Speakers Suggestions to complement Denon AVR-3801?

[DVDMovieMan]

Can anyone recommend some high-quality (but cheap, of course) speakers to complement the Denon AVR-3801 receiver?

I need a center, front left, front right, left surround, right surround, left rear center, (6 speakers) and a subwoofer. The AVR-3801 puts out 105-watts per channel.

Thanks!

[stevevt]

Originally posted by DVDMovieMan
...recommend some high-quality (but cheap, of course)...

Why would you want to add cheap speakers to a $1000 receiver?

Unless you got an incredible deal (or got it for free), wouldn't you have been better off getting a cheaper receiver and using the extra money for better speakers?

Anyhow, I wouldn't recommend any cheap speakers for this receiver. Then again, define "cheap." What's your total budget?

[DVDMovieMan]

I haven't bought the receiver yet, but I can get it for less than $700 shipped. I don't have a set budget, but ultimately I plan on upgrading again in 4-5 years with better receiver and speakers, so the less I spend now, the better.

What I want to know is the best speakers for the best price which can handle the 105-watt per speaker load and where I can have the rear center channel. I'd like to spend $500 or so but that may be impossible.

[nizzo]

Originally posted by DVDMovieMan
I haven't bought the receiver yet, but I can get it for less than $700 shipped. I don't have a set budget, but ultimately I plan on upgrading again in 4-5 years with better receiver and speakers, so the less I spend now, the better.

What I want to know is the best speakers for the best price which can handle the 105-watt per speaker load and where I can have the rear center channel. I'd like to spend $500 or so but that may be impossible.

I think your price range in unrealitic. The 105 watts from Denon is like 200 watts from those mass produced receivers.

I would reccommend the Klipsch Reference or Legend Series. The Legends have been discontinued, so you can get good deals on them. I think someone posted here that they got the Reference series for around $1000. You might want to do a search for "Klipsch". Good luck.

[DVDMovieMan]

nizzo,

Thanks for the advice. I'll check out the Klipsch. Like I said, I don't have a set budget. I want something that will sound incredible with this receiver for the best possible price.

Anyone else have suggestions?

[audrey]

Originally posted by stevevt
Why would you want to add cheap speakers to a $1000 receiver?


many people believe (and i'm one of them) that you will get better sound by investing the greatest money upstream in the sound chain rather than in the speakers. in both my 2 channel and HT systems i have about 3x more invested in electronics than speakers. in fact, i’m using NHT super zeros with a Denon 5700 and it sounds great.

[DPSinPA]

JBL NSP-1 and 2 matching JBL N Series speakers the Sony Subwoofer - that will end up costign you around $600 but I can't see you doing much better than that unless you go with KLH or something

[stevevt]

Originally posted by audrey
[QUOTE]

many people believe (and i'm one of them) that you will get better sound by investing the greatest money upstream in the sound chain rather than in the speakers. in both my 2 channel and HT systems i have about 3x more invested in electronics than speakers. in fact, i’m using NHT super zeros with a Denon 5700 and it sounds great.


I agree with this up to a point. It's just that the line that I'd draw is a long way from using a Denon 5700 and NHT Super Zeros. To each his own, of course.

Maybe this deserves its own thread?

OK, I'll do it.

[DVDMovieMan]

DPSinPA,

Which Sony subwoofer would that be? Model SAWM40?
Also, JBL's website states that the max wattage on the NSP1 is 100-watts. Can't I blow my speakers when I pump 105-watts through them?

Thanks for your help!

[Edited by DVDMovieMan on 06-25-01 at 01:34 PM]

[jumbojp]

Here are my suggestions:

3 pairs of Paradigm Atoms(at least one shielded pair for center channel use) for approximately $150-175 a pair. Use all six and you have your rear center:)

You will need a sub I suggest the Adire Rava for $400.
http://www.adireaudio.com/rpd/rava.htm

That setup would run you about $1000 with shipping!


OR

3 pairs of NHT Super Ones(they all come shielded I believe) which can be had for about $200-250 a pair. Again add the Adire Rava to the setup for $400.

This setup will cost about $1200 shipped!


These speakers are alot different so audition them both.

The Paradigms are a little brighter than the NHT's and are more efficient, the NHT's are more focused in the midrange and produce more bass but are less efficient. If you are putting these in a bookcase or right up against the rear walls go with the NHT's as they are acoustic suspension(sealed) and the Atoms are ported out the rear.

Both of these systems offer ALOT of bang for the buck and since that is what you are looking for I think one of these would make a great choice.



