Onkyo ht-s650 vs. Denon dht-682xp vs. kenwood htb-505 (Page 2)
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Anonymous | i just posted it bcause i got lots of usefull info here and i hope others can get them too...from a best online reseller for this system... |
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Anonymous | hi, i just got HT-S650, set it up and had some problem hope experts here can help. I follow instructions and hook up Video Out from my Toshiba SD-1600 DVD player to the HT-500 Receiver's DVD Video In. Then the Monitor Out of HT-500 is hooked up to my TV. When I play DVD, i don't get any picture on the TV just the sounds to speakers. I only get pic when take the SD-1600 DVD's Video Out directly to the TV Video In. What is my problem? Please help. Thank you very much for your help. |
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Anonymous | Are you using S-Video or RCA out of the DVD player for the video? If you are using S-Video, make sure that S-video out of the DVD player goes into the Receiver and the S-Video from the Monitor Out on the Receiver into the TV. Same goes with RCA. I have a VCR that doesn't have S-Video. It goes into a separate input on my TV for RCA connections. good luck! |
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Anonymous | i had the S-video from DVD player to HT-500 receiver's DVD-section S-video In and S-video of Receiver's Monitor Out to TV. But still no picture...what's the problem? |
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Muto | I'm a little curious on the 5.1 channel inputs on the Onkyo ... all other manufacturers that have digital ready 5.1 channel inputs quote this explicitly "Digital Ready 5.1 Channel Inputs", Onkyo does not, instead using only "5.1 Multichannel Input" ... This is an important consideration for me. The Kenwood HTB-505 does NOT have Digital Ready 5.1 channel inputs (the HTB-544 does), while the Denon DHT-683XP definitely does have Digital Ready 5.1 channel inputs. Just not sure about the Onkyo HT-S650, but I'm guessing that if they don't state that they have it explicitly, the probably don't. If this is the case, I'm leaning toward the Kenwood HTB-544 or the Denon DHT-683XP... any thoughts? |
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po | Muto, The Onkyo has one coax and two optical digital audio inputs. These are always digital. No choice here. If the receiver has the jacks, they're digital. It also has individual 5.1 inputs for the DVD source (6 separate RCA inputs). If you're talking about these individual 5.1 inputs, they are never digital. They are always line level analog signals. There is also no choice here. They are always analog. Don't get hung up on the descriptions of these inputs. It's marketing. They're all pretty much the same. The Onkyo is the better receiver. |
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Muto | But just because the inputs are 5.1 doesn't mean the circuitry supports Digital 5.1, i.e. the receiver may not be Digital 5.1 ready ... take the Kenwoods for example ... they've both got digital coaxial and optical cable inputs/outputs, but that doesn't mean they're both 5.1 ready... HTB-504 is NOT digital 5.1 ready (neither is the 505), while the HTB-544 IS digital 5.1 ready. I'm just having trouble finding out anywhere if the Onkyo's circuitry is digital 5.1 ready... If someone could provide me with a URL where it is stated clearly that this Onkyo's HT-S650 is digital 5.1 ready, I'd appreciate it. |
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po | The Onkyo supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 on all three digital inputs. I have the HT-S650 and it decodes both just fine. I don't even know what you're talking about when you say "digital 5.1 ready". The only 5.1 formats I'm aware of that are used in the mainstream are Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. Like I said, the Onkyo decodes both from the optical or coax inputs. This is clearly stated in all their spec sheets. The Kenwood 505 also decodes DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 (also in their spec sheets) so I'm not quite sure what feature you are looking for when you say "digital 5.1 ready". Don't get hung up on marketing semantics. Just make sure you get something that has Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II (which is nice for non-surround formats) and you'll be fine. |
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Anonymous | Does anyone know if the surrounds on the Onkyo are mono or dipole? |
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Muto | PO, So you're saying this website, ecoustics.com, is wrong? Go to the Home Theater Buying Guide on this website, select Simple Search, enter "Brand: Kenwood" and "Digital 5.1 Ready Channel Inputs: NO", and the Kenwood 504 and 505 will both show up. Check their specs and ecoustics.com says neither is Digital 5.1 Ready. Now change your search to Kenwood and "Digital 5.1 Ready Channel Inputs: YES", and the HTB-544 will show up, but the 504 and 505 will not.... |
