I BOUGHT COMPONENTS AFTER TRYING HTiB

Micah Cohen

Hey Forum Folks, I'm looking for people -- you, or your friends -- who have tried the latest "Home Theater In A Box" product (Sony, Panasonic, etc.) and returned it to the store to try putting together a component music/home theater system (receiver from one manufacturer, DVD player from another, separate speakers, etc.). I want to know why you didn't like HTiB, and how and why you chose components.

I have to write about HTiB vs Components for a major news wire service. I'd like to tell your story in the national media! I'd like to collect some stories here in the coming week, or you can email me directly mcohen@polkaudio.com and I'll call you and we can talk about it.

Saving the world from bad hi-fi,

Micah

Demiurge

Would you like us to email you the story? I know you put your email addy up there, but I wasn't sure if you wanted the story or just know if we're interested.

I'd be glad to write something up now because I had an experience with HTiB.

HBombToo

Originally posted by Demiurge


I'd be glad to write something up now because I had an experience with HTiB.

Please post your thoughts!!! I'm very interested to say the least.

HBomb

Demiurge

First of all, I think being young & in college is the targeted demographic for HTiB. I think that the 'lower price' is attractive to people in that demographic for obvious reasons.

Anyhow....

I bought a PANASONIC SC-HT75 awhile back so that we could have the surround sound movie experience at home. I didn't do a whole ton of research into the product and the price made the decision easy for me.

I had looked at piece-by-piece setups, but determined that it was too expensive to venture into. Why not just spend like $500 on a complete system as opposed to $500 on just pair of mains?

Well, that was my logic, and needless to say I ended up spending more money in the long run.

The first thing I noticed about my HTiB is that is was extremely cheap. Options were quite minimal as far as adding videogame systems, good wiring, ect. They come with flimsy speaker wire that are ran directly into the speaker themselves so that they cannot be changed. The on-board options are extremely limited as well. To many this may be satisfying, but I believe people have 'Illusions of Granduer' when they decide to pull the trigger on these HTiB.

As far as sound? It's not impressive. A lot of the sound is flat. The response of speakers to scenes are not as good as they should be. One of the big reasons for this is the weak subwoofer that comes with it. I believe that one of the most important components to your HT is a good sub. IMO unless you're going to spend $1500 on a HTiB you're not even getting close to the 'true experience'.

As far as looks? Well, whats up with the silver color? Who in the hell picked that one out? TOO MODERN. Many people want their HT's to be discreet not a main visual piece in the room. If you get close to the speakers it's easy to see how cheap they are. They are very light (which speaks volumes, or not....haha ) They are made of light plastic and their fabric covers are an extremely thin pieces of crap.

The bottom line for me as that HTiB just didn't cut it. Maybe it's just me, but I realized real quickly that I needed to try something else if I wanted to get the most out of my DVD's. I don't like being tied down and having no options when it comes to my HT. HTiB did that to me and I had to move on.

Here is a message to Polk:

I am in business myself and I realize that it's not easy to get your product into stores like Best Buy or even CC for that matter. It's often hard to convince them that they'll get the demographic who'll be willing to pay more for better sound when they can get people who will just shell out $500 and get the whole system. I know the logic isn't all there, but I think finding a way to convince more stores like those that people like us are out there would be a crucial step forward for Polk.


Polk far surpasses any of the 'piece-by-piece' components in any of those stores as well. I think that you guys could have a REALLY impressive showing.

Another reccomendation...

Polk Service techs who actually go across country setting up listening rooms in some of these stores. The listening rooms in 99.9% of these stores is HORRIBLE. I can't tell you how disheartening it is to try and make a decision on HT with some of the crap out there for listening rooms.


Bottom line....keep doing what you guys are doing. Your product line is fantastic. I know I've been bashing HTiB this entire thread, but I did happen to really like the polk version. It's still not as versitile as it could be, but for HTiB it was nice. I personally couldn't justify the price you guys had on it when I could just customize my whole system myself...Which is what I am slowly doing.

Dave

dorokusai

Yea! What ATC said

Nice read Sean, good post.

har_navalta

I like the last part ATC's " Open your mind and life to components and may the truth, set you free".

I will print it and have my friend read it. They are die hard "Bose" fans.:mad:

Btw, I am trying to invite these (Friends) people to come to my
Polk Museum to listen too... guess what they said...they are afraid
because they might not like their systems once they hear my Polks!!!

They never give their ears a chance:D

Har

dorokusai

I had my co-worker come over for a bar-b-cue, and he auditioned my Polk Audio HT setup......2 weeks later, I am helping him sell his Bose system on Ebay. He is the proud parent of, not Polk, but a Paradigm Cinema series 5.1 setup.

He told me he was so blown away by mine, that when he listened to his Bose after he got home he couldn't believe it how bad it sounded..... mission accomplished