P.S. Scoobydoo Where Are You? Hope you get that;)

[matchpenalty]

I have the NHT superzeros for my rears, superones for my fronts and supercenter for my center with a velodyne CT-12 sub which are driven by a Marantz SR=8000. Similar setup should work with 3801. and you can use a supercenter also for the rear center...I used superzeroes for the rear because they were smaller and I felt I was giving up very little. I wanted the better midrange on the fronts.

[Joe Schmoe]

I too just bought this receiver for under $700. Haven't received it yet, but I was hoping to use my existing speakers, which can handle 100 watts. The Denon AVR-3801 puts out 105 watts. Will the speakers blow no matter what volume the Denon receiver is played at? I don't know enough about speakers, so this is probably a stupid question. I just know that on my current receiver I turn up the volume only 1/4 of the way and it's sufficient. It's nowhere near full blast. I can't imagine I'll be listening to movies with the new Denon any louder than I do now.

[DPSinPA]

Yep that's the Sony sub - I'd also check out the Yamahas out there

As for the speaker watt rating - first you'll never turn your receiver up any where near a level that it will be producing that kinda output, but because you have so much power you'll never experience any clipping, and 105 watts of clean power is comparable to 30 watts of crappy power. its actually better to over power speakers as opposed to under power them - again this avoids clipping.

You'll be fine with the JBLS with this receiver. Sond and Vision also recently addressed this issue in a letter or something and they said that speaker power recomendations are basically meaningless and the only reason they put them on there is because it makes consumers feel better about the speakers or soemthing

e-mail me DPSinPA@hotmail.com if you'd like me to further this or help ya out in any way

[Xytraguptorh]

I was in a situation similar to yours last year. I bought the Denon AVR-3300, which is also 105 W per channel. I ended up getting a set of Paradigm "Monitor" speakers.
Moniter 7s
CC-350 Center channel
Mini Monitors for surrounds
PS-1200 sub
My receiver doesn't have the extra rear channel like yours, but it is virtually the same otherwise. Combined with the Denon receiver, the Paradigms sound fantastic with movies (they're not as enjoyable with music in my opinion.) I think maximum volume is +14. About the highest I can turn it up to is -10 without disturbing the neighbors--and I live in a house(not an apartment) roughly 50 feet from the theirs. They've actually called to ask me to turn it down when I've had the volume around -5. So that should give you an idea of the Denon's power. More importantly, sound quality is very good. No matter what volume, I never notice any distortion. I'm not sure about the cheaper Paradigm speakers, but I've heard they're good too. I spent around $2000 for my speakers & sub. You may be able to get a better deal than that; the dealer I "dealt" with really didn't give me much of a discount....

[Chili Palmer]

Check out http://www.monitoraudio.com silver series. I have the 5s, 3s, 210 sub and center 110. You can check some pics out on my site (http://markwetherell.tripod.com/sparks)

[stevevt]

Originally posted by Chili Palmer
Check out http://www.monitoraudio.com silver series. I have the 5s, 3s, 210 sub and center 110. You can check some pics out on my site (http://markwetherell.tripod.com/sparks)

Great speakers, but...

Originally posted by DVDMovieMan

I'd like to spend $500 or so...

He might be happier with more than just a center channel. -wink-

[DVDMovieMan]

Originally posted by jumbojp
P.S. Scoobydoo Where Are You? Hope you get that;)

Whoa! Deja-vu! I thought I recognized that suggestion from somewhere else.... :)

[DVDMovieMan]

Thanks for the info everyone!! I'm really getting that upgrade fever!

[MJKTool]

Ive got the Denon3801 and the Klipsch reference series....they sound amazing together.

[ngp]

I agree with the few posts above...Klipsch baby! I have a AVR-4800 with the POA-5200 amp and the Klipsch Reference series towers and surrounds, with the 12" sub are unbelievable.

The only change I made was to get a Cambridge Soundworks Centerstage speaker with matched better with than the Klipsch center channel....go figure!

The value on the Klipsch can't be beat!

[Sdallnct]

In my humble opinion nothing will effect the overall sound of your system then speakers.

I'm NOT going to get into the arguement of who makes the best speakers or the best bargain speakers. Speakers are a total personal matter. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM!

I like the sound of British speaker and British "type" speakers. KEF, B&W, Celeston, etc. While perhaps known for their high-end audio speakers they are making surround system speakers in all price ranges.

They will sound TOTALLY different then say the Klipsch that have been mentioned. Will they sound better? What is better? They will sound different and decide which you like more.