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po | I don't want to argue with you but do you believe everything just because its printed on a website with a search engine? This website does not have complete specs on all these HTB's and some of the info is innaccurate. For example, look at the specs on this site for your Kenwood 544. It says it has 0 digital optical inputs and 0 digital coax inputs when in fact, it has 2 of each. Don't trust the specs posted here, go to the manufacturer's web site to get accurate feature spec sheets. Did you notice that the KW-503 falls under the "Digital 5.1 Ready" while the KW-504 and 505 falls under the "Not Digital 5.1 Ready"? Again, right there you know that the information is inaccurate as the 504 and 505 do everything the 503 does, only better. Don't base your decision on a single search criterion for a vague feature on an obscure website with incomplete information. Did you notice the 504 is a NO while the 504DV is a YES (504 is identical to 504DV except the 504DV has an included external DVD player). Another example. All of the HTB's you're mentioning here (KW 504, 505, Onkyo 650) have Digital 5.1 capability (whether it be Dolby Digital or DTS). If you're looking to set up a home theater and you want Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 surround sound, you will have it with any of these systems. They all have multiple digital inputs (coax and/or optical) specifically designed for such formats and they all have internal decoders for such formats. You would probably love any of them. I love my Onkyo, I watch movies in DD5.1 and DTS5.1 all the time. And to "Anonymous" above Muto's last post: The surround speakers on the Onkyo are monopole. You can't expect dipoles on a cheap system. |
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Muto | Thanks Po. Another question on these receivers ... Digital signal format auto-detection is an important feature for me ... the Kenwood HTB-544 is the only one of the three which clearly states it has auto-detection. Can anyone who has the Onkyo or Denon system confirm whether or not they have this feature (not listed in the specs on their websites...)? |
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gumby | Sorry - basic question: Just got the Onkyo S650 and am clueless about the connections. I'm running an X-Box as my DVD. I'm planning on running the Monster 300X S-Video into the receiver with the Dolby Digital add-on cable into one of the optical plugs. For the connection to the TV, I'm going to run an S-Video cable from the "Monitor Out" into the TV. What I'm unsure of is the audio connection between the receiver and the TV. How do I do that connection??? Thanks in advance. |
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Anonymous | Since the X-Box/DVD player is taking a digital input on the receiver, you don't have to worry about connecting any audio to the TV. Now to watch regular TV/cable .. if your cable box has component/RCA outputs, plug those into your receiver. If you have audio outputs on your TV, you can plug those into the CD or Tape stereo inputs of the receiver. All depends on what kind of TV you have. |
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gumby | I don't have a cable box. I have a new model Sony Wega. I assume it has audio outputs. So if I run RCA's from my TV's audio outs to the CD audio ins on my receiver, I'll be able to listen to TV audio through my surround sound speakers??? Thanks for the help! |
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po | Muto, I have the Onkyo and it does also auto detect what's on the digital audio input (whether Dolby Digital or DTS). I just tell the receiver to use the digital input and it figures out the format. Most receivers these days will indeed do this even if its not listed on a spec sheet. It's pretty much standard on any receiver that supports multiple formats on the digital input. I would call Denon or download the user manual if you can find it to confirm. I'd bet dollars to donuts that it autodetects the format too. The Onkyo definitely auto detects. I put a DVD with Dolby Digital audio in, press play and the receiver status says Dolby Digital. If I change the DVD player to output DTS, the receiver status changes to DTS without me touching the receiver. Automagic. -po |
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Muto | Excellent Po, thanks your words of wisdom. After listening to all of these devices and studying their features, I've decided on the Onkyo HT-S650! |
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Anonymous | Muto, Good choice, dude. Where do you find sound like that for mere 470 clams? :o) |
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po | Muto, I think you've made a good choice too. One word of advice : Secure all breakables before you crank that Onkyo system past about level 70. It will knock them right off their shelves. Can you say BOOM? Post back here when you get it, I'd like to know what you think of it. -po |
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Muto | Will do ... Moving to a new house, getting a new HDTV, etc etc in 11 days, so it will be a couple weeks, but I'll let you know... |
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Anonymous | Check out CNET's review of the Onkyo HTS-650. They gave it an editor's choice award, and had very good things to say about the speakers. |
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Anonymous | Guys, the 5.1 in is for multichannel dvd audio or sacd playback. Both of these formats are a variation of 5.1 channel surround for music. The term "digital ready" is of the past when some units didn't even have either optical or digital coax inputs. |
