$2,000 to spend on receiver & speakers...

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#388132 5-Oct-2010 11:46

Isn't there any good Yamaha's at that price range? I have one and it sounds superb paired with Klipsch set. Granted, it cost a bit more than the OP wanted to spend (~$6k), but I'm sure you can find a good Yamaha to match the Wharfedales.

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cgrew

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#388137 5-Oct-2010 11:49

May I ask what reciever you are using? Surely the Pioneer recievers would run those speakers well? I have been researching for my first system lately too and this thread is very interesting. Pity I live in Alexandra, I have no way of testing anything without driving to Dunedin at least.

You may - I am currently using a Denon AVR-2310 to power my Diamond 9's and they sound great! Originally I was using a Yamaha RX-465 AV receiver which would probably be an equivalent model to the Pioneer one.

Still can't work out how I would mount the centre speaker though. My plasma is wall mounted and I don't want a stand for it underneath.

You could try installing a shelf in to the wall to support the centre speaker just under the TV perhaps?

Regards
Conor

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#388148 5-Oct-2010 12:15

IMHO The Pioneers are good if you are just using the receiver for watching movie's but seem to be a bit weaker in the music department. I currently have one and would go for Yamaha or Onkyo next time as they both do a better job with music.

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mentalinc

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#388151 5-Oct-2010 12:18

cgrew:

You could try installing a shelf in to the wall to support the centre speaker just under the TV perhaps?

Id suggest putting it above the tv. Heads are usually at the top of the screen so voice (centre channel main use) coming from above instead of below may work better.
Cant remember where i read that idea from through. but probably worth a trial

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cgrew

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#388164 5-Oct-2010 12:37

Sorry I was only assuming a height there, if the TV is quite low in a seated position for the user then yes, above (slightly tilted downward) would probably be better.

But depending on where you are sitting down and how high your telly is? Under the TV could perhaps be better in actual fact. If the centre speaker is to high, the sound output from the centre channel will not be accurate for the viewers position. It is best to try and have the centre channel in direct line with the centre seated position. The same applys if the centre speaker is too low to the ground as well.

Cheers

cgrew

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#388172 5-Oct-2010 12:40

I find that the Denon AV receivers are the best for 2ch stereo reproduction and 5.1ch movie mixes.

Depending on the listener, having this type of quality can be important.

k14

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#388181 5-Oct-2010 12:47

cgrew: Sorry I was only assuming a height there, if the TV is quite low in a seated position for the user then yes, above (slightly tilted downward) would probably be better.

But depending on where you are sitting down and how high your telly is? Under the TV could perhaps be better in actual fact. If the centre speaker is to high, the sound output from the centre channel will not be accurate for the viewers position. It is best to try and have the centre channel in direct line with the centre seated position. The same applys if the centre speaker is too low to the ground as well.

Cheers

TV is mounted 1.3m to centre of screen. So from the couch you are usually just slightly looking up at it. I did find a speaker that is wall mountable on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Speakers-and-stands/Other/auction-321088801.htm but have no idea on the sound quality.

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mentalinc

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#388189 5-Oct-2010 12:56

They will just have some clip on the back already for you to use.
I'd do as suggested above build a shelf etc

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cgrew

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#388190 5-Oct-2010 12:57

k14:

TV is mounted 1.3m to centre of screen. So from the couch you are usually just slightly looking up at it. I did find a speaker that is wall mountable on trademe http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Speakers-and-stands/Other/auction-321088801.htm but have no idea on the sound quality.

In this case it probably wouldn't matter having the centre speaker under or above (slightly tilted down) the TV. Either or would still produce a direct sound travelling to the listener.

The Wharfedale Diamond 9 series bookshelf and centre speakers are all wall mountable, perhaps this would be a better investment rather than buying of trademe.

But if it were me I would build a shelf for the centre speaker - good luck!

Conor

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#388516 5-Oct-2010 22:12

If you're not in a big hurry, JBHiFi have a huge yearly sale (I think it's once a year - called the friends and family evening) where amongst other impressive discounts they sell HT gear at cost + GST. worked out perfectly for me, managed to get a set of Jamo S506 speakers and a yamaha 465 for $1600 (prior to this they had marked the speakers at $1450 rrp!). The sale for this years already been (can't rememebr but def 3-5 months ago perhaps around april at the end of tax year?).

Dunnersfella

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#388539 5-Oct-2010 22:55

LookingUp: In my experience, Energy makes great speakers.

I bought a pair of ESM-3 speakers well over 20 years ago as part of my first serious steps into HiFi. They're still alive, and now actively employed as rear speakers in our home theatre set-up. I'd say they're bullet proof but I did blow a tweater about 12~15 years back, but sourced a replacement (oddly enough it's branded "Mission" but otherwise exactly the same), and haven't had a problem since.

They've had a hard life, but show no signs of age or of giving up any time soon. They even survived falling face first from their stands during the earthquake - they're not small or lightweight speakers, so would have gone with a crash.

As a quality brand, Energy are certainly worth close consideration.

Energy are owned by Klispch - but I don't know where Klipsch sit energy in their range... are they below on the 'brand ladder'?
Anyone?

Mprezd

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#388604 6-Oct-2010 08:21

I'm currently looking at the SR-608 or NR-708. I like the NR-708 for the internet/pc media stream capabilities, but not sure I really need that functionality.

Would you think that buying either of these and perhaps something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23128/ is a total waste of the amp?

It's only for my bed room. Main reason I want the amp is so I can drive the pc, xbox and tv. But if I get a new place it may end up going into the lounge.

I'm also looking for an amp that supports hdmi 1.4 as I have a Samsung 7000 series led on the wall, so it needs to support 3d.

