Need HT under 40K.Urgent.

[bpranay]

Dear All,

I am putting the same question again which I had put in under "what to buy" Category.This is just to have more feedback from FMs.

I am planning to buy HTIB for my bedroom. I had zeroed on a package of Denon1612+ Boston Acoustics MS4000 but due to budget constraints I have to annul that project. Hence my new budget is 40K under which I have to buy an AVR+5.1 Speakers with a media player. Now I have demoed 2 models that is Onkyo3500 & Denon 1312XP. The sales guy and shop owner were all praises for 1312XP and promoting only Denon. When I got the demo, I did not find any difference between two models but yes, when comes to music there was a remarkable difference between these 2 models as 1312XP really sounded better with music. Also anyone please tell me what is the difference between active & passive subwoofer as sales guy told me Onkyo does not have active SW but 1312 has. But what I have seen in this forum that most of the guys advocated and pushed for Onkyo3500.(don't know the reason as I felt 1312XP has some edge over it)

Also guide whether Audio Return channel function plays an important role when choosing HTIB?

Are there any other option beside these 2 models? I am not intrested in Yamaha 296.

Is it possible that get 5.1 speakers at 25K ( offer of hifimart: BA soundware5.1 @ 25K going on) and get AVR separately within 15K from amazon.de or from UK as my brother lives in UK and coming in this December or somehow I get from USA/canada through someone. My boss is currently in canada and he can get it purchased for me. He's coming on 9th November. So I really have very few days left to decide.

I know I am bugging you too much but I need to know following
A.does media players support 5.1 DD & dts?
B.what about I play movies with pendrive plugged to Sony 40"EX710,will I be able to get 5.1 DD/dts while Sony connected to AVR as my led supports dolby digital.if this is true then I would do away with media player and increase my budget for HT
C. I also have lenovo laptop with one hdmi connectivity so how can utilise it with HT for playing movies?
D.i have a large collection of english movies with 2 channels audio.Will Avr with 5.1 speaker setup convert the sound output to 5.1?will i get the surround sound with 5.1DD/dts?

Please guide me & clear my above doubts so that i have 360 degrees of view before final purchase

Also when going for separate avr,let me know best speaker setup for the same.i have already disclosed my budget.

So I really really request you guys out there to please help me in arriving at final decision.

 

[bpranay]

Some suggestions please.

 

[bpranay]

Guys please don't do this to me. Expect some replies please.

 

[just4kix]

The two systems are more or less equivalent. You can't go much wrong with either at that class/price range. Negotiate the best price and buy that system.

 

[nsk279]

Hi,

From whatever I know, the speaker technology does not change that much as compared to the amplifers. So, if I were in your place I would start "building" my HT. I would start with a good 2.1 speaker system and get a basic amp - save my money and overtime I would add the other speakers. But if you are really looking for a 5.1 right now - good luck.

Just as a side note, I happen to visit some local shops in Hyd today and found that they were selling an Kolkata made Santosh HT speakers for < 10K and they did sound pretty good for the price. Does anyone have experience with these?

Thanks,
nsk

 

[baijuxavior]

Anyone please tell me what is the difference between active & passive subwoofer as sales guy told me Onkyo does not have active SW but 1312 has

An active subwoofer has inbuilt amplifier where as passive has no amplifier. This means in an active subwoofer HT system like the Denon 1312, the AVR has only 5 amplifier channels. A subwoofer pre-out is connected to the subwoofer. Most AVRs need an active subwoofer. In a passive subwoofer system like Onkyo 3500, the subwoofer amplifier is inside the AVR. The advantage of active subwoofer systems over passive is that you can easily upgrade the subwoofer to a better one. If the passive sub of onkyo satisfies you then there is no need to look for active ones.

Also guide whether Audio Return channel function plays an important role when choosing HTIB?

Not needed if you connect all your devices to the avr and then from avr to tv. For ARC to work, your tv should also have ARC.

Is it possible that get 5.1 speakers at 25K ( offer of hifimart: BA soundware5.1 @ 25K going on) and get AVR separately within 15K

I think you can get the Yamaha 371 for around 20K. While importing avrs also consider the voltage requirement. US AVRs need 110V. Getting avr from amazon.de or uk is recommended over US.

A.does media players support 5.1 DD & dts?

Yes. Latest media players support DTS HD MA and Dolby Tru HD also.

B.what about I play movies with pendrive plugged to Sony 40"EX710,will I be able to get 5.1 DD/dts while Sony connected to AVR as my led supports dolby digital.if this is true then I would do away with media player and increase my budget for HT

Most probably you will get 5.1 from dolby digital. DTS usually is downconverted to two channel. First try a 5.1 movie. If it doesn't work then only you need to go for a media player.

C. I also have lenovo laptop with one hdmi connectivity so how can utilise it with HT for playing movies?

HDMI laptops can act as brilliant media players. Use XBMC as the front end. In this case you don't even need a media player or depend on the tv's limited usb playback.

D.i have a large collection of english movies with 2 channels audio.Will Avr with 5.1 speaker setup convert the sound output to 5.1?will i get the surround sound with 5.1DD/dts?

Two channels are converted to a virtual surround sound using Dolby prologic or DTS Neo6.. These are not true surround sound. For true 5.1 always get movies with 5.1 audio.

 

[abhijeet309]

Rather then buying HTIB i would suggest u to go for 5.0 speakers set and an avr, can add subwoofer later.....u can go for denon 1312, yamaha 473, or marantz 1403 AVR.....
And short list ur speakers set from Polk Audio TL1600, Energy Take Classic, Energy RC Micro, Martin Logan MLT2.....

 

[abhijeet309]

If u can get speakers and AVR from US they will fit exactly into ur budget of 40K.....U have to buy a transformer here since ur AVR will work at 110V.....

 

[bpranay]

Thanks all for your enlightening and insightful replies. Special thanks to baijuxavior for clearing all the air from my mind. I shall take decision in a day or two and inform you accordingly. Also if anyone interested in buying M&K speakers from onkyo @ flat 50% discount, there is an offer going on from onkyo india. If intrested then I can provide you the concerned person's number.