Somewhat of a noob looking for receiver and speaker advice

[gsgarcia]

New to the forums, looking for advice on purchasing a new receiver as well as speakers.

My display is the Samsung LCD 46A650. I have an old 10 year Sony receiver and unmatching speakers...L/R sony bookshelf speakers, Pioneer Center, and Velodyne 10" sub.

I am looking at the Yamaha RX-V663 and the new Marantz SR4003. I was also looking at the Klipsch Quintet III (I think) for surround speakers to hook up to my current sub.

Other equipment includes at Verizon Fios HD-PVR and a PS3 40GB.

I dont have a huge budget, but I dont want to skimp on quality either. Wife would like wall mountable speakers, but I'm not sure how the quality would be compared to floor standing. I have to take into consideration a 10 month old learning to crawl and the safety of the baby and any speakers he may want to play with.

So, with all that, what would you reccomend? Thanks in advance!

 

[jamie2112]

The Yamaha 663 is a great unit. As far as speakers go I have 2 kids and would suggest you get bookshelves for now I lost 2 cones from curious children poking around. Be safe and buy bookshelf speakers for now.....

 

[mazersteven]

Somewhat of a noob???

Welcome to Audioholics. There are a lot of "Noobs" around here.

Don't know if these would work, but take a look at them. What I like about them is they have wall mountable brackets that swivel so you can "aim" them at the listening area.

EMP EW30
http://store.audioholics.com/product/783/66209/emp-ew30-on-wall-speaker--each-

 

[gsgarcia]

Well, by somewhat of a noob, I meant that I know a little bit about what I'm talking about. But to the forums, I am def a noob.

Now how do you know what speakers to match to a receiver, in terms of the wattage of the speaker and the wattage the receiver uses per channel? With new L/R and Surround speakers, could I use those with me current center channel and Sub, or will the sound be off due to differences in the speakers?

And I want ot make sure I get the new HD audio. And I know I would have to set my PS3 to LPCM in order for it to work, but I'm assuming I would need a receiver that will pass those through and not necessarily decode them as the PS3 does this. Do the RX-V663 and SR4003 fit the bill? And are there other receiver that are just as good and do the same thing but cheaper?

 

[mazersteven]

Now how do you know what speakers to match to a receiver?

The ideal way is to match the receiver, or electronics to the speakers. Speakers give the biggest impact in your HT experience. So after you've selected speaker you can select a receiver based on the sensitivity (efficiency), and ohms of the speakers.

 

[gsgarcia]

So if I was looking at the RX-V663 or the SR4003, what would I be looking at in speakers in terms of sensitivity and ohms?

 

[mazersteven]

So if I was looking at the RX-V663 or the SR4003, what would I be looking at in speakers in terms of sensitivity and ohms?

8 ohm, sensitivity 86, and higher. But don't base your selection on this. Find speakers that sound good.

 

[Seth=L]

The new Marantz SR-4003 adopted the older flagship aesthetics, it looks darn good. Either receiver will be great, but the Yamaha does offer more features (which I myself wouldn't use anymore than the SR-4003 offers).

 

[jamie2112]

The Yamaha is the better unit in terms of bells and whistles but Marantz has always made quality gear. The Yamaha has more wattage than the Marantz if that is something you require than go for the Yamaha......

 

[Seth=L]

The Yamaha is the better unit in terms of bells and whistles but Marantz has always made quality gear. The Yamaha has more wattage than the Marantz if that is something you require than go for the Yamaha......

Even though the manufacturer's specs may not reflect their actual output. Too often do we see lower rated receivers from one manufacturer out gun another similar unit from a competitor with similar power ratings.

 

[600HOtoy]

I to am a Noob,
and was looking at the Marantz 4003.
Whats would be better with Axiom M22s and V100 center????

Thanks for the input

 

[mazersteven]

I to am a Noob,
and was looking at the Marantz 4003.
Whats would be better with Axiom M22s and V100 center????

Thanks for the input

Pick a receiver that has the features you need. The Axiom M22's are very efficient speakers, and not hard to drive.

 

[surferaudio]

I to am a Noob,
and was looking at the Marantz 4003.
Whats would be better with Axiom M22s and V100 center????

Thanks for the input

Your Axioms won't truly sing or flex its muscle if it is only hooked up with either the Marantz 4003 or the Yammy 663. For choice, your axioms will tend to dip to 6 ohms more often than not, I would probably pick the Marantz as its amp can handle the dips since it's mfg'd by Denon Holdings,

At any rate, What you would need to do is pick either one for less than the MSRP (you can get either near the $400 range) and then get a separate amp when you have the funds for it. In the meantime, you can enjoy either Yammy/Marantz AVR.

Those axioms of yours really want a separate amp that can output 100w per channel.. so it cna handle the transients.

Read Alan Lofft's articles over at Axiom and avoid the Pioneers and Onkyos because they can't handle Axioms flunctuating impedences.

 

[Seth=L]

Your Axioms won't truly sing or flex its muscle if it is only hooked up with either the Marantz 4003 or the Yammy 663. For choice, your axioms will tend to dip to 6 ohms more often than not, I would probably pick the Marantz as its amp can handle the dips since it's mfg'd by

I would say either receiver would have no trouble with a 6 ohm load at all. Marantz and Denon operate separately, I wouldn't base the performance of a Marantz off of a Denon.

 

[KASR]

I'm a noob as well and the wall mounts seem like a perfect solution for you. I picked up a 5-pak of peerless wallmounts for a song. Work great and look pretty nice too!

What's your budget for each component? (receiver, speakers, etc.)

 

[3db]

Speaker impedance is a function of frequency ant 8 ohms speakers routinel drop below their nominal 8 ohm ratings. My entire HT speaker setup is built on the PSB Image series and their nominal impedance is 6 ohms. I'm driving them with a Technics 5.1 channel receiver without any hint of strain ( unless driven to ear bleeding volumes) or adverse affect for the last 7 to 10 years. Mind you, the PSBs are on the high side of efficient, around 90db so it doesn't take much to make them sing

Any receiver these days should be more than adequate to drive 6 ohms nominaly rated speakers as long as their efficiency is say above 87db and that the room they're in isn't overly big.

 

[3db]

Your Axioms won't truly sing or flex its muscle if it is only hooked up with either the Marantz 4003 or the Yammy 663. For choice, your axioms will tend to dip to 6 ohms more often than not, I would probably pick the Marantz as its amp can handle the dips since it's mfg'd by Denon Holdings,

At any rate, What you would need to do is pick either one for less than the MSRP (you can get either near the $400 range) and then get a separate amp when you have the funds for it. In the meantime, you can enjoy either Yammy/Marantz AVR.

Those axioms of yours really want a separate amp that can output 100w per channel.. so it cna handle the transients.

Read Alan Lofft's articles over at Axiom and avoid the Pioneers and Onkyos because they can't handle Axioms flunctuating impedences.

Incorrect: Baed on these specs, http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html, a transisitor radio can almost drive these speakers, they are that easy to drive. So You'd be fine with either the Yammy and or Marantz. Matter of fact, I doubt very much that seperates would offer any performance increase for these speakers over the Marantz or Yamaha.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

GS,
You might consider on-wall or inwall type speakers for a compromise of performance and asthetics. Check out these EMP inwall models in the AH store for $100 each.
http://store.audioholics.com/section/66209/1/on-wall-speakers

Either of those receivers should have plenty of power and features for your system.