As GL stated speakers are the things you can "hear" the biggest differences in. Hard for most to hear the differences between similarly powered amps.
A/B ing, used to be the best way to choose your preferred speakers. What people like in speakers can be subjective and very personal. Unfortunately, its almost impossible to stand in front of two complete systems and do the a/b back and forth on the same music/video.
AV systems/amplifiers have specifications:
Rated wattage output continuous. (not peak) In the stereo days it was per channel (2) with a frequency range - say 20-20,000 with a Total harmonic distortion %. Now the mfgs like to play fast and loose with things but if you dig you can ususally find them. The rest in all interoperability things which becomes sepcific to what you are using the system for.... TV, TV and MP3, DVD, remote speakers, Sat radio, etc. Easy to end up spending 2-3 times as much as you did just for the Receiver.
Once you get these things home you either like or dont like them. If you like the sound ... be happy with it. At the price point you bought at it's hard to get pickey with things. If it does all the interoperability things you want and sounds good... to you, well you are good to go.
Quote:
Originally Posted by goalie204
Hopefully some folks are able to help 
Some background:
-I live in a condo so i don't need anything TOO crazy
-Quality sound is important to me, but unfortunately money is more important.
-I am interested in something that has HDMI inputs because I have Computer, PS3, HDPVR, and my TV only has 2 HDMI inputs.
So yesterday i bought this HTIB: http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/cate...96&sku=HTS3400
I am thinking of returning it. It's Decent for a condo, but i don't know if the sound quality is even as good as my previous SONY HTIB.
Problem is, for a complete package, im not sure if i can afford separate components.
I don't know what to do and am looking for guidance |