HK 235 Vs Yamaha RX-V757

[Ugucio]

Well, I've read arround in this forum and I know HK-Yamaha is an old and controversial question but...

I'm new at these things and I've to ask for some help.

I've a 4x9 meter room in wich TV is at the end and sitting room is about 6 meters from TV (6x4=24m2)

I've benn looking for a new 7.1 System and I like the Harman Kardon AVR235 and Yamaha RXV757.

I'm a beginner in HomeCinema systems and I'm upgrading from and old Kenwood KA1030 45Wx4(2+2) stereo amplifier, so I want an entry level system.

Are these systems power enougth for that room?
Which of them is better?
What speaker system is a godd choice?
Is there another model more acurrate?

Any suggestion are wellcome.

Thanks in advance and sorry for my terrible English.

 

[jcPanny]

Yamaha Receivers

With a room size of 12 ft. x 27 ft. I think those receivers would be about the minimum I would recommend. Of course, it depends a lot on the efficiency and the impedence of the speakers that you will be driving with the receiver.

If you can up your budget to $500, I would conside the RX-V1500. I recently purchased the HTR-5860 (same as the RX-V657) and am happy with it.

 

[Ugucio]

For speakers I like JBL

Thanks for your apreciation jcPanny, I'll look at RXV1500 and some other amps.

Well, about speakers, I like JBL so I'm lookink at Balboa or equivalent in Northridge Series: perhaphs 2xE60+2xE20+EC25+EP150. Anyway It's not closed.

Are these speakers adecuate for amp and room size?

Thanks again

 

[fergusonv]

IMHO skip on the sub you have listed.... lots of better choices even in the same price bracket.

 

[Ugucio]

Same maker

I thought that it would be a good idea to buy all speaker from same maker, but I suppose it's no very important if sub is from different maker.

I'm going to read reviews for a better one....

 

[HookedOnSound]

The Yamaha RXV757 is probably a better choice than the HK AVR235 since it is a very recent unit on the market with some of the latest features including Component Video Up Conversion.

Take a look at the features you need (including how much power your speakers require) and then decide if either unit meet your needs.

Better to invest in the research now than having to live with regret later.

Good Luck,

 

[mike c]

Ugocio, I think infinity speakers are gonna sound better than that series of JBL speakers (northridge)

i agree with the subwoofer suggestion:
look elsewhere (not infinity, not jbl)

if you can sell your house or something, check out velodyne subwoofers.

 

[Ugucio]

First of all, thanks for your help.

Nobody has recomended HK235 and I like autocalibrate function on Yamaha's unit, so I'll take the Yamaha. If I can afford it I'll look for a Yamaha RX-V1500 but perhaps I've to go with a RX-V757.

I think speakers are an important place to put some money, more than some extra watts, but this RX-V1500 seems very well.

Now go for speakers: I first thought for a JBL SCS300.7 system but I like some more bigger & solid box so I thougth in a JBL Balboa or Northridge.

Now, thanks to mike c & fergusonv I know subs from JBL/Infinity are ones to skip and Infinity is a better choice for sats.

This make me think about Infinity Beta Series: 4xBETA20+2xBETA40+BETAC250+ Velodyne CHT-8R Sub (Some other subs out there??).

Really I know JBL & Infinity are both HK brands, but I've seen a lot of similarities choosing sats in Infinity's Beta Series & JBL's Northridge Series.
There are so many difference in quality?, Price is not much different else.

I'm not very sure if that's a good and well balanced system of speakers and perhaps there are some others better choices for this money. Please, give me you opinions/experience and some alternative speaker system.

Thank again for your help, is being essential for me.

 

[mike c]

regarding BUILD quality, JBL and infinity are pretty much the same. the difference is in the SOUND quality. there is no right or wrong in sound quality choice ... actually there is ... what you prefer IS the right choice.

with the subwoofer: i am presuming you have a ceiling height of 8 feet ... you'd need at least the 12" in my opinion.

with the beta speakers: i have infinity beta series speakers and i dont have any complaints with them, in fact, im pretty happy with them. (for reference, i was choosing between the B&W 6 series, Infinity Primus series and the Yamaha EF series)
since i am 90+% movie watcher, the "better sounding" B&W's doesnt matter to me. they're also a bit more expensive.

btw, how much is your budget, that way we can help you with your choices.

 

[Ugucio]

budget

Well, I think I'm getting outside budget... thanks Mike.

I haven't spoken about money because I had to buy in Europe, so prices are only aprox. My first budget was 1000-1200€ for amp & speakers, but now it can reach 1400-1500€.

Note that prices in Europe are 16% more due to VAT and are 10% more due to shippment costs (in some cases). Example: Yamaha RX-V1500 you rated at 500$ is here 650€.

So we have left 850€. Really Velodyne 12" is almost this money here so it's not a choice for me. Infinity beta series as mentioned is also out of budget, but I could buy only some pieces and after that get the system growing.

Well, perhaps I've to go back for Yamaha RX-V757 or look for small HomeCinema speakers like JBL SCS300.7 (I know, JBL subs are not recomended, it's only an example), but room's size is quite big, so...

