Home theatre kit Question

[doobiwan]

My B-days coming up and I've decided I deserve a new addition to my lounge :D

But I have a problem: do I go for a full integrated Theatre Kit With player etc, or do I just go for a slightly better spec'd Speaker set to complement my existing DVD player? (doesn't do Divx etc, but 've never needed it)

Considerations are - It's got to be have 5.1 digital input, to support a console. Volume isn't a huge issue.

So what do the Geeks think?

I'm looking at:
integrated @ R1440 (don't think it's got digital in though)
http://za.lge.com/md/product/prodcategorylist.do?actType=detail&currPage=1&categoryId=0200000201&parentCategoryId=0200000002&categoryLevel=3&productId=1100000545

And Speakers only: R1620
http://za.lge.com/md/product/prodcategorylist.do?actType=detail&currPage=1&categoryId=0200000201&parentCategoryId=0200000002&categoryLevel=3&productId=1100000429&productImage=&modelCodeDisplay=LH-T256SD&selectModel=1100000429&PageName=Top&Query1=&isFirst=ok

[NerdBoyZa]

I recently bought a TEAC Home Theatre kit. I know the name doesn't resonate hugh respect like an LG, or Samsung etc, but for just under R2000 from Stax, it was real value for money.:D

It came with the DVD player: multizone, multiformat, FM & AM tuner, 2 Video/audio inputs & 1 output, 5 speakers & an active subwoofer. There is no way you will get all of the above for anywhere near that price if you go component.

Volume goes all the way to 40 on the display, but to be honest, it causes pain from 20 onwards.:eek:

I can send you all the specs when I get home if you're interested.:)

[stoke]

Volume isnt a huge issue ?
KE ?
/me looks to the past ... looks to the future ...
WHAT ?
Volume with clarity is EVERYTHING - that's what you're buying - as loud as possible for as much clarity as possible to meet your budget.
JVC 6.1 AMP + ONKYO 6 CD SHUTTLE + JVC DVD + JVC VCR + JVC TV + 6 SILVER MONITOR AUDIO SPEAKERS + 1 YAMAHA SUB SYSTEM.
ROCK THE HOUSE or don't bother.

Well ... that's me.

[Darnit696]

I bought a Phillips kit on Special at Makro. :o I've had it about 2 years now and it is great. Cause I got a kid I can never use its full potential. The remote sucks (i.e you need to aim it with sniper precision to get it to work) and the DVD is female, it wont work if theres the tiniest scratch. Things I learnt.
Get as much advice as you can from people who know what they are talking about. Go visit that expensive sound shop in the mall. (You know the one with the Bose speakers at 15 grand a piece in the front window.) The advice is still free.
Make sure you get an active subwoofer.
If you can afford it go component. I want to get a DVD writer/HD thing now and because I got a kit it is now an arse ache.
Even though a component system might cost more, it is more flexible in the long run and will therefore save you money later. ( Look where I am at now. :) )

[Bass]

Yup - as Darnit says - go component if you can. Good speakers are the first requirement of a good setup, so I'd certainly go for that option rather ...

[NerdBoyZa]

Agreed.

Without a doubt component is far better.

Obviously you get what you pay for. I still haven't found a component system for under R8000 that has all the features, clarity, power output, etc that you get on kit systems costing R2000.

When you come to upgrading the kit system, I suppose you wouldn't... Just chuck the lot out, or cycle it to a friend/family member.

In the end component is probably comparable in price for this reason. The big capital outlay at the beginning is the killer usually - especially those of us with the female Finance Ministers....... The question I am asked is: What's wrong with the sound that comes out of the standard TV speakers???

:p

[doobiwan]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice, it definitely makes me inclined to go for the stand alone speaker set. With HD / BD and all the consoles coming out this year, i guess I may be upgrading the player some time soon as well.

NBz - 'cux then you can show off Matrix scene 36 to all your mates !! ;)

[Sabre]

Just make sure your processor does DTS, it's WAY better than 5.1 and is becomming more readily availably. Also there seems to be a move to 7.1 sound so 5.1 may be obsolete soon .....

[doobiwan]

That's one of the drivers. The LHS A4000 speaker set does DTS, but none of the integrated systems in the same price rage do, they go up to Prologic II.

What's the 7.1 speaker configuration? 2x front etc . . ? My tin ears only just kinda get the 5.1 "3D".

[Ruslan74]

i am not into the 7.1 thingie since you already have a wire mess with 5.1... now imagine with a 7.1 system how it will look! lol!

i bought a Sony digital Amp which is one unit with a DVD player, FM tuner and amp which is smaller than a regular DVD player. it does DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 plus progressive scan output in NTSC and PAL.

i will try to get the model when i get home but it was around R5k since it also came with the active subwoofer and 5 speakers.

[stoke]

Yup ... I'm running 6.1 and it took 5 hours of running around in the ceiling to wire it all up neatly and "invisibly".
But ... hey ... the sound of a something breathing down your neck from behind makes it all worth it :) !

[doobiwan]

Woohoo! Got the LHS-a4000 on the weekend, it's awesome. Took an age to run all the cables, and it still a bit of a mess, but it sounds great.

Thanks for all the tips guys.

[Ruslan74]

plug in your PS2 to it via optical and you can get some great sound too... ;)

[doobiwan]

I would but a PSOne doesn't have an optical out ;)

Holding my breathe and saving for the Revolution . . .

[doobiwan]

Oh, I forgot the story :p

Digital planet had it for R1620, but I went to Game to see if they had it or any other similar system - they had one in stock for R1999. I love Game. "better any price by 10%" :D One quick trip to an internet cafe, and we walked away with it for about R1500 :D :D :D

[sss]

so u got it from game still?

[Ruslan74]

you devious bugger Doobi... hehehe. ;)

[sss]

eggselent.. now i can goto take2.co.za and use their special prices for games and go get them from game!

[doobiwan]

:sss: yeah, I did. They're didn't quibble or anything, just coughed up.

Go for it! just take printed proof, with contact details. I don't know if they'll compete with "Specials" though.

[sss]

well take 2 are still 20% cheaper on most games anyway

[doobiwan]

Take2 is just up the road from my house, I collect on my way home from work and don't pay delivery costs ;)