One thing to be aware of is the Marantz linked is a 2018 unit, so it is already a year old in terms of support, firmware updates etc. The SR5014 is the 2019 model, but naturally a bit pricier. Not much difference between them either, apart from HDCP 2.3 compliant HDMI ports and eARC/ALLM.
Also, I would advise against buying quantity over quality. You can add quantity to quality later, but it will cost you a whole lot more to try to add quality to quantity.
A good 2.0 or 3.0 setup doesn't need to cost a whole heap, but will sound better than a crappy 5.1 setup. Go to your nearest Harvey Norman and have a listen to the polk signature lineup. A pair of S15s + a S30 center would be an awesome starter setup for not lots if you like the polk sound.
Honestly I only run 3.1 most of the time as my surrounds can't stay in the lounge full time and only get setup for movies, but most of the time I don't really notice it.
After humming and ha-ing for a couple days I bit the bullet and ordered the Yamaha 685. Probably won’t t be here till next week but it gives me time to have a wander round the shops and see what speakers etc are around. Thanks all for the advice, certainly helped. As for initial speakers the local music store here has a set of cheap Yamaha surrounds and a sub for under $500 which I’m intending to look into while I investigate proper speakers. Cheers
Loismustdye: As for initial speakers the local music store here has a set of cheap Yamaha surrounds and a sub for under $500 which I’m intending to look into while I investigate proper speakers. Cheers
You could put that money towards quality three front speakers (centre, left, right) and add rest later on.
When I built up my 5.1, I started initially with left and right ...
then some months later added the centre
... then the sub
... finally the surrounds.
I'm picking three quality front speakers will be more pleasurable than a cheap full set.
Loismustdye: As for initial speakers the local music store here has a set of cheap Yamaha surrounds and a sub for under $500 which I’m intending to look into while I investigate proper speakers. Cheers
You could put that money towards quality three front speakers (centre, left, right) and add rest later on.
When I built up my 5.1, I started initially with left and right ...
then some months later added the centre
... then the sub
... finally the surrounds.
I'm picking three quality front speakers will be more pleasurable than a cheap full set.
(my two cents worth)
Starting to head that way after viewing online as well, notched I could get some b&w series 600 bookshelves for under $900 currently at Harvey Norman (their floor stances are still over $2k) which might be ok if they have them on display here in town to listen too. I fear I may have started down a long expensive path of speaker shopping now :-)
I started with B&W series 600 (601) bookshelves.....awesome..
Then upped them to the series 2 602s and out the 601s as surrounds and have had them with for nearly 20 yrs...using the cc6 centre and 600 sub..... still sound awesome for movies and music !
Yep, you’ll see the consensus here is quality over quantity. Personally, I’d go for the three fronts at the same time, simply because I hate phantom centres (rarely have a heard a system without a centre speaker where dialogue didn’t sound skewed from any seat but dead in front), but if this doesn’t worry you you could start with just the L and R. As to whether you then add a sub before rears is probably a matter of taste, but my own take is adding a decent sub will make more of a difference.
But I’d totally agree with not wasting money on temporary speakers, as that’s simply money that could have gone into improving the speakers you ultimately end up with, or putting it towards a sub or whatever...
The advantage of taking it step by step is the cost can be spread over a period of years; plus buying quality means you’ll ideally be happy with them for a good long period. For example, I still have the same fronts I’ve owned for around 20 years.
sm1ff: I just got myself the yamaha rxv 685 myself yesterday! So far I love it. Just need to move a couple of my rear speakers to put on the ceiling for dolby atmos and dts x!
@sm1ff if you don’t mind me asking what speakers are you using with it? Might save me having to chase down speakers to hear if there is some that already work well.
Another vote for the B&W 600 series coupled with a Yamaha Rx. The bookshelves plus a centre will work well for you as an initial system. Suggest you then add a sub and finally the floorstanders as fronts and move the booksehelves to the rear.
sm1ff: I just got myself the yamaha rxv 685 myself yesterday! So far I love it. Just need to move a couple of my rear speakers to put on the ceiling for dolby atmos and dts x!
