Audiophiles: help me understand this

[mrmako777]

so i think ive narrowed my home theater selections down to 2:

Sony BRAVIA DAV-HDX589W 5.1-Channel Theater System

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001W0Y440/ref=s9_simp_gw_s0_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=197E1S1MZ1FM8J59Y14B&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Specs

or

Onkyo HT-S3200 5.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3200-5-1-Channel-Entertainment-Receiver/dp/B001VEI2NG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260032103&sr=1-1

Specs

problem is i have no idea about impedance, ohms, watts etc. so which one looks like the best setup? ive heard a few of you guys rave about onkyo and it seems like a good system. im purely looking for what has the best sound and build quality

Edited December 5, 2009 by mrmako777

[Disclaimer]

Sony. Lower ohms = MOAR POWER!! Watts is the important figure. Bigger booms.

Sony:

Audio Power Output : Amplifier: 1000W(RMS) / 512W(FTC), Center Speaker: 84W (FTC 0.7%THD), Center Speaker: 143W (RMS), Front Speaker: 84W x 2 ((FTC 0.7%THD), Front Speaker: 144W x 2 (RMS 10%THD), Subwoofer Speaker: 160W (FTC 0.7%THD), Subwoofer Speaker: 280W (RMS), Surround Speaker: 50W x 2 (FTC 0.7%THD ), Surround Speaker: 144W x 2 (RMS)

Onkyo:

Power Output - Front L/R 110 W/Channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, FTC) Center 110 W (6 ohms, 1 kHz, FTC) Surround L/R 110 W/Channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, FTC) Surround Back L/R - Dynamic Power 160 W (3 ohms)

125 W (4 ohms)

85 W (8 ohms) THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 1 % (Rated power) Damping Factor 60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 ohms) Input Sensitivity and Impedance 200 mV/47 k-ohms (Line) Output Level and Impedance 200 mV/470 ohms (Rec out) Frequency Response 20 Hz–50 kHz/ +1 dB, -3 dB (Direct mode) Tone Control ±10 dB, 50 Hz (Bass)

±10 dB, 20 kHz (Treble) Signal-to-Noise Ratio 100 dB (Line, IHF-A) Speaker Impedance 6 ohms–16 ohms Max. Input Power - Front/Center/Surround 120 W Surround Back - Subwoofer 130 W

[Lost]

In buying a home theater........

an additional feature I would look for is a night time mode. It compresses the dynamic range so when you turn up the volume to hear the people talking you don't scare the neighbors with the ensuing gun shots or explosions.