HTib vs AVR+spks and DTS Vs. Prologic

[vyerth]

Hi friends,

I need to do some buying and have been going through this forum and showrooms. Now, I am in a double mind in regards with the sound. Should I go for Home Theater In a Box (HTiB) (philips 3510/3571) or AVR+Speakers (JLB cinesystem 140).

I am not so keen on DVD Player in HTIB but it is addon within the package, so can't ignore it, added advantage is it gives HDMI out and coxial out. What other advantages or disadvantages does these two (htib and Avr +Spkrs) set ups have?

Scanning through the forum I found that philips HTIB is a good option, therefore I went to see the options at chroma. I stumbled on to these models.
HTS 3510 11K DD and Prologic II
HTS 3371 12K DD and Prologic II
HTS 3571 13K DTS + DD

the difference between the three model is mainly of the Digital Dolby and Dolby prologic and DTS

Please enlighten me on this...Would i be missing something if I don't have DTS? will Prologic take care of the DTS which is not there?

I want inexpensive solution for digital surround sound audio with Value for money. I am not expectng mindblowing sound but a decent quality. Saving some money on this I can then think of Media player or HTPC depending whatever is a good option.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Most of the members will vote for AVR+Speakers than HTiB.

Dolby Prologic II will convert stereo sound track into 5.1 channel output. However DTS is another form of sound track and essential feature to have. I will prefer to listen a stereo as stereo, rather than converting it into 5.1 channel. If you like to watch your old movies collection in 5.1 you will need prologic II. Other important and basic features required will be HDMI output and video upscaling.

Considering these requirements and your choice of brand Philips, there is another model which you shall have a look i.e., HTS5530 which has DD, DTS, Dolby prologic II, HDMI out and Video upscaling

 

[ukjeyaraj]

*** Duplicate Post ***

 

[RetinalNV]

I want inexpensive solution for digital surround sound audio with Value for money. I am not expectng mindblowing sound but a decent quality

When I asked my friend for an inexpensive HT option he budgeted 50k and I had to bring him back to reality by saying I was looking at something 1/3rd the price !!!

So please start by specifying a SPECIFIC budget (and then Hifivision will ensure you spend about 10-15% more than it hyeah: )

 

[vyerth]

So please start by specifying a SPECIFIC budget (and then Hifivision will ensure you spend about 10-15% more than it hyeah: )

LOL
am looking at spending something around 10-15k but am open, thats why JBL is coming to my mind @ 22K, if I get liking or convinced i can spend more. but it has to be value for money.

UKjeyaraj Why would most people here recommend Avr+speakers... what are the reasons for it against the HTiB. Would be nice to know the logic behind it.

There is one advantage with HTiB, vis a vis the DVDplayer can connect to the computer and i believe on can play from there or from hardrive.

Thanks for looking into the post,
cheers!

 

[prithivi]

HTIB is Just for Entry level just to hear sound
If you go AVR+Speakers a decent sub would cost about 20K and the
sub would do its job and amp would do its job and same as the speakers
whereas in HTiB the company will manage to bring sound from everything thats it
The DAC used in HTib is not enough
Whereas in AVR there are cirrus logic, burr brown, wolfson these and all high end dacs and will bring out theatrical effect

BURR BROWN Is a decent dacs and has started now to emerge in onkyo 608 yamaha 667
if you go with AVR+speakers then buy marantz they are the best i consider
marantz is simply amazing
i miss my old marantz sr5200 and i consider changing my Onkyo 606 DTS-HD receiver to any marantz old Receiver

 

[RetinalNV]

LOL
am looking at spending something around 10-15k but am open, thats why JBL is coming to my mind @ 22K, if I get liking or convinced i can spend more. but it has to be value for money.

I started with a 15k budget then found the Harmon(JBL) offering.

The Onkyo 3300 will be your best bet at 23-25k. It has V1.4 HDMI and 3 slots also ready if you add blu-ray later.

Only drawback is the passive sub, but remember we started with a 15k budget and the Onkyo really does perform very well for the price.

The way I see it your getting an AVR+speakers for the price of a very similar entry level AVR from onkyo/yamaha avr at the same price.

 

[vyerth]

Thanks Prithivi,
JBL Cinesound 140 has been advertised somewhere as 21.5K My eye is on that. Not sure if this is any good.

Googled for Marantz, it has positive reviews, not sure where in Mumbai I can get to see/hear them? If Marantz comes in 20K would be great.

I have another question regarding AVR capabilities.
Would these AVR's do upscaling/upconversion of video to 1080P? And if the AVR's would allow to run video from USB drive too like on a DVD player.

thanks for your time.
Cheers!

 

[RetinalNV]

You wont find a Marantz offering at that budget leave alone a Marantz HTiB.

AVR will only accept the feed from a DVD/BDP/Media player and then process the signal. It doesnt act as a player itself.

