Home Theater setup

[sachdevakautily]

I am thinking of buying a Marantz SR 8002 for a receiver. Martin Logan Electrostatic ESL speakers for front, ElectroMotion C2 for center, ElectroMotion FX2 for surround, Dynamo 1000W for sub woofer. Please let me know if I am going for the right combination or not, and if I should be going for some other brand.

 

[fuzz092888]

I was wondering why the SR8002? There are some very good models out there, both from Marantz and from other brands, that are a little newer, provide a few more features or similar features for the same price. Personally I would say get one of the newer iterations of the Marantz if you want to stay with that brand, but there are plenty of good receivers out there.

So I'm guessing from your setup you're looking for a 5.1 setup for HT?

What is the size of the room you're going to be using these in?

What features about speakers are most important to you?

I'm guessing you're looking at about $2200 for a pair of towers, and maybe $4000ish for total speaker budget with maybe $1500 allotted for a receiver? Am I close?

I think there are plenty of great options out there, just a little more information is needed.

Why did you choose the martin logans? Why the marantz 8002? Room size (as stated above), intended usage for this system, and anything else you may think is relevant.

Right now I can think of a few suggestions, but hear more from you would help. Thanks

 

[enrique]

FWIW i have had the sr8002 since it came out and couldnt be happier.I have asked several times how it compares to the likes of the sr7005 and have never gotten an answer,not even from someone going to the sr7005 from the sr8002.So cant tell u how the sr8002 compares to the newer models other than the new features of these newer ones(like internet use,airplay and etc.). I dont use the audessey anyways other than when first setup.All i can tell u is in my opinion its a great reciever. In 2008 hometheater mag did alot of reviews on the sr8002 and u can allways go there to see,even tested with martin logan towers.jusy my .02
Marantz SR8002 A/V Receiver | Home Theater

 

[fuzz092888]

It's not a bad receiver at all, for me it's just getting to the point where it's starting to become outdated, at least for me. The 4 hdmi inputs would be unacceptable for my purposes for one thing. Also, I was really thinking more along the lines of the SR6006 if you stayed with the marantz line, it's DLNA certified, has airplay, has an updated audessey than the 8002, and an updated UI. It also has hdmi 1.4 which supports 3D.

The differences between the 8002 and the 6006 are all about small tweaks here and there, but overall I think the 6006 will keep you in the loop for a bit longer than the 8002. This being said, we're talking about arguably the least important part of this whole setup

 

[Hocky]

I am thinking of buying a Marantz SR 8002 for a receiver. Martin Logan Electrostatic ESL speakers for front, ElectroMotion C2 for center, ElectroMotion FX2 for surround, Dynamo 1000W for sub woofer. Please let me know if I am going for the right combination or not, and if I should be going for some other brand.

I am not a big fan of the center or the sub. I would look for a true electrostatic center if your budget can swing it. For a subwoofer, the depth i and descent i are great, but expensive. If your budget is tight, you might look to another company. Ultimately, I think you will find that ESL speakers will perform best with good outboard amplification. Impedance swings down to sub-1 ohm can cause problems for most receivers and cheaply built amps.

 

[sachdevakautily]

To Fuzz:

My room size is 26ft x 18ft. It is a lounge area, with marble on the floor.
I am a novice, so wanted to get a system of which I read good reviews, and then wanted to find a dealer for the product. I somehow was not liking any of the speakers until I saw the ML ESL speakers, and read its reviews.
As far as the sub woofer is concerned I did not want to play with different brands, and wanted a speaker set from a single company only.
I am making my apartment, and getting full Lighting automation done with Lutron, A/V automation being done with crestron. Adding a professional media center to store all my music and movies. Then, controlling all of this through Ipad. That is why I am not that fussy on having too many inputs. I just want a system that gives me out of the world music experience

 

[sachdevakautily]

Also on the budget issue, I can go to max $8000 for a system which gives a considerable difference in sound quality otherwise would prefer to stick to $5000 budget.

 

[Grador]

There really are no real reasons to stick with the same brand on the subwoofer, you can only pigeonhole yourself into spending more for less. As for your speaker selection, all I can really say is that I've heard the ESL fronts and rather liked them.

 

[fuzz092888]

Definitely do not match subwoofer, there are a ton of much better subwoofers for similar price and for your space two or three would be best.

So you've heard the ML ESL, or your opinion is based on reviews?

If you've heard them and you like them, then I would say it would probably be worth it to look around a bit more, but not entirely necessary.

If you haven't heard them and your opinion on them is only based on reviews I would say that it is a necessity to get out there and not only hear them, but go listen to a few more brands as well.

B&W (not loved by all around here, but at least worth a listen since they are pretty easy to find)

totem (I've heard them and I like them)

Klipsch (not a bad product, I only really like their higher end stuff)

JBL

Paradigm

*Aperion (is a good brand and you can get matching fronts center and surrounds)

*Emptek (also great matching speakers for a good price)

*Selah audio (you could put together a great 5.1 for $8-9 grand)

*Salk (Excellent speakers)

*Philharmonic (Best bang for the buck IMHO)

*Source speakers (just heard a full 7.2 setup today and they are awesome)

* = Internet direct, some of the companies have an in home trial period some do not.

Personally I think the ID companies offer more bang for your buck than a lot of brick and mortar stores, but the downside is you can't hear them first. I would seriously consider trying at least one of the companies that offers an in home trial since they make excellent products. It's a pain in the butt to set it all up and then have to repack it if you don't like it, but the best place to audition speakers is right in the actual space you plan to use them, so I think its worth it.

I really like the source, salk and Philharmonic speakers and I think the Phils are some of the best you can get for their price.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I do like the sound of Electrostatics, but they still do have a big issue with terrible off-axis response...
Unless you are ok with that - I'd suggest checking out "Hybrid" solutions like Philharmonics 1 speakers ($1600/pr)

Now I seen the pics of matching Center and Bookshelfs, but you got to talk directly to their creator Denis Murphy for pricing, availability and how long you'd have to wait to get them.

Receiver wise - I recommend a true bargain - Denon themselves sell a refub AVR-3310CI AVR for $599 - don't wait till they are gone!

Sub - you have pretty huge room so sub must be able to deliver quite the substantial power :
Rythmic FV15HP would be on top my short list
option b) SVS PB12-PLUS

 

[fuzz092888]

Bookshelves Dennis is still making to my knowledge, but I know he has discontinued the center and won't be making them anymore. Total bummer there. Good thing Salk still has great centers that will match