Denon/jbl Or Onkyo Or Yamaha Surround Sound System

[Phil Conners]

My old surround sound system is packing in and I decided it's time to spring some money on a new one. Had a look at the local Powerbuy and Numchai, and found 3 kits that seems half-decent and in my price range:

1) Denon 3D-HT1 kit consisting of Denon AVR-1312 and JBL SCS 200.5 ~ 20K baht (promotion, price listed in brochure 40k)

2) Onkyo HT-S4505 kit ~ 20K baht (promotion, price before said to be 25k)

3) Yamaha YHT-295 kit ~14K baht (note: this one was displayed as a 19,900 "promotion" in Numchai, they then "found" a brochure showing the price to be 18,900 ... and then I found the very same in Powerbuy for 13,990. Go figure)

These models seems to be mainly for the Asian market, I can't find much relevant information on US/EU websites. I found a thread on this Thai forum but since I don't read Thai and Google Translate doesn't seem to make it any more understandable, I'm not sure what to do with that.

The 3 amps look very similar and all 3 kits comes with the standard 5+1 speaker set: 2 front + 1 center + 2 rear + subwoofer.

They seem to be in the same category so obviously the Yamaha looks quite interesting on price. OTOH the Denon comes with really nice JBL speakers that look and feel a tad better than the speakers that come with the other two. I had JBL speakers in Euroland before moving over here and really liked their sound. As for Onkyo, the sales rep thought that was the best system for the money - but of course that could just mean that was the system with the best commission.

What do y'all think about these? Any personal experiences of these would be interesting, but I'm open for opinions as well.

[craigt3365]

Have you seen this thread, specifically this post?

Piyanas is a great store, as is Mahajak:

http://www.mahajak.com/home.php

Piyanas is in Tukcom in Sri Racha and Mahajak is on Suk, between Big C and Tesco here in Pattaya. Both are a bit high end, but worth taking a peek at.

A few other (unverified) sources I have found (I bought some speakers from audiocity2u):

http://www.pphifi.com/

http://en.stereohouse.co.th/

http://www.audiocity2u.com/

http://www.hificenterthailand.com/index.php?lang=en&headername=Home&headername=

http://www.siamworachak.com/index.php?lang=en&headername=Home&headername=

http://www.soundmarkthai.com/product_393661_th

http://hificitythailand.tarad.com/?lang=th

[astral]

What do you want from the system?

1. Just playing DVD/BD with action moves?

2. Also listening to music?

Most systems are good for the first, but may be poor on the second.

My advice is go to the shop, with your own disks in hand

and listen and watch for yourself

What you like is what you need!!

[rijb]

IMO and experience with all three brands: # 1 Onkyo, #2 Yamaha, #3 Denon

[Phil Conners]

Ok on closer inspection and listening, the Yamaha model was really not in the same class. Not that Yamaha is a bad brand, just this particular model. I found the Onkyo receiver having a slight edge over the Denon, but the JBL speakers with the Denon vastly superior to the Onkyo speakers, so I ended up buying the Denon/JBL kit.

BTW they tried the old selling-accessories-that-actually-is-part-of-the-package scam, trying to convince me that although the box clearly said "wall brackets included" they were, in fact, not included. A few phone calls to the head office sorted that out, they'll be delivered in a week. Wonder wherever the brackets that should have been in the box, went.

[drdoom6996]

I bought Yamaha with Bose speakers. I would do it again in a minute.

[mnko]

I wouldn't recommend you getting onkyo. Because some of its 2011 and 2012 models have defect. They start wearing out during first few days itself. Here is the proof. In google type onkyo forum. Click the first result and you will see many people having problem.

Good choice there mate can you tell me from which shop u got it because even i am looking for a receiver in that range.

[Phil Conners]

Well I had the Denon/JBL for about a week now and so far I have to say I'm very pleased with it, no problems.

I got it from Powerbuy. It's on sale ("promotion") at the moment for 19.900 which I think is very good value.