First Home Theater - Receiver Purchase - Best acoustics from $300-$500?

[odallmer]

Hi guys, I really need your help with my first home theater system purchase!

Unfortunately my budget is very modest, but I hope to get the best bang for my buck at: Under $600 for Receiver and Speakers.

I know I'm supposed to get good speakers first, but since I don't currently have a receiver, I'd like to start with a good receiver first and the best basic (ideally 5.1) speakers the rest of my budget allows, with an eye on keeping the receiver for a long time and slowly upgrading my speakers, pair by pair, over the next two years.

Given that, I'm torn between getting a $600 5.1 HTIB system or getting a $300-$500 receiver and a separate pair of basic speakers.
This is where my head's at, hopefully you think one of these is a good combo, or can suggest something similar but better in the same price range:

Brands:
Denon and Yamaha


Receiver only (Speaker suggestions welcome):
Denon - AVR1912 ~ $548 (is this one THAT much better than the 1911?)
Denon - AVR1911 ~ $400
Yamaha - RX-V667 ~ $400
Denon AVR-591 ~ $300


HTIB:
Denon - DHT-1312BA ~ $600
Denon - DHT-591BA ~ $600
Yamaha YHT-495BL ~ $400

Please keep in mind that the acoustics and long-term potential of the receiver are the most important part to me. So if you think there's a $300 receiver with acoustics equal to a $600 receiver that just has less toys/extras, I would love to hear about it.

This is all I need in terms of connectivity: TV out (HDMI and Component or S-video), 5.1 or 7.1 speaker out (60W-100W each), 2 HDMI ins (BluRay and Cable Box), USB in (for ipod, nice to have)

Thank you so much in advance!

[GranteedEV]

I'd knock the HTIB's off the list.

I think the Yamaha 667 looks awesome. Definitely start with 2.0 and look to build in the future. It will satisfy you in the short term and give you something to look forward to in the long term.

My suggestion?

This receiver.

Here's a list of speakers I which should work well



http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it.../jamo-s606hcs3
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...eer-sp-bs41-lr
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages...00/htm200.html'
http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/...96,89,840.aspx
http://www.emptek.com/e5bi.php
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Reveal601p/
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...ck-pair/1.html

you'll probably be very happy with any of those. You can add subs/center etc later and that receiver is quality.

[odallmer]

Thank you GranteedEV!
I think that's some great advice.

Looks like the Marantz Receiver is refurbished, any experience with their refurbished items?

Assuming the price were the same would you get the Marantz or the Yamaha?

Finally, any particular reason you prefer the Yamaha receiver over the Denon ones?


I think you're right about giving up on the HTIB, but would definitely love to hear what you/ others think about these 4 receivers head to head (disregarding price):

Denon - AVR1911
Yamaha - RX-V667
Denon AVR-591
Marantz Sr5003


Cheers!

[GranteedEV]

Looks like the Marantz Receiver is refurbished, any experience with their refurbished items?

Yeah, I've got a refurb SR6003 and it's great so far (been a year with no issues)

Assuming the price were the same would you get the Marantz or the Yamaha?

Assuming the price were the same, I would lean towards the yamaha. But if the marantz is cheaper, then the marantz.

Finally, any particular reason you prefer the Yamaha receiver over the Denon ones?

I think it will have better amps and that's the most important part of a receiver. I think Denon is a great company but I would not get those receivers. The Denon 4311CI would be my #1 choice for a dedicated processor in a high end setup, though.

[BoredSysAdmin]

OP, no need to concert with fact the receiver is refub, since it's done by manufacturer themselves and provided with same a new unit warranty

I'd personally like Onkyo's over Marantz, but nothing wrong with ether, just Onkyo give a bit more bang for a buck

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

and 5.0 Jamo system - and you should be set - just add sub later on

[BMXTRIX]

There is a lot of perspective which needs to be considered before you make any purchase.

Many people here, myself included, have receivers and/or speakers (individual) that cost as much, or more, than your entire budget.

If your goal is to upgrade over the next couple of years, then you will want to first figure out what your end game is and how much you are willing to waste right now on cheap equipment that you don't want to hang onto for years to come.

If I were to pick one item to NOT hang onto, it would not be 5 cheap speakers, but it would be the receiver. Hands down.

When I went form a home theater in a box kit (Kenwood) I first upgraded the speakers. The difference between their cheapie speakers and some Definitive BP-30 speakers was astounding. Same receiver, but the speakers blew me away.

A cheap $100 receiver with a pair of good floor standing speakers will give you far more bang for the buck in the long term. You won't just have 'noise' everywhere, you will have quality sound, regardless of the fact that the receiver isn't very good.

When I added a $2,800 receiver to my new speaker setup, the jump in quality at normal listening levels was minimal. !!! I was suprised by this as I expected another huge jump in quality.

It turns out that amplification, unless done very poorly, can often be pretty solid at any price point, so you just pay for features you may, or may not use. While speakers... Speakers are the part which makes the entire system come alive.

