Home Theater in a Box (HTiB) just doesn't cut it for use as a main home theater, and it limits those new to home theater to gear that offers no expandability. All but the cheapest HTiB setups do a disservice to consumers by forcing them into a system made entirely by a single manufacturer, and usually at a price where better can be found by selecting individual pieces that'll suit your individual needs. The generic HTiB simply needs to go with the exception for those who are using it in a dorm-like environment.

Non-expandable
Now you may be new to home theater or you may not be an audiophile, but one thing is certain... after you experience movies and music via a home theater setup you will eventually want (or need) more. Not just more, but better. If you find yourself listening to music more than watching movies, you'll want a home theater built more towards your musical tastes. With HTiB, converting or upgrading of your home theater is simply not possible.

If you want better speakers, the amplifier in your HTiB will most likely strain to play them. If you want more power, you'll have to replace the amplifier, but since the DVD and amp are usually built into one unit, you'll be forced to buy a receiver and DVD player all over again. HTiB is simply an all-in-one disposable approach. And since home theater is the easiest and least expensive home entertainment appliance to upgrade, the "disposable" and "non-upgradable" HTiB is just the wrong way to go for consumers' home theater needs.

The simple truth is that if you buy an HTiB and want to expand or upgrade your home theater, you will have to buy a whole new setup again while being left with a HTiB that you'll have to find another use for. What's worse is that your initial investment in the HTiB will be lost as you'll have to rebuy the basic components again. In the short term, HTiB may seem like a good idea, but in the long run it may just end up costing more money and aggravation.

The Price Point
Any HTiB priced near $500 deserves the argument made against it that you can assemble a regular home theater with separate pieces of gear that not only offers better sound at the same price, but allows for expandability as well. Surround sound receivers can be found for under $200, and DVD players for $100. That leaves $200 dollars for a bare bones speaker setup that can eventually be upgraded later with ease.

If you plan on spending more than $500, a nicely equipped speaker system becomes and option, and they will definitely blow away any of the speakers that come with an HTiB. The point... any HTiB that is sold over $500 should not be considered... as better can definitely be found at the same price with separate components.

A System That Grows With You
As you move onto greater and better things in your life, your home theater should be able grow with you. Replacing individual pieces of your home theater allows you to keep the pieces of the system you are perfectly happy with, and replace those that your tastes have moved beyond.

The largest impact to any home theater happens when moving into a new dwelling. Most likely when you move, you'll be moving into a larger space, and your home theater will need to fill that larger space with sound. The bad thing is that larger spaces simply need more power to fill the room at the volume level your accustomed to hearing in your previous home.

Since HTiB systems use relatively low powered amplifiers to begin with, a larger room will simply show how limiting an HTiB is. You may need to buy a new receiver or amplifier when moving into a larger space, and HTiB just works against your future needs all the time.

Good For Something?
HTiB systems come come in very handy in a few circumstances. A kid's room, game room, basement, or dorm/college apartment, are all perfect examples of where HTiB can be of good use. HTiB offer the disposability so that if it is damaged in these high traffic and rough environments, the monetary setback is minimal. The fact that HTiB won't take up much space in cramped environments helps too.

Upgradeable HTiB
Some HTiBs out there are simply manufacturer receivers packed with a DVD player and some cheap speakers. These are about the only HTiBs worth looking at as they aren't really HTiB but rather are assorted gear lumped together in a tidy package that offers upgradability.

Specialty Shops
Home theater specialty shops such as Tweeter or your local HT shop can help you build a spearate system that comes close to the price range you're looking for. Don't hesitate to try having one of these shops offer their services to you. In many cases the specialty shops can setup a quick system of what they're recommending so you can hear what the system will sound like before you buy.

The Lowdown
Take a pass on HTiB and look to build a system with separate pieces of gear instead that is upgradable and expandable to whatever your current and future needs may be.

The lure of HTiB is that it takes much of the mystery out what to buy, many stores preselect individual components and speakers into home thater systems and often sell at a reduced price when purchased all together. These "preselected" systems offer the ease of selection that HTiB offers without many of the shortcomings. The short... a regular home theater system built of separate components is the best way to go.