Help needed with HTiB

[cool_guy]

Harsh-

Thanks for your input.. You might have a demo room at RD - B'lore however in Noida.. its not there :-( ... Also if you got Denon 1312xp with LG bp 420 player ( as a gift ) .. its a good deal.. One clarification.. do you mean you purchased Denon 1312xp and SMART TV and then got a free BD player or you just purchased Denon 1312xp and got a LG BD player free ?

 

[cool_guy]

@ Sandeep..

I guess you are more infavor of purchasing a Separate AVR and speakers for better Music and Movies experience . That make perfect sense and also recomended by other FMs.. no doubt about it.. However the key here is Budget .. that being said .. Could you suggest some good AVRs which would be a best combo for Music and Movies..( please start with min)

Also as per your feedback .. you mentioned that the main culprit are the Speakers of these HTiB..... YHT-296 , Onkyo 3400/3500, Denon 1213XP etc ... so as per your exprience .. Do you agree that the AVR ( only AVR )of these HTiB are sufficient ?

Can someone purchase ONLY AVR of these above models alone ( without speakers )? If yes. how much it will cost.? If not then any other AVR of the same qaulity and budget.. ? You know what I am trying to convey here...

Appreciated your feedback..!

 

[harshi_n]

Harsh-

Thanks for your input.. You might have a demo room at RD - B'lore however in Noida.. its not there :-( ... Also if you got Denon 1312xp with LG bp 420 player ( as a gift ) .. its a good deal.. One clarification.. do you mean you purchased Denon 1312xp and SMART TV and then got a free BD player or you just purchased Denon 1312xp and got a LG BD player free ?

I just purchased Denon 1312xp and got a LG BD player free but since the 3d blu ray player has ability to connect to internet its called smart TV feature .. But not a big deal.One good thing it can stream movies from your HDD as well.Just got the blu ray player today so I will probably write a review sometime.

 

[Vinod.R]

Hi Guys,

Just to put this argument to rest, here is my suggestion:

Let us say one of you has a budget of Rs 35,000.

There are two ways to go about it:

1) Buy a good AVR for about Rs 22,000 to 25,000 and plonk the rest of the budget for a pair of decent bookshelves and add the rest as the budget permits.

2) Buy the entire thing for Rs 35,000 one make AVR + a combo of 5 speaks and sub and be done with it.

In both ways one spends about Rs 35,000 at the present time, however there are pros and cons in both steps which are:

a) Step 1 is going to be slightly expensive as there would be an additional expenditure involved.

b) In step 2 you save money but there is a greater chance of sound quality compromise.

In my case for example it took me a good four years to build the entire system.

Bought my AVR used (Denon 3803) for about Rs 45,000 after scrimping and saving for about 2 years.

At the same time bought a pair of KEF Q7 for about Rs 50,000 after saving for the same 2 years.

Waited another 2 years to add a pair of surrounds (KEF Q5 floors) plus Centre (Q9C) to complete a 5.0 system.

The subwoofer is still awaited for lack of funds.

What I want to say is to each his own and let each person decides how he goes about it.

I rest my case.

Vinod

 

[cool_guy]

Vinod-

First of all there is no argument here.. its people's perception as how they judge any product based on certain parameters ( cost, quality, value for money etc etc )... you saw here.. as no one is forcing any one to go and buy any selected product.. they are just sharing their feedback ( -ve/+ve ).. also they keep on saying to demo the product and based on their likes .. select them..

This forum is an eye opener for a layman ppl like me.. who has almost no idea about this HiFi audio / video world and hence I asked many questions which may be annoying for some FMs.. sorry guys..please co-operate with me /us .. I know there are many ppl in this forum who are like me and will be benifited with this conversation in some way or other.. Reason I asked those qns so that I will have something in my mind when I do for any audition.. other wise those store ppl will normally put a Pen drive in media player and increase the volume to max and say... thats the output..

Again its upto an individuals expectation / taste as what he needs.. example.. if you go to someone's place and find a LG/Sony / pana HTiB.. you will say / think.. what a crap he has ( because ur expection is higer then the other guy ).. and if Mr. A R Rehman comes to ur place.. and see your setup..he will say/ think .. what a crap you got ( because His expection is mush higer then yours )..

Apologies for this lengthy post..!!

 

[cool_guy]

@ harsh.. thanks for the clarification...

