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GoinAllTheWay · 01-04-2009, 01:47 PM

In short, I've never had a surround sound system attached to my tv. Figured this year I would look at buying one. Bought a 47" Samsung HD TV last year and really wanted to complete the home theater. So this year I gave myself a budget of $500. I looked at buying seperate recievers and speakers but that gets out of hand in a real hurry. So I decided to try out one of those home theater in a box jobs. Didn't think that was the best way to do it but certainly the most cost effective. I wound up buying a Sony HT-SF 2300 (5.1). Unpacked it, hooked it up and two things concerned me off the get go. The bass is powered by the reciever, not self powered. Secondly, you plug all the speakers into the back of the reciver as opposed to the speaker wire clips you normally see. The system cost $385 on sale.

Sounds ok, not great. I was told Lord of the Rings was a great benchmark as it uses 6.1. I know I'm not going to get the full effect as mine is only 5.1 but dunno, it really lacked something. It's ok I guess but not sure it's quite what I'm after.

I prefer quality of sound over getting my hair blown back. Anyone recommend a good home theatre in a box or do they all more or less blow?

If you were to recommend a good system for not a ton of money for someone just starting out their home theatre experience, what would you recommend? Should I just bite the bullet and buy the reciever and speakers seperatley? I think at this point I would rather deal with my two old speakers for now and get a good reciever and buy the speakers down the road.

Help?

01-04-2009, 01:47 PM	#1
GoinAllTheWay Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Not sure Exp:	Need help buying a surround sound system In short, I've never had a surround sound system attached to my tv. Figured this year I would look at buying one. Bought a 47" Samsung HD TV last year and really wanted to complete the home theater. So this year I gave myself a budget of $500. I looked at buying seperate recievers and speakers but that gets out of hand in a real hurry. So I decided to try out one of those home theater in a box jobs. Didn't think that was the best way to do it but certainly the most cost effective. I wound up buying a Sony HT-SF 2300 (5.1). Unpacked it, hooked it up and two things concerned me off the get go. The bass is powered by the reciever, not self powered. Secondly, you plug all the speakers into the back of the reciver as opposed to the speaker wire clips you normally see. The system cost $385 on sale. Sounds ok, not great. I was told Lord of the Rings was a great benchmark as it uses 6.1. I know I'm not going to get the full effect as mine is only 5.1 but dunno, it really lacked something. It's ok I guess but not sure it's quite what I'm after. I prefer quality of sound over getting my hair blown back. Anyone recommend a good home theatre in a box or do they all more or less blow? If you were to recommend a good system for not a ton of money for someone just starting out their home theatre experience, what would you recommend? Should I just bite the bullet and buy the reciever and speakers seperatley? I think at this point I would rather deal with my two old speakers for now and get a good reciever and buy the speakers down the road. Help?