Help needed with HTiB

[cool_guy]

Hi All-

I am going thru this forum for the last couple of days as I am planning to purchase a HTiB which can be used with my Samsung 40 " LED TV as well. Initially I was planning to go with Sony/ Phillips/ LG etc etc.. however by luck I found this website / Forum.. which opened my eyes and ears hyeah:

Oh forgot to mention my budget which is beteen 20-25 K :sad:

In my budget I guess below options are open for me.. I need the best out of it

Pioneer HTP-071 : 20 K ( approx )
Yamaha YHT -196 : 20 K ( approx )
Yamaha YHT- 296 : 25k ( Approx ) ?
Onkyo 3400 : 24 K ( approx )

I am more interested with Pioneer HTP-071 since it has 3D and HD Audio support with more conectivity opions which is missing in Yamaha YHT -196.

Yamaha 296 : This model support 3D and HD Audio, however not sure about the overall performance .. needs advice..

Onkyo 3400 : I think in every thread you will find this model hyeah:

Reason for my post is the confusion which is created after reading views and feedback from members.. Example .. Pioneer HTP-071 :- Some members said its good.. and other mentioned Pathetic as well :sad:.

PLEASE GUIDE...!!!
Thanks

 

[jaivelu]

Hi cool guy.... first take a audition of as much setups as you can before coming to a conclusion. That's the most important thing to do first. Don't take any decisions without hearing these setups...

 

[sandeepmohan]

I know one thing for sure, the Onkyo 3400 was total rubbish when I heard it. A few Htib's had better sound quality than this Onkyo. No Onkyo Htib that is supplied with their own speakers sound good. I won't comment on the rest as I have never heard them. I too am in the market for a budget Htib and the hunt for a good one has not been very successful. Unlike budget home audio where the sound quality is very acceptable for what it is, it is not the same with budget HT. They sound mediocre.

 

[burkorobe]

I too am in the market for a budget Htib and the hunt for a good one has not been very successful.

 

[jaivelu]

@sandeepmohan,
first you have to see his budget before commenting about Onkyo and all. For 20-25K budget you could get a decent HTiB?? If yes please try to help him out instead of discouraging....


@cool_guy,
For 20-25K budget the best you will get is Onkyo HTS-3400 (or) HTS-3500. It will provide good movie experience. If you are looking mainly for Music, then you have go for the 2 Channel Stereo Setup instead of HTiBs. The Yamaha YHT-296 is priced at 33-35K, hence its out of your budget.

If you still need setup for Movies & Music, the best way is to increase your budget to atleast to 30K and get a separate AVR and good set of front speakers only. Later on when you have got enough money you can purchase the remaining center, surround channel speakers and a quality sub-woofer.

Its is the best way to go..... If you have any doubts please rise them here, as FMs are ready to help you out....

 

[jaivelu]

Here is another review for Onkyo HT-S3400 from FM prosenjit...:clapping:

denon 1312xp and onkyo 3400 review

 

[asaldharan]

Well said, jaivelu. I am also in the same dilemma like Cool Guy... But Probably I will get onkyo S3400 before this month ends.

 

[cool_guy]

Thanks Jaivelu-

Can you / someone point out few cons / negatives of Pioneer HTP-071 as why ppl should not go for it.. ?? For YHT - 196 .. one negative is that it does NOT support 3D and HD Audio.. Also I checked Onkyo 3400 at Relience Digtal and the output / audio was not satisfactory.( m not sure if the demo given was proper or not)..

Seems if we get the right choice.. it will benifit two other folks in this thread

 

[Alok012098]

@ Cool_guy

I am on the same boat with you .. I did audition Pioneer RS32 model at Reliance .. and I felt that too good compared to HTP-071 .. though its 36K .. but I felt worth .. may be other fellow members can comment better ..
Thanks

 

[cool_guy]

Oh one more.. welcome onboard Alok

Well here the main constraint is " budget" .. If we can manage 36 K then we could have gone for dedicated AVR and separate speakers..

Thanks

 

[jaivelu]

@ cool guy, first you have to understand that these HTiBs are most suitable for Movie experience and not so for music. All these HTiBs especially HTS-3400 or HTS-3500 will give very good movie experience for their price.

If you're testing these systems for music that won't help you at all. All these systems don't give music even at par with entry level 2 channel stereo setups. So, don't expect them to be musical.

Well, as far as HTP-071 is concerned, most of FMs consider them not upto the mark in sound quality when compared to Yamaha YHT-196 or Onkyo 3400. I have already auditioned all the three, and I too feel the same.

Then between YHT-196 and Onkyo 3400, the onkyo wins in respect of more features like 3D, HD audio, more connectivity options and in my opinion in sound quality also. (in respect of movie experience only). So, please consider these systems only based on their movie performance and not for their music)

But its been upto each individual's taste and considerations too. Hence, I have asked you to audition all these systems and if you loved the SQ you can pick that model upon your likeness. So, I once again request you to audition as much you can and don't go by any reviews and recommendations. Finally it is you, who is going to spend time hearing the systems all the time......

 

[jaivelu]

If you could increase the budget to at least 30-32K then you can get a separate AVR with quality bookshelf speakers. It will give you more performance then all these HTiBs could. Later on you could add the other speakers when you got enough money to buy.

If you are fine with pre-owned equipments, then you can purchase a second hand quality AVR with good BS for 20K itself. So, gauge your options more and then decide which one to go.....

 

[devilwearsprada]

I know one thing for sure, the Onkyo 3400 was total rubbish when I heard it. A few Htib's had better sound quality than this Onkyo. No Onkyo Htib that is supplied with their own speakers sound good. I won't comment on the rest as I have never heard them. I too am in the market for a budget Htib and the hunt for a good one has not been very successful. Unlike budget home audio where the sound quality is very acceptable for what it is, it is not the same with budget HT. They sound mediocre.

