Just got Onkyo 605 -- Around $1000 for L,R, and Center

[Systembuilder]

I listened to the RTi6, LSi9, and JBL L830 bookshelves at my Fry's and I liked the L830's out of the three in music. They seemed to have a lot more detail when compared to the Polks. Even though the JBL's compete with the LSi you can get them at RTi price.

I guess it might be worth another trip then. Did you hear them at the plano or garland location?

 

[Systembuilder]

Assuming the BA's don't have any weird phase angles or impedance dips (and I don't think they do), it should be fine. Hypothetically, you could even get SPL peaks around 108dB... Hypothetically.

My fear is buying too much of a speaker and underpowering it since no amp will be involved.

 

[nick1000000]

If you are still looking and comparing and have a Paradigm dealer near you, I would suggest Paradigm Monitor series 7. http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-monitor7-model-2-4-1-17.paradigm
I have listened to them and loved them. They are not in a Piano black though. Happy hunting

 

[gus6464]

I guess it might be worth another trip then. Did you hear them at the plano or garland location?

I heard at the Fry's in Austin, TX. But for the most part all Fry's carry the same gear.

 

[sholling]

So I think I'm digging the BAs. Does anyone think the Onkyo rated at 90 watts ch will have a problem pushing the VR3s vs VR2s? Both show 93dB rating. The VR3 shows 15-250 watts vs VR2 15-200.

Go with the VR3s over the VR2 or you will always wonder if you did good. 93db is super efficient and 90 watts should drive them to eviction levels. The difference between 90w and 110w is what maybe 1db? But your concern is valid in general. Too little power will damage a speaker just as fast as feeding it a bit too much. Later on when you add a sub woofer then it's built in amp will be taking a lot of the load off the BAs and off your receiver.

BTW: Unless you get serious upgrade fever those VR3s and the VRC will probably keep you grinning for a good 10-15 years. Long enough that you'll probably have moved on to a newer - bigger - even more awesome receiver 2 or 3 times.

 

[Systembuilder]

How does a powered sub reduce the strain of your receiver vs not having one. I have a shi**y KLH from college that I used to anger the neighbors with (150watt 10" powered sub). I'll upgrade at some point but don't see an immediate need since I'm in an apt.

Go with the VR3s over the VR2 or you will always wonder if you did good. 93db is super efficient and 90 watts should drive them to eviction levels. The difference between 90w and 110w is what maybe 1db? But your concern is valid in general. Too little power will damage a speaker just as fast as feeding it a bit too much. Later on when you add a sub woofer then it's built in amp will be taking a lot of the load off the BAs and off your receiver.

BTW: Unless you get serious upgrade fever those VR3s and the VRC will probably keep you grinning for a good 10-15 years. Long enough that you'll probably have moved on to a newer - bigger - even more awesome receiver 2 or 3 times.

 

[no. 5]

My fear is buying too much of a speaker and underpowering it since no amp will be involved.

Well the only ways any speaker would be underpowered is if there was insufficient power available for the volume desired, or if the amplifier being used can not handle the reactiveness of the speaker being driven, but given the sensitivity of the speakers you are looking at, you should be fine.

How does a powered sub reduce the strain of your receiver vs not having one.

The amount of power needed to reproduce bass is much greater then the power needed to reproduce mid and high frequencies, so if the receiver doesn't have to 'do' bass (i.e. using a subwoofer), it will not have to deliver as much power, and therefore be under less strain.

 

[Systembuilder]

Well the only ways any speaker would be underpowered is if there was insufficient power available for the volume desired, or if the amplifier being used can not handle the reactiveness of the speaker being driven, but given the sensitivity of the speakers you are looking at, you should be fine.


The amount of power needed to reproduce bass is much greater then the power needed to reproduce mid and high frequencies, so if the receiver doesn't have to 'do' bass (i.e. using a subwoofer), it will not have to deliver as much power, and therefore be under less strain.

So the receiver draw is less if you used the sub to push low frequencies instead of the mains but if you use full range on the mains it would be no different? Am I following you.

Here is a manufacturer pic of my stand. I love it guys great quality.
http://www.dynamichomedecor.com/Images/plateau/SRV-75-C-style.jpg
My tv
http://www.icostore.net/triplejack/images/products/HLS5687WX_display.jpg


Would you guys go black and not risk the mismatch of the cherry since I can find none locally?

Where can you buy speaker veneer?

 

[Systembuilder]

The Onkyo just arrived on my lunch break --- let the games begin!

