Advise on speakers for Denon AVR-X1500 or 2500

[everettT]

DSP cannot make crappy speakers sound like good speakers. The speakers are the single aspect of your system that are most responsible for how that system sounds.

DSP can make a great speaker sound anyway you want, but not the other way around.

 

[John6289]

Thanks for the shopping list that was good and hands on. However, the sub is 400 usd. It is not well know brand and may not easy to buy in my area. Any recommendation for a mainstream brand and cheaper sub.

Is HSUresearch sub using some tuning by moving, or removing some foam on speaker box built in tubing? How does this work? It is new to me. Not heard it before. May be some concept from century old wood pipe musical instrument?

 

[John6289]

Dayton is interesting low cost. How is the general comment on its quality performance (well, relative to the price)

 

[BMXTRIX]

Here's a story...

My first A/V system was a Kenwood home theater in a box kit. Typical crud speakers, typical low-end receiver. Not sure it was able to handle true surround sound even. But, it was my intro and I learned a lot. A couple of years later I had a few extra coins and decided to throw down for a top shelf receiver and some good speakers. Picked up about $3,000 in Definitive Technology speakers and a Yamaha receiver (this was 15 or so years ago). The speakers showed up about a month before the receiver did.

So, might as well hook them up and hear how they sound right?

Man oh man!!! The difference a quality set of speakers makes, even with an inexpensive receiver is just phenomenal. The speakers sounded so good I almost felt like cancelling my receiver purchase. In fact, I probably should have and just picked up a cheaper receiver to save some coin.

Moral of the story: Put your money into good speakers. Speakers which will last you 15 or 30 years. Something you like the sound of and that you will be stoked on for years to come. The price of the receiver is almost irrelevant to the discussion of speakers because the speakers themselves will be the ones that fill your room with great audio. Even if you have to purchase in increments, do so. Get the speakers that you want, the ones that make you happiest, and enjoy them forever and a day.

 

[nbk13nw]

Thanks for the shopping list that was good and hands on. However, the sub is 400 usd. It is not well know brand and may not easy to buy in my area. Any recommendation for a mainstream brand and cheaper sub.

Is HSUresearch sub using some tuning by moving, or removing some foam on speaker box built in tubing? How does this work? It is new to me. Not heard it before. May be some concept from century old wood pipe musical instrument?

HSU makes great subs. Ported and tunable. One of the best out there.

 

[lovinthehd]

Dayton is interesting low cost. How is the general comment on its quality performance (well, relative to the price)

Quite good. Many here use Dayton products probably mainly DIY but some finished speakers as well. Good bang for the buck. As was mentioned, many speakers or components of speakers come from China. What country do you live in?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for the shopping list that was good and hands on. However, the sub is 400 usd. It is not well know brand and may not easy to buy in my area. Any recommendation for a mainstream brand and cheaper sub.

Is HSUresearch sub using some tuning by moving, or removing some foam on speaker box built in tubing? How does this work? It is new to me. Not heard it before. May be some concept from century old wood pipe musical instrument?

I feel like smacking you on the head. There are only a few names worth a mention in the world of home subs which aren't a rip-off:
SVS, Rhythmic, HSU and to some degree PSA (ex-SVS people). Also Monorpice with new THX subs, but they both out of your budget and stock. Among these HSU builds some of the best performance per dollar subs.
As for variable tuning: http://www.hsuresearch.com/faq.html
https://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-2-mk5

 

[John6289]

To PENG, wonder what did u mean by "AVR-X3400H, That AVR will give you a little more flexibility in choosing your speakers."

I was under the impression, may be wrong, that the whole 7.2 series has essentially very similar function, in dsp signal processing, dobly decoding, room compensation, delay, gain control, equalization. They all has four dsp chips and same decription in factory web. Only different in power output. Seem they put on bigger amplifier and power supply, while using common dsp electronics.

A bit technical here, the room calibration tech is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audyssey_Laboratories

Avr-xI500h, 278 page manual
Axr-x2400h, 281 pages
Axr-x2500h, 288 pages
Axr-x3400h, 290 pages
Axr-x3500h, 299 pages

For higher than 7.2,
Avr-x4500h to 8000, manual jump a bit, 345 to 360 pages

 

[John6289]

I live in hong kong. Long time ago, one of my friend's past many posts, was working in china factory doing electronic engineering. The factory also make low end audio products and mid range tv, they brought the brand name rights from some defunctioned japan companies. I did not know about speaker technical.
Yes, china make both high grade (apxxx phone, pad, etc) and lowest grade products....

 

[John6289]

How speaker box volume, like volume of many musical instruments, affect sound quality?

Will sony cs3, with much bigger box volume, in floor standing configuration, and dual 5.25 driver, significant better in sound than cs3?

Sony cs3 has dual 5.25 speaker while cs5 has one. 198 usd on amazon
3 ways, 4 driver
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?k=sony+cs3+speaker&sprefix=sony+cs3&crid=3BDIYXUR3HPTA

Sony cs5, is 148 usd.3 way, 3 driver https://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSCS5-3-Driver-Bookshelf-Speaker/dp/B00O8YLMVA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536721702&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=sony+cs5+speaker&dpPl=1&dpID=41TdFgCmlVL&ref=plSrch

 

[PENG]

To PENG, wonder what did u mean by "AVR-X3400H, That AVR will give you a little more flexibility in choosing your speakers."

