Which receiver should i buy? (1 Viewer)

[ted2]

So I am getting the Pioneer SP-PK21BS speaker set from pioneer and was wondering what particular receiver i should buy. I was thinking about both the Pioneer VSX-820-k and the Pioneer VSX-1020-k. the room size that i am needing the receiver for is not all that big, at most maybe a 12'x15' area with ceilings that aren't too high. i have found them within $60 of each other and was wondering if i should shill out the extra money for the space that i need them for. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/portal/site/PUSA/template.PRODUCT_COMPARISON/?vgnextoid=fb1e393270b3b210VgnVCM1000003367a8c0RCRD -Also another question because i noticed that the Pioneer VSX-1121-K was THX certified, I was wondering how these systems would hold up to that one because it has the certification and if i even need it for my small space.

 

[ted2]

The HT system would also be put in a slightly smaller room with a slightly awkward shape, but the majority of that room would be a 10'x9'. I would mostly have the wires not in the walls, but would have some plain wire hiders so that i could move the system from one location to the other. the transport is not a problem and i was just wondering which receiver would be best for the larger room.

 

[Al.Anderson]

You certainly only need the 820. But, since you can find the 1120 for only $60 more you could consider moving up for the features. The internet capability would interest me. If there was a chance you'd be using it in a larger room in the next 5 years (or so) I might also consider the 1120 (more for the 7.1 than the additional power capability; although having said that, I've stuck with 5.1 thus far and am quite happy). THX certification is mostly thought of as unnecessary. Most decent receivers are likely to be THX capable, the manufacturers just don't get the certification to avoid paying the licensing fee.

 

[gene c]

There's quite a bit more to the 1020 for $60. But if those prices are from an un-authorized dealer then Pioneer may not honor the warranty should something go a-miss. Those Pioneer speakers are supposed to be pretty nice but I haven't had a chance to hear them properly setup yet. The 8" sub that comes with the speaker system is the weak link. It only goes down to 38hz. You can buy two pairs of the bookshelves and the center for $280. That leaves you $120 for a better sub from PartsExpress or even Amazon. The speakers are also fairly in-effecient with an SPL of 84 for the 4" bookshelves and 87 for the center meaning they'll need more power to play at the same volume as most other speakers. And the 1120 does have a stronger amp section than the 820/1020.

 

[ted2]

so what would be a better sub in the range of $150

 

[gene c]

The Pioneer sub only had a frequency response down to 37 hz. I like to see at least 30 with 25 even better. The lower the better. Room acoustics and subwoofer placement play a very big part in all of this. #2 and #5 are almost identicle. In general, the larger the driver the deeper/louder the response. But of course, there's a lot more to it than that. 1) http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-430 2) http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-633 3) http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=309-175 4) http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 5) http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=309-177 If you can swing $178 the BIC V1220 is probably better than all the others. http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-432

 

[ted2]

OK thanks since you mentioned that I might be able to swap out the sub i got to thinking. would it be a bad idea to go with a http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018QNYSU/sr=8-3/qid=1312854188/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1312854188&sr=8-3&seller= for my center im not too sure cause i have read somewhere that in general the front speakers and the center should be the same brand if you want the sound good. but the polk center advertises the ability of the speaker to flow in any system. I was also wondering if it were a bad idea to buy used speaker equipment even if amazon says the condition is "like new."

 

[gene c]

Don't mix and match speaker brands no matter how well they "flow" . Buying used speakers can be a nice way to save a little money but you can get the same one for $10 more at Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007058%2050012345&IsNodeId=1&name=Polk%20Audio They have great prices on Polk Monitor series speakers. They are often recommended around here. They will have a different type of sound than the Pioneers, however. The Polks tend to be on the brighter side while the Pioneers will have a softer and warmer sound to them. In my opinion the Polks will be better for movies/tv as a brighter sound can enchance dialog and action scenes. I much prefer the softer, warmer sound for music. Give a close look at the Monitor series from Polk at Newegg.com. There are two types of Monitor series from Polk. One has a soft dome tweeter and the other a Dynamic Balance Polymer. Make sure all the speakers have the same type of tweeter. If you're going to do this you might as well do it right the first time .

