RX-V2500 + NS-FP9500 speakers

[jbruno]

I just purchased the Yamaha RX-V2500. I was thinking of getting the NS-FP9500 speaker system, also from Yamaha. Any thoughts?

I can get the speakers for about $350 shipped and figured it was a good deal. I can always upgrade further down the road if needed.

In another posting I mentioned that this system is for a 15x13 room with a plasma HDTV. I will be using it mostly for movies and TV, with only occasional radio and CD.

On another topic, has anyone listened to an SACD? I curious if they are as cool as I heard. I assume this receiver coupled with an SACD dvd/cd player should be able to do a good job.

Thank you,

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Yikes!

Personally, I think you out did yourself on the receiver if you are thinking those speakers.

www.yamaha.com/yec/products/speakers/NSFP9500.htm

That is a HTIB minus the receiver and dvd player. You have one of the best receivers out there. SACD is wonderful, but there are limited discs and they are expensive. Most guys who have SACD players only have a dozen or so discs. I'd rather see you put your money into a higher end speaker setup. Are looks and size a huge issue with speakers? How about cost? With the money you've spent on that receiver, plus a plasma tv, I would guess you may have a bit more for speakers to compliment your system (not downgrade it). What's the most you can budget on a speaker setup? Do you want a 7.1 setup?

 

[jbruno]

Personally, I think you out did yourself on the receiver if you are thinking those speakers.

www.yamaha.com/yec/products/speakers/NSFP9500.htm

That is a HTIB minus the receiver and dvd player. You have one of the best receivers out there. SACD is wonderful, but there are limited discs and they are expensive. Most guys who have SACD players only have a dozen or so discs. I'd rather see you put your money into a higher end speaker setup. Are looks and size a huge issue with speakers? How about cost? With the money you've spent on that receiver, plus a plasma tv, I would guess you may have a bit more for speakers to compliment your system (not downgrade it). What's the most you can budget on a speaker setup? Do you want a 7.1 setup?

Thank you for the reply. No I am not adverse to spending more for speakers. However, since floor space is at a premium, I would like to mount them on the walls (plus I have small children who destroy things). I'll have everything prewired for 6.1 sound with the speaker plugins up near the ceiling. I really would like to get good bang for the buck, but could probably spend just over 1K. I just do not want to get more than I need.

Thanks and please keep the replies coming.....

 

[jbruno]

I checked out Athena.

AS-B2 Bookshelf x5
AS-C1 x1 Center
AS-P300 x1 Subwoofer

Anyone running these? Also, can these be mount on the wall? Finally, any good speaker mounts the can not only turn the speakers but also angle them? I would like to mount them on the wall and be able to tilt down and angle in towards the sitting area.

Thanks,

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

J,

I've searched high and wide for speakers to go with your setup. I know you are looking for somethign to go with your sleek tv. Unfortunately, nothing in the line of wall mounted speakers really surpasses the Yamaha's you've listed. They feature 4-4" drivers (not my favorite, but I'm betting they sound better than 1-5" driver). I was going to refer you to some NHT's or Paradigm bookshelves, but the bass drivers aren't going to give you much more bass than the Yamaha system is. Furthermore, the Yammy system features a 6.1 setup. Trying to find a good 6.1 setup is almost impossible in the $1000 price range. I like the BIC systems, but doubt it will look, or sound better than the Yamaha. Heck, even Athena's new line of speakers looks like that Yamaha system. They may have something there, with HT relying on voice and bass more than musical taste, you may be fine with that system. Try it. You can always return it. When you have to mount speakers on the walls, it really limits you to size. Compare the Yamaha with the new Athena. The Athena's you've listed are great, but they won't look as spectacular mounted to the wall as opposed to sitting on speaker stands. I would definitely get the supplied sub in a corner to extract as much bass as you can from it. It wont shake the house down, but at least with the right placement, will make up for the puny 4" woofers.

 

[jbruno]

J,

I've searched high and wide for speakers to go with your setup. I know you are looking for somethign to go with your sleek tv. Unfortunately, nothing in the line of wall mounted speakers really surpasses the Yamaha's you've listed. They feature 4-4" drivers (not my favorite, but I'm betting they sound better than 1-5" driver). I was going to refer you to some NHT's or Paradigm bookshelves, but the bass drivers aren't going to give you much more bass than the Yamaha system is. Furthermore, the Yammy system features a 6.1 setup. Trying to find a good 6.1 setup is almost impossible in the $1000 price range. I like the BIC systems, but doubt it will look, or sound better than the Yamaha. Heck, even Athena's new line of speakers looks like that Yamaha system. They may have something there, with HT relying on voice and bass more than musical taste, you may be fine with that system. Try it. You can always return it. When you have to mount speakers on the walls, it really limits you to size. Compare the Yamaha with the new Athena. The Athena's you've listed are great, but they won't look as spectacular mounted to the wall as opposed to sitting on speaker stands. I would definitely get the supplied sub in a corner to extract as much bass as you can from it. It wont shake the house down, but at least with the right placement, will make up for the puny 4" woofers.

Thanks for the input. I am less concerned about the look, so that's not a critical hit on the Athena's. I actually emailed Athena to see if their was a wall mounting option that would allow me to both tilt and turn the bookshelf's towards the listening area. I'm waiting on a reply.

I will definately be getting the sub.

I am also consdering the option of putting them on stands, however, with kids/small area I'm concerned they would get knocked over.