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cj | Ok, I have an older TV w/o audio / video output - only inputs. I can also run the tv reception through a VCR to the receiver video 1 connection for surround sound. Is there an easier way to connect TV to receiver. I also don't suscribe to cable - old school I guess. Any thoughts and Thanks? |
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po | cj, Easier how? You're presumably connecting one video cable from the receiver to the TV. How could it possibly get easier? No cables? I guess you're looking for a receiver with an RF input for video so you connect your antenna to the receiver and receiver to TV, not using your VCR's RF input. I don't think you'll find too many receivers (none that I know of) that have RF inputs (video tuners). What you could do is get a coax splitter and split off your signal from your antenna. Run one coax cable to your VCR and the other directly to your TV's RF input. Then you could watch just TV as you did before. Then if you want surround sound, turn your VCR and receiver on and crank up the speakers. You can get a splitter at any Radio Shack. Hope that helps, po |
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Anonymous | The Onkyo 650 is ~$434 at soundcity. Anybody know if this is being matched/beaten at any brick-and-mortar stores? Thanks |
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Anonymous | Just purchased Onkyo HTS-650 and I'm hooking it up at this moment. I bought some good Monster cables and banana plugs, but I'm not having much luck connecting the banana plugs on my speaker cables to the receiver jacks. How do the things attach? Do you unscrew the jacks and simply insert the plug where you would insert bare wire or is there something else I'm missing since the banana plugs don't really seem to fit in there too well.Thanks |
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Joseph young | First off how any of you can think these all-in-one systems can be as good as individually designed components is ridiculous. These systems are designed to hit a price point, not an acoustic ideal. If your limited for funds start with a great receiver add high quality speakers and when the funds come in add the center, rears and sub. You'll be happier with the sound. Play music on these systems and compare to a good 2-channel system as a reference. You will hear what you've been missing. Purchase the Yamaha RXV430 add the speakers as you can afford them change to 5-channel stereo and voila! Great sound. DVD players sell for $200-$300, Compact speakers of higher quality range from $200pr to $500pr and solid powered subs are $300 up, yet we expect to get the same sound and quality out of a $400 HTB. Give your head a shake. For those of you who have a built-in DVD player, what will you do when it packs it in? Fix it?, turf the system? Stop thinking short-term and move up the food chain. |
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Anonymous | Just finished hooking up my Onkyo HTS-650 system with Panasonic CP-67 DVD/CD player and JVC 27" 3 comb filter stereo TV having made all the appropriate connections -or at least that's what I thought ( DVD/CD player connected to receiver via digital optical cable, DVD/CD connected to TV via component cables, all speakers connected (+) on (+) and (-) on (-) to appropriate jacks on receiver with banana clips and pins for the speaker jacks themselves) - powered up the receiver, and no sound from the tuner. The radio station setting displays but no sound. However, when I put a CD in my DVD/CD player, it plays, but only through the 2 front speakers. I admit I am electronically impaired, but I know I can get this system working with a little help.I'd appreciate any advice? Thanks |
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cj | Thanks PO - you nailed it; was not sure how to describe the receiver connections. Thanks again. |
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Anonymous | Mr. Young, I don't read anyone insisting the HTIBs are the equivalent of audiophile separates. Those of us posting to this thread are looking for a system at the price point these HTIBs are targeting - and asking which of those are the best for the buck. My Onkyo lets me watch movies at a level I couldn't without it. And for a price I could afford. I don't have $1500 to throw at separates. I did have $450 to throw at my Onkyo. Acknowledging the limitations of the Onkyo, it was the best system for my limited budget. (Horror of horrors, I use the PS2 as my dvd player - it works.) By the way, your great receiver plus fronts could still cost more than my adequate (to my ears) HTIB.  |
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po | Mr. Young, I'm in agreement with my Anonymous friend above. No one said that these HTIB's are as good as separate higher end components. The Onkyo system is simply a decent sounding system at an incredible price. You gotta admit that 6 speakers and a receiver for under $500 is pretty darn good. You get what you pay for but these days you do indeed get more than you expect. I've got a 2 yr old and a 4 month old at home and, man, I could care less if they destroy this system because I spent so little on it. It good enough for now. It plays Shrek, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, etc. most of the time. If I had gotten a set of Paradigm monitors and a high end Yamaha receiver, I would constantly be trying to deflect the flying objects, flailing feet, and curious hands in my living room from totally destroying my system. I figure when the kids are older I'm gonna get something sweet, for now the Onkyo suffices. I won't mind so much if I discover a rubber ball stuffed in the subwoofer port. -po |
