Need help in choosing A/V Receiver & Speakers (1 Viewer)

I am beginner in the world of A/V receivers. I am a music lover and looking out for a good a/v receiver & speaker combination. I don't want to spent too much but willing to pay up to $1K. I have researched and now confused between Yamaha RX-V677 and Onkyo TX-NR727. Looking at the reviews Energy 5.1 Take Classic seems like a good pairing within my budget. I have also looked at the Klipsch QUINTET 5.0 (75 Watt) with Klipsch SW-350 sub. I live in a townhouse and do not want to produce earth-shaking music but I love listening to music at low/moderate volume. I am more into music than movies.


Any advice will be highly appreciated.


Thanks

If music is your primary goal...

I'd choose a decent pair of bookshelf speakers, and forgo the subwoofer.

Speakers that tiny, frankly, suck for music.

Agree with Sam. Satellite speakers are terrible for music (even though they are okay for a movie system). And even a 4 1/2 inch speaker (which are larger than the usual satellite definition are not going to be great for music.


If you are looking for a music system, focus your time and money on the speakers. You'll do just fine with a $200-300 receiver, spend the rest on a good set of bookshelf. You can add to them later if you find you also want to expand the system for theater use. (The Yamaha 677 is very good, but you be better off moving down the line and using the money for speakers.) You really don't need a sub to start off with if you have good bookshelf speakers.


I'm a big fan of Axiom, so that's my reco. But the best bet is to listen to them first if you can, and if you can't, make sure you get them from someplace you can return them. Most internet dealers have a good return policy.

Vipin, welcome to HTF.

Al and Sam are spot on - if you are looking for a music system, invest most of your money in good speakers. You will likely have them longer than your first receiver, and listen to a variety using the music that you enjoy most. It might be worth looking into prior year model or refurbished receivers to get the most bang for your buck.

Good luck.

schan1269 said:

If music is your primary goal...

I'd choose a decent pair of bookshelf speakers, and forgo the subwoofer.

Speakers that tiny, frankly, suck for music.

Click to expand...

I agree with this..


I bought a Condo shortly after retiring from the Navy and could not wait to hook up my Bose AM5 Acoustamass. I listened to it for about 15 mins and packed it up and stored it away. Even at the low volume levels the Bass was way too loud for the people on the other side of my walls. I have a house now with far away neighbors and I have two Energy CB-20 Bookshelf speakers that sound fantastic. These bookshelf speakers should be all you need ..


I Also have the Klipsch SW-350 and that is one amazing sounding Sub if/when you get one. You won't be disappointed. I highly recommend Yamaha receivers.. I have th 477 and am a very happy camper at this point.

OP, I'm similar to you, I prefer music fidelity to film fidelity. I just upgraded my RXV663 to an RXV775 (like the 675, with pre-outs and perhaps a few other features). I have a 5.0 setup, great main, center and surround speakers (the Yamaha has a 5-channel and 7-channel mode where it can send stereo material to all the speakers, filling up a larger room with music).

I can tell you the Yamaha RX-V line have features for music lovers, particularly the Pure Direct mode which bypasses all tone and eq circuitry, sending the signal right to the speakers. For this alone, plus other reasons ,I would invest in great L+R speakers, with solid audio performance from 30HZ up to 25Khz. Pure Direct will let the speakers' fidelity and strength play your music as recorded.

The 677 may have many other features you don't need. Shop on Amazon for a lower number, e.g. 675. My 663 is boxed up (with a 30-pin iPod cradle), if you want to make an offer, but unless you're in NC, shipping would cost plenty, you'll probably get a better buy on Amazon or elsewhere for a refurb or open box special.

If you have a TV and want home theater capability, invest in a good Center speaker (I have a Yamaha NSC444, it doesnt boom but it's clear as a bell), surrounds can come later. If your primary interest is music, but you want to watch films, you may want dialog and Left-Center-Right transitory sound effects to be localized. A cheap center speaker will soon betray its weaknesses; spend the money for a good one, WHEN you're ready. For your $1000 budget, I would expect to spend at least half on the main speakers ... a 2-year old AVR will suffice for now.

Many will disagree with me, but my view is that some bitchin' main speakers with dedicated bass can serve the purpose of a Subwoofer just fine, particularly in a townhome. IF, and if, the receiver (like the Yamaha line) will direct Sub LFE content from films to the mains. (I just tested my old Bose 401s last night with audiocheck.net sound files, and they produce audio from about 30Hz on up. Not Steady Eddie like a sub would, but satisfactory for momentary "boom" like a movie produces.)

schan1269 said:

If music is your primary goal...

I'd choose a decent pair of bookshelf speakers, and forgo the subwoofer.

Speakers that tiny, frankly, suck for music.

Click to expand...

Thank You schan1269.

Thank You Everyone for your valueble feedback. I am going for the bookshelf speakers. Researched and now down to the following 3 options:

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1

Polk Audio RTI A1

Klipsch Synergy B-20 Premium

Check Polk's eBay store. Lots of good deals there on some really nice bookshelf speakers.

Do you have room for towers?

usvidub said:

Thank You Everyone for your valueble feedback. I am going for the bookshelf speakers. Researched and now down to the following 3 options:

Wharfedale Diamond 10.1

Polk Audio RTI A1

Klipsch Synergy B-20 Premium

Click to expand...

I've actually revisited the idea of a sub to give me steady lows, and Hsu Research makes a superb looking one. I read a review of one of their combo sets of smaller mains paired with one of their subs. I'd look into Hsu.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/packages.html

Go with paradigm monitor series speakers and a an entry level onkyo receiver. Add a sub if you can afford one.

Have you considered high quality used speakers? Unlike electronics, speaker design has remained fairly stable and a speaker that sounded great 5 years ago will still sound great today, barring damage or abuse. I paid $400 for a pair of used Vandersteen Model 2C's more than 10 years ago and they still sound great, better than all but the best satellite/sub combos, I suspect.

I have a full 5.0 set of the Hsu Research speakers - and couldn't recommend them more. I am running them with a sub, but already had 1 handy that I am using.


If you do get bookshelf speakers - make sure you also get speaker stands to go with them. You want to have the tweeter about level with your ears when you are in your normal sitting position - if possible.


All of the monitor speakers are the same in all of their packages - only the subs and with/without a center channel.