Some suggestions of more affordable speakers?
Magnat THX(500€)+2x Thx R 200(150€)?
Pure Acoustics Dream77(550€)?
Someother 4-8 Ohms Magnat Series: Quantum 500/900 or Monitor?

Perhaps this question should go to Loudspeakers & Subwoofers forum.

Thanks

 

[PENG]

Even the RX-V657 has received great reviews here in NA. As long as it has pre-outs, you can add a powerful 3 Ch amp later. Speakers are the most important part so don't go too cheap on them.

 

[greenhill]

I Vote Yamaha

Ugucio, I bought my RX-V757 earlier this year and I could'nt be happier.... I too am releltively new to the game and i am constantly learning.... I know you won't be disapointed..... as far as speakers... go and listen... if you like them, and can afford them.... buy them. (sound is subjective).... they will be awesome at home.... once you get everything, there will be plenty of tweaking once you get home...
also... the auto-calabration thing is cool... but, don't make this your decision maker... I think you should try it just for fun and see what settings it gives you..... but you may find that you will be able to dial-in your system better than the auto-calibration mic.... (at least I found that I could).
good luck.
greenhill.

 

[supervij]

I bought my RX-V750 earlier this year (it's the same as the 750, only it lacks the XM radio), and it's perfect for me. Sometimes I get a little jealous when I see all the people on this and other forums talking about their 1500s and 2500s, but the 750 is all I need. I live in an apartment building, so I can't crank the volume anyway (which goes up to +6.5 dB -- way more than enough). It's got tons of inputs, it has eight analog audio inputs, so I'm ready for whichever hi-def stuff comes our way. The YPAO gets it pretty close to what I need, and the sound quality is stellar. I don't think you can go wrong with the 757.

cheers,
supervij

 

[rschleicher]

I've also had my RX-V750 for about a year, and have been totally happy with it. I have it in a pretty large room with a cathedral ceiling, and it does just fine in terms of volume. (My speakers are older DefTechs, efficiency is probably around 89 or 90 dB SPL - not inefficient, but not super-efficient either.) I probably don't crank movies as loud as some people, but I do crank 2-ch. music a lot. Either way, there's still plenty of "volume knob" to go, and the receiver doesn't run particularly hot, either.

I also sometimes have a little bit of regret at not springing for the extra dough to have gotten a 1500, but that's mostly just normal upgrade-envy. I don't actually think I'd hear much, if any, difference, at least not in my usage.

I thought that the auto-setup worked pretty well. I especially like the "Pure Direct" setting for 2-ch. music listening. Maybe some of my preference for Pure Direct is just in my head, but I can hear a difference.

 

[mike c]

I thought that the auto-setup worked pretty well. I especially like the "Pure Direct" setting for 2-ch. music listening. Maybe some of my preference for Pure Direct is just in my head, but I can hear a difference.

sorry to hijack ...

is it true in pure direct, there is no LFE out to the sub?
if so, does the yammy automatically revert the speakers to large?

 

[PENG]

sorry to hijack ...

is it true in pure direct, there is no LFE out to the sub?
if so, does the yammy automatically revert the speakers to large?

Typically, pure direct would bypass the decoder and DSP so I would say the answers to your questions are yes and yes.

 

[mike c]

thanks PENG

 

[Ugucio]

Thanks

Well, at this point I want to thank everybody's help.

I'm going to order a Yamaha RX-V757, two Infinity Beta E80 Towers & EC25 central and I'll use my actual speakers as sats, waiting for an upgrade next year.

This gives me about 500€ for the subwoofer, I've seen the BK XLS-200 DF
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XLS200-DF.htm

This sub have excellent reviews at http://www.avforums.com/ but it's a 10" one.

I've a 12x27x8 ft room so I'm a little worried on the sufficiency about the set amp-speakers-sub. Some suggestion?

Thanks again.

 

[mike c]

Well, at this point I want to thank everybody's help.

I'm going to order a Yamaha RX-V757, two Infinity Beta E80 Towers & EC25 central and I'll use my actual speakers as sats, waiting for an upgrade next year.

This gives me about 500€ for the subwoofer, I've seen the BK XLS-200 DF
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XLS200-DF.htm

This sub have excellent reviews at http://www.avforums.com/ but it's a 10" one.

I've a 12x27x8 ft room so I'm a little worried on the sufficiency about the set amp-speakers-sub. Some suggestion?

Thanks again.

i think that's the JBL E80 (not infinity).

did i suggest the velodyne DLS-12R already? (yes or no, i would really suggest you not purchase a sub yet and save a little more for a 12" sub)
you have a pretty big room, or your should at least have a tryout in your room with that sub.

 

[Ugucio]

Infinity

Oooops

You're rigth Mike, The E80 & EC25 is the JBL Northridge Series, but I choose the Infinity ones: BETA 40 & C250. Sorry, that was my fault keying in: too much letters & numbers.

Well, Thanks about your suggestion about sub. These money can go for sats and next year I'll look for a 12" sub. Velodyne will be my first option.

Thanks Mike