1st AV receiver and speakers

[Rellagher]

Hi! I'm just starting this journey, as I think home cinema is starting to make a lot of sense since TV shows are getting very good and there's no chance to see them in a theater (and well..covid as well)
I am a hobbyist/semi-pro musician and have my monitor speakers (Yamaha HS7) which I like a lot and will remain my main music listening hub, so the new setup will be mainly for movies and tv shows. My budget is about 1000€-1200€, for a Dolby Atmos ready setup, but with 5.1 speakers to start of.
From what I've learned so far, I think Klipsch speakers are ideal for what I'm looking for. A nice frequency response for movies, good looking, good brand and reasonably affordable.
At first I was thinking of their small Reference Theater Pack, but I think in the long run I will regret not going bigger. So I settled for:

• 2 x Klipsch Reference R-51M black
• 2 x Klipsch Reference R-41M black
• 1 x Klipsch Reference R-52C black
• 1 x Klipsch Reference R-100SW black

I'm not a loud listener, and I have neighbors, so I think this will be more than enough.
For the AV receiver I'm not sure, I don't care for HDMI ports and other INs and OUTs since I'm gonna use my TV LG b9 as my "hub" (netflix, hbo, ps5, etc). So I'll be mostly using the eARC port.
I was thinking something like the Sony STR-DH790 since it has all I need and I can have it for about 350€ in my local dealer. Do you think I just invest on a better receiver? Maybe start with less speakers? I appreciate your help!

Thank you

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd not bother with Klipsch subs unless it was their best models and even then only if discounted well. In the UK I'd look at BK Elec subs.

I'd still run all sources thru the avr, they make better hubs than tvs do, but YMMV. If the avr has all the features you want, at a price you like, go for it....personally I like the features of Denons more (particularly the room eq software compared to Sony's DCAC).

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

I'd not bother with Klipsch subs unless it was their best models and even then only if discounted well. In the UK I'd look at BK Elec subs.

I'd still run all sources thru the avr, they make better hubs than tvs do, but YMMV. If the avr has all the features you want, at a price you like, go for it....personally I like the features of Denons more (particularly the room eq software compared to Sony's DCAC).

In a bazillion years I'd never doubt the advice of this man. But...

I just want to add, for what it's worth, you won't fail miserably if you decide you want to keep your speakers all the same brand. I have had a few of these subs. They aren't great by any stretch, but they do function and if as you said you're on your first system and not about volume, this sub could be tolerable.

I currently have one setup in my secondary viewing area that had 2 of the Klipsh 10's and they don't chase me off, annoyed and itching to replace them. It's a relatively small room as well though. Having said that if I had known I'd end up with 2 I would have done better to buy the 12 in which is a much better sub. Though again, nobody here but me would suggest.

Most folks here are VERY particular about thier products and recommendations as they should be, and you probably won't find anyone but me to say this. Which is exactly why I do. Just to have all perspectives.

Again, just to be clear, if you want to spend more on a sub, less on your AVR, by all means get a better one. Even a better Klipsch. But if you're not going past 60 - 62 on your AVR volume dial, (which frankly I never do watching TV) then this entry level sub will work as a starting point. (especially if you think you may have a recycling purpose for it if and when you decide to upgrade. Like a stereo setup somewhere (again in a small room, it's only a 10"after all.) that could use a little punch and can take this repourposed sub.). I'm all about second lives for products.

You didn't mention your room size. And because I have a similar setup and all Klipsch as well, I'm thinking only that it's not entirely out of the question.

Anyway... Not disagreeing with lovinthhd ever. But if you dont have a big room, and place it properly, and aren't blasting volume... It ain't kill you. Especially with a rug and or carpet I think.

You're on track with the Denon. I'm less familiar with thier model numbers but if you can find a 2019 model, you'll clean up on a sale price I think. Especially with your $1200 budget.

Last comment. Maybe I missed it but did you list a Height speaker in your post? I saw the Atmos preferences, but don't recall seeing the ceiling bounce speaker listed. Assuming your not cutting your ceiling..?

