5.1 speaker package

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FKM

50 posts

Geek

#90867 1-Oct-2011 12:50

After long consideration and helpful suggestion from the fellow geekzone members, I think I will get either the Yamaha rx-v 671 or Denon AVR-1912 receiver. What 5.1 speaker pack should I go with them?

I went to harvey norman today, and listen to 3 speakers set

the Yamaha NS7900 is on clearance so it is the cheapest
the Whardale Obsidian is slightly better than the yamaha NS7900 but the difference is quite marginal.
The one that I clearly hear the difference, even though I am no audiophile, is the Klipsch SNF20, though that is an extra $1000 more than the Whardale which I cannot afford.

I am not planning to crank up the volume really loud/ having really strong bass as I don't really party and stuff. My main use for the home theater is movie and classical music.

Any other speaker pack I should be considering? Do I really need floor speakers or should I try with the compact speakers which is significantly cheaper? (Boston Acoustics XS 5.1 is only $500, the A2310 is $700. They both receive good reviews as compact speakers. How would they go against the yamaha nx7900?)

redjet

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#528017 1-Oct-2011 14:42

I've had these paired with a Yamaha amp for about two years now and I can't fault them as they are great for listing to movies and music.

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

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FKM

50 posts

Geek

#528060 1-Oct-2011 18:21

So a even fancier compact speakers set?

There is a energy act6 5.1 speakers set in my local music store selling at half price and energy is a really good brand, though it is kinda ugly, unlike the Kef which looks really cool. How would that compare against the Kef, boston acoustics and the yamaha NS7900 in terms of sound?

Let me ask a newbie question:

Paying the same price, what would I be expecting from a floor/ bookshelf speakers set and compact speakers set? I know floor/ bookshelf can be way more expensive and $1000-$2000 is entry level while paying $1000 for a compact speakers should give me pretty good stuff.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#528074 1-Oct-2011 19:49

Okay - first up, compact satellite speakers like you've linked to will NEVER, ever, in a month of Sunday's move you to the extend that decent floor standers will. They simply can't deliver the warmth, or enriched sense of emotion that a good set of speakers can.
If you can't afford a full Klipsch pack / Whardale Diamond etc...
Then grab the front stereo pair + a centre speaker.
Maybe a sub...
It will fit your budget, and will allow you to build your system over time.
Listening to classical music through the likes of the KEF's will leave you cold when compared to listening to a pair of floor standers, no matter how well the KEF's do within their category.

Just my opinion... but I simply couldn't recommend satellite speakers for a lover of classical music.

FKM

50 posts

Geek

#528079 1-Oct-2011 21:09

Thank you Dunnersfella, you give me another option to consider: Instead of buying compact or entry level set, I should get spend all my budget on the front and center?

So for immediate enjoyment purposes (forget about the future, maybe I will win lotto and change everything to top of the line or get a wife who force me to throw away all the speakers next year, who knows

), will a mediore 5.1 set like the yamaha or wharfedale I mention better or worse than a front and center speaker on the same budget?

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#528080 1-Oct-2011 21:27

Sorry if this is just a bit of a nostalgic diversion from me, but...

Don't ignore KEF in your considerations. The company has changed a bit from its origins, now being part of a Hong Kong (?) conglomerate, but they have a great tradition of innovation and attention to detail in both performance and manufacture. I still love my 105.2s that I've had - oh - can it be that long??? about 30 years.

When I eventually figure out a way to fit more speakers in my room and find some money for a receiver, I'll be looking at current KEF offerings for the extra channels for sure.

(The 105.2s are now driven by an equally vintage Perreaux 2150B - that's a 200W/channel combination, and with decent response down to 20Hz, no need for any of these new fangled sub-woofers.)

timmmay

20574 posts

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#528138 2-Oct-2011 00:55

Wharfdale Vardus $1200, 20% less on sale. I like mine, parired with an Onkyo amp. I like good sound but i'm not an audiophile as such, though I do have headphones cost more than those speakers.

Ragnor

8218 posts

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#528143 2-Oct-2011 01:10

timmmay: Wharfdale Vardus $1200, 20% less on sale. I like mine, parired with an Onkyo amp. I like good sound but i'm not an audiophile as such, though I do have headphones cost more than those speakers.

$999
http://www.harveynorman.co.nz/wharfedale-5-1-speaker-package.html

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vinnieg

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#528164 2-Oct-2011 09:26

xarqi:
Don't ignore KEF in your considerations. The company has changed a bit from its origins, now being part of a Hong Kong (?) conglomerate, but they have a great tradition of innovation and attention to detail in both performance and manufacture. I still love my 105.2s that I've had - oh - can it be that long??? about 30 years.

I agree, KEFs are still great!

Wharfedales on the other hand, I'd completely avoid now. They sound so muddy and distorted

KEF or B&W would be excellent choices, if you can stretch your budget slightly

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

Camden

115 posts

Master Geek

#528205 2-Oct-2011 11:17

We built a games room for two teenagers and installed a flat screen tv and sound system so that they could play playstation/xbox games,watch tv/dvd,s and br disc,and play music etc.

We went around the mass market shops like NL, B&B, NL etc as apposed to the true hifi dealers and after listening to several speaker setups and comparing prices we chose the following.

Mission home theatre 5.1 set up. The front speakers are floor standing,MV8
The centre MVC
The rears MVDS
The Sub MV-AS c/w built in 100w amp.
This choice was also coloured by my music taste of classical and jazz and I personally like English designed speakers even though they are now made in China.

Driving these speakers is an Onkyo TX SR507 5.1amp. We again chose this from prior experence with this make of amp.They are well made and sound good.

However these were purchased just over a year ago and they could have been replaced by updated models by now.From memory we paid 1400 for the speaker set and about 800 for the amp.We bought them when on special at one of Harvey Norman's frequent sales.

After a year of constant use I think we made a good choice.The teenagers say it sounds "orsome"

Just for interest don't buy speaker cable and interconnect cables from the dealers as they sell these as high profit margin add ons. Go to somewhere like Rexel Electrical supplies and ask for some 2mm stranded speaker cable from a cut roll and it will be so much cheaper.