Thread: Build 5.1 System Through HTIB Or Not?

Hey everyone. I have a few questions and wanted some help from the knowledgeable people here. Patience has never been my strong suit. I had planned to delay gratification and slowly piece together a 5.1 system. Now here I am ready to throw down my money on a complete system just to enjoy something while I wait however many months it takes to take things to the next level. I'm now looking into some lower end stuff.

First starting at the receiver. I don't need anything fancy, because I have a couple 4yr old TVs without ARC/3D etc., and will be running optical for audio. The TVs will probably break down before they're upgraded. Could be a while.

I'm thinking about the Denon DHT-591BA HTIB. I figure the AVR-591 could last me a long time. Bonus that it's available at local Best Buys for easy free return. I would then slowly replace the Boston speakers. Probably start upgrading with new matching fronts(L,C,R) of my choice. Perhaps moving the Boston fronts to the rear for a mini surround upgrade at that point. Then new sub. Lastly the rears will get completely overhauled. I'm hoping the receiver will still be good enough and not worry about it until it's time to upgrade the TVs.

Decent plan? or similar HTIB suggestion? Can you piece together a better complete 5.1 system at the $6-700price range to upgrade as I go? Maybe a cheap receiver and something like the Jamo s606 package?

Thats what I would suggest. I learned my mistake years ago on proprietary surround HTiB's like Sony and Panasonic have offered. These Denon's, as well as Onkyo's that give you a REAL rcvr, are the best, because you can upgrade it over time. Get the best one you can get now, enjoy it, and add speakers as you can. The 591 is 3D capable and 1.4, so it's in for the long haul.

Id say your entire plan is pretty good. I went from a HTiB to Onkyo 605 and some Polks. Bought a Denon and then some Def Tech's, never looked back.

Originally Posted by StoneD

That's good to know about the 591, i wasn't a 100% about what all the lower models were missing.

If you google that exact model number, denon has a pretty good page on it.

Originally Posted by StoneD

Hey everyone. I have a few questions and wanted some help from the knowledgeable people here. Patience has never been my strong suit. I had planned to delay gratification and slowly piece together a 5.1 system. Now here I am ready to throw down my money on a complete system just to enjoy something while I wait however many months it takes to take things to the next level. I'm now looking into some lower end stuff.

First starting at the receiver. I don't need anything fancy, because I have a couple 4yr old TVs without ARC/3D etc., and will be running optical for audio. The TVs will probably break down before they're upgraded. Could be a while.

I'm thinking about the Denon DHT-591BA HTIB. I figure the AVR-591 could last me a long time. Bonus that it's available at local Best Buys for easy free return. I would then slowly replace the Boston speakers. Probably start upgrading with new matching fronts(L,C,R) of my choice. Perhaps moving the Boston fronts to the rear for a mini surround upgrade at that point. Then new sub. Lastly the rears will get completely overhauled. I'm hoping the receiver will still be good enough and not worry about it until it's time to upgrade the TVs.

Decent plan? or similar HTIB suggestion? Can you piece together a better complete 5.1 system at the $6-700price range to upgrade as I go? Maybe a cheap receiver and something like the Jamo s606 package?

If you are going with HTiB, like Elway said, you have the right idea by picking one with a real receiver. "Real" meaning that it is not a proprietary box that only connects to the speakers that are provided with the HTiB.

My first 5.1 system was one from Onkyo. I followed a similar path to what you have described (used the system as is for a while, swapped out speakers, etc). I just recently retired it (recently as in about 2-3 months ago). I dont regret buying it at all, and in fact it still works.

Onkyo made the best ones back then (best as in "bang for buck" for me). I would check out the onkyo's and denons that are comparable price ranges, and see if you can go to a big box store that might have one setup for you to listen to. A purist might tell you that "HTiB's suck", but for value and ease of putting something together, they usually are a real bargain, as long as you make sure you get one with a real receiver, and NOT one of those with the receiver / blu ray player bundled together...

I agree get a HTIB with a good receiver and you can add your speakers and subs down the road. Good plan.

Cool thanks everyone. I'm going to see what's available locally sometime soon in that same low level price line ..

After checking out the Deals Forum here i'm tempted to try something cheap from those frequent Newegg sales. Seems like some of that stuff might have a little more power for my largish room, than those Boston satellites. And just pick up an AVR on the side.

Someone say Onkyo?

Originally Posted by homank76

Someone say Onkyo?

Yes, both Onkyo and Denon...

Your avatar is scary. Nothing wrong with Denon, that's what my dad prefers.

Originally Posted by homank76

Your avatar is scary. Nothing wrong with Denon, that's what my dad prefers.

What, my avatar? That's what I feel like with all of the radiation treatments being done to my head and the resulting vision difficulties...

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

What, my avatar? That's what I feel like with all of the radiation treatments being done to my head and the resulting vision difficulties...

I've not been active in the forum like I usually am. You're now in my prayers sir.

Originally Posted by homank76

I've not been active in the forum like I usually am. You're now in my prayers sir.

Thank you. If you so desire check out this thread for details - LINK

Can anyone offer their thoughts on single woofer bookshelf speakers in a medium-large room. Specs to look for? I've read a sensitivity in the 90's and an over 5" woofer helps? I'm not sure if I should rule out single woofer bookshelf speakers from my setup. Or even the satellites from a HTIB for example.

I know not all speakers are created equal, but any advice would help. My room is a 18'x19'x8'H box and the listen area can vary from 12 to 15 feet. Scares me into thinking I need more speaker and or cabinet size.