best budget reciever

[Cotizi]

Ive got a panasonic XR25 receiver right now, and while I like it in general, the inability to move the crossover for my sub (PB10-ISD) to anything below 100hz is annoying. I really would like 80hz or lower i think, especially for my extensive HT use. Anyways, the Panasonic was free so i cant afford anything over $300. Any ideas?

 

[Brandst]

I just picked up a Panny SA-XR55 for the bedroom, it has settings for 80, 100,150, & 200 hz for the crossover on the sub. You can find them online for a little over $200 and is easily one of the best values. It has more than enough power to fill the room with sound and the only complaints that I have are excusable for the money I paid. If you have questions I'll be happy to try to answer them.

Steve

 

[Cotizi]

Thanks. does that receiver support both a and b speaker sets or is it like the XR-25 and only has 1 set of fronts?

 

[Brandst]

It supports 2 sets of front speakers and has 7.1 output although I normally see it listed as 6.1.

Steve

 

[jcPanny]

Nice Sub . . .

Since you don't have speaker level inputs on the sub, your options are limited. I have heard of people using a type of car audio adapter which converts a speaker level signal to a line level signal. If you connected this to your fronts on LARGE, then you would be able to use the crossover on the sub.

Otherwise, Check some of these receiver options:
Yamaha HTR-5860 - $350
Yamaha HTR-5840 - $200
Refurb HK AVR-235 from Harman Audio on ebay - $300

 

[Brandst]

The PB10 doesn't have a built in crossover, it relies on the one in your surround receiver. He wouldn't be able to use a line level converter to the sub. The SA-XR55 has a dedicated LFE output with 4 different crossover points and would work fine, not sure how it stacks up to the Yammy's or the HK though as they were not on my list due to size and heat issues. Even with the space constraints I was tempted to try to make an HK work in the space that I have, those are good options.

Steve

 

[Cotizi]

i still wonder if 80hz is enough. im sure it is way better than the 100hz i have right now. but i know down the road ill be looking at less than 80hz once i get some floors for fronts, etc. the athenas can get to i guess maybe 60-70 legit so i think 80 would work, too bad their isnt a way to see which one i like best with the panny's since 80hz is as low as it goes.

 

[Brandst]

My Marantz 7500 in the living room only has 3 crossover settings 80, 100 and 120hz. I can blend the LFE into the fronts and the sub if I choose or let one or the other handle that information if I had large fronts. The HK 235 has crossover settings starting at 40hz and going up to 120 in 20hz increments, and then a 200hz setting as well. Both of the Yammy's are pretty much the same starting out at 40hz, though they are defaulted at 80hz where the HK is at 100hz, but that is a non-issue. Those are all good receivers and within your price range, and with the crossover settings more adjustable probably better suited to your needs than the Panny.

Steve