Not sure how much traction you'll get on this post, but I can share pics or certain other info if you want on my similar setup to what you're trying for.

 

[Rellagher]

Thank you for your replies! My living room is small, about 3.7m x 5m, but the listening/couch area is smaller, more like 2.8m to 3.5m. I don't want to compromise though, since I might move out next year and hopefully to a bigger house. I've attached a photo, don't mock my speakers lool, I have them for YEARS (its some small Cambridge Soundworks with a Creative DD/DTS Decoder)
For Atmos I'll be buying 2 ceiling speakers later, for now I'll stick to a 5.1 setup.
So you recommend Denon instead of Sony because their room eq it's better? Sorry but I'm a newbie when it comes to AV receivers. I'm guessing sound quality isn't much different at this price point, and from what I've heard, Klipsch speakers are easy to drive, so a good match for a cheap Receiver. I would appreciate photos of course

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you for your replies! My living room is small, about 3.7m x 5m, but the listening/couch area is smaller, more like 2.8m to 3.5m. I don't want to compromise though, since I might move out next year and hopefully to a bigger house. I've attached a photo, don't mock my speakers lool, I have them for YEARS (its some small Cambridge Soundworks with a Creative DD/DTS Decoder)
For Atmos I'll be buying 2 ceiling speakers later, for now I'll stick to a 5.1 setup.
So you recommend Denon instead of Sony because their room eq it's better? Sorry but I'm a newbie when it comes to AV receivers. I'm guessing sound quality isn't much different at this price point, and from what I've heard, Klipsch speakers are easy to drive, so a good match for a cheap Receiver. I would appreciate photos of course

No worries, have some Cambridge Soundworks speakers still in use myself (had the Ensemble set....some of it died over the years, tho).

Yes I prefer Denon for my last few avr buys (but still have an Onkyo and a pre-hdmi Sony in use as well). The best Audyssey version, XT32 (the room eq Denon & Marantz use) comes on the 3xxx series and above (as do full sets of pre-outs) and that will cost some over the Sony. The Klipsch speakers tend to be higher sensitivity (although generally overstated as they use an in-room calculation), and needing less amp power accordingly.

While that Klipsch sub might be okay as was said, there's just simply better subs out there. There's really no reason to buy the same brand, altho some do like those cerametallic cones the Klipsch often use for matching aesthetically. I do have an old Klipsch sub (RW-12d) which was okay for the price ($300) at the time, but its not as high quality as many others and is in my least-used system at this time. I've gone diy for my last several subs....

 

[Rellagher]

There's this one:

Denon AVR-X1600H 7.2-Channel AV Receiver AV-Receiver: Amazon.de: Elektronik

Denon AVR-X1600H 7.2-Channel AV Receiver AV-Receiver: Amazon.de: Elektronik

www.amazon.de

It has the Audyssey XT32 and the price is ok!

 

[lovinthehd]

There's this one:

Denon AVR-X1600H 7.2-Channel AV Receiver AV-Receiver: Amazon.de: Elektronik

Denon AVR-X1600H 7.2-Channel AV Receiver AV-Receiver: Amazon.de: Elektronik

www.amazon.de

It has the Audyssey XT32 and the price is ok!

It's their lowest end X model, but does not have XT32....just XT (better than the basic version called MultEQ, the others are technically MultEQ XT and MultEQ XT32). As I mentioned before you need the 3xxx and above models for XT32. It also doesn't have pre-outs (useful down the line perhaps for amp flexibility). I do see on the Denon US page they mention it has XT32 in one part of their overview, but this seems to be an error. Not that XT is horrible, its a definite improvement over the basic MultEQ but not as good as XT32 (my Onkyo and one of my Denons have XT, my other Denon has XT32).

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

I agree completely, and for my part here, I'll reiterate. The 12 is definitely a better sub. I also have a couple of these, and they're enough better, that they go on my music listening setups. So would certainly be a better choice. They're obviously bigger.

