Denon AVR-3808ci and Boston Speakers

[skjags]

Hi,

I am a newbie to the components and pairing. I recently researched lots of newsgroups, talked to friends and then went to Magnolia to try listening to some of their combinations. The purpose of this setup is for Home Theater and also for music listening. I have a Sony 52xbr, ps3, wii and a Sony blueray player BDPS350. I was sold on Dennon AVR-3808ci because of its capabilities. So, I was trying to find some spearkers to go with it. I listened to Definitive, Vienna and Boston. I have $1000 to spend on speakers with 3 channels. I liked definitive, vienna was more suited for music than for movies and Boston I liked a lot for music and was good for movies also. I am thinking of buying the Boston CS 226 ($400/pair) and I thought it was a good value. I will be setting up only two front and a center channel.

Is there any concerns with such a decision. Are Boston good startup speakers that I can replace in 2-3 years? Does anyone have this combination?
Or could I go with better speakers for this price?

- JK

 

[AVRat]

I don’t think many people have heard the new Bostons since their short hiatus from the standard speaker fare. If they sound like their previous lines then I expect they sound pretty nice and they would be a good starter set.

The 3808 seems like overkill for these speakers and the feature set you would appear to need given your other gear. You could save some cash by going with a lower level receiver and maybe something from Yamaha, Pioneer, or Onkyo.

 

[skjags]

Thanks

Thanks. I was going back and forth between Def Tech Cinema and Boston floor standing. I liked the music capability of Boston. Seems like the movie capability may be better with Def tech.

 

[chest_burster]

I've listened to all the Classic series and have the smaller CS23 mixed in with my CR system now as surrounds and they blend seamlessly. I auditioned many other speakers in this price range (Polk Audio Monitor and RTi, Infinity Primus, Jamo E800, and Aperion 532) and none sounded as natural and transparent as the Bostons. I think if you can get the floorstanders for a good price (saw them on Amazon for around $140 each shipped IIRC) I think you'll be very happy.

I'd also suggest a less expensive AVR, these speakers are very easy to drive. I had a NAD C325BEE driving them and "downgraded" to a Sony STR-DG820 AVR and there's not enough of a difference to make me sad (and I'm stoked to have tamed the cable monster once and for all thanks to HDMI). Other than a bit more treble emphasis there's no loss in detail or clarity. Save some bucks for booze and music!

 

[BoB/335]

I'm new to this and have been speaker shopping myself. It seems to me that you went fairly high end with the receiver and are not meeting those expectations with speaker choice. I have NOT heard the Boston Acoustics so I can't comment on that but I have purchased a Denon 2309 and am looking at $2000 a pair speakers. I feel that the 3809 would probably be a better choice for the speakers I have been looking at but I have been assured that the receiver I have will be more than adequate.

What I'm really trying to say is that most agree that the speakers are the most important part of the sound. Cut back on the reciever and upgrade the speakers. Of course this is just my opinion.

 

[skjags]

Reason for receiver

I went to Magnolia to listen to the music and also their movie on speakers. I listened to Definitive floor standing (they had 3 versions...) and Bostons. I liked the Bostons better even though the sales man pitched for definitive. I hear a lot about defnitives, but I found them extremely bright ( though they have an added advantage of built in subs) and not exactly to my taste. So Boston would be my starting speakers as I liked them much.

I want to settle for a good receiver with many HDMI inputs and also network capability. I found on the forums that this receiver was rated well and I bought in the hope to replace to good speakers in a year or so.

If not Boston, what other speakers I can listen to. I have a problem where there are not many stores that carry speakers that I can listen to. I have nothing by Magnolia near by.

 

[BoB/335]

I hear many good things about Paradigm Studio 60's and 100's. Also PSB Imagine. And I'm not saying anything bad about Boston Acoustics.

Internet direct you have Aperion, Axiom, Onix Rockets which all allow 30 days in the home return policy.

