Audio For Home

[Arry74]

Hi

I have a 50" Plasma TV at home and want to now be able to play some decent sounding music as well.

I have a budget of up to about $5,000.

My missus likes BOSE as we went to a demo where they were showing off the lifestyle systems.

I initially thought they were ok until reading through these forums and generally they receive a bad rap.

My father-in-law is a bit of a sound buff and has an onkyo receiver, energy centre speaker and the other speakers are TANOY I think or similar.

My question is for a budget of approx $5,000 I want to get a receiver and speakers and two outdoor speakers as well, do I go for a BOSE system or mix and match like my father-in-law?

Where would you begin looking on a budget like this? I would prefer to spend only $4,000 but can stretch it to $5,000 if required.

I am not really interested in how loud the music will be but more the quality. :-)

Any suggestions, recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

ta

Edited September 12, 2008 by arry

[AVROM]

Hi,

If you are looking for sattelite speakers, I would start with the following 3.

1) Mordaunt Short MS Genie

2) Kef Kht-3005se

3) Klipsch Quintet SL

The first two are some of the best on the market in your price range, klipsch aren't bad, but they are the cheaper option.

At 5k I would definately be putting together the package myself and would not settle for bose.

Another option is a locally made brand called whatmough and the model is a Synergy 2.

Like everyone else is going to tell you though, you need to hear these speakers for yourself.

From there you're going to need a receiver.

Popular at the moment

1) onkyo

2) marantz

3) Denon

You need to know what you're trying to get out of the system though.

Start reading about what you can and can't do with different items, compare specs and start phoning around and getting prices.

[50mxe20]

Hi,

If you are looking for satellite speakers, I would start with the following ³ 4.

1) Mordaunt Short MS Genie

2) Kef Kht-3005se

3) Klipsch Quintet SL

4) Focal Sib Subs

Try to talk the missus out of small satellite speakers.

With a $5K budget you should be able to do better.

Nice amp and floor standers.

It's worth it.

[Juicester]

Nice budget.

You can get plenty of hifi goodness for your money - and I would recommend staying away from Bose.

Check this out for information too

faqs

best advice i can offer, is go into a dedicated hifi store with your budget and ask for help. I highly advocate secher audiovisual and carlton audio visual.

Biggest thing you need to decide, is if you want to focus on 2 channel music, Home theatre, or a combo. That will then determine what you buy.

Brands to keep an eye out for Speakers: Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Bowers & Wilkins, KEF to name a few.

Brands to keep an eye out for AV Recievers: Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon, Marantz to name a few.

Brands to keep an eye out for Integrated Stereo Amps: NAD, Marantz, Camridge Audio, Roskan to name a few.

You will undoubtedly need a source as well. Decision will be made as to wether you want a network music device (check out Squeezebox) a dedicated CD player (Cambridge Audio, Rega, Marantz, NAD) or a Universal player (Oppo)...

Plenty to learn, but there are many helpful people on this forum to guide you like they have me.

Chris

[nightbreed]

If you want to keep things minimal consider some quality flush in-wall speakers. MANY good brands out there! Niles, Paradigm, Mission etc.....

[Serpeant]

If you want to keep things minimal consider some quality flush in-wall speakers. MANY good brands out there! Niles, Paradigm, Mission etc.....

I've always thought that in-wall or in ceiling speakers sounded crap.

I agree - get some floorstanding or at least some bookshelves. Satellites are just compromises. Having said that, you said that you originally liked the Bose satellites. My suggestion for you is to listen to other speakers and if you still like the Bose ones, then get them (and your ears checked - lol).

[Adinfinitum]

Look at this thread it has some good advice on receivers. You mentioned you like music and this may change the direction you take here. I had the same issue with Receivers - wanting a good musical sound and went with Rotel. But also liked Denon and Marantz.

I have to add to the anti-Bose voices, particularly for music you can do much better. How small do you speakers need to be? I personally lean towards Focal JM Lab Sib/Cubs and the Kefs that AVROM mentioned. But in the end, WAF aside, I have to aggree with Lyle. For $5,000 you can really have a nice system with some mid-range floor standers, at least in the front. And there are many to choose from. Kef, JM Focal-Lab, Paradigm, B&W to name but a few.

[Adinfinitum]

I've always thought that in-wall or in ceiling speakers sounded crap.

I normally agree, but I was blown away by these Stealth speakers in the wall cavity. not the cheapest but really worth a listen if floor standers are out of the question.

[fawlty99]

I've always thought that in-wall or in ceiling speakers sounded crap.