 

[ted2]

would it be best to just stay with the pioneer speakers then? cause it appears that to do the 5.1 with that polk center and the rest of the stuff polk the cost will be well over $500 which is pretty much closer to my upper limit for the speakers. oh yeah and thank you so much for your help thus far it has really helped me learn a bit more about this whole ordeal.

 

[gene c]

Monitor 40's ($119/pr) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202 Monitor 30's ($89/pr) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290200 Monitor CS1 ($65) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290210 Total $275 Or two pair of 30's and the bigger CS2 center or a better subwoofer. The Pioneers are supposed to be worth way more than they cost. But the Polks have 5 1/4 " drivers vs. the 4" in the Pioneers. It's a tough call. If you have a BestBuy near you give them both a listen and let your ears decide, not your wallet.

 

[ted2]

I have decided on the polk equipment over the pioneer stuff with the CS2 and the Monitor 40's for my fronts and the 30's for my rear (5.1 setup) and to finish it off i will pay the little bit more extra for the bic v1220. (maybe) but here is the deal. the polk stuff on newegg says that the deal ends in about 5 days. i only have around $350 to spend now and was wondering if i should just get the speakers now or if i should get the receiver now with a bluray player for $70 and some of the wires that i will need to set it all up now. and the rest of the funds for the system would come in the next few months. but this is also assuming that the receiver's price wont rise. Basically which is more dangerous to wait on the used stuff form amazon or the deals on newegg? One quick question what is the difference between the downward firing and the side firing subs? (for when the time comes to buy the bic or something like it)

 

[gene c]

Everything comes to an end eventually, but these deals on Polk Monitors from Newegg have been going on for about a year and a half. Prices have fluctuated but have been "on" more often than not. Without knowing what else you have now I would get the speakers first since they won't change anytime soon. Receivers and BluRay players are always coming out with new models and features usually at around the same price as what they replaced (much like computers). This also pushes last years models down in price a bit. We recomend PartsExpress, Monoprice.com and BlueJeanscables for cables and wires. Avoid the over-priced name brand ones at the retail stores. 40's, 30's and a C2 would be a real nice package. I listened to the Cs1 vs. the CS2 and the 2 definently sounded better to my ears. I'm not much of a subwoofer guy so I can't say exactly what the difference between a front firing sub and a down firing one. For some reason the F-12 seems to get recommended a little more than the V1220. The warranty is a little different as well, depending on where you buy it. My brother has the V1220 and it seems to perform very well for the price (apparently real good subs start at $350 and go up from there) but it isn't exactly a good looking thing, being dark grey and kind of boxy looking. Front ported models at least have a grill on the front. But again, it performs pretty well. Much better than that Pioneer model would have.

 

[JohnRice]

FWIW, the CS1 is the matching speaker for the entire Monitor series except the 70. You can get the CS2 but, technically, the CS1 is all you need. Actually, Gene's comment that the CS2 sounded "Better" also implies that it sounds different, which means it would not integrate with the 40s as well. The CS1 has identical drivers to the 40 and the CS2 has larger mid/woofers. The priority is for them to be matched as close as possible, so the CS1 really should be the better choice.

 

[ted2]

i was just wandering around online and came across the pioneer elite models and was wondering to what levels are the 1020 equivalent or better that the Elite models. oh yeah and just ordered the polk CS2 and the 40's and 30's and in the future will get the 70's to be my fronts.

 

[gene c]

The Elite VSX-31 and the 1020 are very similar. Both based on the same platform. there are minor upgrades on the Elite such as the orange display, multi-channel tone control and two year warranty. The 1120 is based on the VSX-32. I think there's a bigger difference between the 1020 and 31 than the 1120 and 32. The real Elite receivers are the SC models. You should also consider the Marantz models from ac4l.com either the new ones or the factory refurbished models. http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/brand/marantz/results/1.html You should read some of Johns posts. I think he has the Marantz 5005 and Polk 40's, 30's and CS1 in one of his rooms.

 

[JohnRice]

Yeah, my livingroom system is a SR5004 with CS1 and 40s (I plan to get 70s eventually) and my good system uses a SR5005 as a head unit, Thiel CS3.6 and SCS 3 plus some Emotiva surrounds and external amps from Aragon and Emotiva and an SVS sub. The Marantz receivers are very nice. It's almost absurd that I am sing a receiver that cost less then $500 as a head unit in a system that cost over $10K, but it holds its own.