I could possibly even go down to the SR-508. The main differences from the 608 are lack of thx certification (not really sure this is a biggie), no analog to hdmi upconversion, no 1080i/p upscaling, no pc input (not an issue)

Can anyone perhaps guide me on whether I would likely notice these difference? There is going to be at least $200+ price difference as the SR608 is $998 and the 508 is $781 slashed - ask for a deal.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but would be interested in people's thoughts

magu

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#388617 6-Oct-2010 08:43

Mprezd: I'm currently looking at the SR-608 or NR-708. I like the NR-708 for the internet/pc media stream capabilities, but not sure I really need that functionality.

Would you think that buying either of these and perhaps something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23128/ is a total waste of the amp?

It's only for my bed room. Main reason I want the amp is so I can drive the pc, xbox and tv. But if I get a new place it may end up going into the lounge.

I'm also looking for an amp that supports hdmi 1.4 as I have a Samsung 7000 series led on the wall, so it needs to support 3d.

I could possibly even go down to the SR-508. The main differences from the 608 are lack of thx certification (not really sure this is a biggie), no analog to hdmi upconversion, no 1080i/p upscaling, no pc input (not an issue)

Can anyone perhaps guide me on whether I would likely notice these difference? There is going to be at least $200+ price difference as the SR608 is $998 and the 508 is $781 slashed - ask for a deal.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but would be interested in people's thoughts

There's a lot of stuff missing between the 508 and the 608. Upscaling is a big one, at least until we get a full HD lineup on TV and there are no more DVDs out there. Analog to HDMI is also important in certain setups (a Wii, for example, doesn't have HDMI). THX cert is good, but you need the proper speakers to be able to enjoy THX mode. That KEF set is good for a bedroom, but will struggle in a lounge/TV room.

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Mprezd

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#388691 6-Oct-2010 11:20

magu:
Mprezd: I'm currently looking at the SR-608 or NR-708. I like the NR-708 for the internet/pc media stream capabilities, but not sure I really need that functionality.

Would you think that buying either of these and perhaps something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23128/ is a total waste of the amp?

It's only for my bed room. Main reason I want the amp is so I can drive the pc, xbox and tv. But if I get a new place it may end up going into the lounge.

I'm also looking for an amp that supports hdmi 1.4 as I have a Samsung 7000 series led on the wall, so it needs to support 3d.

I could possibly even go down to the SR-508. The main differences from the 608 are lack of thx certification (not really sure this is a biggie), no analog to hdmi upconversion, no 1080i/p upscaling, no pc input (not an issue)

Can anyone perhaps guide me on whether I would likely notice these difference? There is going to be at least $200+ price difference as the SR608 is $998 and the 508 is $781 slashed - ask for a deal.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but would be interested in people's thoughts

There's a lot of stuff missing between the 508 and the 608. Upscaling is a big one, at least until we get a full HD lineup on TV and there are no more DVDs out there. Analog to HDMI is also important in certain setups (a Wii, for example, doesn't have HDMI). THX cert is good, but you need the proper speakers to be able to enjoy THX mode. That KEF set is good for a bedroom, but will struggle in a lounge/TV room.

Yeah, I am thinking that for the $200 the 608 was defintiely a much better buy. The reason I had looked at the NR-708 was the ability to have 10 speakers. I almost thought about buying 1 set of the KEF's now, and then buying a 2nd set later on if it moves into the tv/lounge room. Or would they still be a bit average?

I could possibly go up to the next level KEF's http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23237/ but for the price of eventually getting 10 speakers I thought the lower end KEF's might be a better buy.

magu

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#388693 6-Oct-2010 11:25

Mprezd:
magu:
Mprezd: I'm currently looking at the SR-608 or NR-708. I like the NR-708 for the internet/pc media stream capabilities, but not sure I really need that functionality.

Would you think that buying either of these and perhaps something like this: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23128/ is a total waste of the amp?

It's only for my bed room. Main reason I want the amp is so I can drive the pc, xbox and tv. But if I get a new place it may end up going into the lounge.

I'm also looking for an amp that supports hdmi 1.4 as I have a Samsung 7000 series led on the wall, so it needs to support 3d.

I could possibly even go down to the SR-508. The main differences from the 608 are lack of thx certification (not really sure this is a biggie), no analog to hdmi upconversion, no 1080i/p upscaling, no pc input (not an issue)

Can anyone perhaps guide me on whether I would likely notice these difference? There is going to be at least $200+ price difference as the SR608 is $998 and the 508 is $781 slashed - ask for a deal.

Sorry for the thread hijack, but would be interested in people's thoughts

There's a lot of stuff missing between the 508 and the 608. Upscaling is a big one, at least until we get a full HD lineup on TV and there are no more DVDs out there. Analog to HDMI is also important in certain setups (a Wii, for example, doesn't have HDMI). THX cert is good, but you need the proper speakers to be able to enjoy THX mode. That KEF set is good for a bedroom, but will struggle in a lounge/TV room.

Yeah, I am thinking that for the $200 the 608 was defintiely a much better buy. The reason I had looked at the NR-708 was the ability to have 10 speakers. I almost thought about buying 1 set of the KEF's now, and then buying a 2nd set later on if it moves into the tv/lounge room. Or would they still be a bit average?

I could possibly go up to the next level KEF's http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/kef/5-1-channel-speaker-pack-sku-23237/ but for the price of eventually getting 10 speakers I thought the lower end KEF's might be a better buy.

10 speakers is overkill unless you have a dedicated home cinema room (the big ones). Stick with a good 5.1 set now, then add two more rears when the time is right. Even a second sub is a good idea depending on room size. But those KEF will not be enough for a medium-sized lounge.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

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