Not crap but not desirable either. I have 4 as surrounds because it was a good compromise. Definately would not use for fronts/centre. As per previous advice Bose has very high WAF but for the money you can do better. For an AVR look at Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha. For speakers - that's hard as it's very subjective. As I told a neighbour (who ignored me) - you can't get big sound out of tiny speakers.

[Gabe]

don't max out your budget on electronic gear. without some consideration of the room you will still have substandard audio. IMO There's a saying I heard, 'It's easier to make a good system sound bad than a bad system sound good'

[Arry74]

Many thanks for the replies so far guys..

When I get home from work I will read them all properly and digest :-)

I am in Perth, anyone have any recommendations on AV stores to visit, ie Surrround Sounds etc

[brooksy]

Scott at Audio Kraft in Myaree will look after you arry.

Great guy and knows his stuff.

[Arry74]

I read all of your responses with interest. Thanks very much for all of your responses.

I picked up a copy of a Home Theatre magazine after work.

Basically all the reviews in my price range were names you guys had suggested, ie Marantz, Onkyo, Yamahah, Denon, B&W, Focal etc.

Basically there was not really a bad review on anything in the entire mag which makes choosing something even more difficult.

Lets say I have a budget of $5,000 including installation.

How would I break down the costs, ie Receiver $2,000, Speakers, $2,500 etc etc.

I don't have a home theatre room as such, just my lounge room.

Many thanks

[Chill]

I read all of your responses with interest. Thanks very much for all of your responses.

I picked up a copy of a Home Theatre magazine after work.

Basically all the reviews in my price range were names you guys had suggested, ie Marantz, Onkyo, Yamahah, Denon, B&W, Focal etc.

Basically there was not really a bad review on anything in the entire mag which makes choosing something even more difficult.

Lets say I have a budget of $5,000 including installation.

How would I break down the costs, ie Receiver $2,000, Speakers, $2,500 etc etc.

I don't have a home theatre room as such, just my lounge room.

Many thanks

Not an easy answer, particularly as RRP and street price can be so different, $2500 receivers can often be got for less than $1500 if a new model is due for instance.

IMO:

1. decide if you want "lifestyle" size sat sub or larger speakers - this is decision 1 - keep in mind some large floor-stander type systems can be very stylish !

2. music or HT as number 1 importance

3. read and research, then remember to not believe any one else - then look and listen, keep an open mind - for instance all the mentioned brands are good but so are many others, some "good" brand make turkeys as well

and do not let perceptions cloud, Sony for instance make some great receivers (ES) but also some dross.

4. find some shops, take some well known music with you, listen

have fun :D

O and I would think ~ $1500 to $1800 on the reciever and the rest on speakers

do you have a sourse (DVD - BD player) if not deduct $600 and get a Pana 30 (BD and DVD) or Oppo 983 ( DVD and SACD - DVD A)

[Arry74]

Not an easy answer, particularly as RRP and street price can be so different, $2500 receivers can often be got for less than $1500 if a new model is due for instance.

IMO:

1. decide if you want "lifestyle" size sat sub or larger speakers - this is decision 1 - keep in mind some large floor-stander type systems can be very stylish !

2. music or HT as number 1 importance

3. read and research, then remember to not believe any one else - then look and listen, keep an open mind - for instance all the mentioned brands are good but so are many others, some "good" brand make turkeys as well

and do not let perceptions cloud, Sony for instance make some great receivers (ES) but also some dross.

4. find some shops, take some well known music with you, listen

have fun :D

O and I would think ~ $1500 to $1800 on the reciever and the rest on speakers

do you have a sourse (DVD - BD player) if not deduct $600 and get a Pana 30 (BD and DVD) or Oppo 983 ( DVD and SACD - DVD A)

Thanks for your recommendations.

I would love big floor standing speakers but the missus is against the idea, reckons won't look good in the lounge.

I want music as most important but missus wants combo so I am thinking compromise :-)

The only source I have is my DVD player which was a cheapy. I got it as it played DIVX

Is a Pioneer 696AV, but after looking at it (I just went into the lounge) it plays SACD whatever that is, DIVX, DVD, DVD-Audio etc

Btw, anyone else recommend any stores to visit tomorrow in Perth?

I just read a great review in my new magazine regarding the Onkyo TX-SR606....looks like a fantastic buy for around the $1,000 - $1,200 mark :-)

Edited September 12, 2008 by arry

[Adinfinitum]

O and I would think ~ $1500 to $1800 on the reciever and the rest on speakers

Don't forget to factor in a few hundred extra for cabling. Lot's of people spend their entire budget on the gear, get it home and realise the $2 supplied RCA leads just won't cut it. You don't need to go overboard but consider some decent interconnects and speaker cables as part of the overall price.

