Onkyo HT 650 need opinions

[EM3]

I am looking for a good entry level Home theatre set up what do you think of this? It is the OnKyo 650. Living room is medium sized.

Front Power 200 Watts
Center Power 100 Watts
Surround Power 200 Watts
Subwoofer Power 150 Watts
Bandwidth @ Rated Power 65Hz - 20kHz
Dolby® Pro Logic YES
Dolby® Pro Logic II YES
DTS YES
Dolby® Digital YES
Digital Inputs 3
S-Video Inputs 4
Component Video Inputs None
Front Speaker Type Dual 5 1/4'' Woofer, 1'' Tweeter
Center Speaker Type Dual 4'' Woofers, 1'' Tweeter
Rear Speaker Type 4'' Woofer, 1'' Tweeter
Subwoofer Type Rigid, Low-Mass 8'' Long-Throw Woofer
Front Speaker Dimensions (H x W x D, Inches) 8.4 x 6.5 x 8.4
Center Speaker Dimensions (H x W x D, Inches) 6.0 x 15.25 x 8.6
Rear Speaker Dimensions (H x W x D, Inches) 8.4 x 6.5 x 8.4
Subwoofer Dimensions (H x W x D, Inches) 20.3 x 9.25 x 16.2
Other Features 5.1 Multi-Channel input; Color-coded speaker terminals; 30 FM/AM Presets

That's about all the budget will allow for. I will have to use my dvd player as my CD player. Any other good suggestions?

[tomdkat]

Sounds like a decent setup to me. What is the cost?

Peace....

[EM3]

Circuit City has it for $499. I am going to check Onkyo website. My wife may get this for me as an anniversary gift. I could ask for more but would feel really guilty. So far it has gotten good marks from Circuit city reviewers and CNet gave it an 8 out of 10.

I need to know the basics of setting up a home theater. Most important speaker placement amd height any suggestions or whwere I can get this info?

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by EM3
I need to know the basics of setting up a home theater. Most important speaker placement amd height any suggestions or whwere I can get this info?

There are forums on AVS Forum that discuss this. If you post the dimensions and layout of the room where this will be setup, we can provide helpful tips as well.

Use the search feature to find other discussion on this topic as well....

Peace......

[EM3]

I'll post the dimesions as soon as I can measure the room. Layout is weird because of one door and two open doorways but I will try.

[chogan]

Sounds like a good deal- Onkyo is a good brand. One thing I can tell you though is that an 8" subwoofer is on the small side for a living room. You should try putting that sub in a corner to increase the amount of bass you hear. You will lose some bass accuracy but it will add low end without having to crank up the volume past the level of distortion.

It sounds like that is an unpowered sub that is being powered from the receiver? If so, that sounds strange since the receiver's power output is rated to roll off at 65Hz.

[EM3]

The room is a little over 13 feet wide and a little over 18ft long. My couch is about 5ft from the back wall. Due to walls windows and doors I am unable to move furniture. I think my front speakers should be about 6 ft apart but the most I will be able to get them apart is 5 feet and that would be pushing it 4ft would probably be more like it. My wife wants to put the surround speakers on the back wall about 13 ft apart. Would this be too far apart if the fronts are only 4 to 5ft apart? Would something with smaller speakers work? Since the front ones on this one are 16 inches tall. Oh yeah according to the Onkyo website the sub is bigger than the Circuit City measurements and so are the front speakers.

[EM3]

I am currently having another discussion about the Onkyo 650 but I have more questions about this so here goes. My living room is 13 and 1/2 feet wide by 18 ft long.

Question 1

I am going to purchase a HTIB for this room will the Onkyo be big enough to fill with sound or could I get by with a system that uses the smaller satelite speakers. My wife likes the smaller speakers for esthetics.

Question 2

If my front speakers are 4 of 5ft apart but from what I have read they should be 6ft. do my rear surround speakers need to be the same distance apart or can they be wall mounted about 12 or 13ft apart?

Question 3

My rear surround speakers should they be mounted behind where I sit up to 5 ft behind me or on the side walls projecting sound toward my left and right ears?

[tomdkat]

EM3 I merged your NEW thread with this existing thread on the Onkyo since your NEW thread was still related to the Onkyo unit you are considering.

We like to limit threads per specific topic to one....

Peace....

[EM3]

Sorry about that!

[chogan]

One thing I've learned about home theater setups is if you put it in your living room it's not going to be ideal for sound. If it must be in the living room and you must put it in the places you mention, then do it and be happy! You don't have a choice. I'm a perfectionist (and single), that's why I have nothing but a 27" TV in my living room and the kickin' HT system is in the 3rd bedroom.

It sounds like you are sitting about 12ft from the TV? If so, then the fronts should be at least 6ft apart for a 30deg angle, but that doesn't seem practical for you. I'd say that's the biggest problem with the setup, but what are you gonna do?

With 2 surrounds, the best place for them is in the rear corners of the room. You can put them behind you, or to the sides if you want. I wouldn't worry too much about the distance to your ears because your receiver should allow you to boost the volume in the surrounds and maybe even adjust the time delay so they sound even with the fronts.

So, my answers are:

Question 1: Yes, this system is enough to fill your living room, and you will enjoy movies at a loud volume but it's not going to shake the house.

Question 2: You lose left to right imaging across the front when they are only 4ft apart but as long as your receiver allows you to adjust volume and delay for each speaker, the surrounds should be fine.

Question 3: Diagonal to your seating position is best, side mounted or behind the couch is ok too.

Another thing I should mention: I checked out the system at Onkyo's site, and that's great for $499! I paid more than that for my center channel.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by EM3
Sorry about that!

No biggie.. don't sweat it.... I've got to "earn my keep" around here...

Peace.....

[EM3]

Thanks for the replies and your patience. Chogan my seat is about 10ft away from the tv and thanks for your help. Just so you know I checked Onkyo website and they sell a refurbished one for $439 and for $50 more you get a 2yr extended warranty. Now if I could only talk my wife into getting it for me instead of waiting for our anniversary in February.

[chogan]

If it were me I would skip the extended warranty. If a receiver lasts 2 months it will last forever, and those speakers are matched to that receiver so they aren't going to blow out. The only thing I'd buy an extended warranty on is a RPTV.