Before I decided on how to complement my new television set, I did a ton of research on the perfect audio solution for it. I previously had a Sony receiver paired with a pair of Sony bookshelf speakers and KLH front channel speakers with a Sony subwoofer, but when my receiver became unusable, I decided to invest in a real man’s audio solution… while on a budget that is. (Note: It was a 5.1 system pieced together and worked well through my college dorm days.) Some of the solutions I looked at were those soundbar receivers such as the Yamaha digital sound projector or a regular home theater in a box solution or building it via components. Alas, I had a limited budget and felt that a sound projector like the Yamaha will never truly equate to true multi-channel sound and that doing a full component system will go over my budget. Finally, after reading AVS Forums and audiophile reviews, I decided on one of the new Onkyo home theater in a box system. My choices were the HT-S6100 or the HT-S7100. I ended up going with the HT-S7100 because it cost the same and the receiver is actually the highly reviewed and touted SR-606 unit.
I have owned both units and played with the HT-S6100 box first for 30 days. The HT-S6100 is a great system and compared to the specs of the lesser models such as 5100/3100; it is worth considering because its HDMI capabilities actually pass both video and audio. The lesser models did not even though it had HDMI inputs. However, my gripe with the HT-S6100 is the receiver itself was not actually the SR-606 unit, which was highly acclaimed. Instead, the receiver released for the HT-S6100 is by the model SR-667 which lacked several customizable features such as a better crossover function to better tune the sound and the lack of a powered Zone 2. These two features are important to me because if I were to upgrade in the future for better speakers, I want to be able to fully power those speakers up. One redeeming thing regarding the Onkyo HT-S6100 is the iPod dock connector, which uses a single special cable to the receiver which supplies the audio and power as opposed to the RCA cable with a separate power adapter such as the dock found in the HT-S7100. Bad move by Onkyo but the reason may be because the SR-606 receiver is older without the special inputs. If that were they case, they could have provided the iPod dock with video capabilities then. Instead, you have to purchase another dock if you want video capabilities.
The HT-S7100 is a sweet system because it includes the SR-606. The sounds produced by this system is a bit more superior over the SR-667 because it has a better internal crossover letting you choose which frequencies for which speaker will hit. In addition, the Power Zone 2 is a plus because you are able to listen to another source without even turning on the receiver. This is a huge feature if you want to offer rich sound to another room, outside area, etc. Overall, both the HT-S6100 and HT-S7100 are true high definition receivers capable of using its HDMI output to a display source. This is wonderful because I only need to run a single cable to my television. It passes both sound and video and works great with the PS3 (only thing is the on screen display does not appear with the PS3). Another item included with the HT-S7100 are the speaker stands but I decided to mount all my speakers and actually only used a 6.1 set up as opposed to a true 7.1. To me, the difference is so subtle that I found it unnecessary but you may say I have not push the unit to its full capabilities.
The speakers found for both units are identical in that they are all satellites with a 10 inch down-firing sub. The sub itself is elegant with a high-gloss finish and will look great in any entertainment room. It also has a a single light which is red when off and a passive blue when on. The sub-woofer only has a knob for gain, a single input and power. The LFE or low pass filter is adjusted via the receiver. When setting up the speakers for the first time, use the Audessey EQ so that the receiver automatically finds the speakers accordingly. I find it useful for measuring the distance only as I had to tinker with the crossover functions to get maximum mids for myself. Also, depending on what gain you have your sub-woofer at, it will also vary your woofer level. I had to adjust it so it was not in the negative.
Set up of the receiver is simple enough with its on screen display if connected to a television, but if you were to use it from the receiver itself, it will prove difficult unless you have the manual. The manual included is helpful in getting you all set up. Finding the right sources for your video game systems, dvd player, cable or satellite receiver and matching it up is easy as well. The remote that comes with the receiver is nothing to boast about but I got it to work with my television so thats a bonus for me. It also lets you control an iPod or iPhone that is plugged into the dock. There could have been an on screen display for songs and simple menu but hopefully that will be integrated in the future.
For the price of this home theater in a box, you cannot go wrong with either one. It actually includes a great receiver that you will be able to upgrade with better speakers later on and with 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output that passes both audio and sound; its definitely ready for the future in home video and audio. I use my HDMI as pass through where my PS3 upscales any video and I have my receiver decode any audio. However, both the HT-S6100 and HT-S7100 can upscale your dvd video to 720p/1080i which means, you won’t need to purchase an upscaling dvd player. I am more than satifisfied with this unit and highly recommend anyone looking for an entry-level priced home theater with features you only get out of a receiver thats worth the entire set. At $700 and $600 for the HT-S7100 and HT-S6100 respectively, its the perfect home theater system out there, definitely best bang (pun intended) for the buck!