@sm1ff if you don’t mind me asking what speakers are you using with it? Might save me having to chase down speakers to hear if there is some that already work well.
I think it is less important in HT to match a receiver and speakers than finding the sound you like. If you haven't already, go and listen to as many different brands/ranges of speakers as possible to figure out each brands house sound and what you like.
Obviously that is not always practical, but once you have listened to a few different speakers you can get a feel for what sort of sound you are after and narrow your speaker choices down based on how other people describe the sound.
Although I feel like I am missing something having never listened to B & W speakers, as I must admit, going by the specs of those 600s, I can't see what the fuss is about.
I'm using polk audio rtia1 bookshelf for front and rear, bose acoustimass series III cubes for center and soon to be ceiling mounted. And Polk psw110 subwoofer.
Be careful with some of the B&W 600 series, very thirsty when asked to push bass into a room without a subwoofer present.
This would typically be an issue in a large room at high volume... or if the room is full of lots of people (who are very good at soaking up noise and requiring more volume from a surround system).
What part of the country are you in? That will allow us to help you figure out where to visit to listen to speakers.
Be careful with some of the B&W 600 series, very thirsty when asked to push bass into a room without a subwoofer present.
This would typically be an issue in a large room at high volume... or if the room is full of lots of people (who are very good at soaking up noise and requiring more volume from a surround system).
What part of the country are you in? That will allow us to help you figure out where to visit to listen to speakers.
I’m in palmy, as far as I’m aware the only real options are manawatu soundhub, Harvey’s and jb hifi. Unless of course I travel out of town. Had a quick nosed at HN this afternoon and the bulk of their floor stock was big floorstanders hitting the $15 hundy mark.
The main use of the system is home theatre for movies and sport. Cheers
Soundhub has a demo room - nail down a few options and see what you like the sound of.
It would easily be the best place for you to figure out what you like.
The interwebs are a good place to go for vague concepts, but you're buying something you like the sound of, not something that is popular on this forum.
Go in with some content you know (Blu-ray/CD/Spotify/USB whatever) and make some time to listen to some speakers - happiness will ensue and you will buy content, knowing you've made the right choice for your ears.
Soundhub is good, I would recommend Brendan and the team. I just bought my SVS sub from them about a month ago and have spent a bit of time in there listening to gear. They can be a little bit pricier than others, but they are happy to spend a bit of time with you demoing the gear. And don't be afraid to ask for a deal or go back to them to see if they can work with the price.
Last time I was there, they had Klipsch, SVS, KEF, Focal, ELAC, and Yamaha available to demo in the showroom. You can check online to see the range they can source as well, but they may not have everything in their showroom. Definitely a good place to start, but maybe be up front about your budget.
JBHiFi is dead for speakers these days, but HN has a few good brands to try: Klipsch's Reference Premier range, Polk's Signature range, Dali. I prefer the staff at the George Street branch to be honest. If he is still there, Beau is a good knowledgeable sort.
I don't have the fanciest HT setup, but I am happy to demo my speakers as an additional data point. Shoot me a PM if you want to come listen one afternoon.
ShinyChrome: Soundhub is good, I would recommend Brendan and the team. I just bought my SVS sub from them about a month ago and have spent a bit of time in there listening to gear. They can be a little bit pricier than others, but they are happy to spend a bit of time with you demoing the gear. And don't be afraid to ask for a deal or go back to them to see if they can work with the price.
Last time I was there, they had Klipsch, SVS, KEF, Focal, ELAC, and Yamaha available to demo in the showroom. You can check online to see the range they can source as well, but they may not have everything in their showroom. Definitely a good place to start, but maybe be up front about your budget.
JBHiFi is dead for speakers these days, but HN has a few good brands to try: Klipsch's Reference Premier range, Polk's Signature range, Dali. I prefer the staff at the George Street branch to be honest. If he is still there, Beau is a good knowledgeable sort.
I don't have the fanciest HT setup, but I am happy to demo my speakers as an additional data point. Shoot me a PM if you want to come listen one afternoon.
Thanks mate, appreciate it. May take you up on that offer. In the meantime hope to head in to the stores over the weekend to have a look/listen.
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