advice on my near future purchase

[Fonza]

I have a Samsung PN50C6500 50" Plasma TV and need to replace my old marantz receiver and pinnacle towers.

Like many others that ask this type of question, I did much research online and a little in the stores. I know more should be done in store where you can listen, but distance/time and intimidation factors make it hard for me to take advantage of in store comparisons.

I had a $650 budget that has exploded to $900, but I cant go any higher than that... and this needs to be a one time purchase (dont want to fight wife later for items).

This is what I was considering....

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-520-K ($199) or Pioneer VSX-820-K ($275)

Speakers: Jamo C403 Bookshelf Speakers x 4 ($240)
Jamo C400CEN Center Speaker x1 ($80)
Premier Acoustic PA-120 Sub x1 ($230)

Speaker Stands: Dayton SS-SAT satellite x4 ($110 w/shipping) ugh!

I have dish network and a PS3 and mostly watch TV/blu-ray and occationally play games. I would use it for some casual music listening and also own an IPod touch.

My first concern is that the speakers are 6ohm and am unsure if the pioneer receivers can safely drive them. Also, are the 820 or 920 models any better sound wise (or are they just more feature-ful)?

My second concern is that I may be way off from getting the best bang for my buck. I am not an audiophile by any means... but I want to get quality sound ... regardless of my lack of knowledge. I was considering getting Polk Monitor 30/cs1 w/ a psw10 sub and saving some money, but heard the Jamo may be a better option.

So if anyone has some advice (major changes or minor changes), it would be very helpful and greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Fonz

 

[sholling]

I can't help with the Jamos but if you're in the US I'd go with a refurbished Onkyo TX-SR607 for $279. In my opinion it's a better receiver and it's rated for 6ohm speakers.

I've never heard of Premier Acoustics but a popular choice for starter systems is Dayton's SUB-120 for about $155 plus shipping from Parts Express. Bear in mind that any sub in that price class is going to be intended for a small room. Eventually you'll probably want to upgrade but the Dayton has a lot of fans here. I've never heard one so I can't say much more than that but a search should help.

 

[Fonza]

refurbished? yikes! Is that a safe bet? Have people had success with refurbished receivers? It is hard to choose a more expensive receiver than the pioneer when it is so loaded with fancy new features. But there is obviously more involved in choosing a receiver than the feature set.

I recently came across the Dayton sub and have heard good things about it. Would love to save 75 bucks on the sub.

Thanks for the input. Please keep it coming!

Fonz

 

[sholling]

I bought my TX-SR606 from them and it's been good. They also come with a 1 year factory warranty. The only thing missing is 3D support. If you want 3D support then I'd buy the newer TX-SR608. I've seen them as low as $400 new when they are on sale. Factory refurbs are $350.

 

[AzN_plyR]

The PA-120 subwoofer is definitely higher quality than the Dayton Sub-120. Huge following @ avsforum, and people seems to think it's on par with the Acoustech H100 or a tad bit better. Go for it, the price difference is TINY when you add in shipping.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

1) I fully 2nd sholling - on refub Onkyo TX-SR607 will have much easier time with 6Ohms and 88db Eff speakers - Pioneer (none-Elites) are seriously underpowered (ignore the specs - it's pure marketing)

2) I'd rec these stands instead - I have em and they are great for the money http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-31B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1277809267&sr=1-1
$76 for x4 shipped....

3) My gut feeling tells me this for large living room, so If I were you I'd go instead ether with single MUCH more powerful sub than PA-120 or at the least DUAL Dayton sub-120 - just use Y plug to connect them

 

[Fonza]

My room isnt that large and I went 10 years without a sub. So one is enough I think. To be honest, it will have to be cause my budget really doesnt allow for two.

Interesting what you said about the non-elite pioneer. I would like to get the 3d capable hdmi ports. But it looks like I will need to spend over 300 to get that. Wow... I can see how the price of a system just keeps going up and up.

Now I am thinking that if I spend over 300 for a receiver and 200 on a sub.... why would I just get small bookshelf speakers that are 60 bucks each.

any thoughts on the jamo E660 or the Polk Monitor 50,60,70s?

ugh!

 

[sholling]

My room isnt that large and I went 10 years without a sub. So one is enough I think. To be honest, it will have to be cause my budget really doesnt allow for two.

Understand that for a sub to give you deep room filling bass it has to be able to move a lot of air. Enough to minutely alter air pressure in the room. That's why subwoofers are sized (capability) to support a given room size including any spaces that open into the room. What you may want to do is try making do with one budget sub with the understanding that you may want to add more or even upgrade to something more capable later. That's a perfectly legitimate approach.

Interesting what you said about the non-elite pioneer.

Bored is right on. I've owned two over the years - never again.

Now I am thinking that if I spend over 300 for a receiver and 200 on a sub.... why would I just get small bookshelf speakers that are 60 bucks each.

This is why many of us often recommend starting with the best 2.1 or 3.1 system that you can afford and adding the other pieces later. This approach allows you to put sufficient money into the 3 pieces (Left, right and sub) that make the most difference to music playback with minimum arguments at home, then put the matching center and surrounds on your birthday wish list. However you requested that we not suggest this approach.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Start out with these 3 speakers and a refurb AVR.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66537

I know you want to get it all at once but save up for the correct sub and get it later.

