New Home Theatre Onkyo Vs. Yamaha

[james77]

Hi im am looking to get a new home theatre set-up but cannot make up my mind about which way to go. First of all i have a budget of max $1500, for that i need a receiver and 2.0, 2.1 or 5.1 speakers, if i went 2.x i would in future upgrade to 5.1.

I will be using the system for movies music and gaming, the music sq is quite important to me, i do listen to an eclectic mix but it will mainly (80%) be used for hip hop - so i assume this will not require the same level of quality as a big band/jazz dvd-a etc. also the video capabilities of the receiver are not very important to me as i dont need upscaling or switching or anything like that - already own equipment for it.

also it is only a small room bout 3.5 by 5m , and space is a little limited but i could squeeze in floorstanding speakers that aren't to wide or ill prob wall mount bookshelf speakers if thats what i get.

the packages ive been looking at so far:

Onkyo tx-sr575 ($575 at jb im sure i could get cheaper)

pair of B&W 685's ($999 walked in off the street just asked price and salesman dropped them to $850 without me asking - prob get bit cheaper)

yamaha rxv559B

pair of yamaha ns333 - ef series bookshelf speaker

http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/avi...s/efseries.asp#

and yamaha YST-SW300 subwoofer

http://www.yamahamusic.com.au/products/avi.../YST-RSW300.asp

Eastwood hifi has said package price of 1249 (rrp. 2197) however would need to get sent to adelaide aswell

Finally i could get either of those amps or a similar one from jb and also get from them a set of speakers aswell be it some dali's, jenen's or a wharfedale set

http://www.jbhifi.com.au/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/speakers/

so my question is how would you rate these amps? speakers? also i dont know the quality of the ones at jb but price is right.

do i require such high quality speakers like the b&w's for hip hop games and movies?

do you have any better suggestions for my use and budget?

any help would be much appreciated

thanks, james

Edited May 7, 2008 by james77

[Shonky*]

Do you need DTSMA / TrueHD decoding available on Bluray/HDDVD?

[iGBH]

Have a look at the Orb range of speakers from the US. Very good value for money and apparently sound excellent for what they are. Can mix and match the speakers and add to them easily over time.

If you are looking for value for money, locally sourced stuff can't compete unfortunately. Same goes with amps although then you have problems with power conversion. I reckon the Yammy 563 is a good mid level amp which is compatible with the new HD codecs but is not overloaded with features that most people don't need. Don't get too carried away reading some of the stuff on here - some people have more money than sense!

[james77]

Do you need DTSMA / TrueHD decoding available on Bluray/HDDVD?

i do have hddvd via xbox 360 however not really that fussed over it as i don't think the audible difference is huge

[iGBH]

i do have hddvd via xbox 360 however not really that fussed over it as i don't think the audible difference is huge

If you don't think the difference is much then just spend $500 on a HTIB.

[50mxe20]

If you don't think the difference is much then just spend $500 on a HTIB.

Cruel, pointed, but true.

[james77]

If you don't think the difference is much then just spend $500 on a HTIB.

imean between 5.1 dolby and dolby true hd, not between a proper amp and speakers compared to a htib. I would not spend and extra 200 - 300 on an avr just to get true hd sound