Home theatre speakers on a budget

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donthaveacow

54 posts

Master Geek

#100414 11-Apr-2012 12:02

Hey guys,

I need a bit of help deciding which speakers to buy to go with my Onkyo TX-SR309 receiver for a home theatre. I want to spend about $900 max and ideally I want 5.1 speakers but 2.1 or 3.1 will be okay if I need to.

I went in to a store and had a listen to some Wharfedale Diamond 10.4 and Mission M64I fronts. Both sounded great to me, the Missions slightly better in my opinion, but they are right at the edge of my budget and I would have to stick to 2.0 if I chose either of them.

So I've been having a look around on Trademe and need some advice on what is good and what is not.

How does this 5.0 Mission set look? The fronts look the same as the ones I had a listen to but they are a different model. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=463981900

I've never heard of this brand here, are they any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=465070641 How about these? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=465351497

I'm guessing the Samsungs, Sonys etc should be avoided? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=464971335

These ones here look great to me, but I have never heard of the brand. Are they any good? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=465048530

I know these Wharfedales here aren't as good as the Diamond 10s that I had a listen to but are they still okay for a hifi starter? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=465079304

How about the Speakers and Sub from this auction if they will sell them separately? http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=465102520

As for subs, will either of these be good? I know the Wharfedale is about to close but hopefully it is relisted!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=463755160
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=464751213

Sorry for the link spamming but I really need some help here!

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4086 posts

Uber Geek

#608001 11-Apr-2012 19:45

Your Onkyo 309 will struggle to run Wharfedale Diamond 10.4's... sure they'll play, but once you crank them, they won't respond and may even clip.
I'm not sure about the Missions impedance wise, but I never liked the sound as a stereo pair. That, however, is a personal thing.
Wharfedale Vardus / Valdus / Crystal will certainly suit your budget (you can get a brand new 5.1 set for that) - but they do sound poor.

Sorry if there's no real answers here, but if you could up your budget I think you'd benefit significantly.

donthaveacow

54 posts

Master Geek

#608067 11-Apr-2012 22:40

Do you think the 309 could handle these Kefs? http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/floor-speakers/auction-465832886.htm

I wasn't able to find a 5.1 set of crystals or vardus's for around $900, have you got a link where I could find one?

donthaveacow

54 posts

Master Geek

#608086 12-Apr-2012 00:20

Or these KEF IQ7s? http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/floor-speakers/auction-464101498.htm

trig42

5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#608131 12-Apr-2012 09:43

Just FYI.

JB Hi-Fi have 10% off their prices on all Hi-Fi speakers this weekend.
May not be exactly what you are after, but if you are after brand new with warranty, they will be well priced.

ilovemusic

1439 posts

Uber Geek

#608282 12-Apr-2012 14:49

With a $900 budget forget 5.1 and get the best pair of front speakers you can afford.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#608444 12-Apr-2012 20:11

donthaveacow: Do you think the 309 could handle these Kefs? http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/floor-speakers/auction-465832886.htm

I wasn't able to find a 5.1 set of crystals or vardus's for around $900, have you got a link where I could find one?

They're the best speakers you've linked to so far...
Ex-importer, just missing spikes etc could work in your favour.
Have a listen to them and see what you think - but really, your amp is entry level and is basically designed to run with satellite speakers. It could see you through initially, but don't go turning it up.

I've seen Vardus in retail stores for the $900 or there-abouts quite a few times. Try a Hardley Normal store or Noel Leeming for some Crystals (they sit under the Vardus range so should be cheaper).

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#608447 12-Apr-2012 20:19

Out of stock currently, but I would recommend these over the IQ7s

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23237/

Probably the best 5.1 speaker set you could get under 1k, in terms of sound quality

Definitely better than any of the "muddy" wharfedale/pioneer/sony systems

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#608535 12-Apr-2012 22:18

The link is dead - what are the speakers?

djtOtago

1149 posts

Uber Geek

#608551 12-Apr-2012 22:36

Dunnersfella: The link is dead - what are the speakers?

vinnieg got a few space characters on the end of the link
try
http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23237/

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#608565 12-Apr-2012 23:11

personally i would stay away from sub sat systems as they tend to have muddy bass, exaggerated treble and no mid range...

you would do better to get a good pair of fronts first (hopefully floor standers), add a center if you can and then perhaps a set of bookshelfs for the rear

eg. 2nd hand kef set up

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/floor-speakers/auction-465351980.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/home-theatre-sets/auction-464922100.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/speakers-and-stands/other/auction-465843559.htm

i reckon you can also mix and match brands with good results - purists would say you can't, but meh - for $900...

as for someone giving wharfedales grief - agree when it comes to lower end models - crystal, vardus etc - the diamonds and higher are however pretty good bang for buck imho

i have - fronts evo 2 40's / rears diamond 8.4 / sub sw250 / centre is an energy c100 - and they all sound pretty damn good together...

anyway

last words - listen to them using music and movies you know and like, find the best sound you can for your budget and if they sound good to you - push buy

good luck with your decision :)

ps: or these http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/home-theatre/auction-464544828.htm

+ some good fronts

so many options : )

donthaveacow

54 posts

Master Geek

#608583 13-Apr-2012 00:40

Thanks for all the help so far guys

I have been recommended these as well, how do you think they would fare compared to the trademe ones? I really would prefer to buy from a store if possible, and plan on going in for a listen tomorrow
http://www.avworld.co.nz/modified-for-deeper-bass/

donthaveacow

54 posts

Master Geek

#608585 13-Apr-2012 00:45

For someone who has very little experience with hifi equipment do you think I would actually notice the difference between this 5.1 set of Wharfedale Vardus compared to something higher end like Diamonds or the Kefs? Probably a very tricky question to answer
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/wharfedale-5-1-speaker-package.html

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#608602 13-Apr-2012 08:17

If you can find them, have a look for Panasonic SB-PF800s. I have these running off an Onkyo TX-SR608 and to me they have brilliant sound. I only have the front floor standers, but there is a complete surround set. I'm using Onkyos for centre and rear, but want to upgrade oneday. I picked up the Pannys from Harvey Norman for just over $400. Down from $1100ish

LookingUp

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#608604 13-Apr-2012 08:31

ilovemusic: With a $900 budget forget 5.1 and get the best pair of front speakers you can afford.

+1 - you can add other speakers over time, and won't regret the investment.

Ideally you'll also listen to the speakers before you buy them. That might be difficult if you're buying from a budget outfit or TradeMe, but paying a little extra and buying from a serious HiFi shop is worth the investment, as they'll work with you to get the best sound.

Would you buy a pair of glasses without first trying them on? Same goes for your ears!

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#608622 13-Apr-2012 09:12

donthaveacow: For someone who has very little experience with hifi equipment do you think I would actually notice the difference between this 5.1 set of Wharfedale Vardus compared to something higher end like Diamonds or the Kefs? Probably a very tricky question to answer
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/wharfedale-5-1-speaker-package.html

You'd only really notice if you bought those, then upgraded, or heard the higher end speakers in a similar environment. I'm sure the vardus series would be fine for your needs. Just after hearing them compared to B&Ws, KEFs, and Mission, they seem to muddy/too much bass, not enough treble, even with tuning

If you just wanted to plug and pray, then use the Onkyo microphone to set up the distances, the Wharfedales will be fine for your first setup

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

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