Comments on this possible Audio/HT setup? (1 Viewer)

[JustinBBB]

I'd first like to thank the administrators and members of this forum for making this such a great web resource; without you, this place would be nothing.

Currently I have a circa '92 Panasonic receiver/cassette deck all in one unit and 5-disk changer/2 tower speakers, 21" Sony Trinitron w/o stereo sound and a Sony DVP-NS325S DVD player (non progressive). Yes, I like to live on the cutting edge of technology at home.

I want to upgrade the receiver and speakers to use mainly for music listening but also as a basic home theatre system. This is going in a large one bedroom apartment so I have no use for big bass sounds, just clear music set at low levels and secondly for surround sound purposes watching DVD's. Questions:

1) Does anyone have an opinion on the Harmon Kardon AVR125 coupled with the Fluance AV-HTB 5 speaker set? I like the large 3-way tower sound and do not mind having the (to some people), too large surround speakers.

2) I am very impressed by the look of the speakers but have never listened to them. Does anyone own a set and dislike them or suggest paying a little extra for the SX-HTB set?

Feel free to point me in a different direction if I am off track. But please consider that ANYTHING I buy will be better than my current *system*!

Thank you again, I really appreciate this forum resource.

 

[GrahamT]

Welcome to the HTF Justin,

I can comment on the avr125. This is a very good receiver. It has lots of power, and you can crank it up without distortion. It has a smooth warm sound that I like very much. It is big and heavy but also looks great IMO. Do you live in Canada?

 

[JustinBBB]

Thanks for the encouraging comments GrahamT. That appears to be the general sentiment for the avr125 on this board.

No, I don't live in Canada, actually Wash DC. However, I have enjoyed your skiing in Whistler BC, just amazing

 

[Lew Crippen]

What is your budget for the speakers and receiver?

 

[GrahamT]

I was just guessing by the way you spell theatre. I can't comment on Fluance but check out www.audioreview.com for any equipment you are considering. I find this is a good site to get a general impression of a product.

 

[ChrisLazarko]

The HK AVR-125 is a very nice reciever for it's price and with HK phasing out there x25 line they can't be beaten in terms of price.

In terms of speakers, how many $$$ can you spend?

 

[JustinBBB]

To Chris and Lew,
I have decided on the H/K AVR125 and would appreciate suggestions on speakers. I'd like to pay in the $300 range for the speaker package. After going to BB to audition some tower speakers, the JBL, Klipsh and Yamaha sounded the same to me. I guess I am not an audiophile!

GrahamT,
Thanks for the web link, am checking it out now.

 

[Lew Crippen]

My recommendation for the last several months in the $300 range is the Acoustic Research HC6 package. This had dropped to right around $300 on the Internet suppliers. I recently read that the package was getting hard to find at that price point (back up to around $400).

A very good value at $400—outstanding at $300. I’ve not heard anything recently that I would recommend at $300.but some other members probably know of other packages at this price.