Hi to all the forumers,

I am new to this part of the forum.

I am planning to buy a home theatre package and out of curiosity, is it advisable to buy a display unit from a shop, be it from SenQ/Harvey Norman or Hi-Fi specialist shops?

Apart from the display unit being in not too good a condition and the speakers being used for over a year. My limited experience in HT tells me there is nothing else that will break the deal. Or is there?

I reckon the discounted price should be also be at least 30% discount or more?

Thank you for the advice.[U]

In short, don't ever accept the display set unit.
They can always get you a brand new from their numerous branches.

I dunno whether it is discounted 30% or more but...

1st...if you are super critical that you are buying the latest model...do some homework...technology is fast, products after a year considered obsolete (especially for home theater systems). And check review of the product...doesn't mean its old or new means its good....also...check the specs...many times ppl buy HTiB only to add a PS3 and then a Media Player etc and not enough Ports for the optical or coaxial.
2nd..Since most HTiB come with a builtin DVD player...a DVD player even branded mechanism will not perform like a new unit after 1 year.
Slow reading, skipping, cannot read, pixelation etc are to be expected.
3rd..Internal component also might not last...many cases, stuff kaput after 1~2 years.
4th...since it is from SenQ/Harvey....the stuff might not be well taken care off....it might be relocated after a month or two to different location. Electronic stuff like a HTiB, AVR should not be move every now and then due to vibrations...more so when it is not packed properly or rough handling by the staff.
5th Speakers....When I buy 2nd speakers, must listen to the sound on loud volume....and scrutiny it for physical damage...I usual lay it flat under a light and check the foam surround, dust cap etc for wear and tear....but for a HTiB, most of the time the speaker grills are glued together...so this makes things more difficult.
6th Do a bit more homework, maybe can get the stuff cheaper from owners or even your neighborhood electrical shop.
7th Always get Extended Warranty!!...if it is from an owners, better ask for at least 2 weeks personal return back warranty if it breaks down not due to your fault.

Assuming the products are things like higher end Hi Fi gear and not something fast changing like computer or HDTV or AV amplifier and come:
1. with FULL WARRANTY
2. in perfect working orders
3. at very much reduced price,

I will consider and here are my rationale.
1. Like buying 2nd hand car, let the 1st owner take the hit on depreciation.
2. Like new cars that need running in, let other do it

All my Hi Fi gears are either from shop closing down or 2nd hand. Let other take the hit on depreciation.

Hi sKyWiR3pT3lTd,

I meant if the buyer is offered a discounted price for the display unit, is it worth buying? Lets say 30% discount.

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Added on January 15, 2011, 11:38 amHi azbro,

Thank you for the list of advices.

I am not super critical about home theatre system. However, I am thinking of getting a sub RM 3000 system. Hence, the consideration of a display unit, if available.

Your advice #4 which is a point worth noting for display units.

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Added on January 15, 2011, 11:50 amHi Optiplex330,

I agree with you that buying display unit is like buying a used item.

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Added on January 15, 2011, 12:03 pmOk. Let's make this a bit more interesting. The reason for me asking the above is that I saw a display/demo unit HTIB. Brand Pioneer HTP-819SW. After testing it out, everything seems fine to me.

Since it is a demo/display unit it was offered to me at a discounted price of nearly 30%. After a casual inspection, the only thing I can see is a hole depression on top of the sub woofer unit (from the stud of some speaker stand); Apart from this , I did not see anything amiss that is until I conduct a closer inspection.

From a casual AV user POV. Is this a steal?

This post has been edited by KL333: Jan 15 2011, 12:03 PM

+1

If you think that 30% is a good deal, remember that dealers always buy display unit from their principal at 50% off, usually.

Yeah, some people want to save money and buy HTiB, but at the end their will regret because not enough port to connect from their device. Like mine, I need at least 4 HDMI input port for Astro Byond, PS3, HTPC and TM IPTV. Not enough port for XBOX360.

You different case bro...

I didn't know that dealers buy demo/display units at 50% off but I will be lucky to get this deal since I am not a dealer. The question would be.....is 30% off a good buy for a demo unit? I reckon this will also depends on the condition of the demo set too.

Which model?

IMHO, the majority of the ppl would want to get a good deal for the money they are able to afford. I reckon they will have to accept the pros & cons of the system they are getting since budget is the governing criteria. At the end of the day beggars can't be choosers.

Try unplugging the PS3

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Added on January 15, 2011, 3:47 pmPioneer HTP-819SW

This post has been edited by KL333: Jan 15 2011, 03:47 PM

Ohhh...that model...does it come with black speakers or Wood color speakers?

Wood coloured.I reckon the black speakers is the HTP-820SW system.

And I stand corrected. The discount is approx 25%. Not 30%.

IMO..

I wouldnt touch a display set frm Harvey N or Senq wif a 30% as those guys really blast them kau kau n for a good bit of time too.. dont tink they bother to change to another set to balance it out..
I guess if really wanna buy then mus get full warranty frm date of purchse..

D

If its 50% i think its considerable

I was told that it comes with one year warranty.

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Added on January 15, 2011, 5:53 pmHa...ha.....i would be lucky to get that. I have asked around for a quote just now.

Guess what, I was quoted RM 3100 for HTP-820SW system...!!

This really changes the mind set now, does it??

This post has been edited by KL333: Jan 15 2011, 05:53 PM

Susah nak unplug because port kat belakang. Kena tarik kabinet lagi. Messy job actually

Your cables semua 'thumb' sized, tu pasal susah tarik keluar..haha

It's not true that dealer can get 50% discounts from the manufacturer for Display Set purpose.

Guys,

A quick update. Harvey Norman is selling the HTP-820SW system for RM 3299. With these prices, it will not make any sense to buy the display set as the price difference is little.

Well, thank you for all the advices.