Nick69 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi peeps Im in the market for a home theater setup and i need some help deciding on what av receiver and speakers i should go with (i've already got tv, blu ray etc). At the moment im looking at getting a decent onkyo amp like the TX-SR706 and some DIY speakers from www.theloudspeakerkit.com. However im not exactly a pro at Hi-fi so any input on models/brands etc in the same sorta price range would be helpful. (<2k for amp & <3k for speakers) This setup is mainly going to be used for movies but will definately have some hard rock and metal thrown in for good measure. The speakers im looking at are the 5 series package from TLSK: http://www.theloudspeakerkit.com/shop/processtype.asp?ProductID=85&ProcessType=1 The Av receiver. http://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/av_components/av_receivers/tx-sr706/index.html The room will be roughly 5mx6m if this helps at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigandkim Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) Hey Nick, Depending on how loud you listen to your music and movies the TX-SR706 may be a little under powered for the F6's 4ohm load combined with the 3x D4's 4 ohm load- especially at high volume levels. There are no load specs for the centre speaker? You will notice Onkyo only provides the power specs with one channel driven into the various speaker loads: I would find out what the amp outputs into respective 4/6/8 ohms with ALL channels driven; http://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/product_info/pdf/tx-sr706_aus_leaflet.pdf (provided I have read the specifications correctly) The TL-6's may be a better match load wise for the fronts at least. Just my thoughts PS: Some reading material http://www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=4 http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/feb04/articles/polk/impedence.htm http://www.peavey.com/support/technotes/concepts/impedance.cfm Cheers Edited June 9, 2009 by Craigandkim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 (edited) Cheers for that Craigandkim, while im not going to have these on full blast all the time i will be cranking it some of the time (music is meant to be loud after all). I did some searching and apparently on the test bench with 5 channels going it outputs an average of 75w at 8 ohms. Looks like in an 8 ohm 5 speaker setup (sub using the pre amp out) this amp will work fine. But as the speaker pack im looking at is a mixture of 4 and 8 ohms im not sure how these results will translate to my system - wouldn't the 4 ohms speakers be over powered as these speakers would be be receiving more then the 100w limit? (or is my math just as crap now as it was back in high school) Can anyone off any advice? Edited June 9, 2009 by Nick69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigandkim Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Yeah Nick, your maths is fine- mixing different impedance speakers with a multichannel amp should not pose any many problems as long as the amp is capable of providing clean power at all loads. Yes the 4 ohm speakers will be receiving more than their fair share of power, but this will enable the amp to control the speaker with more authority. Also we are talking about the surrounds here not the mains or centre. I currently have a multichannel setup with a 5 channel amp supplying approx. 170W to the front L&R speakers (rated 110w continuous @6 ohm), 140W to the centre (rated 75W @ 8ohm) and 170W to the rears (rated 75W continuous @6 ohm) without any problems. The speakers are all fairly efficient +90db and are all from the same stable. If all your speakers work out to be 4 ohm, I'd only be concerned with the amps ability to continuously output the power cleanly at higher volumes and mindful of the heat generated from the extra load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 9, 2009 Share Posted June 9, 2009 Id suggest you look at your budget split on speakers vs the Onkyo - and what State do you live in - might help us suggest some options for you to try out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 10, 2009 Author Share Posted June 10, 2009 (edited) Im in WA Perth metro area. And while im interested in this onkyo amp and speaker set, im not set on getting them just yet so perhaps i should look at another amp? The Cambridge Audio 640R seems to get high praise around here; and it looks like it would be a good alternative. Edited June 10, 2009 by Nick69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craigandkim Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Definitely another option Nick, you could do a lot worse. You'll notice that the manufacturer actually states 100w @ 8 ohms "all channels driven". Test results from one report: http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/2216/test-bench-cambridge-audio-azur-640r-av-receiver.html Read the part about no video up-sampling and transfer to digital output through HDMI however- important if you only want the one lead to the display device. Also another aspect is to check out other speakers as well? Have you heard the TSLK ones you were looking at previously? Always important to audition the kit with speaker/ amp combo. Will give you an idea for how the two combine- take a favourite cd and compare this on quite a few different combo's of speakers and amps. See what combo appeals to your ears. If in doubt, read lots of reviews & ask lots of questions. Check out some of these guys and see what they can offer: http://www.showrooms.com.au/Perth/Home_Cinema_and_Theatre/157-0.html Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Lots