first timer - Onkyo receiver or consumer brands such as Sony etc?

Hi there,

This is my first post at Hi-fi Vision amnd I have read some interesting posts regarding Home theaters and Audio systems.

My cousin yesterday puchased Sony Home theater system (DVD player + 5 speakers + sub) and I was impressed with the quality of sound. We had Casino Royale DVD playing and the output seemed pretty good. I have seen here and in other websites that these consumer HTS don't stand a chance when compared to real systems like Onkyo, Marantz, Jamo etc.

I have been leaning towards Onkyo (HTS 3100, HTS 3105 offers going around in Bangalore for around 20K).

I need help in making a decision - I'm willing to invest upto 20K in a good Home theater system that packs a punch (an I don't mean just bass). I don't require a DVD player as I already own a couple of them. I could do well with a receiver, sub and speaker set.

From your experience what would you suggest me to buy - Onkyo 3100, 3105 or any others in the 20 K range? I would prefer Home theater in a box Is Onkyo good compared to consumer systems like Sony, Philips etc?

I don't know how far the offers will last (20k for an Onkyo systems); I'm guessing until next month.

Looking forward to your raves, rants and suggestions.

Have a happy Diwali

Onkyo is definitely ahead of Philips and Sony however this are based on what Sony and Philips sell in consumer goods stores here in India. Onkyo HTiB is about 35K so you may have to stretch your budget a little. Look around for a Diwali special in your neighborhood.

Some other options: Yamaha, Denon etc.

I'm currently looking at Onkyo HT S3100 & HT - S3105 which are both available in the 20 K range. Anybody has recommendations on this?

I am also a new entrant here...

I did audition the 3105 (which is still selling for about 19k), and found it to be pretty good... although in scenes where there is multiple sound (and at higher levels) i did find distortion... onkyo released its 5105 (which is for about 33k), and so i am waiting to audition that as well...

Sid

I have seen other messages here saying that the HTS 3100 is pretty good for entrant Home theater systems, but if you plan to listen to music (more than movies etc), then you would have to look at other systems

Sid, What kind of distortion did you experience? I was zeroing on the 3105 but now I have doubts. Have you auditioned the Onkyo HTS3100? Any other thoughts on this welcome..

I liked the experience, but as i said, in a scene where there is general chaos (plane crash through the woods etc.) the guy giving the demo cranked up the volume real high that the sound was not "cohesive"... i dont know how else to describe it. maybe it was the specific dvd that he was playing or this particular piece... guess if you listened to it and were ok with the response, then maybe it was a problem on that piece...

i havent auditioned the 3100...
sorry if i have added to the confusion!

Siddharth

I guess it's best to audition it. However I have also heard comments here and elsewhere saying that the Onkyo entry level systems lack 'bass'; Has anyone got info on that?

Also I was checking out other home theater systems in the sub-2k range. Sony also has one - HT-DDW685 : Home Theatre Component System : Home Theatre System : Sony India with dual sub-woofers (active)

Are there any other HT systems (receiver-based) under 20K? Appreciate help

I have auditioned the HT3100, HT3105 and the HT5100. Yeah, bass is a bit on the low side, but really not much of an issue if you place the woofer correctly like in a corner of the room. The sound FX are great for an entry level HT system and I can tell from personal experience that you will be hard pressed to find a better HT system at under 20K. I have checked even Sony HT at 17K, but it absolutely sucked when compared to the entry level HT3100. At the budget of 20K absolutely go and pick up either HT3100 or HT3105, you will not regret it.