 

[sholling]

So the receiver draw is less if you used the sub to push low frequencies instead of the mains but if you use full range on the mains it would be no different? Am I following you.

Exactly.

Would you guys go black and not risk the mismatch of the cherry since I can find none locally?

I'm decor challenged but a female friend tells me that a mismatch is fine as long as it doesn't look like you tried and failed to do a super close match. I dunno, it all confuses me . Personally I'd go the cherry VR3s because they're cheaper and they look a lot better in cherry than they do in black. But that's just me.

Where can you buy speaker veneer?

I don't think you really want to go there. Black goes with everything.

 

[mazersteven]

I listened to the RTi6, LSi9, and JBL L830 bookshelves at my Fry's and I liked the L830's out of the three in music. They seemed to have a lot more detail when compared to the Polks. Even though the JBL's compete with the LSi you can get them at RTi price.

I have to hear this for myself. L830's better then the LSi9's? hmmmmmmmm

 

[gus6464]

I have to hear this for myself. L830's better then the LSi9's? hmmmmmmmm

I don't know if it was the setup at Fry's or what but the LSi's just seemed to lack detail. I know they are 4ohm speakers but they were being powered by a monster amp so they must have had enough juice fed to them. But then again Fry's must have the worst sound room setup ever in a store.

 

[Systembuilder]

Exactly.

I'm decor challenged but a female friend tells me that a mismatch is fine as long as it doesn't look like you tried and failed to do a super close match. I dunno, it all confuses me . Personally I'd go the cherry VR3s because they're cheaper and they look a lot better in cherry than they do in black. But that's just me.

I don't think you really want to go there. Black goes with everything.

Just finished running all of the cables and hooking up the speakers. I got the VRC and 2 VR2s from circuit city to test them out....I'm pretty sure I'll keep the center but may upgrade to VR3s. I guess I need to look at picking up some matching surrounds as well.

 

[sholling]

I'm really looking forward to your reading your impressions. But if you like the VR2s then I would grab those VR3s while they are still on sale for $349ea. Then hold just tight a bit and keep an eye out for the VRX surrounds to go on sale. Onecall has them now and then for around $300 shipped. BTW Onecall is a good store. I bought my VRC from them for like $249 shipped. I had it in 3 days.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?N=0&Ntt=vr3&D=vr3

 

[Systembuilder]

I'm really looking forward to your reading your impressions. But if you like the VR2s then I would grab those VR3s while they are still on sale for $349ea. Then hold just tight a bit and keep an eye out for the VRX surrounds to go on sale. Onecall has them now and then for around $300 shipped. BTW Onecall is a good store. I bought my VRC from them for like $249 shipped. I had it in 3 days.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductSearch.aspx?N=0&Ntt=vr3&D=vr3

I bought the VRC and VR2s for both for 224 plus tax. With my local sales tax that made each speaker $242 each.


---to anyone who has heard the VR2 and VR3, what would be the benefit of going with the VR3 over the VR2 if I was running a sub in conjunction with the two. I'll probably go for the upgrade, but wondering if it is worth the extra $125 a tower.

 

[zumbo]

Onecall is a superb place to do business with. There is no reason to miss that deal on the 3's. $75 bucks more total.

 

[Systembuilder]

Onecall is a superb place to do business with. There is no reason to miss that deal on the 3's. $75 bucks more total.

Okay I think I'm pulling the trigger on one call --- they just dropped the black VR3s from 349 to 279. $37 more a tower. I hope my receiver can give them enough juice to make them happy.

Who is running just a receiver to those speakers w/ no amp? How does it do? I have 90watts channel.

 

[zumbo]

Okay I think I'm pulling the trigger on one call --- they just dropped the black VR3s from 349 to 279. $37 more a tower. I hope my receiver can give them enough juice to make them happy.

Who is running just a receiver to those speakers w/ no amp? How does it do? I have 90watts channel.

Sensitivity is the same as the VR2's. They should respond the same in terms of loudness.

 

[Systembuilder]

Sensitivity is the same as the VR2's. They should respond the same in terms of loudness.

sweet!!! im showing some VRX open box for 300 pr.....none of these speakers are refurbs from onecall, right?

 

[zumbo]

sweet!!! im showing some VRX open box for 300 pr.....none of these speakers are refurbs from onecall, right?

Right. They may have a scratch, but I doubt it. That usually means they have been connected (in use) before, but are in new condition.

I would go with these instead.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=25412