I think that Denon hits the marks on the things you want, though it appears far less than you quoted originally. No problem there of course, just noting the difference. The Audessey 32 is the real magic ingredient in the sauce here.

My room is also small, and appears even smaller as I'm set up the "short way" in an oblong room - sofa facing TV.

The Klipsch work great though I have towers. You listed all bookshelves so driving them is nothing really. I believe the sensitivity ease is mostly due to the horn and not really 98% but still very high. And like most who choose them, I do love the look.

I'll throw some pics up on a bit...

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

It's their lowest end X model, but does not have XT32....just XT (better than the basic version called MultEQ, the others are technically MultEQ XT and MultEQ XT32). As I mentioned before you need the 3xxx and above models for XT32. It also doesn't have pre-outs (useful down the line perhaps for amp flexibility). I do see on the Denon US page they mention it has XT32 in one part of their overview, but this seems to be an error. Not that XT is horrible, its a definite improvement over the basic MultEQ but not as good as XT32 (my Onkyo and one of my Denons have XT, my other Denon has XT32).

To correct my comment, this was the part I was going to double check. So yeah that's part of why it's less $ in guessing.

 

[Rellagher]

:/ Denon website does mention XT32 on the X1600H, blasphemy! But I can't go higher for now (no budget), I think it's between the Denon X1600H and the Sony STR-DH790/DH1080. I'll keep an eye on blackfriday deals

 

[lovinthehd]

I agree completely, and for my part here, I'll reiterate. The 12 is definitely a better sub. I also have a couple of these, and they're enough better, that they go on my music listening setups. So would certainly be a better choice. They're obviously bigger.

I think that Denon hits the marks on the things you want, though it appears far less than you quoted originally. No problem there of course, just noting the difference. The Audessey 32 is the real magic ingredient in the sauce here.

My room is also small, and appears even smaller as I'm set up the "short way" in an oblong room - sofa facing TV.

The Klipsch work great though I have towers. You listed all bookshelves so driving them is nothing really. I believe the sensitivity ease is mostly due to the horn and not really 98% but still very high. And like most who choose them, I do love the look.

I'll throw some pics up on a bit...

FWIW the sensitivity of the speakers might be stated as 98dB but not 98%, altho sensitivity is another way of saying efficiency, speakers are just not very efficient electrically. The sensitivity spec is generally an anechoic one, (hopefully at 2.83V at one meter distance) but Klipsch doesn't provide an anechoic spec, they use a somewhat higher sensitivity spec by counting on the typical in-room boundary gain...in measurements Klipsch are generally shown to be 3-5 dB lower in sensitivity than Klipsch states. The sensitivity is largely the efficiency of the horn, tho (but also the frequency sensitivity is typically measured at is a bit higher than the woofers cover).

Larger speakers tend to be more sensitive, too fwiw....Hoffman's Iron Law.

 

[lovinthehd]

:/ Denon website does mention XT32 on the X1600H, blasphemy! But I can't go higher for now (no budget), I think it's between the Denon X1600H and the Sony STR-DH790/DH1080. I'll keep an eye on blackfriday deals

Yeah Denon has been caught on this on previous models....makes me wonder if the marketing department "slipped"

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

FWIW the sensitivity of the speakers might be stated as 98dB but not 98%, altho sensitivity is another way of saying efficiency, speakers are just not very efficient electrically. The sensitivity spec is generally an anechoic one, (hopefully at 2.83V at one meter distance) but Klipsch doesn't provide an anechoic spec, they use a somewhat higher sensitivity spec by counting on the typical in-room boundary gain...in measurements Klipsch are generally shown to be 3-5 dB lower in sensitivity than Klipsch states. The sensitivity is largely the efficiency of the horn, tho (but also the frequency sensitivity is typically measured at is a bit higher than the woofers cover).

Larger speakers tend to be more sensitive, too fwiw....Hoffman's Iron Law.