 

[jbruno]

Looking at my basement, I have some space constraints for one of my surrounds. Even Athena bookshelfs are too wide.

I was thinking again about Orb. Would these by sufficient?

Thanks!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Looking at my basement, I have some space constraints for one of my surrounds. Even Athena bookshelfs are too wide.

I was thinking again about Orb. Would these by sufficient?

Thanks!

No! If they are these you are talking about:
http://www.orbaudio.com/

You need a box for some type of mid bass response. The Athena's are your best bet. If they won't fit, I'd stick with the Yammy towers and 4" drivers. Have you compared the Yamaha system to the new Athena system at Best Buy? They are more expensive, but the same design. Just more drivers. It looks like Klipsch has some new flat panel speakers out also. Let us know what you think.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7035102&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03044&id=1099395865333

 

[jbruno]

No! If they are these you are talking about:
http://www.orbaudio.com/

You need a box for some type of mid bass response. The Athena's are your best bet. If they won't fit, I'd stick with the Yammy towers and 4" drivers. Have you compared the Yamaha system to the new Athena system at Best Buy? They are more expensive, but the same design. Just more drivers. It looks like Klipsch has some new flat panel speakers out also. Let us know what you think.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7035102&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03044&id=1099395865333

Thanks for the feedback.

What line are those Athena's? I could not find them on the Athena Website. Also, what about a combo of Athena B2's and a CS1 up front with 1 B2 Center Rear and 2 Orb2's R/L surrounds?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Strange how BB has them but Athena doesn't show them yet on the site. They are in the new products section on the Athena website and go by the "WS Series." I'm not one to mix and match surround speakers because I listen to music in 7.1. Timber matching all of my speakers as well as making sure they are all similar in sensitivity seems to work best for me. A few guys here will tell you the rear surrounds don't have to be timber matched, but they will tell you they should be if you listen to multi-channel music. It's fine for HT, but not for surround music IMO.

 

[jbruno]

Strange how BB has them but Athena doesn't show them yet on the site. They are in the new products section on the Athena website and go by the "WS Series." I'm not one to mix and match surround speakers because I listen to music in 7.1. Timber matching all of my speakers as well as making sure they are all similar in sensitivity seems to work best for me. A few guys here will tell you the rear surrounds don't have to be timber matched, but they will tell you they should be if you listen to multi-channel music. It's fine for HT, but not for surround music IMO.

Athena states that they would have details on their website the 2nd week of May, so it should be soon.

I still can't get the Orbs out of my mind. Every review I've read states that they are great. They consistently state how people are amazed by the sound and their is no midzone hole. Hmmmmmmm, this whole process is tough with all the choices out there, especially for the Orbs since I can't listen to them ahead of time unless I do the free 30 day trial they offer.

 

[Takeereasy]

Can I suggest the HSU ventriloquest system. This sytem will beat the most little speaker system hands down. This system has won several awards and is praised as having an incredible cost/performance ratio. It tackles the lack of bass that small enclosures have in an innovative way. Another bonus is that you will get a kick butt sub out of the deal. Their website was down while I was typing this so I can't link you directly to the site, but I would suggest you look at either the STF-2 or STF-3 with those speakers. I'm not sure but I think you can get the package with the stf-2 for about $700. The website is hsuresearch.com and they have a free trial period as well. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[NGL_BrSH]

rx-v2500 speakers..

Hmmm..
I sell alot of audio and sample quite a bit.
I own an RX-V2500 for my basement and I have a Marantz SR-8500 for my main upstairs system. For the money the Yamaha is naughty. Lots of nice features and plenty of power. For a speaker.. i'd steer away from something that has alot of treble right out off the bat since the yamaha promotes alot of high end frequency.
in the $800-$1500 range.. i'd steer away from Boston Acoustics microsystem (they are pretty tinny when matched to a yamaha). I'd steer away from klipsch for the same reasons.
You might be able to get away with Definitive Technology's Pro Cinema system
But i think if you were in that budget i'd do the athena (daughter company to Energy) or the best choice I belive would be the new TAKE series system. The Energy Act6 system is just a little too small for a RX-V2500 but the new TAKE setup with dual drivers etc would be a perfect match up. With a warmer, accurate response and a wide sound field, they make the best match up for under $1500 in m.p.o.

http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-line.php?id=6

 

[Leprkon]

could you get by with on-wall speakers ? you might fit a system based on the NHT L-5 if you are a good on-line shopper. I know that www.accessories4less carries them.

 

[jbruno]

OK, after much thought, Idecide to give the Orbs a try. (ORB2 for L/C/R, ORB1 for RL/RC/RR). So now my system is going to be:

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V2500
DVD Changer: Yamaha DVD-C950
Speakers: Orb (6.1 system)
TV: Panasonic 50" Plasma (TH-50PHD7UY)

I actually, got the receiver yesterday. I was surprised how heavy it was. I did have one issue that perhaps someone knows an answer to. I temporarily hooked it up to my 27" TV just to play around. However, I could not find an audio output that would allow sound to be played through my TV regardless of source. Right now I have the cable audio attached to VCR1 with audio outputs coming from VCR1 (out) to the TV. Howver, when I switch to say DVD I can only have sound coming from the receiver not the TV too. I know this system is designed to run our to real speakers (center channel, etc.) but I just thought their would be a generic audio output that could be selected to play with any source. Oh well.... this is only until my basement gets finished.....