Newbie Needs Some HELP on Picks for New System

[ForumShopper]

Sorry for yet another of these Newbie posts, guys, but I've been prowling for 6 months on this Site and there is some great advice given on these boards. Here we go . . . Looking to do a nice quality hometheatre/music listening system for a moderate-sized NYC living room. Here's the basic system I'm thinking of:

TV- Pioneer 4360HD Plasma (50 inch would be overkill) on a Bello Axis stand (wall mount not feasible)

A/V Rec- Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi

Front Speakers - Axiom M80ti

Center Speaker - Axiom VP150

DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi

I don't really have the room to put in rear speakers yet due to the current configuration of the furniture, and a Sub will have my neighbors up in arms, so, in part, that's why I picked the M80s over smaller speakers.

This would be about 60% viewing and 40% music. Does anyone have any suggestions for improving and for different components? I'm all ears, thanks!

 

[jcPanny]

New HT

The Axioms and pioneer elites will be a great start to your HT. I would check with owners of that receiver to make sure it can handle the 4-ohm Axioms M80's. Also, floorstander will be great for music, but you will want to add a sub for the full HT experience. Get a pair of QS8s to finish off the system and look into stands or brackets for mounting.

Some other receiver alternatives would be the Yamaha RX-V2600 and Denon 3806.

 

[ForumShopper]

JC, thanks for pointing that out or that would have been a big problem!! I was snooping around last night online and I see that Outlaw has some mono-blocks for $325 each; if I get two to power the M80s, do you think that would do the trick? Would I be better off with a Two-Channel Emotiva MPS (that's $1300+)? I was also looking at the Yammy 2600, instead of the Pio Elite, but that would need an amp as well. I don't love the Denon 3805 and the 4806 is more than I wanted to spend right now (I've seen it for $2,700).

On the sub, it's a somewhat problematic with City living due to neighbors and space issues, but I'll keep it in mind as a future add-on after I've broken in whatever I finally get. I've heard great things on this site about SVS.

I'd love to get the surrounds but there is a WAF issue on the QS8s and, since I'm renting, I don't want to tear up the walls with mounts and have to hide speakerwire in the walls. Unfortunately, there is no good place for a bookshelf rear like the M3s or M22s, but I have a pair of JBL Northridge bookshelves right now (S38) that I would hook-up as rears as a stop-gap measure for now since their placement is going to be cr*p (no choice right now).

 

[Rik]

you could probably go with the M60ti's instead of the M80ti's, only difference seems to be the 80's play at a much louder volume. the 60's are 8 ohm too, so they would be easier on your amp.

 

[ForumShopper]

Rik, I was eyeballing that option as well. How is the bass response, since I don't know that I can currently work a sub into my living room layout (too much kids' junk floating around)? It would save me about $1000, if you deduct the Outlaw amps and the diff bet the 60s and the 80s. As an owner of the 60s, do you wish you'd gotten the 80s (that's my main worry!)?

 

[agarwalro]

I agree with Rik. Unless you intend to play music at super high volumes, the M60ti will be more than sufficient. Further, I have the M60ti's and if you live in an apartment like me, forget about the sub. These babies shake walls and rattle windows. I have put off the purchase of the sub for fear of getting evicted because of the bass from M60's alone!

 

[Taifun]

I have the VSX-56TXi and I think you'll be very pleased with the choice. One option if you are really set on the M80ti's would be to Bi-amp them. Although considering this beast I doubt it will have a problem driving them normally.

 

[ForumShopper]

Thanks guys, this was very helpful!!

Yes, I was a little suprised when I called Axiom last night and they said that they'd be concerned about the Pio Elite driving those babies at 4ohms, so then I started looking at amps like Outlaw monos, but in re-thinking things, I've decided to pull the trigger on a pair of M60tis since for my current and foreseeable needs, they'll do just fine! Can't wait for those twins to show up!!!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

The 56TXi is one of the strongest AVR's on the market under $2000. Pioneer has a new 74TXi that is quite a bit lighter, but claimed to have more power (new amp design). I would personally take a 56 over a Yamaha 2600 or Denon 3806. The 56 has some of the largest caps, and weighs a staggering 45lbs. It's possible the new 74TXVi runs cooler, and doesn't require a huge heat sink.

ForumShopper: Yes, I was a little suprised when I called Axiom last night and they said that they'd be concerned about the Pio Elite driving those babies at 4ohms

Gene - what's up with that? ForumShopper, who at Axiom told you this? I can't imagine the Pioneer 56 struggling with those speakers.

 

[Taifun]

Ok a little info:

I am auditioning a friend's GR-research A/V2s. I hadn't realized these were 4ohm speakers until I talked with him just now. They have been running just fine on my 56 for a week now and I have been watching movies every night at -15~-5 with no problems... just realized I'll need to go into the setting and change the ohm settings unless the MCACC set them correctly.

Oh and noting the weight... it IS a friggin' BEAST! Make sure to measure your rack for depth as well. Mine can barely hold this monster.

On the DVD players... if you can find one, you might look at the DV-59AVi instead. Has HDMI, firewire and such. It seems better built although its a tad lighter. I found the picture quality to be sharper and layer transition was smoother with the 59 over the 79 IMO.

 

[ForumShopper]

I didn't get the guy's name, though he did introduce himself at the outset and then I was a bit flustered when he told me that they recommend Denon, Outlaw, NAD, etc. for the 80s (he even spelled out a few for me, ), that I think I went into shock thinking I nearly made a hugely critical mistake and boy was I lucky that you guys at Audioholics saved me from it! In any event, I'm sure I'll love my 60s, in fact just got an email from Axiom that they shipped, damn that's fast!

As for the 79avi vs. the 59avi, I was a little concerned that the 59 is discontinued, so I would have to buy on Ebay or some reseller with no Pioneer warranty and the 59avi is already a couple years old, so I didn't think I should go for the lower model number, guess I'll see, hope it wasn't a mistake!!

 

[Taifun]

Oh you'll be happy with the DV-79AVi... I was just suggesting the 59 since some retailers still have them new and you might save a few bucks. I plan on grabbing a DV-59AVi here soon, if they don't have one I'll go with the 79.

 

[westcott]

Here's the basic system I'm thinking of:

TV- Pioneer 4360HD Plasma (50 inch would be overkill) on a Bello Axis stand (wall mount not feasible)

A/V Rec- Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi

Front Speakers - Axiom M80ti

Center Speaker - Axiom VP150

DVD Player - Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi

This would be about 60% viewing and 40% music. Does anyone have any suggestions for improving and for different components? I'm all ears, thanks!

The only component that I think is overrated is the DVD Player, Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi. It is very expensive and is not a very good video performer. There are a lot of better DVD players out there for a LOT less.

If I were going to buy a new receiver and DVD player for SACD or DVD Audio, it would probably be the Denon 3806\3910 DVD combo. This would allow a digital connection between your receiver and your DVD player for a one cable solution for these two formats. No need for analog degredation and a multitude of extra analog cables. Not to mention being able to keep your bass managment capabilities in the digital world.

If these two formats do not interest you, and you just want the best video for your dollar, check this site out for the best fit. It really depends on what type of connection you are going to use for your display and what receiver you buy for switching.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=all

Once again, Denon pretty much dominates along with Panasonic and a new comer Oppo Digital.

Hope this helps. Everything else looks like it has a great value to performance ratio. Good Luck and enjoy!