Get a new Denon AVR3312CI to replace my current silver Onkyo 805?

[fixxer]

I noticed a great deal on the Denon AVR3312CI and it looks tempting, but I'm not sure if it's worth the hassle in replacing my current receiver so I need your help.

I have an Onkyo 805 connected to a 6.1 set up: Infinity TS1200 home theater.

I use a PS3 for my bluray/games.

Does it make sense for me to jump from the 805 to this Denon? I keep hearing the 805 is one of the best receivers ever made but I was never thrilled with the actual sound quality.

How much could I sell the 805 for if I decide to go ahead?

Thanks for any advice

 

[markw]

Don't expect an epiphany. I'd be more suspicious of the speakers for your dissatisfaction.

 

[ahblaza]

Don't expect an epiphany. I'd be more suspicious of the speakers for your dissatisfaction.

I agree with Mark, I don't think the Denon would make any significant improvement over the 805, you may want to look into some new mains and center, I don't think you are getting the full potential out of the 805 with you speaker setup, just IMO. The speakers are where you will near a significant SQ improvement.
Jeff

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with the two guys above. The Denon doesn't bring much or anything to the table compared to the Onkyo in regards to sound quality.

I'm guessing that you have, but did you run the Audyssey setup on your Onkyo?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, in direct mode or stereo mode without any kind of processing (room EQ or DSP), there should not be any difference in sound. The 805 measured extremely well if I remember correctly.

But how much is the Denon 3312?

I mean if it's $461, then you might get it and use the Onkyo as your backup AVR.

..........Or if you want a second system with new speakers.

 

[Adam]

Yeah, in direct mode or stereo mode without any kind of processing (room EQ or DSP), there should not be any difference in sound.

How much would there be with room EQ? They both use Audyssey MultEQ XT.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

+3 to previous posters...
Auto-Config should help a bit, but nothing can hide big gap in the low/mid-range (between sat +/-3db 120Hz and Sub +/- 3db 150Hz)
I'd still keep your tiny speakers for Surround duty to make 7.1
Instead of getting new AVR to get big improvements in sound - get 3 new front speakers.
If you are itching to spend $500-600 - Checkout Infinity P163 and PC251 center
or if you live big sound : P363 and PC351

 

[fixxer]

Thanks guys, I think the point has been made. So I'm going to skip the new receiver and focus on replacing my 3 front speakers.

I haven't been very happy with the way music sounds, like it's lacking mids, not a crisp sound... also, the bluray movies coming from the PS3 sound just OK, it feels like movies from premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime sound better. And the PS3 is configured appropriately. I did run Audissey on the Onkyo several times.

Anyways, I'm totally ignorant about what's out there and what's good value as far as replacement speakers to be able to hear a good improvement in sound quality. BSA suggested replacing my current Infinitys with another set of Infinitys... would that help me much?

By the way, my living room is small so I don't need a whole lot of power, but I want quality

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How much would there be with room EQ? They both use Audyssey MultEQ XT.

Maybe still the same.

But I think all bets are off once you add any kind of processing like RC, EQ, DSP.

 

[j_garcia]

Thanks guys, I think the point has been made. So I'm going to skip the new receiver and focus on replacing my 3 front speakers.

I haven't been very happy with the way music sounds, like it's lacking mids, not a crisp sound... also, the bluray movies coming from the PS3 sound just OK, it feels like movies from premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime sound better. And the PS3 is configured appropriately. I did run Audissey on the Onkyo several times.

Anyways, I'm totally ignorant about what's out there and what's good value as far as replacement speakers to be able to hear a good improvement in sound quality. BSA suggested replacing my current Infinitys with another set of Infinitys... would that help me much?

By the way, my living room is small so I don't need a whole lot of power, but I want quality

When you say you aren't happy with the sound, SPEAKERS are the single most important part of the chain, so yes, new speakers shouldn't even be a question in this case based on your current ones. Just moving to the Infinity Primus line with something like the P153 or 163 and a matching center will be an improvement IMO. Generally speaking, any very small speakers like the all-in-one packages, are not to give you good music performance.

If you don't need a lot of power, then you didn't need the 805 either More power is never a bad thing, and in this case, it gave you room to grow without having to upgrade your receiver.

 

[fixxer]

When you say you aren't happy with the sound, SPEAKERS are the single most important part of the chain, so yes, new speakers shouldn't even be a question in this case based on your current ones. Just moving to the Infinity Primus line with something like the P153 or 163 and a matching center will be an improvement IMO. Generally speaking, any very small speakers like the all-in-one packages, are not to give you good music performance.

If you don't need a lot of power, then you didn't need the 805 either More power is never a bad thing, and in this case, it gave you room to grow without having to upgrade your receiver.