Well, sir. I got an onkyo-3400 the last month. And have been using onkyo in the past years too. If you havent had a good demo with it, that doesnt make the speaker rubbish. It is an amazing "Budget" Set.

Based on the four HTib's -

Yamaha YHT-296 - Best For Music, but i personally felt it wasn't powerful enough for movies. Quoted at 30K, but could bring the price down to 29k.
Pioneer- HTP 071- Well, for the past years I have had a bad experience with it, and haven't seen much quality reviews.
Onkyo - HTS 3400/3500 - I found it to be amazing for its budget. I demo'ed almost every set, including JBL, Denon, Polk and Yamaha. But, found Onkyo to be the best on all points. It was perfect for my movies and sounded great for music.
Considering your budget, I would strongly suggest the Onkyo 3400(23-26k) or the 3500(27-29k), as they both are amazing. They only differ in the speaker size, and the USB port, and a few advanced features which can be overlooked. I would suggest you to go for the Onkyo-3400 , save the money and buy some good add-on's(Speaker wire's, Blu-Ray Players) to match your need.
You could also demo more sets as you feel. But my vote goes for Onkyo. :thumbsup:

 

[cool_guy]

Thanks Jaivelu and Devilwearsprada..!

I will come back with more queries.. to bug you experts..

 

[sandeepmohan]

first you have to see his budget before commenting about Onkyo and all. For 20-25K budget you could get a decent HTiB?? If yes please try to help him out instead of discouraging....

I am still discouraging this. All these 25k systems are total trash. It baffles me how people go and buy these one box HT setups. The sound coming out of these things are not worth over 5k. I had a narrow budget myself. Now forced to push it higher as these cheapo systems are just not worth your hard earned money. Unless money really grows on a tree for some.

 

[sandeepmohan]

Well, sir. I got an onkyo-3400 the last month. And have been using onkyo in the past years too. If you havent had a good demo with it, that doesnt make the speaker rubbish. It is an amazing "Budget" Set.

Maybe your demands in terms of sound quality are not in the same level as mine. I have no complaints with the connectivity that the Onkyo receiver that is supplied with the Htib. It is the sound. To me, it is just horrible and the speakers are the culprit. I fiddled with this rig enough to extract better sound quality when I auditioned it. No luck. The sub woofer was a joke. Never seen anything so cheap and useless. I agree that it is built to a price. I am surely not headed down this road. Does not work for me. In fact; none of the listed Htib's on this thread are any good. When you buy something like this, it is usually a long term purchase so it is always better to spend a little more and buy something better.

 

[sandeepmohan]

I am on the same boat with you .. I did audition Pioneer RS32 model at Reliance .. and I felt that too good compared to HTP-071 .. though its 36K .. but I felt worth

As you have said the RS32 is a good product, where did you audition this Htib? I know Reliance, which location was this store as they have several outlets across Bangy. The pricing is also the sweet spot for me.

 

[Alok012098]

As you have said the RS32 is a good product, where did you audition this Htib? I know Reliance, which location was this store as they have several outlets across Bangy. The pricing is also the sweet spot for me.

In the one at Kalyan Nagar ( Kamanahalli ) as well as on the brigade road .. though at brigade road they had some issue with the sub-woofer ..
Thanks
-Alok

 

[jaivelu]

@sandeepmohan, no hard feelings man..

You are right, that money is not growing in the trees for most of us who are maintaining a budget. That's why people want to get a decent HT system within their budget instead of spending on audiophile quality hardwares to get that small improvements over their preferred "worst HT systems" (as you have referred). Because, simply they don't want to spend more money on HT systems then their budgets could allow.

For most of the folks, in life there are more important things to spend their money on, then to spend on showcasing their audio or video hardwares. That's why they are not willing/won't spend that money of 36K on Pioneer RS32.

If they are going to spend 36K, then they will definitely buy a dedicated AVR and good Bookshelf speakers in that price instead of spending it to purchase Pioneer RS32. I think every one who has heard a separate AVR with BS setup and this Pioneer RS32 will agree on this.

What people want here, are suggestions to get their HT systems worth their budgets. Its about their individual's budgets and tastes which will definitely differ from one to another. That's why they are suggested to take a audition first and if liked then buy that product. If they like their systems then who are we to pass judgment on them. So, don't thrust your judgments upon them.


The above mentioned HT systems are well worth their money and because of that reason only these models are selling more and more all around the world. Because all around the globe, people have budgets for everything in life. :indifferent14:

 

[sandeepmohan]

That's why people want to get a decent HT system within their budget instead of spending on audiophile quality hardwares to get that small improvements over their preferred "worst HT systems" (as you have referred). Because, simply they don't want to spend more money on HT systems then their budgets could allow.

Who ever said Audiophile grade HT? I am sure I did not. Please, let us not head down this roads. All I said was better quality HTIB with a little more money, not your entire savings. I believe you are being ripped off buying these ultra budget HTIB systems. The receiver supplied with the Onkyo 3400 costs no more than 12k which is justified. What does not work are the lousy speakers Onkyo supply with the 3400 package that does not sound 24k of your hard earned money. I can't make this any simpler.

That's why they are not willing/won't spend that money of 36K on Pioneer RS32.

It makes more sense to put your money on a Pioneer HTP-RS32 if it sounds good, not otherwise.

If they are going to spend 36K, then they will definitely buy a dedicated AVR and good Bookshelf speakers in that price instead of spending it to purchase Pioneer RS32

You cannot build a HT system in 36k with a receiver, 5 quality book shelf speakers and a sub woofer. Impossible.

What people want here, are suggestions to get their HT systems worth their budgets.

And what I am still saying is the systems listed here are not worth paying so much.