Denon,Outlaw,Pioneer or BA?

[cthomp]

I am looking for a good 7.1 100W Receiver and Speaker Set-up?

The four receivers that seem to have good reviews for my budget of <$1000 are:

Denon AVR-2807
Outlaw Model 1070
Pioneer VSX-815K
Boston Acoustics AVR-7100

For Speakers does anyone own Aperion Intimus? What about Mordaunt Short
Advent. Boston Acoustics's VR's? Any other approx $3k 7.1 w/Sub

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[jcPanny]

Receivers.

Don't forget to add Yamaha to that list. Look for a good deal on the RX-V1500 model for <$500.

Also, that pioneer model is pretty low end for your budget, but you should conside the Pioneer VSX-1015 or an elite model.

 

[tomd51]

I just picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics VR3s a couple of months ago and use them with an older Denon 3803 for pre/pro and Outlaw 755 200x5 amp. The VR3s, IMO, are very precise speakers for the money. If your familiar with and like the sound of BAs, you would do well with these. From a couple of reviews I've read, they match very well with the BA receivers, which are well received (no pun intended) in some professional reviews.

My personal preference for receiver is either Denon or Onkyo as I find they provide very little coloration to their sound. Having said that, Pioneer, Yamaha and Harman Kardon make decent receivers as well, all of these which you should be able to find for less than 1k. Outlaw receivers are apparently a very good value and if they're anything like their amps, they're well put together and clean. Another option if you're not opposed to refurbished, you can score a great deal on any of the aforementioned receivers that are a year or two older. My one suggestion on these would be to spend more time listening to them or similar models, if possible and less time comparing specs. Pick a price range and perform comparisons in this range, regardless of wattage.

If you're considering staying under/around $3000.00 for 7.1 speakers plus sub, here's a possible option:

Mains: VR3s (approx. 850.00)
Center: VRC (approx. 400.00)
surrounds: VRX (approx. 450.00)
surround backs: CR75 (approx. 200.00)
SVS 20-39 PC+ (approx. 850.00)

Either a mid-level SVS or higher end HSU should provide you with a solid HT and musical sub for a reasonable price. If you do go with a fairly solid sub, you can even switch out the VR3s for some VRB large bookshelves and save a few hundred.

Tough to give you a "perfect fit" for your listening environment not knowing, but this setup would do well in any mid to large setting. Might be overkill in a smaller setup, but since when is having too much a bad thing?

 

[cthomp]

Thanks for the info!

 

[outsider]

the Aperion Intimus systems are nice. They sound good, are well made, and are a good value.
I have no idea how they compare to the other speakers listed.

 

[zumbo]

tomd51
Yamaha is decent? Oh man. I know you di'unt.

 

[tomd51]

tomd51
Yamaha is decent? Oh man. I know you di'unt.

Now that's funny, I never knew how to spell "di'unt'...

To each his own, Z. I'm not one to pump any particular product too much, regardless of how I personally feel. I think every one of the receivers I'd mentioned are decent, not amazing, but not too bad, either. Personally, I'm not a fan of Yamaha recievers, just a little to bright for my taste. I've heard the same of Denon, though. In fact, I've heard Denon's described as "bright", "laid-back", "dull" and "forward". Now how you can get one particular manufacturer's receivers to have all those characteristics, I have no idea...

Just goes to prove once again that listening tastes are highly subjective. Always have been, always will be... -TD

 

[zumbo]

Now that's funny, I never knew how to spell "di'unt'...

To each his own, Z. I'm not one to pump any particular product too much, regardless of how I personally feel. I think every one of the receivers I'd mentioned are decent, not amazing, but not too bad, either. Personally, I'm not a fan of Yamaha recievers, just a little to bright for my taste. I've heard the same of Denon, though. In fact, I've heard Denon's described as "bright", "laid-back", "dull" and "forward". Now how you can get one particular manufacturer's receivers to have all those characteristics, I have no idea...

Just goes to prove once again that listening tastes are highly subjective. Always have been, always will be... -TD

I know what you mean. I don't think Yamaha's are bright. But, I like hard dome tweeters. So, who knows? I heard Denon with Klipsch RF line. I couldn't get-out of the store fast enough!

 

[The Doc]

might be more helpful to also list the models not just the names, one model of denon will not be the same as all.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

If you have $1000 to put towards a receiver, I'd definitely recommend looking at some Pioneers online. You can pick up a nice VSX 9300, 56, or 74 for under a grand.

$500 will buy you an Onkyo 801 or Yammy 2500 on Ubid, which are about as good as the Denon 3805 - for a few hundred less.

 

[zumbo]

might be more helpful to also list the models not just the names, one model of denon will not be the same as all.

It was three years ago. Can't remember. It was a high-end model. I can remember it was more than a Yamaha 2400. That's about it.

The Klipsch were RF-25, 35, 5, &7's.

 

[tomd51]

might be more helpful to also list the models not just the names, one model of denon will not be the same as all.

Agreed. In my listening experience, I found the "lite" Denon receivers (1505-1905 models) sounded a bit brighter than the mid-level offerings (2105-2805) and not as strong in the mid-bass region . All of the 380* models I've listened to I found to be very well rounded and neutral, not too forward sounding, not too laid back.

I heard Denon with Klipsch RF line. I couldn't get-out of the store fast enough!

I think there's very few receivers paired up with the Klipschs you noted that wouldn't sound bright. Thank God you didn't hear them hooked up to a Yammy, you would've been reduced to whimpering mass right there on the spot!!

 

[zumbo]

I think there's very few receivers paired up with the Klipschs you noted that wouldn't sound bright. Thank God you didn't hear them hooked up to a Yammy, you would've been reduced to whimpering mass right there on the spot!!

I agree. I mean, I love hard domes. I like my highs to sound like I'm sitting beside the cymbal when it crashes, but I just can't take the old Klipsch RF line. Havn't heard the new ones yet.

 

[trivee]

Quote:
Originally Posted by zumbo
I heard Denon with Klipsch RF line. I couldn't get-out of the store fast enough!


I think there's very few receivers paired up with the Klipschs you noted that wouldn't sound bright. Thank God you didn't hear them hooked up to a Yammy, you would've been reduced to whimpering mass right there on the spot!!


I agree 1000000%
i have sold yamaha, pioneer elite, denon, integra recievers. Klipsch, boston Acoustics, B&W speakers, paradigm, energy, focal/jm labs, and definitive Tech. i currently own Veritas from energy so i do like them (i wanted focals, but my wallet didnt agree) klipsch are loud yes! forward yes!, fatiguing HELL yes! (imho) denon is the most neutral in the bunch 800-plus or 2800 series plus. Elite was bass strong and a lil flat, yamaha to me is exaggerated, onkyo lil brite and thin, integra lil better closer to denon than yamaha..........

over all your EAR decides......... dont let your wallet do the decision making!!!!!
anybody ever see any one who owns a boston acoustics receiver?
its a re packaged sherwood / new castle as far as i know