Home theatre speakers on a budget

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#608655 13-Apr-2012 10:19

I have the Wharfdale Vardus 5.1 speakers, along with my Onkyo 605 (or something like that) they're a big step up from any of the cheap $500 systems (including speakers) I've had before. They're also a big step up from the $500 computer speakers I had, which weren't awful.

Sure, there are probably much better speakers around, but if you don't try to compare them with more expensive speakers you'll probably be happy with the Vardus. You can always upgrade the front speakers later if you want to as well.

evolution17

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#608667 13-Apr-2012 10:51

hello,

what options are there for $1,000 with rear (5.1 speaker set or normal speakers with front and rear maybe?) wireless speakers, as we're renting at the moment and don't want to do wires through walls.

or are wireless speakers for the rear of your living room a no go?

thanks :>

timmmay

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#608671 13-Apr-2012 10:59

I just run cables behind furniture. I own the house I just can't be bothered with the hassle of putting them into walls.

donthaveacow

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#608817 13-Apr-2012 15:56

I had a listen to some Mordaunt Short Carnival 8s that AV World had modified and they sounded great! Would my little Onkyo 309 be able to power them though?

There is also a stores demo Wharfedale 5.1 Vardus set on sale atm, I think I will probably end up going with these as the modded Carnivals are wooden and will look very out of place.

driller2000

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#609041 13-Apr-2012 22:01

donthaveacow: I had a listen to some Mordaunt Short Carnival 8s that AV World had modified and they sounded great! Would my little Onkyo 309 be able to power them though?

There is also a stores demo Wharfedale 5.1 Vardus set on sale atm, I think I will probably end up going with these as the modded Carnivals are wooden and will look very out of place.

that's a lot of speakers for $999 :)

listen to them - if you like them, i reckon you should push buy

donthaveacow

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#609100 14-Apr-2012 00:21

Sooooo I changed my mind about the Vardus set xD

I decided that I would rather buy a better 2.0 set. Plus it will save me running cables under the floor :p

I didn't manage to convince the olds to go for the modded Carnivals, they're pretty set on black speakers which is fair enough I suppose.

So going to get either: Mission M64is ($900), Wharfedale Diamond 10.4s ($850), Kef Q500 ($900), Carnival 6s ($700) or Carnival 8s ($900) based off of a last listen to each set.

Any last advice before I buy?

driller2000

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#609139 14-Apr-2012 04:27

lol despite my very last post above re the 5.1 set - i think you are making the right call - get a good set of floor standers first and build from there - adding components as budget allows

enjoy

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donthaveacow

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#609303 14-Apr-2012 15:50

DECIDED!! Yay :D

Q Acoustic 2050i Floorstanders and 2000Ci Centre. Very happy!!

evolution17

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#610535 17-Apr-2012 14:35

donthaveacow pics of setup? :D

hi guys, if I have $1000 to spend, do I get floor speakers and an amp to run them?
for example kef speakers Amp requirements: 15-130W

do I need to buy an amp that can do 260watts, 130watts per speaker right, do you always overpower home speakers or underpower? so go for a 300watt amp, do 150watts on each?

any amp suggestions? something that does 130watts per speaker is generally how much?

thanks

timmmay

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#610540 17-Apr-2012 14:38

You can't get a good receiver and four speakers for $1000. You probably want 5.1 speakers, which includes sub and centre. Onkyo amps are good value, and you can buy cheap speakers. My Wharfdale Vardus are about $1000 for a 5.1 system, they perform decently and a lot better than integrated units but not as good as high end speakers.

With $1000 just buy a Sony/Panasonic/etc home entertainment unit.

evolution17

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#610546 17-Apr-2012 14:46

damn, really? don't want surround sound in a rental property, with wires everywhere. and don't want to put them through the walls.

or if you buy a home theatre for $1000 can you just place them infront, or is it strange for someone to do that?

thanks for your help :>

timmmay

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#610556 17-Apr-2012 14:54

I have wires running along walls and behind furniture in my place. Drilling holes just isn't worth the hassle. I may run them under carpet when I redo the carpet.

