R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
no update yet still reading and looking. Havent gone to listen yet, work has kept me busy 
"Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment – not marketing slogans"
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
update
Ok so i went to a local store that sells PSB. I looked and listened to the imagine T mains at $1818 Also the Image T5 at $996
The imagine T won out between the two.
The store also sell Focal speakers. The salesman suggested three, the Chorus 816 V Chorus 726 V $1771 and the Chorus 716 V $1346. He only had the 816 and 716 in stock.
We just went to check it out and not buy today so i did not bother bringing my own CD to listen to. From the music the store had we tried a variety of music. All the speakers obviouslly sound quite different. We were listening to mains only no subs or surround. From that sample without knowing what we were listening to both my wife and i picked the focal Chorus 716 which suprised me because its the cheaper of the 3 focal. Now of course we are both newbies to this and perhaps do not even know what we are listening for. The saleman really thought i should get the Focal 726 but if i cant listen to them how am i supposed to know?
Does anyone have feedback on the Focal brand?
The difficult part for me is this store only really has the two brands in the same range then you goto the higher end selections. Pretty hard to compare against other brands.
I plan on going to another store to listen to Paragim yet.
If i go with the focal he suggested foca 700 for centre, foca Sr 700 for rears and a Velodyne DEQ12R for a sub
Thoughts suggestions? any help is welcomed
Ok so i went to a local store that sells PSB. I looked and listened to the imagine T mains at $1818 Also the Image T5 at $996
The imagine T won out between the two.
The store also sell Focal speakers. The salesman suggested three, the Chorus 816 V Chorus 726 V $1771 and the Chorus 716 V $1346. He only had the 816 and 716 in stock.
We just went to check it out and not buy today so i did not bother bringing my own CD to listen to. From the music the store had we tried a variety of music. All the speakers obviouslly sound quite different. We were listening to mains only no subs or surround. From that sample without knowing what we were listening to both my wife and i picked the focal Chorus 716 which suprised me because its the cheaper of the 3 focal. Now of course we are both newbies to this and perhaps do not even know what we are listening for. The saleman really thought i should get the Focal 726 but if i cant listen to them how am i supposed to know?
Does anyone have feedback on the Focal brand?
The difficult part for me is this store only really has the two brands in the same range then you goto the higher end selections. Pretty hard to compare against other brands.
I plan on going to another store to listen to Paragim yet.
If i go with the focal he suggested foca 700 for centre, foca Sr 700 for rears and a Velodyne DEQ12R for a sub
Thoughts suggestions? any help is welcomed
AVRat
Audioholic Ninja
Sorry I can’t help with the Focals as I’ve never heard them, but from other accounts seem to be a good option. The jump to the 726 doesn’t seem necessary. I’d skip the Velo and would prefer the SVS PB10/12-NSD or maybe the Funky Waves FW 10.1.
http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/box-subwoofers-nsd-series-c-1_9.html?zenid=83af1461c720434c5c5025a3caa57a5b
http://www.funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=fw_10_1
http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/box-subwoofers-nsd-series-c-1_9.html?zenid=83af1461c720434c5c5025a3caa57a5b
http://www.funkywaves.net/catalog.cfm?item=fw_10_1
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
getting a little frustrated- update
Ok so i finally made it to another store to listen, this time to Paradigm Studio speakers. I listened to both the studio 60 and studio 100. In the end even though over budget i thought the Studio 100 sound very nice. The saleman suggested i pair them with Parcc 590 speakers and a Parse 110 sub.
The other store i listened to Focal 836. Comes down to a tough choice.
I thought i was going to get the yamaha A-1000 but the salesman suggests its not enough.
His order of recomendation was
1)Anthem mrx 700
2)Marantz SR 7005
3) Denon AVR 3311
Any thoughts?
Ok so i finally made it to another store to listen, this time to Paradigm Studio speakers. I listened to both the studio 60 and studio 100. In the end even though over budget i thought the Studio 100 sound very nice. The saleman suggested i pair them with Parcc 590 speakers and a Parse 110 sub.
The other store i listened to Focal 836. Comes down to a tough choice.
I thought i was going to get the yamaha A-1000 but the salesman suggests its not enough.
His order of recomendation was
1)Anthem mrx 700
2)Marantz SR 7005
3) Denon AVR 3311
Any thoughts?
AVRat
Audioholic Ninja
Well I think with either the 100s/836s you’ll want a separate amp to drive them properly, so any of the receivers will do.
I’d still prefer the other subs I recommended previously.
I’d still prefer the other subs I recommended previously.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
if i need a seperate amp then should i look at a less expensive a/v unit?
What would you suggest for a seperate amp?
Now im sure it sounds dumb but how do i tell if the amp will be enough power or not? Where do you see that on the speaker rating? Should i consider the studio 60's instead would i have enough power then with an integrated amp?
What would you suggest for a seperate amp?
Now im sure it sounds dumb but how do i tell if the amp will be enough power or not? Where do you see that on the speaker rating? Should i consider the studio 60's instead would i have enough power then with an integrated amp?
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R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
Now after thinking about all of this perhaps i should gear towards the axiom M80's or there home theatre package. More bank for the buck. I see someone in my city has the m60's. Would it be safe to assume if i like the m60's the m80 will be better? I did read a post that stated the paradigm and Axiom are similar in sound.
