Pricing Rule of Thumb

[DBlock85]

Is there any general rule for the ratio between speaker prices and receiver prices? To clarify: if I spend $1500 on speakers, what is the amount I should expect to spend on a receiver that is on the same "level"? I am curious if there is any general rule for this or if its really about breaking down specs and features.

 

[DD66000]

When it was just stereo, I figured a 1:1 ratio.
$1500 for two speakers gets much better speakers than $1500 for 5, obviously.
The speakers I have in my HT are worth much more than the receiver and power amp combined. $7500 list for 5 channels, $3000 for receiver/amp, plus subs.

 

[Midcow2]

Percentages

When it was just stereo, I figured a 1:1 ratio.
$1500 for two speakers gets much better speakers than $1500 for 5, obviously.
The speakers I have in my HT are worth much more than the receiver and power amp combined. $7500 list for 5 channels, $3000 for receiver/amp, plus subs.

Good Analysis; Also AVRs - less cost for more

Some other thoughts on how to break the HT money pie.

Fronts: 40%
Center: 15%
Sub: 10%
rear surrounds: 5%
front surrounds: 5%

AVR: 25%


Example $5000 budget:

Fronts: $2000
Center: $750
Sub: $500
rear surrounds: $250
front surrounds; $250

AVR : $1,250

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here's my MSRP:

5.1 speakers = $13,400
5.1 Preamp/Amp = $3,600
Ratio: 4:1

So I say 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1 is the usual ratio.

 

[DD66000]

Good Analysis; Also AVRs - less cost for more

Some other thoughts on how to break the HT money pie.

Fronts: 40%
Center: 15%
Sub: 10%
rear surrounds: 5%
front surrounds: 5%

AVR: 25%


Example $5000 budget:

Fronts: $2000
Center: $750
Sub: $500
rear surrounds: $250
front surrounds; $250

AVR : $1,250

The best systems would have the same amount spent on the center as the mains. Of coarse, if one buys identical speakers, as I have, then its the same $ amount for each channel.
Even if I switched out the center LCR for the dedicated matching center, in my system, its still the same price.
In my system, that's $1700/channel, plus subs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is there any general rule for the ratio between speaker prices and receiver prices? To clarify: if I spend $1500 on speakers, what is the amount I should expect to spend on a receiver that is on the same "level"? I am curious if there is any general rule for this or if its really about breaking down specs and features.

For $1,500 speakers, I would spend $600-$700 on the receiver.

However, I would also buy a recertified receiver to save money.

For example, you could get a Denon 2808 for $630 w/ 1 yr warranty:
http://dakmart.com/itemdetails/31777/173/

eCost has the Onkyo 805 for $525 w/ 90 days warranty!
http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receivers/Onkyo/TXSR805+REF/40650016.aspx

I would get the Onkyo 805 before it goes OUT of stock!
This thing will drive most speakers just fine!

 

[Midcow2]

actual ratios

Here's my MSRP:

5.1 speakers = $13,400
5.1 Preamp/Amp = $3,600
Ratio: 4:1

So I say 2:1, 3:1, or 4:1 is the usual ratio.

Okay let me look at my MSRP main system):

7002s - $2,400
CLR3000 - $1100
UTW-BP surrounds (2 pair) $800
Prosub100 - $500
============
$4,800

Marantz SR8002 $2000 ( but I paid much less)

ratio = 2.4 so I am under-ratioed , but the next upgrade is an SVS-PB13-Ultra

 

[jostenmeat]

originally, greater than 6:1 ratio.

after splitting up stereo and HT:

7:1 stereo

2.5:1 HT

That's opposite of what's been said here, but I spent a lot on the stereo mains.

If I knew what this was going to evolve as, I could maybe save some here and there.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay let me look at my MSRP main system):

7002s - $2,400
CLR3000 - $1100
UTW-BP surrounds (2 pair) $800
Prosub100 - $500
============
$4,800

Marantz SR8002 $2000 ( but I paid much less)

ratio = 2.4 so I am under-ratioed , but the next upgrade is an SVS-PB13-Ultra

I think you are in good ratio even right now. And I don't think there's anything wrong with even a 1:1 ratio as long as you have nice speakers.

I mean if I could afford $75,000 speakers, I wouldn't mind getting $75,000 amps/preamps either. It would be an awesome 1:1 ratio.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

after splitting up stereo and HT:

7:1 stereo

2.5:1 HT

I think that actually makes sense because your Music Room (Stereo) is more critical than your movie room.

 

[chadnliz]

There is no rule of thumb everyone makes this up as they go along. Your speakers are the most important link in the chain so buy what you can, recievers can but dont need to cost as much and seperates can get into the many thousands.....just buy the best you can afford with the features you want and you will be fine, afterall you cant do better than the best you can afford right?
I doint feel the need to list my investment as others have so this doesnt get hijacked into "what I spent" thread but I am at about 3.1 on my speaker to amp and pre amp ratio.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I think the RATIO is just interesting info, not a rule. As long as your speakers and components are great for you, that's all it matters.

 

[DBlock85]

Yeah I was looking at the Onkyo 705 on ecost. The only thing that puts me off is ecost has suspiciously low prices, and I have heard extremely varying reviews of their service. My main reason for choosing the 705 over the 805 is both price (I am trying not to break $500) and size, the 805 is dangerously close to being too hard for the shelf its going on.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah I was looking at the Onkyo 705 on ecost. The only thing that puts me off is ecost has suspiciously low prices, and I have heard extremely varying reviews of their service. My main reason for choosing the 705 over the 805 is both price (I am trying not to break $500) and size, the 805 is dangerously close to being too hard for the shelf its going on.

I've gotten some Denons from them before. See if you can request that they use UPS or FedEx. The problem is that they use DHL, which sucks. DHL literally just throws your stuff on the porch. They suck. Otherwise, I've never had any issues with eCost's products.

Yeah, $419 for the Onkyo 705 is looks pretty good:

http://www.ecost.com/Detail/Receivers/Onkyo/TXSR705+REF/41257700.aspx

 

[chadnliz]

In general its normal the speakers are largest part of budget.

 

[PENG]

15 posts later everyone still basically agree on one thing. That is, spend more on speakers than on pre/amps. I think this is one of the most helpful threads for beginners.

 

[DD66000]

A system is only as good as its weakest link, but the speakers are what bring it all home.
Expensive gear paired with cheap speakers = bad sound.
less expensive gear paired with better speakers = good sound.
Plus people generally keep speakers much longer than the electronics, especially receivers, as the tech in them keeps changing.