 

[chest_burster]

I went to Magnolia to listen to the music and also their movie on speakers. I listened to Definitive floor standing (they had 3 versions...) and Bostons. I liked the Bostons better even though the sales man pitched for definitive. I hear a lot about defnitives, but I found them extremely bright ( though they have an added advantage of built in subs) and not exactly to my taste. So Boston would be my starting speakers as I liked them much.

I want to settle for a good receiver with many HDMI inputs and also network capability. I found on the forums that this receiver was rated well and I bought in the hope to replace to good speakers in a year or so.

If not Boston, what other speakers I can listen to. I have a problem where there are not many stores that carry speakers that I can listen to. I have nothing by Magnolia near by.

I think that since you listened to the Bostons and liked what you heard, you're safe buying them. Hop on Amazon and order a pair, shipped, for what you'd pay for one speaker in store (less than $300).

If you sense there might be something better out there for you, let the search continue. Most of the internet direct companies offer free shipping at least one way, so you can try as many as you reasonably like. I prefer the Boston's high end to the Aperions I heard, YMMV. Good luck, have fun!

 

[BoB/335]

If you already saw and heard speakers in a store where they pay rent, electric, insurance, employee pay and benefits, then I would at least give them the opportunity to match or come close to a price that you can get on the internet. Afterall, if these stores never sell anything then we will no longer have any stores around to check out anything.

 

[skjags]

Magnolia Factor

I heard from my sales man that the Bostons are not going arrive for a month. As I am interested in settling for another pair, I am going to look at Klipsh Icon series, Definitive BP700x series again. If I like them, I would get them. Thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate you guys taking time to advise me.

Also, Thanks to Bob - I do feel that the local stores should get money when they serve you. I am not 100% satisfied with their customer service, but they gave me an opportunity to listen and did spend time. If the price difference to be paid is around $100 between them and online, I do not mind as I feel that they need get paid for their work and effort.

I will update on my purchase once I am done.

 

[chest_burster]

If you already saw and heard speakers in a store where they pay rent, electric, insurance, employee pay and benefits, then I would at least give them the opportunity to match or come close to a price that you can get on the internet. Afterall, if these stores never sell anything then we will no longer have any stores around to check out anything.

Isn't he talking about Best Buy? They aren't going anywhere. If it were a smaller dealer or even a regional chain I'd agree, but BB is the devil.

 

[BoB/335]

Is Magnolia the same as Best Buy? I never heard of Magnolia.

 

[chest_burster]

Is Magnolia the same as Best Buy? I never heard of Magnolia.

A lot of Best Buys have a little Magnolia Home Theater room off to the side where they sell Denon, Pioneer Elite, Mirage, Def Tech, etc, normally at much higher prices and with less knowledgable salespeople than at smaller dealers or regional chains like Electronics-Expo or Sixth Ave. here in NJ.

 

[skjags]

Def Tech BP7006 and CLR2000 Now

Okay. Today I made up my mind to go with Def. Tech BP 7006 and CLR2000 (for center) with my setup. I listened to Def. Tech and Bostons again and was sold on Def. Tech because of the clean separation between instruments when playing music and excellent HT reproduction. The speakers should be coming in tomorrow and I cannot wait to set my systems up.

I did not realize that on Bostons they were clear up to a particular volume after that everything sounded mixed. And the speakers could not handle the way Def Tech BP 7006 did in terms of clarity and the base. But Bostons are still good for the money.

 

[BoB/335]

So 6th Ave in NJ has knowledgable salespeople? I went to 2 different ones here on Long Island. One in Smithtown and one in Commack. I found them both to be pathetic!

 

[chest_burster]

"Knowledgable" might be a stretch, as would be polite. I went in there fully planning on buying a receiver and got a huge runaround and an unwillingness to match their online price. So if you've had lousy experiences with them too, I'm happy to write them off my list (though I know people who've been happy with them). Electronics-Expo is good in my experience and I always give them a chance to pricematch if they have something I want (I bought a receiver and my surrounds there)... except for the time they sold me a Velodyne VRP-1200 last year then switched a VX10 into the back of my car. That sucked, and they apologized profusely, but I still go in skeptical now.

So I don't mind buying from Amazon or Vanns or other online dealers with those experiences in mind, but Expo is all right.