of WA members on SNA. Id encourage you to attend a loacl get togethor if they have one and meet some of the guys and listent to as many systems as you can You will get great advice and get to hear lots of options. Its good to see the range of things available even in price ranges you cant afford as it helps you better appreciate what is the right thing for you. Unless its urgent Id encourage yu to take your time look around and enjoy the journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the input guys, I went into several speaker shops today including the LSK store and had a listen to several sets of speakers (many of which sounded amazing but cost more then i can afford :S ) Luckily in the LSK store they were actually using a Cambridge 640R amp to power the demo F6's and S350 that they had on display - and they sounded damn good :nana So i don't have a problem with the speakers or the Cambridge amp and how they perform musically. But the munted hdmi on the Cambridge is really holding me back as I can only see HDMI becoming a bigger and i want this amp to be able to take whatever i want to plug into it in the coming years. I explained this to the guy in the store and he seemed to think that if im going for music i should go for the Cambridge 640R and that if i wanted to watch movies i should go for something like the onkyo as its more suited to home theater. Unfortunately they didn't stock the onkyo 706 so i couldn't confirm that with my own ears but ifrom waht ive read online he seems to be pretty much on the ball here. Hmmm looks like im going to need to either find a compromise between the two or find another amp that meets both of my needs and my price range Edited June 11, 2009 by Nick69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 Okay so I’ve done some net searching, some window shopping and some speaker auditions and updated my list of possible buy items (i'm in no hurry to go out buy something). On the AVR side of things i've decided these 3 AVR'S my make my list: -Marantz SR6003 -Onkyo TX-SR706 -Denon AVR-2809 They're in a similar price range and have similar features and from waht i've heard they all put out similar quality sound. But can any members comment on what they are like to own? Note- I've decided to drop the Cambridge 640R from my list as it hasn’t got support for Dolby True HD. On the speaker side of things I've basically decided to get a good set of stereo speakers and then build a 5.1 set around it. These are the ones that I found interesting: - VAF Research - DC-X G4MkII - Focal Chorus 700/800 series (probably the 816/826) - Klipsch F-2 - The Loud speaker kit - F6's MkII I have auditioned the Focals/klipsch/LSK speakers and found them decent but can anyone comment on how the VAF DC-X Speakers would compare to them (or any other $2-3k stereo speakers in this price range? Cheers Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Contact Stuart from audiomarketplace.com.au and ask him for some advice on the Integra range. Integra is the higher end arm of Onkyo. I have heard the DHC9.9 pre/pro at the home of SGR and the thing is sensational for both HIFI and HT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 Contact Stuart from audiomarketplace.com.au and ask him for some advice on the Integra range. Integra is the higher end arm of Onkyo.I have heard the DHC9.9 pre/pro at the home of SGR and the thing is sensational for both HIFI and HT. Thanks but I'm not really looking at a pre/pro setup. At the moment all im looking at is a ~$2500 or less 7.1 AVR that can do 100watts+ in stereo with Bi-amping to the front L+R speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Thanks but I'm not really looking at a pre/pro setup.At the moment all im looking at is a ~$2500 or less 7.1 AVR that can do 100watts+ in stereo with Bi-amping to the front L+R speakers. Integra do AVR's as well, very good ones infact. I was just giving an example of a personal experience I had with the Integra product. Im not sure, but the 6.9, 7.9 & 8.9 might be around your price range if your interested in looking further at Integra. Just a suggestion anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Hmmmm, i think i'll have to Google some of them and find out. EDIT - had a look some of the integra AVR's and they do look very good, but from what im reading most of the ones in my price range are almost exactly the same to the standard Onkyo AVR's but with a few hundred bucks added to the price tag. (Does that sound about right?) Edited June 24, 2009 by Nick69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Hmmmm, i think i'll have to Google some of them and find out.EDIT - had a look some of the integra AVR's and they do look very good, but from what im reading most of the ones in my price range are almost exactly the same to the standard Onkyo AVR's but with a few hundred bucks added to the price tag. (Does that sound about right?) Not sure as I haven't had the chance to compare them for myself. I believe there are some differences, but its upto you on the value of those differences. The integra models tend to come out a little after the onkyo equivalent model. This might just be in my head, but to me that gives them a chance to iron out any bugs before releasing their premium model equivalent. But as you say, it could just be marketing. Hard to say for sure without A/B (preferably blind) between the equivalent models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Nick, It may pay to check the fine print on the Marantz 6003 re the HD codecs. I think that Auddyssey does not do its full processing when the HD codecs are bitstreamed to it (i.e. decoding in the AVR). It