Newbie on Information Overload

[pjripple]

Hi all. I've been lurking around here for a while trying to soak up as much info as possible before I pull the trigger and start building my home theater. I have a few questions and general comments and would really appreciate any feedback you have to offer.

First of all, a little about my goals:

I currently have and intend to use my Samsung 50" DLP. My room is 15' x 22'. My budget is pretty flexible, but I would like to stay in the $5k - 7k range for a receiver, speakers (w/sub) and dvd player.

Every time I think I'm pretty sure I have it figured out, I run across another brand or option that makes me rethink where I'm at (perhaps this is my information overload?). I've been talking with a lot of sales people while I'm doing my homework, and it seems everytime I mention a brand that that a saleperson doesn't sell, they give some reason why to avoid that brand all together...I guess that's why I'm here -- trying to get some unbiased info!

This is what I've been considering....

Receiver:
Denon 3805...it seems that everybody who reviews this thinks its about the best bang for the buck

Yamaha RVX2500...seem to be as popular as 3805

Rotel 1056 or 1067...these are late entries in my search but seem to very nice. There doesn't seem to be as much information or reviews/opinions available on Rotel...anybody have any input here?

Is it worth stretching the budget to get the Denon 4806 or new Yamaha that have the HDMI feature? Are there any other models I should be looking at?

Speakers:
I have listened to several that I really like:

KEF XQ1, XQ3, & XQ5. This is one of my two favorites that I've listened to so far, but like the Rotel equipment, I don't seem to be able to find a bunch of info/opinions/reviews on these.

B&W. I started listening to the CM4 and like it better than the 600's. Then I listened to the 804s and like them about the same as the KEFs. I think they are price just slightly higher than the KEFs.

Paradigm Studio 60/80/100. I have not yet listened to these but plan to soon...they seem to have a good reputation.

Subwoofer. I like Def Tech Supercube and Velodyne so far.

I'm starting to believe that speakers more than any other part of the home theater is really just personal preference, but I would certainly welcome any input.

DVD Player. I really haven't done much homework here yet. I do like the Denon 2910 based on professional reviews I've read. Again, any input here would be much appreciated.

I think that's it for now. Thanks in advance for any input, I really appreciate that this site is here...it has been an awesome help so far!

 

[jaxvon]

You hit the nail on the head for speakers. Personal preference all the way. Subwoofers are a little more about the specs (output level, bass extension, etc).

You have lots of good considerations, so I'll just throw in some more:

PSB
Rocket (from AV123)
Axiom
Totem
Dynaudio

As far as subwoofers go, SVS has some awesome offerings, as does Axiom (their EP500 and EP600 subs, not so much the other ones). Velodyne is always a solid choice though.

For the recievers, do you really want/need HDMI? If you think you'll want it down the road, then I think it would be worth it to go for the new Yamaha unit. The MSRP is more than $1000 less than that of the Denon 4806. However, with the 4600 coming out, the prices on the 2500 are really dropping. Using the Yamaha 2500 with an external amp (like a 5 or 7 channel Outlaw or the 7 channel Emotiva amp) would yield excellent results.

Your DVD player also seems like a good choice. With new formats coming out (not sure what is and isn't coming now, but still), it wouldn't be logical to sink a ton of money into a DVD player.

So, assuming MSRP on stuff, and buying brand new...
(this is just for pricing from authorized online retailers):
Yamaha RX-V2500 $1000
Denon DVD-2910 $700

This leaves you with $5300 for speakers...that's a lot of cash. At that price level, you can put together a KILLER system. What you end up with is really your choice, but you owe it to yourself to consider the internet brands (Axiom and AV123), as they offer tremendous value. Besides, if your significant other cares about the appearance, the Rockets might be the way to go, as they are super pretty.

 

[Blundaar]

I've always liked KEF's myself. I'm running Q75's and a Q100, fronts and center respectively. I'm lucky to go to one movie theater a year since I bought these babies (would rather stay home).

