damageinc
07-09-2009, 12:41 PM
I need a home theater to replace my new TV's (Samsung LN46A860) audio with, and have sort of narrowed it down to these options. My budget is around $300.
Option 1: Sony HT-IS100 Home Theater in a Box (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2565932) - $299 + tax
Option 2: Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH500-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Black/dp/B001TOZTCA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) + Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1 Speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP1800BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B001AVRD62/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31MQGSJI8PVEY&colid=ZJQ2XH9BRIT0) - $267
The Sony HTIB is nice, but I don't like how the speakers are the size of a golf ball, even if they are reviewed as sounding great have better specs than the Yamaha. Also, the receiver is built into the sub and it faces up, and doesn't have an on screen menu. Kind of an inconvenience. Video is the same with both (up to 1080p) though the stand alone has more inputs. However I heard it doesn't pass through HDMI audio and you need to hook up the optical signal (or something else) to get audio. I primarily am getting a setup for audio though, my TV has plenty of HDMI and other inputs. The HTIB is an extra $40 after tax though, so I'm trying to decided if its worth it even with the few aspects I don't like.
Option 1: Sony HT-IS100 Home Theater in a Box (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A2565932) - $299 + tax
Option 2: Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH500-5-1-Channel-Receiver-Black/dp/B001TOZTCA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) + Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1 Speakers (http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP1800BL-5-1-Channel-Theater-Speaker/dp/B001AVRD62/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I31MQGSJI8PVEY&colid=ZJQ2XH9BRIT0) - $267
The Sony HTIB is nice, but I don't like how the speakers are the size of a golf ball, even if they are reviewed as sounding great have better specs than the Yamaha. Also, the receiver is built into the sub and it faces up, and doesn't have an on screen menu. Kind of an inconvenience. Video is the same with both (up to 1080p) though the stand alone has more inputs. However I heard it doesn't pass through HDMI audio and you need to hook up the optical signal (or something else) to get audio. I primarily am getting a setup for audio though, my TV has plenty of HDMI and other inputs. The HTIB is an extra $40 after tax though, so I'm trying to decided if its worth it even with the few aspects I don't like.