Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Sound System/HTIB Recommendation Needed

Jun 11, 2005 4:05PM PDT

I am going to be moving soon and am looking for a receiver/speaker set or HTIB. My room will be 14' x 11', so I don't have to have something that will be very loud. I will also be using a Pioneer PDP-4340HD television (plasma/HD), a Toshiba RS-TX20 Tivo/DVD burner, a Playstation 2 (I plan on purchasing a PS3 when it comes out),and a HD digital cable box.

I will need optical inputs on the receiver for the TV, the Tivo, and the Playstation. Since my room will be fairly small, I don't need anything too high-powered. I'm really just looking for something that I can plug everything else into and can set up relatively easily. Are there any options for about $500? Thanks for any help that anyone gives. I don't know too much about audio systems.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
well...
Jun 12, 2005 2:45PM PDT

yes, but with a PS3 and an HD tv source, and maybe a computer too?.... maybe you would be interested in a receiver that can do digital video switching. I'm waiting for this to really boom, because I am wanting such a receiver too. There are a few out now, but they are 4G or so Happy

- Collapse -
$4,000!
Jun 12, 2005 5:14PM PDT

That sounds expensive. I'm not really sure what digital video switching is, but it sounds cool. If receivers with that feature cost $4,000 now, it'll be a long time before their price comes down enough for me to be willing to buy one.

I found a website called audioholics.com. For an "entry level" system, they recommended an Onkyo TX-SR502 receiver ($300 then, about $225 now) and Athena Micra 6 speakers ($550 then, about $300 now). Any thoughts?

- Collapse -
yes
Jun 13, 2005 1:27AM PDT

I absolutely support that recomendation. I think Athena puts out some great products too. My main 5.1 system is all Athena Happy

- Collapse -
Thanks
Jun 13, 2005 4:49AM PDT

Thanks for your opinion about those. I'll try to find good deals on them.

- Collapse -
micra 6
Jun 15, 2005 5:46AM PDT

I have the Micra 6 system and can attest to its quality. Onkyo generally makes good receivers, so I'm guessing you can't go wrong at this price. I'm using a Panasonic SA XR25 with my Athenas and it's a winning combo.