Noob looking for Denon 1712 alternatives...

[aaa710]

Hi,

Want a setup to basically go with my TV for Blue-Ray, DVD and Apple TV. Had ordered a Onkyo HT-S5500 But the order got stuck - luckily / unfortunately - got a price of $300 for a refurb.... landed here...and there is tremedous amout of data here....and as a Noob .. have been able to grasp that I need to go with 2.0 or 2.1 with a good receiver - my basic requirement /target are a nice 5.1 to watch movies and apple TV. hence appreciate any advice....
Saw some great reviews and recommendation for Denon 1712, but can't find an affordable one - I can go for refurbished or used too.....but just can't find any.....Appreciate if you can let me know some alternative for the Denon AVr 1712....and also guide me for the speakers too.
I looking at having the 2.1 within a $400...

Or should I try to get the Onkyo Ht-S5500 for the $300....is it worth getting the extended warranty on this?

Thanks and appreciate you suggestion advice....
AA

 

[hizzaah]

misread post.. let me edit some things.

A good 2.1 is going to be difficult to swing under $400.

The Denon 1712 you mentioned is $269.99 refurbished (currently sold out at Accessories4Less though).

The Onkyo packages are usually somewhat weak (not disappointing by any means if this is your first system) in the speaker department but offer fairly good receivers in the set. My current Onkyo receiver came with my HT-S6300 7.1 set as my first system. It was plenty enough in a tiny dorm room to make the neighbors angry lol. You'll be happy with an Onkyo set for your price range with the knowledge that your receiver will be a good base when upgrading your speakers later on.

With that in mind, you should get the Onkyo package with the best receiver you can afford. Interestingly enough, Accessories4Less has this HT-S7409 package refurb for $379.99. They're selling it as a 5.1 system, but the receiver is the TX-NR609 (refurb price is $269.99 on it's own) which is actually capable of 7.2! It supports networking, 4k Upscaling, and has 6 HDMI input ports.

If I was buying an Onkyo system, this would be the one I would grab! Shipping is ~$50. Extended warranty is up to you, it comes with a 1 year Onkyo warranty

Onkyo receivers run notoriously hot though. Most people say to just make sure they've got a few inches about them to breath, but I'm playing it safe and have Thermaltake USB powered fan (120mm version is quieter than the 80mm one) sitting on top of mine and it barely gets warm.

 

[agarwalro]

The Onkyo NR609 is a very good receiver, but, the sub outs are dual mono. Same as putting a 'Y' on the outside. Not complaining, just clarifying .

For main speakers and sub, my vote goes to the Pioneer BS22 and BIC America F12, which can be found on sale for $100 and $200 respectively. Later add the FS52 and move the BS22 to surround duty.

Alternately, you can get the FS52 now and add the BS21 for surrounds. The 21's are previous generation, so the show up on sale for as little as $40, and are more than sufficient for surround duty.

 

[aaa710]

Hizzah & Agarwalro - thanks for your advice....

Well I was getting impatient and took a leap of faith and got my 2.0 for $400..

I got myself a Denon 1613 (open box) at best buy for 225 and also got a couple of Infinity P153s at frys. Hope it is a sane choice....please let me know if I can get something better than that ....since right now it has been more impulse ... but they look nice and at that price.....haven't set them up yet....and the remote too is missing on the denon [the bix said no accessories missing....will call them]...
This is my first system .... I dont have the faintest ideas ... about the 12/14 or 16 gauge needed for the connection.....should I go for the 16 gauge...and banana plugs or something.... will read up some more and try to figure stuff too...

Can I just setup this as a 2.0 or do I need to get a Sub....or a center piece.. what would you recommend and which one.....can I get a decent sub within a 100....I saw a Polk PSWI225 100W 8" Subwoofer - Black - in that range.... &79.... Please advice before there is another bout of impulse ... OR should I just have the 2.0 setup for now and save some for a more decent Sub later...

Thanks again...

Btw, my room dimensions are like 12ft x 20 ft approx. and it's got an opening into the dining area (the shorter dotted line)... something like this..x is where my TV is.. ... I cannot upload the pic....
_______
...........|
......__x|

 

[sholling]

Both gave you excellent advice. The HT-S7409 is a heck of a bargain but the Pioneer speakers are likely better. But based on what you bought I would probably exchange the Infinity P153 for the P163 if they aren't much more and you're local to Frys. The P153 aren't bad speakers but lack bass. Frys has had Infinity on sale a lot lately.