OMG I can't believe I put that "%" for sensitivity. I was thinking of the picture I said I'd put and not paying attention to my fingers. LOL Now if I edit it to correct this post will seem out of place. I'm permanently tarred by my inexcusable error..! Stupid stupid stupid


On the Denon, with the proper Audessey version, maybe lovin, can verify. But would you he able to simulate well enough and make due if there was still a Manual setting option whey you can put in your own distance and levels..? Meaning could he goose an older/lesser Audessey version manually get close enough..? I honestly don't know. But I have adjusted my Audessey numbers on a few speakers after it's been run. Generally just the levels, as it reads the distance perfectly.

 

[lovinthehd]

OMG I can't believe I put that "%" for sensitivity. I was thinking of the picture I said I'd put and not paying attention to my fingers. LOL Now if I edit it to correct this post will seem out of place. I'm permanently tarred by my inexcusable error..! Stupid stupid stupid


On the Denon, with the proper Audessey version, maybe lovin, can verify. But would you he able to simulate well enough and make due if there was still a Manual setting option whey you can put in your own distance and levels..? Meaning could he goose an older/lesser Audessey version manually get close enough..? I honestly don't know. But I have adjusted my Audessey numbers on a few speakers after it's been run. Generally just the levels, as it reads the distance perfectly.

LOL no worries.....thought it might help the OP in any case.

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

So, I'd never laugh at anyone's speakers because I need the same disclaimer myself. And I don't have time to move the loveseat or cleanup..!

BTW, these ARE the crappy 10's. I haven't moved them out yet because like I was saying about the space, they just lined up. Obviously when I get the time and ambition to move them I'll put the better sub in.

But watched the 4K Endgame version last night and there was no problem. For this kind of setup at least.

 

[Rellagher]

Thank you for the pics! I love the Klipsch look.
BTW what do you think if Pioneer receivers? I've found this one as well:

Pioneer VSX-933(B) 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver (7 x 135 Watt, Streaming Full Equipment, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Compatible with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, 3D Ready, UHD Video Scaler, USB, HDMI) Black: Amazon.de: MP3 & Hifi

Pioneer VSX-933(B) 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver (7 x 135 Watt, Streaming Full Equipment, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Compatible with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, 3D Ready, UHD Video Scaler, USB, HDMI) Black: Amazon.de: MP3 & Hifi

www.amazon.de

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

LOL no worries.....thought it might help the OP in any case.

Of course... I still feel kinda dumb though. BTW, - Did you notice my edit here RE: the manual Audessey settings..?

 

[lovinthehd]

On the Denon, with the proper Audessey version, maybe lovin, can verify. But would you he able to simulate well enough and make due if there was still a Manual setting option whey you can put in your own distance and levels..? Meaning could he goose an older/lesser Audessey version manually get close enough..? I honestly don't know. But I have adjusted my Audessey numbers on a few speakers after it's been run. Generally just the levels, as it reads the distance perfectly.

For this part....all the avrs can be setup manually for delay/level....but duplicating the filters for eq that Audyssey employs are only available thru Audyssey. The Denon avrs do have a graphic eq you can use in lieu of Audyssey, but it's not very comprehensive.

 

[Leemix]

You really should go and listen if at all able to klipsch, those horns arent for everyone. Some love them and some get a headache after a while.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[IansDad88(Don)]

Thank you for the pics! I love the Klipsch look.
BTW what do you think if Pioneer receivers? I've found this one as well:

Pioneer VSX-933(B) 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver (7 x 135 Watt, Streaming Full Equipment, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Compatible with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, 3D Ready, UHD Video Scaler, USB, HDMI) Black: Amazon.de: MP3 & Hifi

Pioneer VSX-933(B) 7.2-Channel Network AV Receiver (7 x 135 Watt, Streaming Full Equipment, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Compatible with 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, 3D Ready, UHD Video Scaler, USB, HDMI) Black: Amazon.de: MP3 & Hifi

www.amazon.de

Actually I leave this to the folks who know more. I have Panasonic BRP, but never looked at their AVR line. Like the boss said here, my research always shows the Audessey EQ being the marquee feature here, so everything I ever looked at was Denon / Marantz.