Speaker/receiver Recommendations
 

Hi, I am looking for advice and recommendations for selecting a receiver and speakers for a new home theater.

My room size is 20ftL X 13ftW X 10ftH

I wired it for a 7.1 system( 3 front, 2 back ceiling, 2 side ceiling )

I have read that the Yamaha HTR-5890 and the Denon AVR-3805 are good receivers, what speakers would you recommend for these. Are there other receiver & speaker combinations ?

We are not audiophiles, just looking for great performance and sound quality.

Thanks,

I like Klipsch Ref or higher for TV/HT use. Not so great for straight-up music use. If it weren't for my preference for the horn sound for TV, I probably would've ended up with Paradigm or Onix Rockets.

Don't know what your budget is but here it goes...

You're right on about the Denon but save some $$$ and get the 2805. It's still solid and about $300 less than the 3805. If your room was like 20'x24' yea. Add the Marantz SR7400 if you're in that $$$ range. Another choice is the Harman/Kardon line of rec'rs.

If you go with Denon and drop down one or two models pick up the Denon DVD-2900 DVD/SACD player as well. A good solid budget player is the Pioneer 563A which you can't go wrong with.

On speakers I'll first back up Spiky on the Paradigm line. Excellent sound for the price. I'm a big fan of anything made by Boston Accoustics. Energy Speakers are very good, small and at a good price. And of course the Klipsch speakers are good all-around. Something like the Cinema 10.

Allot hinges on your budget. I'd rather sink most of the $$$ in the speaker system than rec'r It should account for 60% of the budget alone. Good luck and keep us posted.


Kenny J.

Pioneer 1014

by the way - what's your budget?

Thanks for the advice, my budget is $2,500 for the receiver and speakers.

Just for clarification - do you want in-ceiling speakers for your rear and side surrounds?

Yes, the surrounds will be in the ceiling.

The two sides needs to be in the ciling, the rears could be on the wall. I thought it would be best to have all four surround speakers matching.

Thank you.

You might get more bang for your buck by just going w/ a 5.1 system - you could avoid using in-ceiling speakers all together and you wouldn't have to skimp on your sub or your center channel. You said you already wired the room - those runs will always be there for future use if need be.

For example (in addition to the Pioneer 1014 already mentioned):

NHT SB3 bookshelf speakers for use as your left and right fronts ($300 ea.)

NHT SB1 bookshelf speakers for use as your left and right rear surrounds ($150 ea.)

NHT SC2 for use as your center channel ($400)

That would bring you to about $1650 (plus shipping/tax) and leave you w/ a sizeable chunk to purchase a great sub from someone like SVS, Hsu or Outlaw.



**I chose NHT (as an example), because you should be able to find a dealer in your area that carries those specific products. And they make in-ceiling speakers if you really want to go that route. There are also internet-direct speaker manufacturers (like the subwoofer-makers mentioned above) that make awesome speakers - AV123, Axiom, etc...

I could spend your money all day, but ultimately you have to decide what is best for you and your situation.

How does the quality or performance Pioneer 1014 compare with the Yamaha 5890 ?

A 1014 is essentially a Pioneer Elite 52tx w/out a couple of the features.

You can find plenty of info on AVS about the Pioneers and the Yammies:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...by=&sortorder=

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...by=&sortorder=

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...by=&sortorder=

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...by=&sortorder=

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/searc...by=&sortorder=

I'll throw in my .02 since there is already good advice in the thread. These are good receivers but I always advise my friends to choose speakers FIRST by listening to several different types with music they are familiar with.

Then, buy something to power them.

Good luck!

I was reading up on speakers, Polk( RTi10, CSi5 ) , Yamaha ( NS-225F, NS-C225 ), Yamaha (NS-777, NS-C444 )

Have you received any feedback on these, or how these would fit the receivers ?

Outlaw Audio 1070 receiver whenever it comes out www.outlawaudio.com
www.vmpsaudio.com or www.norh.com are options for speakers

I know people who are happy w/ their older Polk speakers, I just don't know anyone who has those speakers. And I have never read anything about them.

I don't know anybody w/ the Yammie speakers and I honestly don't think I have seen the name pop up when I'm browsing the forums reading about speakers.

There are a couple of specials that AV123 is running for the month that you may be interested in:

http://forum.av123.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=873

My theater room is very similar to yours (except for the height--mine is 8ft).
Last fall I bought all new equipment, including a Denon 3805. The speakers I decided on were all Paradigm (Studio 60's, CC470, ADP470's in the rear and a 1000 sub I already had) I love the whole set up, there area better speakers for music, but I watch mostly movies. I don't know where you live, but Paradigms' (so I hear from others) are the same price in Canada as they are in the U.S., but in Canadian dollars--a signifigant savings. The store where I bought my set up told me they regularly ship Paradigms' to the U.S.

Paradigm is a Canadian company, hence the cheaper prices.

I have been reading about "bright" receivers and speakers, the advice is not to match a bright to a bright.

Is paradigm a "bright" speaker ? Is there a way to tell this from the specification ?

I also read that the Yami & Pioneer receivers were bright also, as well as the Polk speakers, hence do not match these.

Is there a guide to matching all receivers and speakers according to a brightness index ?

Frankly, no. There is no such thing as a brightness index. How a speaker sounds is subjective to a great many people. This is why it is crucial to actually listen to the speakers you want to purchase.

I listened to a Paradigm and Denon combination and thought it was absolutely awesome. The final price was about $2500 but then my wife decided to return to school and finish her degree.....hence I have a Onkyo HTIB. She promised after she graduates that I can upgrade ALL my equipment.

However, back on topic. I have also heard that the Yamaha was bright but when I listened to it, I didn't hear anything bright about it. After the Denon, the Yamaha was my second choice. Unless you are a MAJOR audio guru I don't think you would find a better sounding combination that a Denon (2805 or 3805) and a good matching set of Paradigm speakers. I would also recommend looking at a SVS sub. I was torn between the Paradigm which I was able to listen to and a SVS which I didn't listen to but heard LOTS of good reviews and comments.

Good luck!!

One thing to keep in mind regarding your budget is to factor in some speaker stands (if necessary), a good surge protector (highly recommended), and speaker wire.

Here's a thought-

Pioneer-
1015tx (receiver) $499

Paradigm-
Monitor 5's (L&R) $579/pr
CC-370 (Center) $379
CS-50R (Surrounds) $378 (for 2 pair)

SVS-
25-31PCi (sub) $549

Total $2384

That's not a whole lot left over for etc., but if you can haggle, you should be able to get 10-15% off the Paradigm stuff. That's an extra $150-200.

Definately go and listen and decide for yourself, but IMO, this system would rock.

J

I go this rout (in order)

Receiver

H/K
Denon
Onkyo

Speakers

KEF or B&W (Tie)
Celestion
NHT