Help with choosing speakers...

[augie428]

Hey everybody,

I was hoping you all could lend some advice to me regarding buying some new speakers. About 5 years ago I purchased an HTIB (Onkyo SKS-HT200 with HT-R510 receiver) and am more than ready to upgrade my system.

For the receiver I was looking at either the Denon AVR-4308CI or Denon AVR-3808CI (I wish either of these were Sirius ready). Does anyone have a suggestion about the speakers and subwoofer? I was hoping to keep it in the $1000 range for the speakers/sub.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[gus6464]

Hey everybody,

I was hoping you all could lend some advice to me regarding buying some new speakers. About 5 years ago I purchased an HTIB (Onkyo SKS-HT200 with HT-R510 receiver) and am more than ready to upgrade my system.

For the receiver I was looking at either the Denon AVR-4308CI or Denon AVR-3808CI (I wish either of these were Sirius ready). Does anyone have a suggestion about the speakers and subwoofer? I was hoping to keep it in the $1000 range for the speakers/sub.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

First of all you should switch your budget around and get a $1000 receiver and $2500 speakers. Why pair <$400 speakers with a $2500 receiver? That is a waste. Choose the receiver based on speakers and not the way around. Something like an Onkyo 805 would be really nice so that you can have a $3000 speaker budget which would get you a damn good system.

 

[mazersteven]

First of all you should switch your budget around and get a $1000 receiver and $2500 speakers. Why pair <$400 speakers with a $2500 receiver? That is a waste. Choose the receiver based on speakers and not the way around.

Excellent advise. Unless you need some certain features on those receivers I agree with Gus. Choose your speakers first and then choose electronics to power them.


What budget? What room size? What is this system going to be used for (HT, 2-channel music, multi-channel music?).

 

[no. 5]

I agree, the single piece (or pieces) of equipment that will have the most effect on performance is the speakers.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

As a young audio gear head at 17, I had a subscription to Stereo Review, the authority on audio.

They said most of your audio money on speakers. Great electronics are nice, but hooked up to crap speakers they are worthless.

 

[augie428]

So if I decided to go with an Onkyo 805 and stick to a budget between $3000 and $4000 for speakers, which would you suggest based on that amount?

 

[mazersteven]

So if I decided to go with an Onkyo 805 and stick to a budget between $3000 and $4000 for speakers, which would you suggest based on that amount?

Dude, First your looking at $1000 speakers and sub. Just like that you kick the budget up to $4000?

$4000 buys you an incredible system.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Why not 5 Mackies and a Pre/Pro with a SVS or equivalent. The Mackies would run about 3K, leave 1K For an Outlaw or equivalent, and PCI+ SVS or equivalent. I could not imagine a better sounding 5k system.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Just noticed the goal was 4K not 5k. In that case I would take on a good used PREpro (not a bad idea anyway with the latest sound formats just coming on line recently) and a PCI SVS`sub or equivalent.

 

[mazersteven]

Mud,

The Mackie's are only $399 now. So he could do 5 Mackie's, and still be under his budget.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-HR824-Studio-Monitor?sku=605250

 

[MUDSHARK]

Awesome! I love it when really good speakers come down in price. I recall how much better I thought the Mackies were when you, Tom, and Scott compared the Polks, Paradigms, and Klipsch to them two years ago. The Mackies, Outlaw, and SVS would be a really cool HT.

 

[gus6464]

Man $4000 buys some damn good speakers. Off the top of my head these are some you should audition.

Paradigm Studio 40 fronts, 20 rears, CC-590 center
B&W 683 fronts, 685/686 rears, HTM61 center
B&W CM7 fronts, CM1 rears, CM Center
Dynaudio Focus 140 fronts, 110 rears, 200C center
Monitor Audio GS20 fronts, GS10 rears, GSLCR center
Dali Ikon 5 fronts, Ikon 1 rears, Vokal 2 center

For sub either an SVS PB12-Plus or a HSU VTF3 HO

These are just some combinations from speakers I have heard and there are just so many more brands out there to hear. I would go to the following manufacturers websites and see if they have dealers around your area that carry these brands.

 

[mazersteven]

I recall how much better I thought the Mackies were when you, Tom, and Scott compared the Polks, Paradigms, and Klipsch to them two years ago.

 

[Davemcc]

Man $4000 buys some damn good speakers. Off the top of my head these are some you should audition.

Paradigm Studio 40 fronts, 20 rears, CC-590 center
B&W 683 fronts, 685/686 rears, HTM61 center
B&W CM7 fronts, CM1 rears, CM Center
Dynaudio Focus 140 fronts, 110 rears, 200C center
Monitor Audio GS20 fronts, GS10 rears, GSLCR center
Dali Ikon 5 fronts, Ikon 1 rears, Vokal 2 center

For sub either an SVS PB12-Plus or a HSU VTF3 HO

These are just some combinations from speakers I have heard and there are just so many more brands out there to hear. I would go to the following manufacturers websites and see if they have dealers around your area that carry these brands.

All excellent suggestions, especially the SVS PB-12 (or two while the sale is on). I'd also like to add Focal.JMLabs the list of brands to listen to.