New Sound system help!

[rts4714]

I need some advice that I don't feel the local Best Buy can provide.
I'm looking to graduate from the Harman Kardon Soundsticks that are currently connected to my TV.

I would like to start with tower speakers and receiver. Potentially a center channel and eventually going to a 5.1 in the near future. It will mainly be used for music and gaming (mostly music as I am not a hardcore gamer).

I don't care for heavy bass. More so just clean balanced sound.

I like the look of Marantz(SR5012) and I keep being told that Marantz is worth it but no one has really been able to explain why other than for "the look"
Some of the receivers I am looking at:

Marantz SR5012 - $530
Pioneer VSXLX30 - $430
Onkyo TX-NR676 - $350
Onkyo TX-NR757 - $400
Onkyo TX-SR373 - $180

Towers(Pair):
Klipsch R-26F - $280
Klipsch RP-250F - $300
Polk RTiA5 - $280
Polk RTiA7 - $350
Polk Signature Series S50 - $300
ELAC UF51 - $500

I'm not tied to any of these.
I know these prices seem fake but they aren't

They will eventually be hooked up to a Sony 800E/900E or Samsung 8000
Thanks in advance!

 

[lovinthehd]

Of the avrs you mention the Marantz would be my choice, but for the money I'd rather have this Denon 3300. If anything just for the better Audyssey XT32 over the Marantz 5012's XT, and I'm no fan of the Marantz porthole panel display. I wouldn't consider Onkyo/Pioneer at this time.

Not familiar with the current Klipsch/Polk/Elac stuff but haven't been too impressed in the past with their lower end offerings, altho the Klipsch RP line I'd like to hear from various comments I've read.

 

[rts4714]

Of the avrs you mention the Marantz would be my choice, but for the money I'd rather have this Denon 3300. If anything just for the better Audyssey XT32 over the Marantz 5012's XT, and I'm no fan of the Marantz porthole panel display. I wouldn't consider Onkyo/Pioneer at this time.

Not familiar with the current Klipsch/Polk/Elac stuff but haven't been too impressed in the past with their lower end offerings, altho the Klipsch RP line I'd like to hear from various comments I've read.

Thanks for the input. Any reason you wouldn't consider Onkyo or Pioneer? What is your pick on Speakers? I would love to have a set of DefTechs, I just can't afford it right now

Also curious since I have found mixed reviews online. Would you invest more in speakers or in the receiver?

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the input. Any reason you wouldn't consider Onkyo or Pioneer? What is your pick on Speakers? I would love to have a set of DefTechs, I just can't afford it right now

Also curious since I have found mixed reviews online. Would you invest more in speakers or in the receiver?

Onkyo/Pioneer reliability issues in part, have an older Onkyo with Audyssey but after they dropped it in favor of their own AccuEQ not on my radar. My Pioneer avr died early so a little Pioneer shy, and they're the same company now. Much rather have a Denon/Marantz (also same company, brought to you by the folk who own Polk and DefTec now).

There are some DefTec fans, but with their dishonest specs on the low end, particularly with their "subs", not a fan altho I believe they're having a pretty good sale on several models, and the SM series get generally good remarks.

You want to put as much into the speakers as possible; since you're eventually going to build out your surround speaker set spending $500 on an avr is reasonable. Advantage of towers is minimal, too. I'd look at Philharmonic AAs for budget speakers with a sub over lower end towers, and they should be fine for music without a sub (I don't have AAs but have built the kit they're based on and also have purchased a set of crossovers from Dennis for whenever I get around to building another).

 

[rts4714]

Gotcha, I have just always had Pioneer decks for my car which is why I looked at them. Marantz seems to be an extremely high recommendation for a lot of people. Though as I stated, many just say because of looks. I'd rather have quality sound than looks on the receiver because it isn't as seen.
I get that towers are not always worth the cost. Honestly that is for the looks, but I do want something quality. I have also considered bookshelfs on a stand. I've heard Bower and Wilkins stuff but I have a hard time spending $1000 each on a tower.

 

[zieglj01]

If you want towers on a budget -- look at the Canton GLS 9
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantgls9blka/canton-gls-9-7-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-each/1.html

 

[KEW]

Towers(Pair):
Klipsch R-26F - $280
Klipsch RP-250F - $300
Polk RTiA5 - $280
Polk RTiA7 - $350
Polk Signature Series S50 - $300
ELAC UF51 - $500

I'm not tied to any of these.
I know these prices seem fake but they aren't

They do seem fake!
Are you certain that is for a pair?

The UniFi's are normally $500 each and the R-26 is normally $350 each (pricing from Crutchfield)!
Where are you finding such prices?

 

[lovinthehd]

Employee discount?

 

[speakerman39]

Gotcha, I have just always had Pioneer decks for my car which is why I looked at them. Marantz seems to be an extremely high recommendation for a lot of people. Though as I stated, many just say because of looks. I'd rather have quality sound than looks on the receiver because it isn't as seen.
I get that towers are not always worth the cost. Honestly that is for the looks, but I do want something quality. I have also considered bookshelfs on a stand. I've heard Bower and Wilkins stuff but I have a hard time spending $1000 each on a tower.

Pioneer still owns their car audio product division. However, they did sell off their Home division. After selling so many head units over the years, Pioneer has always been the most reliable. Back in the day, Alpine was King. Today, not so much. Everything else Alpine is top-notch though! But, when it comes to head units it is very hard to beat Pioneer.


Cheers,

Phil