You're going to want a subwoofer and $100 subs generally suck. I'd save up for a Bic F12 as a minimum. It's not a great sub but it's a lot of bang for the money.

 

[aaa710]

Thanks Sholling....

I will checkout the P163 in-store, since the p153 is showing up as $129 EACH..while in store it is $69.....But I also just checked the pioneers....PIONEER SP-BS22-LR- PAIR...these are only $129 for the pair...if they are better and cheaper too... should I switch to the pioneer or the p163 (which are 129 each)...

 

[zieglj01]

The Pioneer speakers will out-perform/out-class the Onkyo.
Do not buy the Polk subwoofer - better without it. Bic can
work for you - however, I will not mate it with my Pioneer's.

As far as Pioneer or Infinity, that is up to you. > Pioneer is
not a wimp.

 

[aaa710]

Thanks jim.

I think I will just get more aware about the sounds...before I get a Sub....
but...what about the Fronts.. the FS52 or BS22 or p163? or something else..

 

[aaa710]

Just saw a pair of BS41, would they be recommended....
they are 130/pair....I am trying to keep within the budget...but then ...since I want to be 2.0 for now....and also be able to use the speakers later....need some help....choosing the right one....
The floor speakers are bigger..so I am kinda avoiding them for now....but if they are better to serve on the 2.0.....might go ahead....

 

[agarwalro]

Bic can work for you - however, I will not mate it with my Pioneer's.

Please explain?

 

[agarwalro]

Thanks jim.

I think I will just get more aware about the sounds...before I get a Sub....
but...what about the Fronts.. the FS52 or BS22 or p163? or something else..

Just saw a pair of BS41, would they be recommended....
they are 130/pair....I am trying to keep within the budget...but then ...since I want to be 2.0 for now....and also be able to use the speakers later....need some help....choosing the right one....
The floor speakers are bigger..so I am kinda avoiding them for now....but if they are better to serve on the 2.0.....might go ahead....

Between the Infinity 153, 163 and Pioneer BS21, BS41, BS22, FS52, get the FS52. If you absolutely must avoid floor standing ones, get the BS22.

 

[zieglj01]

Please explain?

My sub preference would be for both movies and music >
The Bic tends to stand out more for movies. It will come
down to preference/choice and taste.

 

[zieglj01]

I think I will just get more aware about the sounds...before I get a Sub....
but...what about the Fronts.. the FS52 or BS22 or p163? or something else..

Just saw a pair of BS41, would they be recommended....

Infinity is nice - however, I prefer Pioneer over them >>>
Pioneer has a nice tweeter, that is real good for the price.

Due to good pricing for the Pioneer towers - I would look
at them. > However if you do not prefer towers, then I do
favor the BS22 over the BS41 - The BS22 even measured
lower in the bass, and has that good midrange and treble.

Now as far as something else - my favorite is the >>>
Cambridge Audio S30
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_779S30DO/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Dark-Oak.html?tp=186&kw=&org=pla&nw=g&crv=7788947425

Your choice and call.

 

[aaa710]

Thanks for your advice....and now I might checkout best buys/frys for any FS 52 openboxes....yeah I know...but lets try...

One thing though needed to ask you guys is....I will not be playing it out too loud as it is not a huge place...would the FS52 be too boomy, if I were to need more crisp sound / sound quality ...would BS22 or P153 a better option....??
Please let me know.

I have these two boxes of P153 in my cupboard..lying just waiting..for me to make call...its them or BS22 or FS52...

 

[agarwalro]

I have these two boxes of P153 in my cupboard..lying just waiting..for me to make call...its them or BS22 or FS52...

Go with the FS52. You won't have to worry about either of them being boomy.

Just put of curiosity, why are you not using the P153's?

 

[zieglj01]

One thing though needed to ask you guys is....I will not be playing it out too loud as it is not a huge place...would the FS52 be too boomy, if I were to need more crisp sound / sound quality ...would BS22 or P153 a better option....??
Please let me know.

The Pioneer FS52 and BS22 speakers, do not boom.

The definition of crisp is subjective - however, the Phase 2 Pioneer
speakers are not dull sounding - they have a good tweeter.

I would take the BS22 over the 153 - however, since you have the
153, at least try them out.