AVRat
Audioholic Ninja
You’re finding the intricacies/compromises involved with putting a system together even with a decent budget, and the aggravation involved with all the choices.
Adding a 2-channel, 200W, amp from NAD, Parasound, Rotel will add at least C$1000+ to the expense. You also don’t want to go down the receiver chain too far because you still need decent power for the center/surrounds and pre-outs for the amp.
Unfortunately, speaker specs don’t always portray the whole story. Some to watch for regarding the need for a separate amp are; impedance < 6 ohm, sensitivity < 87dB. Reading 3rd party reviews and peoples’ input on forums like these can provide a better understanding of a speaker’s capability.
Any of the receivers above on their own can handle the Paradigm S-60s, Axiom M60s and even the 4 ohm load of the M80s.
Adding a 2-channel, 200W, amp from NAD, Parasound, Rotel will add at least C$1000+ to the expense. You also don’t want to go down the receiver chain too far because you still need decent power for the center/surrounds and pre-outs for the amp.
Unfortunately, speaker specs don’t always portray the whole story. Some to watch for regarding the need for a separate amp are; impedance < 6 ohm, sensitivity < 87dB. Reading 3rd party reviews and peoples’ input on forums like these can provide a better understanding of a speaker’s capability.
Any of the receivers above on their own can handle the Paradigm S-60s, Axiom M60s and even the 4 ohm load of the M80s.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
1 decision down now need an amp
Ok i did a axiom audition in Edmonton and I have decided to go with the axiom m80-500 package. I thought they were the best sounding. Now with that info can anyone recommend the most appropriate avr? Looking in the $600-$2000 range. Thx
Ok i did a axiom audition in Edmonton and I have decided to go with the axiom m80-500 package. I thought they were the best sounding. Now with that info can anyone recommend the most appropriate avr? Looking in the $600-$2000 range. Thx
AVRat
Audioholic Ninja
Tough call as all that have been mentioned thus far will work just fine so it really boils down to the feature sets. You mentioned the HDMI Standby feature which you’ll find on the Denon, Marantz, and Yamaha products. I’m partial to the Audyssey features in the Denon/Marantz but Yamaha’s new innovations to YPAO have had some pretty good reviews as well.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
Marantz 7005 seemed to get good reviews perhaps i will get that one. Its finally all coming together.
AVRat
Audioholic Ninja
I think once you get it all set up, you'll be in HT/audio nirvana.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
never ending
ok this is never ending. After reading all week now im leaning more towards the pioneer SC37 or Denon 4311 or yamaha a-3000 all around the same price range. having a hard time nailing it down.
ok this is never ending. After reading all week now im leaning more towards the pioneer SC37 or Denon 4311 or yamaha a-3000 all around the same price range. having a hard time nailing it down.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
ok its all coming together Denon 4311
Now i have a question about CD or Blu-ray player
Most of my watching currently is on a media box watching xvids,avi ect for tv and movies. I have an old Cd 5 disc player, i also have a cheap LG bluray player. My main priority would be audio from cd's. The saleman tell me a blu-ray player will not sound as good as a cd player. Is he right? Any chance an old CD player and i mean 20 years old would sound good or do i need a new$300 cd player? I would be happy if i could get a $300-500 bluray player that did everything well.
Now i have a question about CD or Blu-ray player
Most of my watching currently is on a media box watching xvids,avi ect for tv and movies. I have an old Cd 5 disc player, i also have a cheap LG bluray player. My main priority would be audio from cd's. The saleman tell me a blu-ray player will not sound as good as a cd player. Is he right? Any chance an old CD player and i mean 20 years old would sound good or do i need a new$300 cd player? I would be happy if i could get a $300-500 bluray player that did everything well.
dm_4u
Junior Audioholic
No sense holding back now...check out the Oppo BluRay Players.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
I was looking at those yesterday. I was also looking at a DAC. From what I read DAC opinion is very divided. I'm going to use my old cd player for now, my understanding is the dacs in the a3000 will do the job and my old cd player will just be a carrier. I will buy a blurry when needed.
Tv is looking like a samsung d8000 59inch
Everything is way over budget but I should be very happy.
Tv is looking like a samsung d8000 59inch
Everything is way over budget but I should be very happy.
Pyrrho
Audioholic Ninja
It is a salesman's job to get you to part with your money. You don't need a new CD player, and unless there is something wrong with your BD player, you don't need a new one of those either.
R
rjxox
Audioholic Intern
ok its all done.
I ended up getting the Axioms http://axiomaudio.com/epic80_500_180.html
Yamaha A3000 and some yamaha Cd changer cdc 697
Also bought a samsung D8000 51 inch plasma. Got it all set up last night and so far i think it sounds great. Might need a little more mids? but then when i selected straight on the amp it sounded much nicer. Wife is out of town for the next 2 nights so im sure i will get it all tweaked by then. I will keep you posted.
Thx for all the help and advice.
I ended up getting the Axioms http://axiomaudio.com/epic80_500_180.html
Yamaha A3000 and some yamaha Cd changer cdc 697
Also bought a samsung D8000 51 inch plasma. Got it all set up last night and so far i think it sounds great. Might need a little more mids? but then when i selected straight on the amp it sounded much nicer. Wife is out of town for the next 2 nights so im sure i will get it all tweaked by then. I will keep you posted.
Thx for all the help and advice.
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