***EDIT*** crap, I just saw that they are local pick up only but you get the idea...

 

[sholling]

I'll add one more thought. Yes you could get by with a $900 system but in my opinion the sweet spot for a starter is roughly $1300 plus the receiver. That gives you a lot more and better options. Just for fun I'll toss out some of the common recommendations that you are welcome to run with or ignore. Good luck in your shopping.

Option 1:
The Audioholics Store has Infinity's Primus line on sale. Two P362 towers, a PC350 center, and two P152 bookshelves will set you back $750 shipped. SVSound, Elemental Designs and Hsu Research will be happy to help you pick a sub. I've listened to the P362s and for the price they are darn good.

Option 2:
Hsu Research's Enthusiast 2 package. I haven't heard the speakers but I have listened to their subs and like them a lot. Here's a review of on older version of the speakers. $1250 + S&H.

Option 3:
SVSounds soon to be released SBS-2 package. Again I've heard their subs but not the speakers. With SVS you get to take advantage of pre-release prices. I'd go with the "Deluxe" PB12-NSD version. Here's a review of the older SBS-1. $1150 + S&H

Option 4
Watch for used gear. There is an element of risk but you can save a lot of money.

 

[Fonza]

Thanks for all the input. I went with a refurbished Onkyo - TX-SR608 and a 3 year warranty. So I spent a bit more on the receiver than I had planned.

Because of that.... I did opt for some speakers that were probably more budget than you all recommended. But I am hopeful that it will all sound nice. lol

You all think inexpensive cables at monoprice.com is a decent way to go?

fonz

 

[sholling]

Thanks for all the input. I went with a refurbished Onkyo - TX-SR608 and a 3 year warranty. So I spent a bit more on the receiver than I had planned.

Because of that.... I did opt for some speakers that were probably more budget than you all recommended. But I am hopeful that it will all sound nice. lol

You all think inexpensive cables at monoprice.com is a decent way to go?

fonz

Monoprice cables work just fine. Let me put it this way... In my family room I'm running $4000 worth of speakers and a $1300 sub off of $30ish worth of monoprice speaker wire and subwoofer cable. I think they'll be just fine for you.

So what speakers did you buy?

 

[Fonza]

ok.... now I already bought them.... so dont trash my babies before I even get them! jk

I got Polk Monitor 60 for the fronts, Monitor 50 for the rear, a Monitor cs2, and Premier Acoustic PA-120 for the sub.

Got the receiver, speakers, wires/banana plugs/hdmi cables all for under $1,000 (w/shipping and warranty on receiver included). So I feel like I did well with my budget.

I went to the local audio store and looked at my options for $1000 w/wiring and it was VERY sad.

Now we will see if I got the skills to hook it up and get everything setup right. *crosses fingers*

fonza

 

[sholling]

Congratulations on your new system.

Be sure and keep us posted on how you like them.

 

[Fonza]

hmmm... just got my speakers and receiver.

Quick question... if I have a 7.1 receiver and 2 fronts and 2 surrounds... can I bi-amp the fronts? Or is that only for a 2.1 setup?

 

[sholling]

hmmm... just got my speakers and receiver.

Quick question... if I have a 7.1 receiver and 2 fronts and 2 surrounds... can I bi-amp the fronts? Or is that only for a 2.1 setup?

You could bi-amp the fronts and still have a 5.1 system but there isn't much reason to it. Your receiver uses the rear channels for bi-amping and not the side surround channels.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65081&highlight=bi-amp

 

[Fonza]

But wouldnt that be a good thing? I connect my back speakers to the "surr speakers" and the "surr back/front high/front wide" which arent being used... could be used to bi-amp my fronts.

What are the benefits of bi-amping? More power and better sound I would imagine? Perhaps its not needed with a subwoofer?

Bah... i am getting overloaded with stuff setting this up!

Fonz

 

[Fonza]

Thank you for that link sholling... was very helpful. Bi-amping is not going to be needed for me!

Hopefully I can hit you and others up with future questions... as I will have many I am sure!

Fonz

 

[sholling]

Remember to post pics.

 

[Fonza]

Yes. Most of what I have read agrees with your recommendation to NOT bi-amp. Also, I got the monitor 60's instead of the 70's because I wanted to spend the extra to get a better sub (and also I read some posts about the bass of the 70s getting muddled with the bass from the sub).

My next question (I just got all my stuff today). The onkyo receiver doesnt have an option to set speakers to large or small... is that correct? But setting the crossover for each of these to 80Hz would be equivalent to setting the speakers to small. Am I right?

I am a little concerned that the cs2 center is overpowering the monitor 60s up front. But I havent run the audessy (sp?) setup... nor done any setup yet. I wonder if I should have gone with the cs1?!?!

Lastly... if I setup all the speakers at a crossover of 80 Hz, where should I set the crossover control on my sub? At 80 Hz or at the highest freq setting possible?

I am also confused about how to set the phase on the sub.

I know I can get these answers elsewhere.... and I am constantly searching and researching. But any quick specific advice you all can give me here is VERY much appreciated!

Thanks

Fonz