Seriously consider the Onkyo 3300 (audition it) alone with the JBL.

 

[edjamesx]

UKjeyaraj Why would most people here recommend Avr+speakers... what are the reasons for it against the HTiB. Would be nice to know the logic behind it.

AVR is more advanced than a ordinary HTIB system. Here are the reasons why you should consider AVR ..
1. AVR's power output is more (80 to 150 watts/channel) Hence sound will be louder with very less distortion(clear and crisp) . HTIB's RMS ratting will be very less usually 20-25 watts RMS.. louder with more distortion.
2.In AVR you have advanced system setting where you could accomplish best sound possible..where treditional HTIB systems will not have this option.
3.AVR has other additional options to switch between different source inputs.
4.AVR has preout option to hook up to external subwoofer..so you can achieve the bass level you want.

If you are a serious music listener or movie fan ..then its worth considering AVR+ speakers. Of course you have to spend more..but You will enjoy what you have paid for. Its one time investment.

You can initially go with HTIB..but when comes next level you have to end up in AVR+speakers.

 

[vyerth]

Am not an audiophile but the idea of AVR+Speakers is very tempting. At the same time its quite expensive.

The Phillips Dolby+DTS HTib - HTS 3371 set up is costing 12K. Cost wise this makes sense.

Visited Hypercity - Malad/goregaon to see if they have any JBL 133 which they didn't but there is a Yamaha on offer for 22500/- YHT292. Its got 2HDMI in and 1 out. Satellite speakers. A Woofer. It all sounded good. Anyone heard this? Would this be any good?

RETINALNV ... When you suggest Onkyo alone with JBL do you mean AVR of Onkyo and JBL speakers. Or you mean compare JBL with onkyo?
Do you think ONKYO 3300 + speakers would be availabe within 20K range?
Cheers!

 

[RetinalNV]

Hey there.

I meant audition the Onkyo 3300 setup (AVR+speakers). This is priced between 23-25k in the market as of now.

I personally believe that the Yamaha AVR's are very good but the HTiB 292 is pretty outdated. For Yamaha I believe the AVR's are good but they bundle it with sub standard speakers.

 

[NetFreak]

+1, most Yamaha HTiB speakers do not do justice to capabilities of AVR. Specially newer ones with plastic casings.

 

[vyerth]

xxxrepostxxx

 

[vyerth]

Friends,

I have been to see the 140bk with AVR133 and have found there is no HDMI In /out. Although the website boasts of 3hdmi inputs.
India JBL JBL is out now.

A dealer here has promised me 22500/- for Onkyo HT-S3300... is this a good deal? Although it is bit expensive for me. but it boasts of 1.4 hdmi and blueray compatible... am not keen on that though).

While scouting I have an offer coming for the Yammha AVR RX-365 @16K and I have found sale of old yamaha speakers NSP270 @4500/- (freq respons : 30hz-25khz; impedance: 6ohms; 4 satellite speakers:30Wto80W

Would this combination work well.

Any of you who can guide me through this.
Thanks.

 

[NetFreak]

Give RX-365 a miss and look for better AVRs. It does not have discreet o/p for channels.

This speaker package is a good deal at 4,500. You can use it to build initial setup for a year or two till you buy more powerful speakers.

 

[vyerth]

Thanks Netfreak.
I don't really understand what difference would lack of 'discreet o/p' would do to the sound.

Anyway, Would it make sense to buy these speakers and then get AVR.
Then the question would be would these speakers run on any AVR or would have to follow some numbers on the configuration.

A member on this forum has just quoted a MARANTZ AVR 3053 being sold at ALFA (Mumbai) for 16K. Would these speakers make a good combination for that AVR.

IS Marantz 3053 would be a good buy.
Cheers!

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Vyerth,

Marantz 3053 does not support 3D and audio return channel. Also it does not support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HDMA.

In Alfa for 17500, Denon 1311 was also available, which has all the support that is missing in Marantz SR3053.

 

[vyerth]

Thanks UKjeyaraj

Can you or anyone from this forum guide me if DENON 1311 will work out well with Yamaha speakers NSP270 @4500/- (freq respons : 30hz-25khz; impedance: 6ohms; 4 satellite speakers:30Wto80W)

This would bring the total to 2200. would this be a better buy to ONkyo 3300?

Thanks for your time.
Cheers!

 

[RetinalNV]

This would bring the total to 2200. would this be a better buy to ONkyo 3300?

Judging a system by its wattage is the last criteria one must use for takign a decision.

Go with your what your ear's and instincts tell you.

I mean you would like to take a test drive of a car before you bought it wouldn't you? (Unfortunately in marriage its not always possible )

So decide upon your ears and then come back to us.

There are MANY MANY folk who settle for the Logitech z5500 (gaming/pc) setup and swear by it even though they own an Onkyo HtiB. (Not just this forum... but worldwide).

So at the end of the day, take some media of yours that you enjoy and have a listen.