Help! - Newbie question

[caesar-vvv]

Hello Experts,

I'm about to foray into getting some decent speakers and receiver and need some guidance. I currently do not have anything.

I want to start small with two floor standing speakers & an AV receiver and then add to this throughout the year. Will get the sub and center in the next couple of months. The goal is to get really good kit now and not have to upgrade for awhile.

I've decided on the Paradigm Monitor 11 speakers and need some guidance on the receivers.

Its come down to the Denon 4311/3311 OR the Yamaha A3000/A2000. I'm not sure if I'm really going to use all the features that they currently possess which is why I'm leaning to the 3311 or A2000.

I plan on using the multi zone feature and will plug a BDVD player & PS3 through it. The room size is 4metres by 3metres.

Is the above overkill? This fits into my budget so far.

4311 - Have heard that there are issues with it currently with most of it being fixed by a firmware upgrade.
Denon - Nice to listen to but has complicated manuals, remotes and GUI
Yamaha - Easier GUI and better laid out manuals.
this is what I've gathered so far.

Any assistance will be great!

Cheers,
Cheng

 

[emaja]

All 4 receivers have pre-outs for adding a power amp later and ethernet so you can download those firmware updates as needed. I have liked Denon better than Yamaha, but that was before the Adventage series. Those look very nice but I haven't had a chance to play with them yet.

The Monitor 11's are SWEET! You will love them. My only thought is that for a room that size they might be a little big, but if you are going to keep them awhile, perhaps you will have a larger room later.

I would probably go with the 3311 and use the savings over the A2000 for a center channel. Depending on how much room you have in your A/V center, the CC-290 - $549 - should fit well with the Monitor 11's. It weighs about 30 lbs. The CC-390 is mammoth! It is almost like a Monitor 9 on its side and weighs over 50 lbs, so that could be a challenge to mount.

 

[caesar-vvv]

Thanks emaja. I was thinking that the 11's might be too big too. Will have them for awhile but don't think the room size will change anytime soon. Might go for the 9's instead & take the 290 center.

 

[just-some-guy]

never too big. if you can afford it, get the 11's

 

[AVRat]

What country are you in? Heck, even the 7s are overkill for a room that size. I don't know what the pricing is on these units, but for a room that size I'd up the quality to the Studio 20s.

Only the Denons can pass non-HDMI digital PCM 2.0 over optical/coax to Zones 2/3.

 

[emaja]

I think the Studio 20s would be great in a room that size if you want to go with bookshelves and stands. My room is about 50% bigger than yours and I have the Titans which are similar to the 20s just not in the Studio line.

If you buy from a dealer that allows you to return them if you don't like them, there really is no risk.

The 11s are about $1500 and the Studio 20s are about $1300. If you go Studio, add the CC-490 center for $800 and you have the front all set. You can add the 10s ($900) for rears later if you want. That would be a pretty sweet setup for sure.

 

[caesar-vvv]

Do you have a link to the Studio series? I've looked up the website and couldn't find it.

The room is actually 4.3mts in length and 3.8mts width. Also it opens out into the dining area so its not really a closed room.

 

[emaja]

Sorry. It's full name is Reference Studio Series.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You could get the Denon 4310 from amazon @ 51% off if you don't need 3D video.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR4310CI-7-1-Channel-Multi-Zone-Connectivity/dp/B002AKKFQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1296759065&sr=8-1

Why did you decide on the Paradigm? Have you listened to other speakers?

 

[GranteedEV]

Why did you decide on the Paradigm? Have you listened to other speakers?

I second this. I mean if the paradigms are ultimately what you like best it's one thing but have you auditioned MANY speakers like

PSB Image T6
RBH MC-6CT
Revel F12
Def Tech BP-8060ST

and even
JBL L890
Klipsch RF-82 II
Infinity Classia C336
Focal 705V

and considered online speakers like

SVS MTS-02
EMP e55ti
Aperion Verus Grand
JTR Triple 8
Salk Songtower
Ascend Sierra Tower
Emotiva 8.3
Axiom M80

?

Only because $1500 is a lot of money and when people mention paradigm I often feel like it may be the first and only thing they considered. You wouldn't buy the first car you test drive, would you?

 

[DenPureSound]

You can go with the Denon AVR-3311CI at Electronics-Expo dot come, and use Code = LSDA1229, showing $793 right now.

http://www.electronics-expo.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR3311CI/Denon/AVR3311CI/1.html

For speakers, I would look at Klipsch, DefTech, and Paradigms... all great stuff. For Klipsch's talk to Eric at SoundDistributors dot com, and he has some of the best prices on Klipsch's.

Hope this helps.
---------------------------------------------
Denon AVR-3311CI
Emotiva XPA-5 (Coming Soon)
LG BD-590
DirecTV Sat IRD
Technics TT
Klipsch RF-82II x 2 - Fronts
Klipsch RC-62II - Center
Klipsch RS-52II x 2 - Surrounds
Klipsch RW-12d (12"-350W) Sub Left
PA-150 (15"-250W) Sub Right
Vizio 55"
and something else is Missing like More $$$... Maybe on XMC Waiting List

 

[caesar-vvv]

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to listen to any other speakers. I did listen to some Monitor Audio but found the Paradigms to be better. I don't know if its because the Paradigms are pushed a lot at the stores over here.
Thanks for the list GranteedEV. I'll go hunting this weekend and see if I can listen to any of them.

 

[caesar-vvv]

Thanks, I live quite a long way off and will have to check on how much it costs to deliver. If its too much then I might as well pick it up here. I think I'm going to go with the 3311 though the Yamaha A2000 is looking pretty good too.

 

[caesar-vvv]

Listened to a couple more speakers over the weekend. Monitor Audio RX series and a couple of PMC speakers. Thought the Paradigms still sounded better. Anyone recommendations on the above speakers?