New Speakers Best bang under $500?

[blazerboy]

So would the yamaha and infinitys both for about 800 be a good investment?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Im running digital out already and yes my asus xonar dx seems pretty ample. However this beimg a sound and not a computer forum I might be asking the wrong group of people?

Asus Xonar DX is already very solid card, but keep in mind that the quality of signal doesn't get affected by the card or build in sound as long as the path is digital. the analog magic happen in your sony receiver which should be ok.
I would get Yamaha, Denon or Marantz would do a slightly better job, but only marginally so ...

The short version - you don't need a new sound card

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So would the yamaha and infinitys both for about 800 be a good investment?

like http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/874276-post32.html said - Yamaha is nice step up from your Sony, but value wise - $400 for new Speakers and new matching center (PC250 would do) is a better investment since you already own a receiver.

 

[blazerboy]

Thanks u guys are great and have given me tons of useful information to keep in mind. If anything else comes to mind feel free to share and ill definitely keep it in mind. Again thanks at the moment top prospects look like the yamaha the center listed and infinitys...or the denon and the martins.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Gene's in room measurements:
EMPTek Impression E55Ti Measurements & Analysis — Reviews and News from Audioholics
Read Gene's comments regarding 200-300Hz drops

P360 have a bass hump, which some people find attractive, some don't

Both very good budget speakers, but I still like my tSt2 better


Did I mentioned that E55Ti looks better than p362

Well, anything under 200Hz is probably due to the room. Even so, it's a 5dB room-bass "hump".

What about the EMP's 10dB Dip at ~ 230Hz? Again, like the P362, is due to all kinds of room reflections?

Of course, the P362 has a lot more graphs & farther off-axis measurements.

The EMP does look much better.

But I seriously doubt the EMP sounds better. Comes down to price and aesthetics.

 

[blazerboy]

Could anyone comment on the Yamaha RX v571?

Link : Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-V571BL 7.1-Channel AV Receiver: Electronics

I am thinking about picking it up, I read some bad stuff about denon alternatives according to reviews and between yamaha and denon at the same price range of roughly 300-400, yamaha seems to be a true champ. If anyone could take a look at specs and let me know if they are ample enough to run the Infinitys if I get them. Also comments on sound quality? Denons received attention as very mild and sound quality was subpar? Maybe they are biased reviews...anyways take a look ... comment away

 

[blazerboy]

I dove in looked around and unless anyone has anything to add ill be getting the p362's (2 of them) and the yamaha receiver mentioned above. Still would like an opinion or 2 on the receiver. But if not i will be purchasing both probably tomorrow.

 

[Moutee]

While we're on the topic of the Primus 36x series, I have a question for you all. The modifications for these have been posted several times on this forum. We know that adding substantial bracing to this speaker will reduce coloration influenced from the enclosure, therefore increasing perceived sound quality of an already impressive speaker. Adding bracing would reduce the internal volume of the speaker, so my question is: Does this have any negative effects on the performance?

I don't mean to hijack your thread, OP, but we're all in pursuit of better sound here, right? If you pull the trigger on the Primus 36x's, this would be nice to know!

 

[ack_bak]

Since your goal is a party type speaker that will play loud, you may want to checkout this thread. The spreadsheet has prices for reference. High SPL, low distortion speakers. The Primus speakers are a solid choice but there are others.

List of Reference Level, High Sensitivity & SPL, Low Distortion Speakers - AVS Forum

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I dove in looked around and unless anyone has anything to add ill be getting the p362's (2 of them) and the yamaha receiver mentioned above. Still would like an opinion or 2 on the receiver. But if not i will be purchasing both probably tomorrow.

I'm a spec-whore.

On the ridiculous side probably. But I have the utmost respect for these new Yamaha RX-A receivers, like the RX-A1000, 1010, etc.

I bet the RX-A700 has similar measurements.

I like Denon & Yamaha RX-A series. Also liked the older Yamaha flagship AVR.

There are other solid offerings which have been recommended. I like EMP & Denon as well.

I say you can't go wrong with RX-A700 & P362.

 

[blazerboy]

RX V667 or RX v571?

The 667 is 90 watts per channel 7.2, you guys probably know the rest...