 

[prosenjit]

cool guy
always get separate...
buy an avr denon 1312 at 22k/onkyo equivalent avr at 20k
add sonodyne bs 9k
be happy


later add
sonodyne centre 6k,rear 12k and astonia sub 12k
while budget permits...

say let it be a plan of 3 years...so what

imho...we can live without rears.....anyway get them last

i think this will be the possible cheapest(read inexpensive) system which rocks....

I bought onk 3400 in a hurry just like you did not know anything about what hi fi is..what stereo..and what is a 6 channel..hd decodeing etc...separate vs htib...etc etc...
but yes i stayed back from lg/pana/sony etc because it surprised me they dont have a simple thing...hdmi inputs!!!!!
now although i am very happy with 3400(as i never play music..only movies) but sometimes i think if i woulfd go separate route may be it wud have been better....
thats why I always suggest all peopople dont hurry and go separate..and do such investment so that at least for 5 years the upgrade bug does not attack you...

 

[cool_guy]

dada ..bhalo...and much appreciated..!

Since you have gone thru these stages in the past , so you can understand my / any newbee's situation very well..!

 

[jaivelu]

Vinod-

First of all there is no argument here.. its people's perception as how they judge any product based on certain parameters ( cost, quality, value for money etc etc )... you saw here.. as no one is forcing any one to go and buy any selected product.. they are just sharing their feedback ( -ve/+ve ).. also they keep on saying to demo the product and based on their likes .. select them..

This forum is an eye opener for a layman ppl like me.. who has almost no idea about this HiFi audio / video world and hence I asked many questions which may be annoying for some FMs.. sorry guys..please co-operate with me /us .. I know there are many ppl in this forum who are like me and will be benifited with this conversation in some way or other.. Reason I asked those qns so that I will have something in my mind when I do for any audition.. other wise those store ppl will normally put a Pen drive in media player and increase the volume to max and say... thats the output..

Again its upto an individuals expectation / taste as what he needs.. example.. if you go to someone's place and find a LG/Sony / pana HTiB.. you will say / think.. what a crap he has ( because ur expection is higer then the other guy ).. and if Mr. A R Rehman comes to ur place.. and see your setup..he will say/ think .. what a crap you got ( because His expection is mush higer then yours )..

Apologies for this lengthy post..!!

cool guy... Correctly said.... Whatever better speakers you buy, there will be more better setup will be out there and people always said to you to increase your budget little more and get those more better speakers . I have already gone through that situation twice already. Hence, I always advice to people to stick to their budget whatever it may be (i.e. 20K or 30K or 50K or 100K), and spend wisely instead of buying all expensive hardwares. Because its the update bug will bite you within 6 months of your new purchase, even before then you expect it .

There are also lot of suggestions including mine, that says if the budget is limited then first buy a AVR+pair of Bookshelf speakers and then buy others later on. I'm adding another pointer, if you can get those other speakers within 1 year then its fine, but you're going to wait for 3-5 years to earn enough money to get those elusive other speakers, its worthless effort. In that waiting period the technology would have evolved and you will be left stranded behind. So, think over, whether you can get enough money for those other speakers and sub-woofer within 1 year, then its worth to travel on AVR+pair of BS setup, otherwise please settle for whatever you can get within your fixed budget. Its my personal opinion.

In this very forum, you may see FMs who purchase very expensive setups valued more than 100 - 200K are also upgrading to more expensive setups. So, there is no full stop here.... ::licklips:

Its my personal opinion, in life there are more better & important things which require your hard earned money then these sound qualities. So, stop right there where you are satisfied and move on in your life. A decent setup which is satisfying to your senses are more than enough in these rough times. :indifferent14:

 

[bpranay]

@jaivelu...thats quite an insightful & introspecting reply which applies while buying other things as well. In a fast paced technology world where it changes faster than you change your clothes, it is quite difficult to follow with it. So you have to stick to your budget and be content with what you have until and unless you are a millionaire and few thousand bucks does not matter to you. Again I agree that if you are going to have budget within 1 year, go for separates else there's no use dragging your system for 3-4 years.

 

[jaivelu]

@bpranay, its true. I have seen quite a people going and buying expensive things and then selling those in need of money for more important things in life. That's why I have said to people to set a budget and stick to that and spend wisely and have some common sense in deciding those HT setups or stereo setups. Whatever comes within your budget get that setup which satisfying to you and be happy with it instead going by others opinions and comments....

I know for quite a lot of people even getting that Onkyo 3400 or 3500 is a very big thing, which some people are saying crap....

 

[cool_guy]

Thanks Jaivelu and BprAnay..

Thats a very satisfactory response..! I am getting more confidence now..!