Thanks! I know the 805 was a bit overkill but it was an amazing deal and I couldnt pass on it.

I was checking online, I can get a pair of P163s and the PC251 center speaker for about $320. Can I do better than that? I can go up to $400-$450.

 

[j_garcia]

It might be possible to do better than those, but probably not by a huge leap even at $450. I'd save the difference and put it toward a better sub down the road. That sub is probably OK for now, but I'd say you will also benefit from a sub upgrade in the future as well if you are using the sub from that package.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I agree with John, $450 is not going to make big change.
Notice the P363 tower - Look for sales - once in a while Fry's sells them for $200/PAIR - this is a not a deal, but a steal !

One more, a bit more expensive option to consider is Boston RS 223 LCR speakers -
three of them will run you $540 w/Free shipping
here:
BOSTON ACOUSTICS RS223 Reflection Series Home Theater Speaker Ea Black | Accessories4less

 

[ahblaza]

Thanks! I know the 805 was a bit overkill but it was an amazing deal and I couldnt pass on it.

I was checking online, I can get a pair of P163s and the PC251 center speaker for about $320. Can I do better than that? I can go up to $400-$450.

Fix, take a look at the Pioneer SP-FS51-LR at Newegg, right now they are $199 the pair but could be had for less, last week Newegg had them for $139. Right now they have the SP-BS41-LR for $99 the pair with promo code
EMCNDJE54, these are monitor or bookshelves, smaller versions of the floor standers, you could get six of these for an all identical 6.1 setup ($297) the 805 will make these sing. I have a pair in my wife's candle shop and am amazed at how big these speakers sound driven with a modest two channel receiver. They are Stereophile's Recommended Budget Speaker, if you put any credence in Stereophile, I can attest to the fact they are worth more than the budget price of $99. just my opinion......

 

[fixxer]

Thanks for all the suggestions! The Pioneers look like they are a bargain... I'm tempted.

Any ideas on the Polk T600? They are $250/pair

I never thought I'd own floorstand speakers but it kinda makes sense by the time you factor in that I'd have to buy stands for bookshelf speakers.
My entire set up is silver, I remember when I came up with my system everything out there was silver, so my TV, speakers, and amp are silver. Now everything is black -- cant seem to find anything in silver anymore ugh!

 

[fixxer]

How about the Mirage OS3 floorstand speakers for $199 each? I know I'm going over my budget but Mirage is a higher end brand, even though I've never listened to any of their speakers. They look great too.

 

[fixxer]

And my last find is the Boston Acoustics A360 floorstand speakers, along with the BA A225 Center Speaker. Is this better than the Infinity setup? Thanks and bear w me!

 

[PENG]

And my last find is the Boston Acoustics A360 floorstand speakers, along with the BA A225 Center Speaker. Is this better than the Infinity setup? Thanks and bear w me!

If you have the patience to wait for the P362/363 sales from Bestbuy or elsewhere for less than $299 then wait. I paid $279.99. I think they sound as good as most speakers in the $500 to $1500 range. They are 3 ways, weighs over 40 lbs and in a smaller room you don't need a sub.

 

[fixxer]

Update:

So today I went to my nearest Best Buy hoping to see the Infinity P363s... and they didn't have any. I noticed they had the Pioneer SP-FS51-LR at $183/pair and the matching center Pioneer SP-C21 on sale for $80.

The price looked right and I was able to read a few reviews from my iPhone and all of the reviews indicated good things (plus ahblaza mentioned them on this thread!).

Anyways, I noticed there was an almost hidden slip stating that you could bundle the 3 speakers plus a pair of the Pioneer SP-BS21-LR speakers for $284! So even though I was only looking for the 3 fronts, for $20 more I could get the extra pair of bookshelf speakers - a no brainer.

When I told the salesperson I wanted to buy the bundle, he checked the inventory and saw they only had one center speaker left and it was an open box. I'm always hesitant about buying an open box item but it looked brand new and they tested it in front of me. So I told them I'd do it and they gave me an extra discount for that open box item!

I left BB with the 5 speakers for $264+tax. I just finished replacing my old infinity (tiny) speakers with the 3 fronts that I got and I'm very happy with the sound quality improvement! The Onkyo 805 does a good job with them. I have yet to run Audissey and to connect the bookshelf speakers to replace my 2 back satellites -- need to get stands too.

Here's a pic of what the set up looks like now, the center speaker is huge so I need to get used to it.



Thank you all for your posts -- You helped me make the right decision skipping the new amp and getting better speakers (and for less than half price!).

 

[Adam]

Excellent - congratulations on the deal! It's great that you got such a good improvement for a relatively small amount of money.

Hmmm. Now we need to talk you into an expensive but utterly unnecessary amplifier.

EDIT: Which model of PureAV is that? Mine looks like that, too, and I have the PF31D.