Need help choosing home theater system

[jarrsquare]

Hi! i'm new to audio equipment, so i'm currently having a hard time deciding which home theatre system i should purchase. i recently visited a couple of local stores and have narrowed down to these two setups:

Setup 1:

Amplifier: Onkyo Amplifier TXNR 616
Speakers:
Front - Bowers & Wilkins 683
Center - B&W HTM 62
Rear - B&W 686
Sub - B&W ASW610


Setup 2:

Amplifier: Marantz SR-5007
Speakers:
Front - PSB Image T-5
Center - PSB Image C-5
Rear - PSB Image S-5
Sub - PSB SubSeries 300


which setup would be better?

thanks in advance!

 

[ImcLoud]

I would go with the marantz PSB system...

There are other options for less money on the internet that you may also like the sound of...
If you want let us know your budget, room size, and use {ie-50% movies, 20% music, 30% video games), we can give you some other options...

For example that PSB sub goes for around $950+, I have heard it and was not impressed for the price.. For less money you can get an HSU VTF15 VTF-15H Subwoofer and be AMAZED at the output...

And for your AVR, Im not sure how much you found the 5007 for, but a couple I would choose over that model are the denon 3313 and the Pioneer elite (sc63 can be found around the same price as the 7005 but I haven't seen an elite avr I didn't like)...

as for the speakers, you can do A LOT of ID companies, and get so much for your money.... I tend to lean towards bookshelfs for home theater, since they are smaller, less expensive {allows you to get more sound quality for your money}, more attractive, and the only place a tower excels over a bookshelf is in the lower bass regions, and in an HT system your avr is going to cut the bass from your front speakers and send it to the subwoofer anyway, so you get all the bad things that come with a tower and none of the benefits....

thanks and welcome to AH

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

2nd setup (PSB) is much better if I had to choose between these two.
Only change I would do in ether setup is get a different sub. Subs from B&M brands are usually not as good and/or more expensive than Internet Direct brands like SVS, HSU,Rythmic, PSA, Funk etc ...
Sub does NOT have to match the speakers
In fact the only speakers which must match are front three, the rears much less important to match, with only exception case is surround music in which all 5 speakers ideally to identical.

 

[jarrsquare]

thanks for that fast reply ImcLoud!
why would you go with the marantz PSB system? is it better than the onkyo B&W? or is it just a personal preference?
for budget, it would be around $4600 if i convert it to dollars. i would be installing the system in my living room, which isn't that large. i'd say around 4-5 square meters. as for use, it would be mainly used for watching movies and playing music.
currently, i do not plan on switching to other options, as that might require me to purchase online (which is a HUGE hassle).
i hope this will do

thanks again!

 

[jarrsquare]

2nd setup (PSB) is much better if I had to choose between these two.
Only change I would do in ether setup is get a different sub. Subs from B&M brands are usually not as good and/or more expensive than Internet Direct brands like SVS, HSU,Rythmic, PSA, Funk etc ...
Sub does NOT have to match the speakers
In fact the only speakers which must match are front three, the rears much less important to match, with only exception case is surround music in which all 5 speakers ideally to identical.

hmmm, i see.
which sub would you recommend? and how's the SVS PB-1000?

and btw, since my living room is around 4-5 square metres, will it be alright if i only purchase 1 sub? or would it be better if i purchased 2?

 

[afterlife2]

Hi and welcome! I think you will be fine with the PB1000.

 

[ImcLoud]

meters? convert to dollars? so I take it you are obviously not in the US...

I prefer the marantz psb because I have heard them towers and I have heard the bw's and I prefer the PSBs, also I prefer the marantz to the Onkyo... Really the system looks fine, except you can do much better on the sub side, to me HSU has the best value, but HSU, SVS, Rythmic, and the other ID companies are going to give you a much better subwoofer... I use HSU vtf2's {I prefer it to the vtf 3 and the 15 for some reason, its fast-ish, really deep and super clean} and I only paid $600 shipped each {I have two but only turn one on 99% of the time), and the sub you picked for almost twice the cost, can't come close to it, IMO.. I have heard the sub300 and granted it wasn't in my room and was in a large store, but it didn't do anything for me, seemed like it was trying to hard...

PSB makes really nice speakers, marantz makes really nice AVRs, so you are in good shape there, but the sub is going to be the weak link...
PS I almost bought a set of them T5 towers on demo closeout for $329 each, but had no where to put them, I belive they are pretty widely available for under $500 each...

As for your budget...
I know internet sales are a pain, BUT...
you can get ----ascend Sierra towers, with a Horizon center, and 200se surrounds, denon 3313 AVR, and a VTF3 all for under $4600 {most likely shipped depending where its going}... And that system would be EPIC...

Did you look into Wharfedale speakers, the diamond 10s sound amazing for short money...

Sorry to give so many options, the psb marantz system looks good, but I am always in the best bang for your buck mode...