 

[sandeepmohan]

I guess you are more infavor of purchasing a Separate AVR and speakers for better Music and Movies experience .

Well in my case, the music and HT are dedicated. I already have a system for music. Saving up to build a budget HT and still try to get better sound quality than "packaged by Manufacturer" HTIB systems. I know it can be achieved. Not at the pricing of the listed HTIB's here. One thing is clear, you have to spend more but there is genuine improvement over these "Packaged HTIB" systems. It is only after you hear the difference will you agree why it is better to head down the separates road. I am not discouraging HTIB. If there is something genuinely good, why not. Thats not the case. Onkyo, Yamaha and who ever else are selling these packaged systems are ripping you off completely. The speakers are very poor quality. Even the more expensive HTIB packages offered by Onkyo are very poor in quality.

Could you suggest some good AVRs which would be a best combo for Music and Movies..( please start with min)

My personal favorites are Marantz and Yamaha. These receivers do well with both music and movies. Onkyo is the worst for music. Strictly for movies as they shine very well.

Do you agree that the AVR ( only AVR )of these HTiB are sufficient ?

Yes; the AVR's are quite capable. However; I still recommend going for a stand alone AVR that is just a notch above the AVR's bundled with the packaged units.

Can someone purchase ONLY AVR of these above models alone ( without speakers )? If yes. how much it will cost.?

As an example the Pioneer HTP-522 package is priced at 40K MRP. The AVR is basically the VSX-522-K which has a mrp of 25K. I bet you can get it for 23K or less. As a receiver alone, it is good value for money and has excellent specifications for the price.

Start with a receiver and center channel. If funds permit, get a sub woofer too. With just a receiver and active center channel alone, you will agree that the sound is on another planet when compared to the quality of sound from a HTIB based system.

 

[cool_guy]

Hi All-

I have come to some conclusion in finalizing my HTiB.. COuld you please throw some lights about this deal :

1. Yamaha YHT-298 -- INR 32 K
2. Denon 1312 XP -- INR 30 K
3. Denon 1513 AVR with Speakers of 1312 Xp -- INR 32 K
4. Pioneer HTP 522 -- 30 K
5. Pioneer HTP 521 -- 26 K

First Qns : How is Pioneer HTP 522 / 521 ? Did anyone have any real exp / audition done ?
Second Qns : Out of above deal, which one looks a nice steal ?

 

[prosenjit]

one suggestion...with htib you will very soon feel the upgrade bug..but then you will be thinking you made a mistake....i can say for myself as i did the same...
if not 1513....at least go for 1312/onk equivalent and get separates..
sonodyne is giving 26 % off sale....can check that..
a centre and 2 fronts will be within 11k after discount and 1312..say 22k...
so 33k total....within your range.
sound wise there is drastical difference even without a sub
buy sub later.
buy rears more later...

or for movie alone purpose
a sub and a centre only quite enough
so 12k astonia sub plus 5k sonodyne centre

if still going for htib take that ,whose demo was best to your ears.
best of luck

 

[cool_guy]

Dada-

Thanks four prompt response.. appreciated.. and agree with you..

Any feedback about Pioneer models ? also which AVR is better 1312 or 1513 ?

 

[jithudigitised]

IIRIC 1513 supports HDMI passthrough in standby mode and some small changes over the denon 1312..

 

[cool_guy]

Thanks ..

What about ARC .. ? does 1513 have this feature ? coz 1312 does not have the ARC feature :-(

 

[prosenjit]

with avr you wont need really arc.
as there are multiple hdmi inputs.
in only one case you need arc..say you play a file in tvs onboard player.
that too is under a condition,your tv onboard player can bitstream via arc the raw audio without downscaling it.....which may not be the case with your tv...
why worry about that..a separate player is best.
and buying 1312....will save you some money which can get you a decent player like asus o play mini...in 3.5k...untill the time you can enjoy via av out...red and white ..and switch on pl2 for converted 6 channel..
and remember for true 6 channel,the file should be original dvd or dts/ac3 files likely over 5GB size....
so dont worry about arc.
and going for a avr and paying extra just for arc is not a very good idea imo.
yes, see the power/channel specs.go for the higher one always if budget permits whther 1312,1513 or 1612..
btw for 18*12 room 1312 is okay.

sorry no first hand experience with pioneer avrs or htib

 

[jaivelu]

+1 to prosenjit.

When you connect the USB pen drive to the TV and play 5.1 source, its always downscaling it. So, don't worry about the ARC. Buy a media player or a good BD player.