Sony - 800W 5.1-Channel Home Theater System any good?

Question

It's one of the only Surround Sound systems at Best Buy under $250 with an optical TOSLINK port (most either don't have one, or have a coaxial port, which would require a huge $30 converter and jack the price over $250).

How's the quality on this puppy?

Will be using it for 360 via optical, PS2 via coaxial (has both ports), and PC.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8226396&productCategoryId=abcat0203000&type=product&tab=2&id=1166840609889#productdetail

Answer 1

For the price and comfort, it's well suited for your needs. It'll make a good upgrade over your present setup.

Do hear it once before you buy it, with some of your own discs.

Answer 2

Yes. This will give you better sound that the TV speakers. Just the ability to surround yourself with speakers is improvement over the 2 speakers in the TV.

Quality - poor. But dont worry.  Home theater can be done with less/accurate, cheap speakers.  This unit appears nice because you can later upgrade the sub, the speakers or receiver without tossing the entire set.

Dont forget you should feed a signal from your TV to get 5.1 surround sound for HD shows.  Look into one of those mechanical optical switches from MonoPrice for about $5.

Answer 3

Howdy. Just so you know the 800watts isnt true power rating. If that is what you want to spend thats all you will get. How bout.

Pioneer VSX-517-K ( 205.99 ). Yamaha RX-V361BL ( 199.99)

Speakers Yamaha surround system ( model NS-P1600 ). $200.00

If your serious you should have a 7.1 system with HDMI in and outs on it. You will be around $411.99 for the Pioneer vsx-917v-k. On sale actually. Then you can accept new formats. If you can swing it ask alot of Questions at the dealer.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Not a terrible deal if you like the sound of Sony speakers.  Before you buy go and listen to some of the higher end speakers then decide if the Sony sounds good enough.  That's what I did to start out with I ended up with something in between what I was originally looking at and what I really wanted.  That got me buy until I could afford what I really wanted.  For the money Yamaha makes good sounded systems.  Just remember you get what you pay for.