 

[psbfan9]

Hi jarrsquare welcome to the forum.

Have you listened to either of the systems you listed? Did you like one better than the other? I agree with the other posters that the Marantz/PSB system would be the way to go. but, if you have heard, and like, the B&W system better, that would be the way to go if it's your preference.

Are you in Taiwan? If so, you may want to consider Alexis Sound speakers, especially the Rebecca. In the states this is referred as the Philharmonitor and is well well liked.

Alexis Sound

Good luck!

 

[afterlife2]

Thanks PSB. What do Rebecca's go for?

 

[jarrsquare]

@ImcLoud:
i don't want to purchase anything online as i had bad experiences with international shipping.
i'll be purchasing from the shop itself as i can acquire a 10% discount

@psbfan9:
i've heard both systems but my ears couldn't tell a single difference from both xD
oh and how'd you guess taiwan? you must be psychic....... anyways im from taiwan, but im currently living in the philippines.
as for the rebecca, i'll ask my dad to help me ask around.

currently i've decided on getting the marantz/PSB system. as recommended, i should get new subs. in your opinion, which sub should i purchase? as for the rebecca speakers, any second opinions? if i do actually go for the rebecca speakers, will they work with the marantz/PSB setup?

sorry if i'm bombarding you guys with questions, but i don't want to make a big mistake on a big purchase like this xD

thanks again!

 

[ImcLoud]

@ImcLoud:
i don't want to purchase anything online as i had bad experiences with international shipping.
i'll be purchasing from the shop itself as i can acquire a 10% discount

@psbfan9:
i've heard both systems but my ears couldn't tell a single difference from both xD
oh and how'd you guess taiwan? you must be psychic....... anyways im from taiwan, but im currently living in the philippines.
as for the rebecca, i'll ask my dad to help me ask around.

currently i've decided on getting the marantz/PSB system. as recommended, i should get new subs. in your opinion, which sub should i purchase? as for the rebecca speakers, any second opinions? if i do actually go for the rebecca speakers, will they work with the marantz/PSB setup?

sorry if i'm bombarding you guys with questions, but i don't want to make a big mistake on a big purchase like this xD

thanks again!

If you couldn't tell the difference then go with which ever is cheaper, that seems easy enough to me, lol... I know international shipping is a pain, I hear you there...
Which subs do you have a choice of? what can you get out there for brands?

 

[jarrsquare]

If you couldn't tell the difference then go with which ever is cheaper, that seems easy enough to me, lol... I know international shipping is a pain, I hear you there...
Which subs do you have a choice of? what can you get out there for brands?

the marantz/PSB setup is cheaper by around $18
as for subs, i have very limited knowledge. all i know is that B&W subs aren't good, SVS and Rhythmik ones are good xD
any suggestions?


thanks again!

 

[ImcLoud]

can you get svs and rhythmic, {fyi, IMO HSU is better than both, for the money}

the rythmic fv12 seems to be popular... is this more for movies or music, if its mainly ht go vented if its music get sealed...

 

[psbfan9]

Thanks PSB. What do Rebecca's go for?

I'm not sure what they go for when they have the Alexis badge. But the Philharmonitors are $850.00 shipped. Philharmonic Audio

@psbfan9:
i've heard both systems but my ears couldn't tell a single difference from both xD
oh and how'd you guess taiwan? you must be psychic....... anyways im from taiwan, but im currently living in the philippines.
as for the rebecca, i'll ask my dad to help me ask around.

currently i've decided on getting the marantz/PSB system. as recommended, i should get new subs. in your opinion, which sub should i purchase? as for the rebecca speakers, any second opinions? if i do actually go for the rebecca speakers, will they work with the marantz/PSB setup?

sorry if i'm bombarding you guys with questions, but i don't want to make a big mistake on a big purchase like this xD

thanks again!

Just a guess on your location. Even a broken watch is right twice a day.

No need to be sorry, We're here to help. Keep in mind that the Rebecca's are bookshelf speakers and will be smaller and may need to be placed on stands. But they sound amazing according to reviews.
As far as subs, the PSB would be a good choice. But do some research and get pricing on SVS, Hsu, and Rythmik shipped to Philippines. They will perform better than the PSB or B&W. Check locally, you may be surprised what you can find.

 

[jarrsquare]

thanks guys!
i'll try to ask around tomorrow for the subs

 

[jarrsquare]

sorry i haven't updated my situation in so long
now currently, i'm still having trouble finding a subwoofer.
here's the website of the store: Subwoofers - spectra-audio.com
now i can't decide which sub i should go for.
i hope for a quick reply as the store might close soon

thanks again!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

MKC International : SVSound Philippines distributor of SVS speakers and subwoofers and Auralex
PB1000 for smaller rooms, PB12NSD for mid sized and plus/ultra for large
You could call SVS-US for free consultation

 

[jarrsquare]

@BoredSysAdmin, thank you for that link!