The AVR-X3400H should be about 10-20% more powerful than the AVR-X2500H. That's not significant at all, but it comes with multi-channel pre-outs so you can add an external power amp(s) that will allow you to upgrade to any speakers (including those that needs more power) in the future. This means little if you don't have any future upgrade plan.

The X3400H also has XT32 Sub EQ HT that can integrate the subwoofer(s) and the other speakers better. You should be able to get a brand new one for less money than the AVR-X2500H because it is last year's model.

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVRX3400H-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B072Z9ZGSZ
https://www.amazon.com/Denon-Receivers-Component-Receiver-AVRX2500/dp/B07CVKC9MD/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1536751225&sr=1-1&keywords=avrx2500h

If you are buying it in Hong Kong from an authorized dealer, just bargain hard and make sure you get a brand new one in a sealed box with full Denon warranty.

 

[John6289]

Any recommendation for front and central speaker?

Sony ss cs3, cs5 and cs8 have wonderful reviews and suit budget

However, on amazon, it carries a CA government warning of harmful chemical. May be best to stay away?

 

[lovinthehd]

Any recommendation for front and central speaker?

Sony ss cs3, cs5 and cs8 have wonderful reviews and suit budget

However, on amazon, it carries a CA government warning of harmful chemical. May be best to stay away?

LOL many many things in California are labeled that way due to law. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[snakeeyes]

Here's a story...

My first A/V system was a Kenwood home theater in a box kit. Typical crud speakers, typical low-end receiver. Not sure it was able to handle true surround sound even. But, it was my intro and I learned a lot. A couple of years later I had a few extra coins and decided to throw down for a top shelf receiver and some good speakers. Picked up about $3,000 in Definitive Technology speakers and a Yamaha receiver (this was 15 or so years ago). The speakers showed up about a month before the receiver did.

So, might as well hook them up and hear how they sound right?

Man oh man!!! The difference a quality set of speakers makes, even with an inexpensive receiver is just phenomenal. The speakers sounded so good I almost felt like cancelling my receiver purchase. In fact, I probably should have and just picked up a cheaper receiver to save some coin.

Moral of the story: Put your money into good speakers. Speakers which will last you 15 or 30 years. Something you like the sound of and that you will be stoked on for years to come. The price of the receiver is almost irrelevant to the discussion of speakers because the speakers themselves will be the ones that fill your room with great audio. Even if you have to purchase in increments, do so. Get the speakers that you want, the ones that make you happiest, and enjoy them forever and a day.

Great story. I would encourage the OP to listen to a few speakers in person and figure out the volume of the space for figuring out the sub size. If money is tight, Craigslist might be an option. A lot of used speakers there with a lot of life left in them.

 

[John6289]

Thanks for the recommendation. They all have good reviews.

Any recommendation for shops selling these and can ship to hong kong. Kind of heavy, may use slower and cheaper shipping method. No urgent need to have them in blink of eye...

Seem the group suggest denon is over price and i should shift more percentage of money toward speakers. May be sony ss cs3 floor standing tower is better. Seem photo of "serious user" and manual diagram all have tower speakers. I want denon for work curisity on trying out what modern electronics dsp and linux can do nowadays.

Sony Ss cs3,
Ss cs5
Ss cs8

Jbl arena b15

Hsuresearch vtf1 mk2

Denon avr-x 3400 (or other models in the series)

 

[John6289]

Any idea and tech information on this 9 pin RS-232C connector on denon avr-x3400h?

Quoted from manual,
Used to connect home automation controller devices fitted with RS-232C connectors. Consult the owner’s manual of the home automation controller for more information about serial control of this unit.

 

[lovinthehd]

Any idea and tech information on this 9 pin RS-232C connector on denon avr-x3400h?

Quoted from manual,
Used to connect home automation controller devices fitted with RS-232C connectors. Consult the owner’s manual of the home automation controller for more information about serial control of this unit.

I think that's fairly self explanatory. Do you have a home automation controller with RS232C connections? You can just access the avr via your computer, too (via your network and the assigned IP address for the avr), at least you can with my Denon 4520, I would think they still have that capability.

Thanks for the recommendation. They all have good reviews.

Any recommendation for shops selling these and can ship to hong kong. Kind of heavy, may use slower and cheaper shipping method. No urgent need to have them in blink of eye...

Seem the group suggest denon is over price and i should shift more percentage of money toward speakers. May be sony ss cs3 floor standing tower is better. Seem photo of "serious user" and manual diagram all have tower speakers. I want denon for work curisity on trying out what modern electronics dsp and linux can do nowadays.

Sony Ss cs3,
Ss cs5
Ss cs8

Jbl arena b15

Hsuresearch vtf1 mk2

Denon avr-x 3400 (or other models in the series)

There are no hi-fi shops in HK that sell avrs or speakers? The Hsu sub is available in HK?

 

[John6289]

Avr is available, but that particular model is at normal price, while us is at sale price, due to last year model.

Not much hifi shop in hong kong, due to local different consumer liking. Hk has tons of other shops.

 

[lovinthehd]

Would the sale price in US make up for expenses of shipping/duties ? Have you checked with local audio forums/groups?

 

[John6289]

I have asked. Local forum is not active.

Will go check shop on weekend. This forum gave me good info on what range to look for. Thanks for that!