may have changed with the x003, but it was the case with the xoo2. I was all set to buy a 7002 last year but changed my mind at the last minute and bought a Denon 3808. Once set-up properly, the full Audyssey processing is great. I would not by another AVR that does not have DynamicEQ and Dynamic Volume Control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Nick,I would not by another AVR that does not have DynamicEQ and Dynamic Volume Control. Do you have these features enabled all the time or just some of the time? Very curious as to how people use these features as they sound incredibly handy. My folks hate really loud HT, but hate it when its quiet because it loses that excitement. DynamicEQ would take care of this brilliantly. Making low volume stuff exciting by using EQ. Dynamic Volume Control would be perfect for those pesky loud tv ads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvie Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I wanted to upgrade my Denon 1800 but wanted to be really sure about audio quality. I almots bought the 640R a couple of times but was also worried about the HDMI. When the Marantz 6003 came out I auditioned it vs a 640R and a Marantz 6001 as well. The 6001 to my ears was the best of the lot...apparently it is based on 7002 audio whereas the 6003 has a nicer panel and more features but is based on the 5002 audio. Since I got the 6001 home I have been VERY happy. In any case, there is a sale this weeked where you can get the Marantz or the 640R at almost half price: www.lifestylestore.com.au. Shipping to Perth might be a little extra but it's a big saving. If you have a local dealer they may price match ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcb Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Do you have these features enabled all the time or just some of the time? Very curious as to how people use these features as they sound incredibly handy.My folks hate really loud HT, but hate it when its quiet because it loses that excitement. DynamicEQ would take care of this brilliantly. Making low volume stuff exciting by using EQ. Dynamic Volume Control would be perfect for those pesky loud tv ads. Dynamic EQ is on all the time for all settings/inputs. I rarely listen above -15, so the lift in the lower frequencies and rears is great. I only have Dynamic Volume on for TV (and maybe radio - can't remember off hand). The D.Vol works real good at taming loud ad's. Mind you, these days it is normally only news and sport we watch live. We record the rest to a PVR and zap the ad's. I think the $150 I spent on the Denon Auddysey upgrade pack was the best bang for buck upgrade I have made. All the other good upgrades have been much more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Dynamic EQ is on all the time for all settings/inputs. I rarely listen above -15, so the lift in the lower frequencies and rears is great.I only have Dynamic Volume on for TV (and maybe radio - can't remember off hand). The DV works real good at taming loud ad's. Mind you, these days it is normally only news and sport we watch live. We record the rest to a PVR and zap the ad's. I think the $150 I spent on the upgrade pack was the best bang for buck upgrade I have made. All the other good upgrades have been much more expensive. Cheers mate for the reply. Sounds like the HT do-dads are really useful these days rather than just marketing differentials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Nick,It may pay to check the fine print on the Marantz 6003 re the HD codecs. I think that Auddyssey does not do its full processing when the HD codecs are bitstreamed to it (i.e. decoding in the AVR). It may have changed with the x003, but it was the case with the xoo2. I was all set to buy a 7002 last year but changed my mind at the last minute and bought a Denon 3808. Once set-up properly, the full Audyssey processing is great. I would not by another AVR that does not have DynamicEQ and Dynamic Volume Control. Thanks for pointing that out MCB i'll be sure to look futher into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 kevvie Cheers for that link those look like some real bargins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob323 Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I am sick of spending money on AVR's which get superseded in under two years. If I were to buy one now, I would buy the cheapest one that will do all the things I want and has preouts. And then spend the savings on decent power amps (which never get superseded) instead. Food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emesbee Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I am sick of spending money on AVR's which get superseded in under two years. If I were to buy one now, I would buy the cheapest one that will do all the things I want and has preouts. And then spend the savings on decent power amps (which never get superseded) instead. Food for thought. Its pointless, and expensive, trying to keep up with the changes. Your strategy makes sense. Sound quality is the main thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick69 Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) Hmm that's looks like a good idea. But seeing as i dont know a lot about power amps what kind of money would i be looking at in order to get a 5 or 7 channel power amp that could deliver 150-200watts ACD?- (the AVR's im looking at do 100watts @ 8 ohms in 5 channels so i would want a substantial improvement over that in order for it to be worth it). Edited June 27, 2009 by Nick69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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