My receiver was $600 and speaker $1200, speakers less 20%, and they're entry level for decent systems. Maybe you'd be better off with a wireless system? Again, they're not top level sound quality, and they'll need power, but may be easier for you.

evolution17

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#610561 17-Apr-2012 14:59

hmm entry level at that price is yeah, a bit over budget.

what about these? or will it be worse than a $1000 theatre setup?

$500

http://www.avalon.co.nz/floorstanders/103-kef-c7-floorstanders-black.html

$500

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/amplifiers-tuners/auction-467411506.htm

timmmay

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#610564 17-Apr-2012 15:00

I don't know anything about the speakers, but Onkyo is a decent brand. From memory their latest range has gotten over the massive heat that the earlier ones put out - I think the 509/609 are good, the 508/608 type ones I have needed a 140mm cooling fan in my home theatre unit.

Speakers can be upgraded easily later.

Dunnersfella

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#610610 17-Apr-2012 15:44

To understand amplifier power specs, first you need to understand that wattage is not really the 'one true way' to measure power...
But, as it's the easiest to work with in this situation - you also need to know that every company can measure wattage in at least 4 different ways.
In the sub-$1000 category, most amplifier manufacturers will spec their receivers differently. Meaning you need to find a common measurement between ALL companies, but keep in mind, it's not just about power.

And what do I mean by that?
Well, anyone can hit a high power rating in testing, but it will come at the expense of distortion!
Who'd want an amp that rates high on the spec sheets, but sounds rubbish?
The measurements to look for are typically listed as such...

110W x 5 @ 6 ohms, 1kHz 0.7% THD

110 W x 5 @ 6 ohms = 110 watts per channel in a 5 channel receiver. 6 ohms is the level of impedance - don't worry about impedance too much, just make sure it's an equal number when comparing amps.
1kHz is the frequency at which the measurement is taken (you'll see it's often taken at 20Hz to 20kHz for higher end amps)
0.7% THD is the level of distortion - the lower the number, the better!
Also - make sure it's measured across 2 channels, not one. Oh yeah, if a manufacturer 'accidentally' forgets to state how many channels it's measured across, you can only assume they have simply measured across 1 channel in order to get a lower THD figure...

Some systems (Sony Muteki springs to mind) list AMAZING power specs, but the THD is around 10 percent! And do you really want a system that distorts this much?

Here's some amps you may end up look at for the $400 to $600 end.
Denon AVR1312 : 110W x 5 @ 6 ohms, 1kHz 0.7% THD
Yamaha RXV371 : 100W x 5 @ 6 ohms, 1kHz 0.9% THD
Pioneer VSX521 : 125W x 5 @ 6 ohms, 1kHz 1.00% THD
Onkyo TX-NR509 : 130W x 5 @ 6 ohms, 1 kHz 1.00 THD (1 channel driven)

So... looking at this, you'll see that the Denon has the most power with the least distortion. Onkyo, well they have the most power - but have the equal highest distortion (bad thing) and only measure across one channel... not two. Cunning.

The next thing you need to know regards power supply units.
If the amp is fully discrete, it will send equal power to all channels when required, if it is not fully discrete, it will not, meaning some speakers won't get full power at the expense of others. In regard to 'what is what', you'll need to get each unit clarified by a shop person I guess.

Most people buying amps won't notice / know to look for these stats - so they get sucked in by the high power stat that dodgy retailers put on their tickets. Go in with your eyes wide open and you will get the best sounding amp for your $'s.

Personally, I'd buy a receiver and 2 x bookshelf speakers (often called stand-mounts).
You can get some very nice sounding bookshelf speakers for $500, the amp will drive them easily and then, later on, you can buy a subwoofer. Then, if you feel like it, buy a centre speaker, followed by floor standing front speakers - and then move the bookshelf speakers to the back.

Phew...

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