SONY STR-DN1040. What speakers would match up well?

[A/V]

Hey guys,
I have just got my 'entry' level A/V receiver. A Sony STR-DN1040. I bought it largely because I was able to get a really good price on this award winning amp, and it was one of the few within my available price range. I thought it would make a good starting point and I am happy with it so far.

The only thing is, I have a mismatched brand 7.1 setup pieced together from second hand buys. The speakers themselves aren't all that bad, but the match up is terrible. (To give you an idea: Aaron STS-1 fronts, Wharfedale Diamond center, Sony sub, Dali Concept 1 surrounds, Tannoy rear surrounds. Ok so flame me, it is pretty bad matching.)

I have a medium sized room: 3.8m wide x 4.5m long x 2.5m high
Usage: 60% Stereo Music (no sub), 40% Movies
Highest value for money speakers system is the priority

I have been listening to a few different brands and models (front main speakers only, as the rest of the speakers will revolve around these as music is the priority) and taking notes as I go as The . But as I am unable to listen through my own amp, I know they will sound different than in the store. The speakers I have considered so far:

B&W 683's - Liked these because of their crystal clear midrange,
Focal 726 - Great sounding speakers. Good deep wide soundstage,
Monitor Audio RX6 - Good detail & bass, although midrange wasn't as crisp as I would like,
Q Acoustics 2050i - I haven't auditioned these properly yet as dealers are rare around here. These are definitely on the money, but obviously the cheapest of the bunch and may sound the cheapest?
Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6 - Haven't auditioned these yet, but heard the high end may be too prominent combined with the Sony amp.
Tannoy DC6T - Would like to audition these but can't find any in my area,
Mission MX5 - Would like to audition these but can't find any in my area,
Cambridge Audio Aero 6 - Would like to audition these but can't find any in my area,
Dali Zensor 5 - Haven't auditioned these yet, but will be able to shortly,
PSB Image 5 or 6 - Haven't auditioned these yet, but may be able to shortly,
Paradigm Monitor 11 - Haven't auditioned these yet, but may be able to shortly,

Sorry for the long post, I just need to vent as I have all of this spinning around in my head right now. Reviews, notes, salesperson's opinions etc. I just wonder whether I am better off just buying something and returning it if I don't like it. And continuing this process until I find something that works with my system.

Any hints, advice or suggestions?

 

[zieglj01]

Sorry for the long post, I just need to vent as I have all of this spinning around in my head right now. Reviews, notes, salesperson's opinions etc. I just wonder whether I am better off just buying something and returning it if I don't like it. And continuing this process until I find something that works with my system.

Well yes - in home trial period - also, not so much as what matches the receiver >
the receiver will not really enhance the speaker sonic character - it is what speaker
is right for you, with proper placement.

Now is the time to timbre (voice, tone) match the front 3 speakers.

The Monitor Audio should sound better in your home - good speaker

For PSB audition - I would aim for the Imagine series.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Sony STR-DN1040.
B&W 683's - Liked these because of their crystal clear midrange

I just wanted to comment on 2 things.

Sony 1030
Probably enough power for most people as long as you don't use 5Ch or 7Ch Stereo mode or karaoke.

From HTM: Power output into 8 ohms 2Ch/ 4 ohms 2Ch/ 8 ohms 5Ch @ 1% THD: 135W/168W/90W. So your AVR can handle 4 ohms x 2Ch well.


B&W 683
It's interesting you say they sound crystal clear. I agree with you, but B&W "bashers" say that these speakers don't sound crystal clear.
Take home message: believe your own ears.

From Home Theater Magazine:
Minimum impedance: 3.5Ω at 100Hz
Nominal impedance: 6Ω (below 6Ω from 78Hz to 900Hz)
Effective bass extension (-10dB): 29Hz (port open)
Sensitivity: 86dB/2.83V/m
The 683's impedance phase angle was more capacitive than is typical of most speakers at low frequencies (less so with the port bung in place). I would judge this speaker to be somewhat more difficult to drive than average, though any competent amplifier comfortable with a 4Ω load should have no difficulty with it.

B&W 683 Surround Speaker System Measurements | Sound & Vision

Best way to find out is to take the speakers home and try them with your AVR.

 

[A/V]

zieglj01 - Thanks for that. Yes that makes me think that it may be the best route to hearing what it sounds like at home and comparing them then.

AcuDefTechGuy - Yes I have heard the B&W 'bashers' say the same. I was only able to side-by-side compare them to the 684's in the shop. To me the 684's had substantially more bass than the 683's, but they just seemed to have a muddy, woofy midrange and tending to sound muffly even in the high-mids. (to my ears). I put this down to them not having an FST mid-driver.

I am surprised that the 683's sensitivity is so low in those specs you gave. Compare them with the Q Acoustics 2050i (92db) and the price difference seems unjustifiable!

Value for money being of the highest priority for me, I am actually leaning towards the Q's over all the speakers I have tested. The rest will be at least twice the price, but I have not heard anything (bar the Focal 926's) that sound twice as good!

 

[charmerci]

Well, if you liked the Focals so much, why not listen to the less expensive 714's?