Wow, if those speakers are worth a crap this is a pretty sweet setup, especially for a first system.

@Jason Chen: Where's the product link? We gotta check specs on this cuz this seems to good to be true.

Not a bad setup at all, for the money. Onkyo HTiB systems seem to be the only ones on the market that have speakers that are worth a damn. They're never stellar or anything, but usually better than most.

There are some errors in this article.

Here is the model:
[onkyousa.com]

It is in fact 110 W/channel and its actually $599 (no biggie). I like Onkyo, however their receivers seem to be a bit on the pricey side, especially when compared to Sony receivers.

@daftrok: Just pasted the press materials in. Shows 130 . Actually doesn't matter because wattage ratings are BS.

now would probably be the best time to pickup the HT-SR600 or HT-SR800 at Onkyo's outlet page

[www.shoponkyo.com]

definitely worth the savings (sign up for their newsletter for 10% off). It gets updated regularly, so if you can settle for a decent post-gen system, it's probably worth it.

Still only has HDMI pass-through and won't receive audio over it. Still proves why my Samsung S720 is the best sub-$600 system on the market.

can someone tell me if HDMI Pass through is good or not. Is this were it upconverts the signal from the HDMI source?

@discounteggroll: ht-sr800 isnt available on the outlet store, but its a very capable unit. however, i just compared to the Samsung HT-AS720ST noted by brjahu above and its also very capable. is that true that these onkyo systems dont play back audio coming in over HDMI? thats lame if true

The picture on the main page is diffrent than the picture i see in the "more" area.

I just about purchased a system similar to this back about 3 months ago from crutchfiedld. Circuit city had the same system on display that I was looking into so i went to check it out.

The conclusion, although this system is inexpensive, and looks good... the sub is underpowered and is inside a huge cabinet.

The surround system is sufficient to provide low to mid volume sound that is pleasing, however cranking this up is not what you bought it for.

You obtain a middle to low end system at a bargin, that's it.

You get what you pay for, and unfortunatly $600USD only gets you a low end, but you do get 7.1 surround.

does it decode DTS-MA and TrueDD?

@elislider: More than likely not, there is quite the need for receivers in the sub $400 range that at least provide full HDMI switching capability (audio/video over HDMI). For that reason alone is why I bought myself a Sony STR-DG910 even though I despise Sony. It appears they are the only ones manufacturing a half decent receiver that supports video/audio over HDMI with 7.1 multi-channel decoding (although you will only get 96khz if running video over HDMI at 1080i, which is not a problem since most stuff is 48khz PCM). It's the first time I've ever bought a piece of tech gear that has gone UP in value.

Just 4 months ago the DG910 was under $300 everywhere! Now it's priced in the $400 range, because I think people have discovered it was one of the only sub $500 receivers that had the audio/video over HDMI capability. I would highly recommend you take a look at it. It will even pass-through (not up-convert) 720p & 1080i signals from component over HDMI!

@radikaled:
Like Sony was to Boomboxes, they are now with receivers. The fact that they are selling a 1080p HDMI capable 5.1 surround sound receiver for under 200 dollars is incredible. The cheapest Onkyo has is $250 and it doesn't even have HDMI input/output.

You have to pay 380 bucks for an HDMI capable receiver from Onkyo. Lame.

@daftrok: the problem with the majority of Sony's low- and mid-range receivers (especially their HTiBs) is the sound quality is just not there. They usually have around 10% THD, whereas I've never seen an Onkyo get near 1%.

And as far as price goes, I got my txsr605b while I was working at HHGregg, so it was only 300 :p

@FancyShmancy: agreed, I love Sony but their HTIB receivers are garbage.

I actually bought the previous generation of Onkyo which looks identical to the 4100 pictured above. The sound quality is... tolerable, but I definitely don't have the money to start buying components. I would call it "good enough."

I'm amazed anyone here would even think of comparing Sony and Onkyo receivers. I've heard them side by side and can tell you that as soon as the Sony kicked in it was like someone threw a quilt over the speakers. Onkyo receivers are clean & crisp & not muddy. I've only ever bought Onkyo receivers for the last 20 years.

Onkyo is a great mid-priced line. I've never had their speakers. I did have an Onkyo turntable 25 years ago that I loved. Sony makes great TVs & video game gear, but not great audio components.

@maven2k: Onkyo HTIB speakers are generally considered worlds above other HTIB speakers.

Also, their HTIB receivers are considered component-grade, not HTIB grade.