The 571 is 105 watts per channel, 7.1...i can get either one for about 300.

I will probably be getting one or the other.

Both are Yamaha

Edit: Or should i shell out a little more and get the RX-A700. It seems it doesnt provide as much power as the 571, its on par with the 667 ... correct me if I am wrong...did sum spec hunting and the 667 it seems is identical to the A700 but for $100 cheaper... but like i said correct me if I am wrong, I want something that is going to last me, it wont be the best of the best but will be good enough ...im not an audiophile but i hate regretting my decisions...

 

[zieglj01]

RX V667 or RX v571?

The 667 is 90 watts per channel 7.2, you guys probably know the rest...

The 571 is 105 watts per channel, 7.1...i can get either one for about 300.

I will probably be getting one or the other.

Edit: Or should i shell out a little more and get the RX-A700. It seems it doesnt provide as much power as the 571, its on par with the 667 ... correct me if I am wrong.

I would not go lower than the 667 - the 571 is not a true 105 watts.
It is rated at 1khz and not 20hz to 20khz.

Yamaha 571
Rated Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven)
105W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)

Rated Output Power (1kHz, 2ch driven)
85W (8ohms, 0.9% THD)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The 667 is rated 20hz to 20khz, and is more efficient.

Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven)
90W (8ohms, 0.08% THD)

Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms)
125/160/190/230W
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The A700 and 667, have the same specs

 

[blazerboy]

I offered some guy 350 for the A710, i like the android remote application...seems useful...for me at least. If not I will probably pick up the 667 for 300, is that a decent price?

 

[zieglj01]

I offered some guy 350 for the A710, i like the android remote application...seems useful...for me at least. If not I will probably pick up the 667 for 300, is that a decent price?

Looks decent to me.

 

[blazerboy]

infinity primus 362 x2 + yamaha rx 667. so this is decided...a good deal for 700?

 

[zieglj01]

infinity primus 362 x2 + yamaha rx 667. so this is decided...a good deal for 700?

A good deal.

 

[blazerboy]

So i purchased them on Crutchfield, got the 2 infinity's @ $199.99 on sale...apparently ... also batched it twice, 2 purchases of 1 each and included 3A825 as a promo code to get an additional 20 off each...so it came down to $360 shipped for 2 of the infinity's. Also going to purchase the receiver most likely tomorrow but want to go and take a look at closeout deals at my local best buy etc before I give 300 out as 300 seems to be a decent price...but not a steal of a price. Im a thief, I love steal deals...and at 360 theres no way I could wait.

Will update, also if any other receivers come to mind...feel free to shout...if you are browsing and email and some advertisement comes out for a steal of a deal in my price range...and you think of me...let me know Otherwise, I will just get the stuff hook it up and post comments, details pics if you folks would like and anything else.

 

[blazerboy]

While we're on the topic of the Primus 36x series, I have a question for you all. The modifications for these have been posted several times on this forum. We know that adding substantial bracing to this speaker will reduce coloration influenced from the enclosure, therefore increasing perceived sound quality of an already impressive speaker. Adding bracing would reduce the internal volume of the speaker, so my question is: Does this have any negative effects on the performance?

I don't mean to hijack your thread, OP, but we're all in pursuit of better sound here, right? If you pull the trigger on the Primus 36x's, this would be nice to know!

Interesting...would like to know this as well actually, if it is possible to "Improve" upon an already good speaker, and by bracing, what exactly does that mean and how would one go about doing it? Does it really make a difference?

 

[blazerboy]

Cant seem to edit my post on my phone. Decided to.buy.the receiver and found a buyer for my old speakers/receiver for 160 so all in all out of pocket will be 500 exactly not too bad I must say

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Interesting...would like to know this as well actually, if it is possible to "Improve" upon an already good speaker, and by bracing, what exactly does that mean and how would one go about doing it? Does it really make a difference?

Personally, I would not modify anything unless you have all the measuring equipments to measure your speakers. Anything you do to the speakers can possibly change the performance. And unless you can confirm that the change is in fact better, why waste your time and money?

The factory stock P362 is just fine. When Stereophile measured the P360 & Sean Olive measured the P362 in the Harman anechoic chamber, they did not modify the speakers in any way.