Yamaha YHT-397 5.1-Channel Home Theater System - $300 w/ FS @ Amazon

Quote from DaVeYbRaT : I'd rather have this Yamaha system over building your own, the $300 price tag and sound quality of this unit is awesome.

Do you know if the yamaha speakers have keyhole slots/anything included to hang? thanks-

Which is better.. Yamaha YHT-397 5.1 ($299) or Onkyo Onkyo HT-S3500 5.1 ($248)

Please help.. I am planning to buy one of them now..

Hard to say unless you were personally able to listen to both to compare. I will say from a point of reference, I like the sound quality of this better than my old Z5500. The bass hits much cleaner. Speakers sound about the same. I've not pushed it very loud, but at the volume I use this unit at and not being an audiophile, it's plenty of clarity for the price. If you were an audiophile, you'd probably not blow $300 on a system, but rather couple thousand to begin with, so I'd say this is pretty much an entry level for home theater setup.

My only gripe with these receiver type systems is the heat they output. I used to leave my Z5500 on 24/7 as I use it for a computer and never worried about the control unit getting hot. The receiver will get warm so you'd probably have to turn it off during the summer when away for some time.

Brandwise, I would imagine Onkyo or Denon be a better brand to go with, but just depends what you can find.

I jumped on this deal when it was a lightening deal on 20th and as soon as I got it delivered, I returned Samsung HTIB that I purchased from Costco(that system's remote is a pain to use) - looks wise and performance wise this Yamaha seems to be good (too early for 1 day use though - one problem that I see - and I think that's my understanding issue is that I cant use my TV unless I power on and use this system - Samsung allowed that - may be I am still not used to this system..Any advises?

Quote from BG811 : I jumped on this deal when it was a lightening deal on 20th and as soon as I got it delivered, I returned Samsung HTIB that I purchased from Costco(that system's remote is a pain to use) - looks wise and performance wise this Yamaha seems to be good (too early for 1 day use though - one problem that I see - and I think that's my understanding issue is that I cant use my TV unless I power on and use this system - Samsung allowed that - may be I am still not used to this system..Any advises?

what all would you like to watch without the system?

Quote from roller9 : what all would you like to watch without the system?

Say I just want to watch TV (Cable) and I dont need sounds to come from HT - how do I do that?

Quote from BG811 : Say I just want to watch TV (Cable) and I dont need sounds to come from HT - how do I do that?

plug the cable box's hdmi directly to the tv, if your tv has an hdmi ARC input, plug the receiver hdmi out into that...then you don't need the system to watch tv, but when you turn the system on, the hdmi arc will feed the tv sound to the system

What about these speakers vs the mega cheap monoprice?

http://www.monoprice.com/products...7&format=2

Quote from JL6speed : Hard to say unless you were personally able to listen to both to compare. I will say from a point of reference, I like the sound quality of this better than my old Z5500. The bass hits much cleaner. Speakers sound about the same. I've not pushed it very loud, but at the volume I use this unit at and not being an audiophile, it's plenty of clarity for the price. If you were an audiophile, you'd probably not blow $300 on a system, but rather couple thousand to begin with, so I'd say this is pretty much an entry level for home theater setup. My only gripe with these receiver type systems is the heat they output. I used to leave my Z5500 on 24/7 as I use it for a computer and never worried about the control unit getting hot. The receiver will get warm so you'd probably have to turn it off during the summer when away for some time. Brandwise, I would imagine Onkyo or Denon be a better brand to go with, but just depends what you can find.

Thank you much for taking time and replying. I'm still thinking if spending $50 extra on the Yamaha is worth it when compared to the Onkyo S3500

I'm really considering this setup, but curious how people set this up. My plan is to hide away all my electronics and if possible the speakers as well. Can i just open a hole in my walls and put a mesh cover over the speakers? Do you have to run cables around to your rear speakers? Should I get an RF remote if put the receiver in the corner of the room in a cabinet?

Thanks!

Quote from schnoid : I'm really considering this setup, but curious how people set this up. My plan is to hide away all my electronics and if possible the speakers as well. Can i just open a hole in my walls and put a mesh cover over the speakers? Do you have to run cables around to your rear speakers? Should I get an RF remote if put the receiver in the corner of the room in a cabinet? Thanks!

If you were to keep it in an enclosed area, I'd advise installing outlet fans. The receiver will get warm if left on for a period of time. I believe the remote has to hit the receiver's face to get signal across, so keeping the unit locked behind a cabinet door or what not wouldn't work.

The setup is just like any speaker setup. Wires connect speakers to the back of receiver, so however you want to manage that.

Quote from schnoid : I'm really considering this setup, but curious how people set this up. My plan is to hide away all my electronics and if possible the speakers as well. Can i just open a hole in my walls and put a mesh cover over the speakers? Do you have to run cables around to your rear speakers? Should I get an RF remote if put the receiver in the corner of the room in a cabinet? Thanks!

How To Install In-Wall Speakers http://www.hometheater.com/conten...l-speakers

sorry for repost of question, but anything included (slots on back) to hang speakers? can't find any info on this.....

Quote from hook13 : sorry for repost of question, but anything included (slots on back) to hang speakers? can't find any info on this.....

Newegg has nice detailed pics...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6882115378