 

[jcPanny]

Oppo DVD Player

Check out the new oppo DVD player with upconversion and DVI output. Rated better than flagship players by secreats of home theater.

http://www.oppodigital.com/

 

[brian32672]

Check out the new oppo DVD player with upconversion and DVI output. Rated better than flagship players by secreats of home theater.

http://www.oppodigital.com/

The Oppo was my second choice, the only reason I went with the NeuNeo HVD-2081, was because of the vga hookup as well as all the other hookups the Oppo has. If I were in need of a second dvd player, this would be my first choice.

For the Sub department, I have not heard but have seen great reviews on the SVS sub line. And it would be in your price range.

 

[agarwalro]

My recommendation

DVD Player: Oppo Digital OPDV971H (based on reviews)
Receiver: Yamaha RXV-2500 (based on reviews)
Amp: Emotiva MPS-1 (based on reviews)
Mains: Axiom Audio M80ti (I dont have a seperate amp so I could not get the M80ti's, upgrade . M60ti's rock the house anyway )
Center: Axiom Audio VP150 (from personal experience)
Surrounds: Axiom Audio QS8 (from personal experience)
Sub: ? (I dont have one at present)


Hope this helps out,
Cheers.

 

[brian32672]

Is it worth stretching the budget to get the Denon 4806 or new Yamaha that have the HDMI feature? Are there any other models I should be looking at?

Oh yeah, forgot to say. If you are thinking HDMI, then the Oppo only has DVI output. The NeuNeo has HDMI & VGA. And the Denon 2910 has DVI & HDMI.

 

[pjripple]

Thanks everybody for the input. I was afraid when I posted my original post that perhaps this has subject has been beaten to death. It is a little hard for me to get my arms around this...there are so many choices available...trying to figure out what best suits my needs and budget is quite a challenge. I am enjoying the learning process. Thanks again!

 

[Vancouver]

personally I like the sound of the rotel reciever over your other choices. Most will agree that rotal sounds better, all will agree that rotel looks better.

Rotel and B&W speakrs seem to be made for each other. If you can audition together you will hear what I mean.

 

[jaxvon]

If you can audition? Rotel and B&W have a partnership and have the same distributor. Whenever there's a B&W setup, it's hooked up to Rotel electronics, and vice versa. Rotel does make nice stuff, as does B&W. That said, I'm not a fan of the B&Ws that I've heard, but then again, it's my personal taste.

 

[pjripple]

I did get to audition B&W and it was hooked to a Rotel 1067. This is just my newbie opinion, but I think the 703s sounded bright...I think that is the term for it made my ears hurt after listening for a while...could have been my choice of music too. After that I listened to a pair of 804s and I loved those. That would require nearly 50% of my budget for just two speakers. I can do it, but I'm not sure I like them that much. Although the KEF XQs that I really like are priced right up there too....I have some more auditioning that I want to do before I pull the trigger (Paradigm and PSB for sure).

 

[jaxvon]

I'm inclined to agree. I listened to the 705s today and they hurt my ears too. And the midrange seemed muffled. Definitely underwhelming for $1500/pr.

Shameless plug: If you want, read my review in the "Write Your Own Reviews" section.

 

[mulester7]

I'm inclined to agree. I listened to the 705s today and they hurt my ears too. And the midrange seemed muffled. Definitely underwhelming for $1500/pr.

Shameless plug: If you want, read my review in the "Write Your Own Reviews" section.

.....distortion, is what hurts your ears, Jaxvon....I ran the Electro-Voice woofer 60-6000 unbridled by crossover for a month or so....but it got to where the "edge", literally, of the woofer's absolute highest accomplishments, were what was hurting my ears....it would have to be, that the element leaves a true pistonic movement and goes radical, I guess....

.....but that's why they, haha, "recommend", crossovers....I cut it at 4500 and it didn't hurt my ears anymore, and the losing, revealed superior mid/high bass/low mids....then my EV driver on 14 inch metal bell took it for mids....added a piezo driver on a 14 inch metal bell bouncing off the ceiling with the bell up at about 11 o'clock....sounded better to me than anything Klipsch had made to that point at least, and that was 1990.....

.....here I am, runnin' my mouth again....oh well......