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Anonymous | i understand what you're saying,the 'htib'or 'all in ones'would never sound like the seperates but they do fill a gap,a very big gap,that's why every company out there will be or already have units or packages in production.basically you can get more than a 'tickle'from a htib system and that can be enough to wet the appetite of any novice,and don't be fooled we are novices.so i say go for the bang or the boom for the buck,and get acustom to the difference between s-video and component video optical and coax,progressive scan etc. |
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| I am going to buy the ONKYO HT-S650 based on what I read here is seems to be the best bang for the buck. I am not an audiofile and just want a decent system and still have money for MUCH more important things like putting gas in my boat and my kids through college!!!!! However....can anyone tell me how the ONKYO HT-S650 compares to the Sony HT-DDW840??? I see the compares to the Kenwood but not the sony. Any help? |
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Anonymous | I listened to several Sony "dream systems" before I heard the Onkyo. It blew them away. I'm not sure if the 840 was in the mix. The 840 sub is 100W v. the Onkyo 150 watts. (All Sony systems I listened to were weak in the base.) At least one user on the Circuit City website felt the Onkyo to be superior. Also, the 650 gets better user ratings on the CC website. You really need to listen for yourself. Had I gone with conventional wisdom without listening to each system, I would have purchased the Kenwood 505 which was the system to beat at that time. It turns out not many had heard the Onkyo. After listening to both, the Onkyo sounded much better - to me. |
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| Thanks for the info. Another thing that perplexes me about the Sony HT-DDW840 is there are s-video inputs but no s-video output. Don't I want to be able to route my DVD, satelite and VCR through the reciever and then to the TV? |
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Anonymous | does anyone know if the onkyo hts650 or the jbl cinema propack 60011 is better...i am very confused? |
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Muto | Mr. Joseph Young ... thanks for your input but we're talking about "sound systems on a budget" here ... so unless you have some useful feedback on the best systems for under $600, you're probably better off starting a separate thread about "sound systems if you have a lot of cash"... Po and others ... got the Onkyo HT-S650 and LOVE it ... a great system for the money. |
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Brian Falvey | Just purchased this system online. Well..... Haven't received it yet, but I was going through the specs and I noticed the surround (rear) speakers were 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" x 6 1/2"..wow! They are much larger than I thought they would be! I need to wall mount them and I have 2 questions for anyone who could help me. First, do anyone know a good set of wall mounts that can hold these that aren't flimsy? Second, how high above your head is the right height for rear speakers? Thanks for any help..... |
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Anonymous | The rear surrounds on the 650 are not that heavy. I just bought some wall mounts at Circuit City that work well, but I did put them in the wall studs. Dolby recommends surrounds be mounted about 2-3 feet above ear level when seated and slightly behind the listening position. That is how I have these and it works very well. |
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Brian Falvey | Thanks anonymous. I really appreciate the feedback. That's what makes these boards so cool. |
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Anonymous | Should the surrounds be pointed toward the listening area, or just pointed straight ahead? I thought they should point straight ahead towards each other, so if that's the case, is there any advantage to using brackets? Couldn't they just hang by a good nail, or sit on a shelf? |
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Brian Falvey | Well, I just got them and mounted them 2 to 3 feet above, slightly behind, pointing directly towards the listener. Hope that's ok.. Have to wait and see until I get the rest of the equipment to see how they sound |
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Peter Klose | How about the TEAC AV-8900 and TEAC LSR-200 speakers as apposed to the ONKYO HT-B650? Any ideas? |
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po | As surround speakers, they could certainly just sit on a shelf. In fact, installing a small shelf for them to sit on would be a good way to install them. Make sure you put little rubber feet on the bottom of the speaker so they don't acoustically couple to the shelf though. I wouldn't hang 'em by a nail. Face them directly inward (so both surrounds face eachother) and a couple of feet above ear level when sitting. They should also be slightly behind the listener. I got mine pretty much positioned like that and the surround effect is awesome. I'm using the Onkyo ht-s650 btw. Cheap never sounded better. -po |
