I need some advice

[lucassean]

I just bought some Paradigms after thorough research. All I ca say is WOW!

I've run Yamaha receivers with great success.

 

[lsiberian]

Not sure if you are still open to suggestions, but KEF makes a nice small speaker set that's easy to wall mount and blends well with decor.

www.accessories4less.com has great deals on receivers and great deals on KEF egg speaker sets. I use a couple pairs for my surrounds and they are sufficient for the average home person. Not for an audiophile mind you, but for the average joe they are probably much better than the typical suspects including Bose.

 

[gato]

Thanks for all the replies. You guys have given me a lot to think about. I am still trying to narrow down my receiver.

 

[m_vanmeter]

entry level receivers that handle audio and video over HDMI are:

Denon 590 / 1610 or above
Onkyo SR507 or SR607 or above
Yamaha 565 or above
Pioneer 819 or above

or, you might consider a factory refurb SR607 from an Onkyo authorized dealer (this is an excellent receiver for the price) http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR607BLK/Onkyo/Tx-sr607-7.2-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html

If you are concerned about a factory refurb (1 year factory warranty), then just add an extended warranty for a very reasonable price.

 

[DJ in TX]

I just bought some Paradigms after thorough research. All I ca say is WOW!

I've run Yamaha receivers with great success.

Which Paradigms did you get? I just ordered a pair of Atoms, and am counting the seconds until they are delivered. As soon as I heard them, I knew...that they would be mine

 

[DJ in TX]

Thanks for the input gents...

I have a lot to consider and I wish I was not so ignorant with AV equipment.

I just found this for best rated AV receiver for the price on cnet - Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K. What do you guys think about Pioneer receivers?

Well, I just picked up the VSX-819, and from everything I have read, believe that it is going to be a great purchase. Since I have read that the VSX-1019 has a better amp section (and some other features) it likely turn out to be a good choice. Once I get my speakers and hook everything up, I'll let you know my thoughts on the 819, assuming you haven't gone another direction by then.

 

[gato]

I would love to hear what you think about the 819. My house will not be finished for at least a few weeks. I am just anxious to get a system going, but it is not a necessity since I am not living in the new home yet.

Thanks gents!!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

My suggestion to you.

Paradigm speakers would be great (Titan Monitors for the two front main ones and Mini Monitors for the rest, or Mini Monitors all around). Or check the Cinema series.
And don't forget the subwoofer; a Paradigm DSP-3100 would match perfectly.

For a receiver, Onkyo TX-SR607 is all you need, or the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K would also be just fine. Another nice receiver is the Denon AVR-1910.
Anyone of these three receivers will please you.
Even last year models would be fine (606, 1018AH-K & 1909 respectively), and you'll save more money too that way.
Check in their respective web sites for info on their set of features.

And check for a good sale on all these, and you should be close to your budget.
>>> Put the bulk of the money on speakers. <<<
And even if it's a bit more, it's worth it. Talk about flexibility.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[gato]

Thanks for the info mang

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thanks for the info mang

You're most welcome.

 

[gato]

I just received a big curve ball. On the back right side of the room their is no place to put a speaker except for three things which I am now considering, because there is no actual wall. There is a pony wall or railing on the right side of the room from the entrance stairs.

3 options:

1) Place rear right speaker under the pony wall - the problem is the wall is only 4ft high and the speaker would have to be under it, maybe 3.5 ft. I think this is too low.

2) Speaker stand - the problem is the wife and kid(s). She does not want any speaker stands, and I think the lil ones would attack the speaker stand.

3) In Ceiling speakers - I have plenty of space above for the two rear speakers, but I am not sure how good of a job in-ceiling speakers do.

Help me please!!

 

[Lordoftherings]

I just received a big curve ball. On the back right side of the room their is no place to put a speaker except for three things which I am now considering, because there is no actual wall. There is a pony wall or railing on the right side of the room from the entrance stairs.

3 options:

1) Place rear right speaker under the pony wall - the problem is the wall is only 4ft high and the speaker would have to be under it, maybe 3.5 ft. I think this is too low.

2) Speaker stand - the problem is the wife and kid(s). She does not want any speaker stands, and I think the lil ones would attack the speaker stand.

3) In Ceiling speakers - I have plenty of space above for the two rear speakers, but I am not sure how good of a job in-ceiling speakers do.

Help me please!!

