Is this a good choice?

[bryanalban]

I'm starting to put together a HT/Stereo setup.

I listen to music as much as movies, so I want a setup that works for both.

I planning on getting a pair (and a sub) of one of the following:

Infinity Primus P162
Polk Audio Monitor 40
Boston Acoustics CS 26

I have decided on the Onkyo TX-SR705 as my receiver. Is that a good choice?

My budget is around $500 for the receiver.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Davemcc]

That receiver will work just fine with any of those speakers. A couple of notes, there has been some discussion on the Primus about their finer, detailed specs that may make it hard to drive, something about frequency related impedence dips at bad phase angles. Don't worry, it's over my head too. http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46119&highlight=primus+phase+angles

Also, be sure to listen to the Monitor 40 for clarity before you pull the trigger. Some MTM designs can suffer from frequency cancellation. http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33771&highlight=mtm+center

I'm not saying that any of these speakers are a bad choice if you like how they sound. As long as you're fully informed ahead of time, I'm sure that you will make a good choice.

 

[mnatiq]

hey bud the receiver is more than adequate for the speakers. i my self have an onkyo and polk speakers, but the thing i regret the most about the onkyo is that its not great for music. i also owned a HK354 which i got from an guy in an apartment building elevator, he sold it to me for $150 dollars dont ask me where but it was in a new box and i had to get it as i love HK. so when i unpacked the HK it was as good as gold perfect everything was there the ipod dock and all the wires. so i used it for 2 weeks and sold it to some guy for $670 using kijiji. well just to let you know that thing was phenomenal very nice product especially for music. so if i could go back in time i wouldnt sell the hk and would have kept it. the onkyo is above average for the price but i liked the hk more. everyone says the hk is full of bugs but mine was using bug spray i guess.lol, try the 254 if the 354 is too pricey

 

[mnatiq]

just to let you know the polk towers sound good(8.0/10)

 

[mike c]

I would get the Primus over the Polk Monitor speakers

 

[bryanalban]

I would get the Primus over the Polk Monitor speakers

Thanks for the answers.

So Mike, what do you think of the Onkyo 705? Anything else in the $500 price level that you would suggest? (btw I have a phono, so if the receiver doesn't have a phono amp, I'll have to buy one, and that adds to the total cost),

Thanks

 

[mike c]

i'm not familiar with Onkyos

check this out as well though:
http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=DENAVR2808CI

 

[allargon]

That Onkyo will drive the Primus just fine especially, since you are just doing 2.1 for now. I had a $100 Sony receiver drive my P362B's without issue. I couldn't imagine the P162's requiring more power, as they're bookshelves.

FTR, I think you should audition all 3 especially the Boston Acoustics. Are you considering any of the Internet brands (AV123, Axiom, SVS, Dayton, Elemental Designs, etc.)? Floorstanders and subs really push up the cost of shipping for Internet stuff, but bookshelves (and in-walls) are relatively inexpensive to ship.

$500 for a receiver puts the Harman Kardon AVR-254 into contention as well. I would definitely look at something from Yamaha or last year's Denon's, too. I don't think you'll get a Pioneer Elite, Marantz, NAD, Rotel or Cambridge Audio for that money, but I bet you can find a (non-elite) Pioneer.

You mentioned movies and music. What about Blu-Ray/HD DVD? If you don't need HDMI or high res-audio, your options go up tremendously.

 

[bandphan]

Ibut I bet you can find a (non-elite) Pioneer.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=91987

 

[zumbo]

I vote Denon 2808CI with Primus.

 

[jamie2112]

I vote Denon 2808CI with Primus.

x2 on that......

 

[bryanalban]

The Denon 2808CI looks great, but it's twice as much as I want to spend.

 

[zumbo]

My budget is around $500 for the receiver.

Confused.

Looks like you missed the deal. Not on sale anymore. Sorry about that.

 

[mike c]

oh sorry, during the time i posted that link, the receiver was just 500++ - killer deal IMO