Advice: SVS PB10-ISD & Receiver (1 Viewer)

[ivanSFO]

Hi HTF members,

I'm a new member here looking for some advice on buiding my first home theater. For the past 2 weeks, I've been reading all the old messages and found it very useful. Here's my situation which I can use some advice.

While wanting a home theater for quite some time, a sale at Fry's for Polk R50s prompted me to start buying. The R50s were $89.99 each so I picked up 4 of them. Since then here's what I have so far:

Polk R50 (Front L&R)
Polk R50 (Rear L&R)
Polk CSI20 (Center)
Sony 36" XBR WEGA TV

Now I need a subwoofer and AV Receiver. As for a subwoofer, I'm going with SVS due to all your positive comments. I'm about to pull the trigger in preordering a SVS PB10-ISD.

Do you think this subwoofer is enough bass for my 17' x 14' x 8' room? I watch TV or movies at low to medium volumes so all I want from the sub is some clean bass and a little rumble when watching movies.

As for an AV receiver, I've narrowed down my choices to these 3. So far I've only listened to the Denon at Magolia and it sounds fine to me. I like to keep the cost of the receiver under $400.

Thoughts on which receiver would go best with my speakers?

Denon 1804
Onkyo 601
Sony DA1000ES

Here's my take on them after reading the forum.

Denon: Best sound quality
Onkyo: Best value
Sony: Best watt/channel


THanks,

Ivan

 

[Stephen Hopkins]

For the money I don't think anything you've mentioned is in the same league as the Pioneer 1014TX. I got mine for $450 as soon as it was released but they're available online now for under $400 shipped. It's exactly the same as the much more expensive Pioneer Elite 52TX other than a few very minor features (12v trigger, RS232 port, analog 2ch and composite video out for second room). I upgraded from an Elite 43TX which is of the same chassis as the new 54TX and the 1014TX is not a step down. The amp section is just as strong and the features I've added are great.

What the 1014TX has over the models you're looking at is automatic speaker level set up and room equalizer, component video up-conversion, on screen display, 7 channels of amplification (the sony has 7ch too), and a much stronger amp section. It also has pre-outs for all channels to allow for the possibility to add an external amp later. I've had both the Denon 1803 a neighbor w/ an Onkyo 601 so I can attest to the amp differences first hand.

To find the 1014TX for under $400 go to www.pricegrabber.com and search "pioneer 1014".

Hope this helps

 

[SethH]

If this is the best thing you've found for this receiver, I think you should take it off your list. Watts/channel are really not all that important unless you're talking about a 100+ watt difference. Also, lots of companies use lots of different measurements for that rating, so you're not necessarily comparing apples to apples. Just based on your opinions of "best value," "best sound quality," and "best watt/channel" I would defintely narrow it down to the Denon or Onkyo (both of whom make fine receivers).

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Judging from the threads I’ve seen here about the PB10-ISD, it should be more than enough for this room.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ivanSFO]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll put my order in for the SVS subwoofer.

As for receivers, I'm still no where closer to chosing one. Now the Pioneer 1014TX looks interesting too.

I'm going to plan a trip to Magnolia's armed with my favorite CDs and movie to let my ears do the choosing. Hopefully I will be able to discern some sound differences among the bunch.

-Ivan

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Don’t count on it, Ivan. Often the differences between electronics are subtle at best, especially with well-made components like these. I’d pay more attention to things like features and capabilities that you need, and especially the remote. IMO a poorly-designed remote will make or break a receiver.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Rob Kramer]

I always liked my Onkyo 600/800 remote (they are the same except for 1 botton). Everything just seemed to be 1-button away.

 

[Pauli]

Well, sony puts out twice as much power as the Denon... that is a considerable difference IMO.

homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=3695

 

[SethH]

Perhaps, but is it enough to give up sound quality for? That's a decision for the purchaser to make. If he plans on listening at/above reference level all the time, then maybe so. If it were me buying, I'd take sound quality every time.

 

[ivanSFO]

Here's a report of my visit to Magnolia. I took two of my favorite CDs and one movie for testing audio equipment.
They were Dire Straits, Van Halen, and Star Wars - Phantom Menace.

I was able to listen to a Sony 1000ES and Denon 1905 side by side on a pair of Boston Accoustic speakers. To my ears on music, the sound of the Sony 1000ES was fuller (probably due to more power) but the highs and mids sounded a bit harsh when the volume was ever turned up. On Denon I had to turn up the volume setting much more in order to achieve the same listen level. The sound was warmer and smooth which I prefer more.

When listening to the movie, I couldn't tell much of a difference. The only minor difference seemed the Denon sounded more detailed but I'm not sure if it had to do with the particular audio playing on the DVD.

So I'm leaning more towards the Denon but would like something with more power. Seems the new Denon 2105 should fit my needs well but I don't see much reviews on it. There's also the Denon 1804 which are discounted now.

Any recommendations on these units?

Denon 1905
Denon 1804
Denon 2105


Thanks,

Ivan

 

[Chris Quinn]

It takes doubling the power for every 3dB increase in volume if everything else stays the same. 3dBs is about the amount it takes to be a noticeable increase in volume. Don't get too caught up in wattage.

 

[anthony_b]

Take a look at the Yamaha htr-5760.