Hi gato,

Here's a couple options:

1. 3.5 feet high for your rear or side suround speakers should be fine.
That puts the tweeter at a decent height. And aim them to your ear's height.

2. You can also suspend your rear or side surround speakers from the ceiling,
with a chain attached solidly from the ceiling to the rear of the speaker,
an angled toward the center of the listening area.
* Just make sure that you can walk underneath (tallest person from the household).

Hope this helps,
Bob

 

[gato]

Thanks for the options. The wife definitely will not let me hang the speakers. The main reason is this is the main living room that all this is going into and it has beautiful 5" crown molding. She does not want me to take away any of the charm of the house with speakers.


Do in-ceiling speakers work good? If so, what do you recommend?

 

[Lordoftherings]

In-Ceiling Speakers.

Thanks for the options. The wife definitely will not let me hang the speakers. The main reason is this is the main living room that all this is going into and it has beautiful 5" crown molding. She does not want me to take away any of the charm of the house with speakers.


Do in-ceiling speakers work good? If so, what do you recommend?

In your situation, in-ceiling speakers would do fine, and would please the wife too.

Get some that you can angle the tweeter (swiveling mechanism), so it's not firing straight down, but towards the center of the room.
Many companies do produce some of these.
Check Paradigm in-ceiling speakers, it's a great company with great products.
Try to get some with a 6" driver, so you get decent bass from them.
Check also if the company that makes your front main speakers doesn't also make in-ceiling ones (with a pivoting tweeter, of course).
Others to look also at are: Aperion Audio, Atlantic Technology, Audioaccess,
B&W, Boston Acoustics, Canton, DCM Loudspeakers, Definitive Technology, Energy, Infinity, JBL, Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Niles, Phase Technology, Polk Audio, PSB, RBH Sound, to name most of the ones with a pivoting tweeter.

The last one (RBH Sound) is worth checking out.

 

[gato]

Thanks you audioholic ninja

 

[DJ in TX]

I would love to hear what you think about the 819. My house will not be finished for at least a few weeks. I am just anxious to get a system going, but it is not a necessity since I am not living in the new home yet.

Thanks gents!!!

Hi Gato,

Not sure where you are on your purchase, but I did finally get my speakers in and have gotten a chance to play with the Pioneer for a few hours. I am liking it quite a bit. Admittedly, I don't really have much to compare to...but it seems to be driving my Atoms very well (of course they are very efficient speakers). The VSX-819 seems a very good fit for me. It also seems to run fairly cool for an AVR.

One of the downsides of the 819 has turned out to be that it doesn't have on-board video conversion. I didn't know much about this, but learned that since it cannot convert component or composite signals to HDMI, then instead of having a single HDMI running to the back of my TV, I have to also have a set of component and a set of composite to view all my video sources. Once of these days I will upgrade to a blu-ray and HDTiVo so this won;t matter, but for now I have to put up with extra cables. Both of the higher models (VSX-919 & VSX-1019) both apparently have on-board video conversion, so you won't run into this problem.

I have heard that both of these higher models have better Amp sections than my 819, so either one you go with should be a good choice, although I would guess they would also run warmer than mine, but it is a good trade-off for the better Amp.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[gato]

Hi DJ,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the long delay getting back to you, but I have been busy with business travels and finalizing the house. The house is taking longer than expected, but it should be move in ready within a month (mid-Dec).

Do you have spare power or is there not enough? Have you tried the plug for the ipod yet?

Thanks again

 

[DJ in TX]

Hi DJ,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the long delay getting back to you, but I have been busy with business travels and finalizing the house. The house is taking longer than expected, but it should be move in ready within a month (mid-Dec).

Do you have spare power or is there not enough? Have you tried the plug for the ipod yet?

Thanks again

For my needs, I feel the 819 has plenty of power...of course I am not trying to have a sound war with the neighbors or throw raves in my living room on the weekends. I only have my two Paradigm Atoms hooked up, and I get plenty of delicious sound filling my living room and trickling down our hallways. I have no complaints. In fact I haven't even pushed it to its limits yet to see what it can do. I guess I'm a bit nervous since they are so new.

As for the iPod cable, I have yet to test it out. Primarily because I have an Apple Airport Express connected to my AVR, so I can just wirelessly stream my library instead of having to connect my iPhone to it. Although, from what I have read, the iPod/iPhone connection and interface work very well.