awaiting Diwali offers. I can't use FS due to space & existing wall unit. By the wall I am from Thane. I think you are refering to Kings Electronics, Nerul. I think they are too pricey, just talked to them on phone.

 

[hemantwaghe]

No No Next to kings there isa a specialised shop called 5.1 sound . worth exploring. Lemme check if I'll be that side!

 

[K Venugopalan]

Hemant, I will be grateful if you can check that shop for me. I will aslo try after Dussera.