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| Man oh man! Alot of you are SO misinformed! I bought the Onkyo for my inlaws and I am going back to buy another for myself this week. This is, without a doubt, and I challenge any takers on this one, THE BEST SYSTEM under $500.00. There is no way in hell you are going to be able to purchase a receiver and speakers and powered sub of this capacity, with all of the features, inputs/outputs, and most importantly, sound quality than this system. The reason it might sound like crap in the store is cables used. Never used supplied cables. In the CC near me, it was hooked up correctly, I set the DSP fields appropriate to what was feeding into it and, BLAMMO, people were coming from across the store to see what was producing all of the great sound. Originally I was going to go with a Sony Dream system as a bought all Sony 53" HDTV, Progressive DVD and high end VCR so I thought why not Sony Dream system to finish it off for my In-laws. After hearing this, I agonized over the fact that it wasn't going to be an all silver and grey system with compatible remotes, all Sony. My ears and logic won over esthetics. And you know, the bigger speakers on stands near the tv and wall mounted rears and hidden sub, looks and SOUNDS much better than those mini satelites. Sound is warm and full from front speakers, Center is crisp and accurate, Bass is tight and not muddy with VERY EXCELLENT low frequency response without dominating with too much bass sound,(try We Were Soldiers when they are shooting morters, the 'thuuumphf' sound and the resonnance bass, Incredible! And the bullets wizzing by your head and placing accurately in the rears, "INCOMING, DUCK!" OR, the thumping and whirring soumds of the Pod racers doing laps in the Phantom Mennace, Jesus Christmas Kringle, pour bliss. The final and best experience, especially if you have an HDTV ready tv like the Sony and progressive DVD, make sure you use DTS WHENEVER YOU CAN! otherwise you are robbing the full experience of surround sound! Try a DVD like The Fifth Element recorded in Superbit Format, HOLY MOLY! and finally, the scene in HEAT with Bobby D and Al Pacino, the gun battle in the street at the end! The neighbors thought I snapped. DO YOURSELF A HUGE FAVOR AND BUY THIS SYSTEM!!! YOU WILL THANK ME, I PROMISE!!!! |
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Alan | Before I found this website, I was clueless about home theater systems so I decided to goto Circuit City and do some research. The sales rep there told me that Onkyo HTS650 is by far the best system for the money. I listened to the system and it blew me away. I heard no distortion at a high volume and that was amazing. The sales rep told me to do some more research at home if I don't believe him that this is the best system around 500 bucks. I came home and did a research on this system and found myself here. Hearing all you people praising Onkyo HTS650, I believe the words of that sales rep. Do you guys know how long this 650 system is in the market?? I can't find it at Onkyo's site. Thanks in advance!!!! |
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Anonymous | check http://www.onkyousa.com/show_model.cfm?class=minisys&m=HT-S650 |
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bbrontosaurus | Anyone know the cheapest place to get the Onkyo HT-S650? CC will sell it for $470 (same as BestPriceAudioVideo) Any cheaper than that? Thanks! |
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ken | The receiver in the hts650 is actually quite nice, but the speakers are pretty bad. One of the things that you will notice is that for 650 watts it does not seem that loud. Turn the volume to 50/100, then to 87/100, then to 100/100 a.k.a. "Vol Max" and you will see what I mean. Look at the sensitivity rating of the Onkyo speakers (86 db front, 85 db center, 82 db surround). If they were rated 3 db higher (89 db front, 88 db center, 85 db surround), then for the same wattage coming out of the receiver/amp they would be twice as loud. That is what you are giving up - the speakers. My recommendation is to buy the onkyo receiver equivalent (I believe it is the sr500 or htr5540) and buy better speakers. A good speaker system to try is the Athena Technologies AS-B2 for the front L/R ($220), AS-B1 for the surrounds ($140), AS-C1 for the center ($170), and Velodyne 8" for the subwoofer ($300). www.audioadvisor.com and www.onecall.com carry the athena and both will offer it at 5% off retail and free shipping. www.onecall.com carries the velodyne. Or go with the Klipsch Synergy System 6 for about $700. So for about $270 for the receiver and $700 - $800 for the speakers you'll have a killer 5.1 system. Instead of spending $500 and being disapponted, spend 2x and get 3x the sound and be much happier. Do it now or do it later. Anyone will tell you that you cannot get 6 HT speakers for $250. |
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Alan | Onkyo's website is selling their own products. I found that they have reconditioned HTS650 for $439 w/ free shipping. Maybe that's a good deal for some people. Goto: http://www.shoponkyo.com/ and check it out. |
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