Speakers to compliment Yamaha RX-V663

[Mr.Sinister]

I have a Yamaha RX-V663 on order and am looking for speakers to compliment the receiver. I am looking to spend between $1,000 to $1,500 CDN on the speaker set and am willing to build for the future (ie. a 2.1 or 3.1 system to start). Any recommendations??

 

[rnatalli]

Speakers are the most important part of your system. Get out and audition as many as possible. There are a lot of Canadian brands like PSB, Paradigm, Axiom, and others worth listening too especially if you can get them for less in Canada.

 

[Pyrrho]

I have a Yamaha RX-V663 on order and am looking for speakers to compliment the receiver. I am looking to spend between $1,000 to $1,500 CDN on the speaker set and am willing to build for the future (ie. a 2.1 or 3.1 system to start). Any recommendations??

If you will pardon me for saying so, you are going about it backwards. You should select your speakers first, and then choose amplification that is suitable for them. If, however, you happen to choose speakers of normal efficiency (or high efficiency) and of normal impedance, you will be fine with the receiver you have selected.

What you should do is listen to as many different speakers in your price range as you can stand to listen to. Then select the ones you like best.

The reason for auditioning speakers is that they make a greater difference to the sound than any other piece of equipment you buy (at least with digital sources). This is because they are more flawed than any other equipment you will buy. No decent amplifier, for example, exhibits the frequency response anomalies that are present in even the best speakers, or the same levels of distortion (which are not typically listed in speaker specifications, as the levels are so high as to make one despair of ever getting decent sound).

 

[Seth=L]

The amplifier in that Yamaha is well regarded and should be able to drive a large assortment of speakers. If you look into Paradigm, Energy, Mirage, Axiom, and Sinclair are all Canadian manufactured. PSB has some lines that would work well with that Yamaha as well (also Canadian). The higher the line you get into with PSB typically means less efficiency and more unstable impedance. Since it looks like your budget is lower at the moment you should probably stick with the lower line anyway. Look at the Image series.

 

[Mr.Sinister]

Thanks for the input. Are there any brands I should avoid??

 

[rnatalli]

Thanks for the input. Are there any brands I should avoid??

Bose is the biggie.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Backwards doesnt really matter that much if you get a good AVR that will drive about any 1-1.5k speaker.

If you will pardon me for saying so, you are going about it backwards. You should select your speakers first, and then choose amplification that is suitable for them. If, however, you happen to choose speakers of normal efficiency (or high efficiency) and of normal impedance, you will be fine with the receiver you have selected.

What you should do is listen to as many different speakers in your price range as you can stand to listen to. Then select the ones you like best.

The reason for auditioning speakers is that they make a greater difference to the sound than any other piece of equipment you buy (at least with digital sources). This is because they are more flawed than any other equipment you will buy. No decent amplifier, for example, exhibits the frequency response anomalies that are present in even the best speakers, or the same levels of distortion (which are not typically listed in speaker specifications, as the levels are so high as to make one despair of ever getting decent sound).

 

[fredk]

Hey Sinister. Where did you order the 663 from? Its not even listed on the Yamaha Canada site yet.

Fred

 

[jgw4]

Fred,

Can't speak for Sinister, but I got mine from JR.com. It's in transit, set to arrive on 3/18. Total cost = 449.

 

[fredk]

jgw4. Is that shipping taxes and duty included delivered into Canada?

Just to keep things marginally on topic, I agree with Seth=L's list. It seems there are lots and lots of great speaker companies these days and a fair number from Canada.

If you can find someone locally, I would definately audition the Axioms (there is a list on the Axiom site). Lots of value for the money.

Fred

 

[jgw4]

No, that's to northern California.

 

[leo1058]

Yes audition audition audition. Cant be said enough!!!

 

[Mr.Sinister]

Hey Sinister. Where did you order the 663 from? Its not even listed on the Yamaha Canada site yet.

Fred

Yeah I ordered from JR.com as well. We'll see what the duties will be. Hopefully not too much.

I auditioned several different speakers today and came across Totem Rainmakers. Any feedback on those speakers??? The other company I liked was B&W.

 

[fredk]

I listened to the Rainmaker a couple of months ago. It sounded very good to me, but I didn't compare it to anything else.

For the money, I would look at floorstanders from PSB because you get more bottom end from them, but thats my preference.

Fred

 

[yatesd]

I bought the Infinity Beta series on closeout at Vann's and these sound great with the Yamaha 663. I am extremely happy with the performance/value ratio.

Beta 40's up front
C360 for center
Beta 20's for surrounds
SW-12 Sub

 

[Diabolus]

Not to hijack, but any speaker suggestions for a person in SoCal?

 

[ASLEEP]

I auditioned the PSB Synchrony and it blew me away. Problem is I'm not sure if my yamaha 663 can power it adequately. The yamaha manual claims that the front speakers must be 4ohms or higher and the center/surround must be 6ohms or higher. The synchrony are all 4ohm speakers. I don't plan on playing 'too loud'. Do you think I can give this setup a try? Or do you have other suggestions?
Thanks.