@killswitchprojct: No, for upconversion you want to check out the Onkyo TX-SR705 or higher. The lesser 605 will at least convert analog sources to HDMI but I don't think it upconverts.

Pass-through as on this system means you'll need a seperate audio connection such as an optical one. While those seekign simplicity (most people) consider this a drawback, others see it as a plus since you can use other audio processing equipment in between if you choose, or have audio and video from different sources (such as playing your favorite club music over the cartoon network while trippin' your balls off).

@Zlevee: although most HDMI TVs do a bit of upconverting on their own, so the 605 will get that aspect done to some degree like the 705.

@Zlevee: thanks

Recently got the HT-SR800 from ClubOnkyo with their 405 model 1080p upconverting DVD player thrown in for only $319 shipped. Such a deal! So, it's well worth checking there if you're not in a hurry. My TV only has one HDMI input, but this receiver feeds it with video from both the DVD's HDMI *and* my home-built PC's ASUS "M2A-VM HDMI" out. Audio is handled by Digital coax from the DVD and S/PDIF from the PC. One *sweet* budget setup. I don't know about this S5100's speaker wires, but if they're anything like the SR800's, be ready with some heavier gauge wire.

You can definitely shop around and get a better price than listed. I own a previous generation of this HTIB and love it.

I was looking at the Onkyo TX-SR805, but read several reviews that said it was having alot of overheating issues; smoking, sparking and even some flamage. Now I'm leaning towards the Yamaha RVX1800BL. It's a little more expensive, actually more inline with what you would expect to pay for a receiver with these features; but I'd be too afraid to play my 360 AND have an overheating receiver. My whole house might explode.

@FancyShmancy:

Sony's $199 to $599 receivers have 1% THD and their $899 to $1699 models have 0.09% THD.

Onkyo's $249 to $899 receivers have 0.08% THD and their $1099 to $2099 models have 0.05% THD.

Granted distortion is less on Onkyo but Sony is no where NEAR 10%. The distortion at %10 would be insanity.

@robinandtami: I call bullshit.

That said, any receiver needs to be in a ventilated area. If a person is dumb enough to both use a totally enclosed AV cabinet AND keep the cabinet doors closed while the equipment is in use, they deserve to have their equipment crap out.

It's too bad that Onkyo is sold at rip-off prices in Canada by their retailers or else I would be all over these new systems.

@daftrok:

[www.circuitcity.com]

Has is listed for $499

@Zlevee: I can't vouch for the accuracy or the honesty of the conusmer reviews that I have read, but I have read several that state this unit overheats.

Alright - so here's my question. If the major problem with this receiver is that the surround speakers are decent, but the bass unit is weak. So.... why don't you just buy the unit, and then (as you get time) buy/build a bass speaker, and a amplifier for the bass speaker? Am I missing something? Quality amp and speaker, this is then a decent system... right? Just not Theatre in a Box anymore - but then again, makes a good starter set, right?

Nice, don't know how well it performs, but I def. has my attention.

Still, wont be throwing my sony setup out anytime soon, I got an amazing deal on it.
$150 for a 5.1 Component setup, can't beat that...I still haven't setup the 5-Disc dvd changer yet, haven't needed it!

Here is an idea,

Go to ebay or craigs list, and get a gently used reciever like I did...

I found a Harmon/Kardon AVR430 for $240USD, then went to crutchfield and founf a $900 set of Polk audio speakers on scratch and dent for only $300, total system was $540USD...

I got 5.1 polk audio speakers that can take up to 85watts, and a 65watt reciever thta jams the speaker system, not to mention it has a 19inch high self powered sub included...

I suggest to stay away from the Onkyo, crap in a box.. the overall sound is SHIT. go to circuit sity an crank up the one they have on the floor for show.. You too will hear the crappy $600 system dissapoint...

Correct above.. 10inch powered sub...

The reciever still had the plastic on the front, some people actually take really good care of their equipment.

My current Onkyo HTiB serves me perfectly well and is a great system, but in time it'll have to be moved to my bedroom to make room for something newer.

I can't really complain at this point, I got a $350 system for free and with no flaws except a minor dent on the aluminum.

@Veracity_Inexcusable: If someone is selling on craigslist, it is generally a yard sale, you shouldn't have had to pay anywhere near that much for stuff they didn't want anymore.

@Flugenhiber: because the bass unit probably isn't weak.

What's up with HDMI ports on home theater systems coming with audio pass through only? Lame.