Not sure I convinced you if you have your heart set on a decent entry level receiver, but I would encourage you to consider that a decent pair of bookshelf speakers may be a better way to go.

There is also this thread here which I think offers some decent options for around $500 total...
http://forums.highdefdigest.com/home...400-800-a.html

We need to put together a thread like that here!

[odallmer]

Guys, this is great! Thank you.
Based on everything you've told me, here's where I'm at now:

Leaning towards the Yamaha V667, because I was able to find a new one for $350 Shipped, which seems like a good "Cheap Receiver" choice and leaves me with $250 to spend on speakers.

So that's where I'm at, now it's down to the speakers with my $250...

BMXTRIX, I think you made a great point about getting good speakers right off the bat. I'm just not sure if $250 or even $350 can get me two speakers of the right (long-term) level of quality. Also a small part of me is still feeling a bit greedy and hopes to get a decent sounding set of 5.1 for really cheap. I'm also afraid of spending $250 on a 2.0 set that turns out to be no better than a $300 5.1 set that's highly discounted (see below).

So based on speakers people have recommended and I've seen otherwise, what do you think of these two gerenal options or any others within those categories:


Surround Speaker Set:

Jamo 5.1 - $180 - Down from almost $700 seems too good to be true?
ww.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544726540/jamo-a340pdd-3?s_c=site_search

Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 - $165 - 7.1 at that price seems like a no-go, most reviews seem good though.
ww.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000GU78Z4/ref=nosim/panandscathed-20

Dayton HTP-1 5.1 - $170
ww.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-692


2.0 Speaker Set:
Pioneer SPBS41LR - $180
ww.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/542283824/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr

Tannoy Reveal 601p - $250
ww.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Reveal601p/

KEF Iq10 - $250
ww.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ10BLA/KEF-Iq10-5-1/4-Bookshelf-Speakers-2-way-black-pair/1.html


Thanks again, I'm so excited!

[BoredSysAdmin]

Guys, this is great! Thank you.
Based on everything you've told me, here's where I'm at now:

Leaning towards the Yamaha V667, because I was able to find a new one for $350 Shipped, which seems like a good "Cheap Receiver" choice and leaves me with $250 to spend on speakers.

So that's where I'm at, now it's down to the speakers with my $250...

BMXTRIX, I think you made a great point about getting good speakers right off the bat. I'm just not sure if $250 or even $350 can get me two speakers of the right (long-term) level of quality. Also a small part of me is still feeling a bit greedy and hopes to get a decent sounding set of 5.1 for really cheap. I'm also afraid of spending $250 on a 2.0 set that turns out to be no better than a $300 5.1 set that's highly discounted (see below).

So based on speakers people have recommended and I've seen otherwise, what do you think of these two gerenal options or any others within those categories:


Surround Speaker Set:

Jamo 5.1 - $180 - Down from almost $700 seems too good to be true?
ww.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544726540/jamo-a340pdd-3?s_c=site_search

Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 - $165 - 7.1 at that price seems like a no-go, most reviews seem good though.
ww.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000GU78Z4/ref=nosim/panandscathed-20

Dayton HTP-1 5.1 - $170
ww.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-692


2.0 Speaker Set:
Pioneer SPBS41LR - $180
ww.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/542283824/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr

Tannoy Reveal 601p - $250
ww.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Reveal601p/

KEF Iq10 - $250
ww.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ10BLA/KEF-Iq10-5-1/4-Bookshelf-Speakers-2-way-black-pair/1.html


Thanks again, I'm so excited!

These two:

Tannoy Reveal 601p
KEF Iq10 - $250

The rest of your list is crap if you are looking for next level quality.

BMXTRIX is right getting good receiver from start is important, but spending more money on receiver than speakers makes little sense.

Speaking of monitors - you should consider adding Behringer 2030p to your short list and a Dayton Sub-120 sub

My rec:

Onkyo I listed above
http://www.sjmediasystem.com/b2030p.html or tannoys/kefs
this sub: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-635

[odallmer]

Thank you.
Any thoughts on this pair compared to the others you mentioned?:

KEF C5 - $299
ww.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFC5BLK/KEF-C5-Two-Way-5-Floorstanding-Speakers-Pair-Black/1.html

Also, sounds like you're not crazy about Jamo, what's your take on Fluance though? I've seen some good deals and decent reviews on them, not sure though if they're worth a closer look...

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thank you.
Any thoughts on this pair compared to the others you mentioned?:

KEF C5 - $299
ww.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFC5BLK/KEF-C5-Two-Way-5-Floorstanding-Speakers-Pair-Black/1.html

Also, sounds like you're not crazy about Jamo, what's your take on Fluance though? I've seen some good deals and decent reviews on them, not sure though if they're worth a closer look...

Don't get me wrong - Jamo are fine speakers and DO represent good value... it's just KEF and Tannoy are higher class...

I'm not fan of Fluance at all - Only good option in one case only:
You must have 5.0 and you must have it for extremely cheap...
Even then I'd suggest to stress the budget and go with this Jamo 5.0
I'm really don't like small speakers and sub 5.1 systems - you are getting nowhere from there....