What is the best HTIB under 500$

I'm not entirely sure why anyone would want to buy all their components from a single source, except where the lowest possibe cost is the ultimate concern, but for the home-theater-in-a-box concept, Onkyo has always struck me as a price-conscious manufacturer. I have several of Onkyo's higher-end products in my music-listening system and find them excellent. Friends tell me their cheaper-priced eomponents are good values, too.

John

I also used to have to a higher end Onkyo, before I had to sell it when I moved in to my new place. They are excellent, but their HTIB arent generally cheap. I have a Panasonic system SAHT900, which runs about 500-600. It has a 6 disc progressive cd changer, it's fairly decent system and good for apartment living.

"I'm not entirely sure why anyone would want to buy all their components from a single source, except where the lowest possibe cost is the ultimate concern"

I think some people like the convenience of getting all the stuff in one package, a manual and setting it up in one go.

Of course, usually you get less performance/value etc, but for some it's good enough.

I know for me, when I lived in a house I had a huge top of the line sound sysytem, but I had in a apartment for two years and it was practically useless, I could never crank it for fear of neighbors (I learned fast when I got two noise complaints in a week) and it just took up too much space. So, I sold it, and got A HTIB. Now, I know I sacrifice quality, but I still get surround sound. Of course, when I move back in to a house Ill build another system. For people like me we have to do that and its a lot more practical.

I entirely understand. In fact, the big, floor-standing speakers I use for my music listening I bought years ago from a fellow who moved from a house to an apartment and, as he said, could "no longer crank them up." Most of my friends and neighbors have all-in-one units, even in their houses.

Of course, you don't HAVE to play a good sound system loudly to enjoy its balance, clarity, dynamics, transparency, depth, etc., but I guess it helps, and when you've got common walls to deal with, well, a person has to adjust.

John

Nah, Justin and I both just crank up the volume, neighbors be damned. (y)

Eddie,

The old music video "Fight For Your Right" by Beastie Boys comes to mind.

- Josh