Help needed deciding on my first Receiver/speakers

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Hi, I need help deciding on a Audio Receiver/speakers for a reletively small room (20ft * 40ft * 8).

At present I will only use 5.1 but would like the option to upgrade to 6 or 7.1 in the future.

There are some boxing day specials on receivers/speakers so was originally looking at the Yamaha HTR5890S ($699CDN) paired with maybe a polk 6900 speaker system($999).

I was also looking at Harman Kardon AVR240 or the av435 (799CDN and 999 respectively).

How do yamaha compare with HK ? any others I should look into ? Onkyo ?


Thanks.
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Listen to speakers and decide on them first, then look for the best receiver to power them.
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My advice, make a budget then spend within it getting the best you can afford. Listen before you buy (or at least get lots of opinions from those who own) and don't buy Bose.

I built a nice outfit from an HK receiver and RBH speakers.
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800 square feet is relatively small?

If that is the case, I suggest you just buy a bigger mansion. You can't do anything with 800 square feet, unless you want another closet.
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I'm a H/K whore, but don't forget Onkyo or Denon for receivers.

Depending on budget my fav's in no particular order, KEF, Celestion, B&W, NHT, Boston Acoustic, Snell, Maggies...
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Check out Paradigm speakers - they're made in Canada (not sure how much difference that makes in price). I have mine running on a Yamaha, but I considered Denon and Onkyo when I was shopping. I went with Yamaha because I could get a much better price at the time (that was like 4 years ago, and Sears would price match online prices).
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Quote: 800 square feet is relatively small?

If that is the case, I suggest you just buy a bigger mansion. You can't do anything with 800 square feet, unless you want another closet.
No doubt! A better way of looking at it is room volume, not just area. That would be 6400 cf. That's larger than your average $100,000 home theater, which tend toward 4000-5000cf. Those ~$1500 systems mentioned might have a hard time filling that room. Unless you are planning on cutting it off a bit and only using one end for the HT.

For sheer volume (meaning room space), one of the more important things to get is a decent sub. Having a kickass sub can reduce your need for more powerful other speakers. A little.

I'd probably throw the internet companies on the list. Onix Rocket, Axiom, SVS for speakers. Outlaw Audio for cheap, solid power.
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ok, the receiver i was going to get (Avr435) is no longer sold, so im now deciding between the Yahama HTR5890S and the HK Avr240. The 240 is $100 more as the Yamaha is on sale. The specs suggest the Yamaha is the better receiver, but ive learnt over the years not to trust the specs.

Any opinions ?


Thanks. I hope to purchase in next few days.
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Check out Ascendacoustics.com. Most people love their speakers. They also sell HK stuff with their own gear.
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Quote: ok, the receiver i was going to get (Avr435) is no longer sold, so im now deciding between the Yahama HTR5890S and the HK Avr240. The 240 is $100 more as the Yamaha is on sale. The specs suggest the Yamaha is the better receiver, but ive learnt over the years not to trust the specs.

Any opinions ?


Thanks. I hope to purchase in next few days.
Just my .02 but you should choose speakers first. Those receivers will not fill that room. You will destroy speakers trying.
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I think I may have got the measurements wrong (I generally use metric ). I think the room is about 12*20 but the tv area will really be in a 12 * 12 area. Its a small room lol.

I think ill get the polk 6900's. I liked the sounds of the 6800 I heard a few months ago so am hoping the 6900 will be just as good (or better). Now just need to decide on the receiver
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Quote: I think I may have got the measurements wrong (I generally use metric ). I think the room is about 12*20 but the tv area will really be in a 12 * 12 area. Its a small room lol.

I think ill get the polk 6900's. I liked the sounds of the 6800 I heard a few months ago so am hoping the 6900 will be just as good (or better). Now just need to decide on the receiver
Ok that sounds better
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