I would love big floor standing speakers but the missus is against the idea, reckons won't look good in the lounge.

I want music as most important but missus wants combo so I am thinking compromise :-)

You would still be very happy with some decent stand-mount speakers as a compromise. If you are going to spend $3000 or more on speakers, then little sattelites would be something of a waste for a music lover. Focul JM Lab Chorus 807 or B&W 685, Kef Xq20, Paradigm Studio 40 are a few good starters. And each of these has a matching center and smaller siblings for the rears. I can't speak for you SWMBO, but these are some pretty stylish pieces of furniture.

Here's a link to an old thread about some Australian made speaker companies.

Edited September 12, 2008 by Adinfinitum

[Adinfinitum]

P.S. if this is your chosen route then don't forget to factor in extra $$$ for stands.

[fawlty99]

& don't forget the sub. essential for movies imo.

[SHO]

I read all of your responses with interest. Thanks very much for all of your responses.

I picked up a copy of a Home Theatre magazine after work.

Basically all the reviews in my price range were names you guys had suggested, ie Marantz, Onkyo, Yamahah, Denon, B&W, Focal etc.

Basically there was not really a bad review on anything in the entire mag which makes choosing something even more difficult.

Lets say I have a budget of $5,000 including installation.

How would I break down the costs, ie Receiver $2,000, Speakers, $2,500 etc etc.

I don't have a home theatre room as such, just my lounge room.

Many thanks

I would only use a mag for browsing, i would not go to much on what they have to say on the product's reviewed, you & your partner will be the best critic. I will add that if you enjoy music then stick to brands such as Denon, Marantz, Pioneer & Harman/Kardon your partner will probally like the look of the later & are very "musical" receivers however only your ears will decide which one you lean toward's.

What are your decore prefrences? modern, colonial etc? this will help us point you in the right direction speaker wise, or at least try.

The other thing i would recommend is to visit stores in your local area to see what Brands are available as there is no point in recommending a brand if that brand can not be had for look & listening.

Edited September 13, 2008 by SHO

[rjv]

Many thanks for the replies so far guys..

When I get home from work I will read them all properly and digest :-)

I am in Perth, anyone have any recommendations on AV stores to visit, ie Surrround Sounds etc

go see Mark at Sound Advice in the city, he's extremely knowledgeable, willing to spend the time with you & won’t try & just sell you anything just to make a sale. he's a regular on the forum (Mark H), so PM or just go see him & mention the forum, he's well known around here & I'm sure there are many others who will vouch for him.

[Arry74]

Thanks again for all of your responses.

I went with the wife today into a store and at first we looked at BOSE as that is what she likes.

To be brutally honest I thought it sounded pretty darn good from one of the lifestyle systems but I am only a newbie at this.

We then went into another room where he heard a Yamaha RX-V3800 plugged into JBL speakers.

I thought that this sounded better than BOSE but my wife is not convinced.

We then heard the Yamaha through Whatmough Magnum 2 series speakers and I thought it sounded better.

Anyone have any advice on these systems.

Many thanks

[Serpeant]

Thanks again for all of your responses.

I went with the wife today into a store and at first we looked at BOSE as that is what she likes.

To be brutally honest I thought it sounded pretty darn good from one of the lifestyle systems but I am only a newbie at this.

We then went into another room where he heard a Yamaha RX-V3800 plugged into JBL speakers.

I thought that this sounded better than BOSE but my wife is not convinced.

We then heard the Yamaha through Whatmough Magnum 2 series speakers and I thought it sounded better.

Anyone have any advice on these systems.

Many thanks

Get what you and your wife think sound best. Just because 90% of us will tell you so, doesnt mean that in your ears BOSE suck. Oh, you might get your ears checked before your next audition. lol.

What you should listen for is clarity - such as glass breaking - high end. When you get animals running, can you feel the bass? Finally, does vocal sound hollow?

[Redav]

I went with the wife today into a store and at first we looked at BOSE as that is what she likes.

To be brutally honest I thought it sounded pretty darn good from one of the lifestyle systems but I am only a newbie at this.

We then went into another room where he heard a Yamaha RX-V3800 plugged into JBL speakers.

I thought that this sounded better than BOSE but my wife is not convinced.

We then heard the Yamaha through Whatmough Magnum 2 series speakers and I thought it sounded better.

Whilst you won't be able to tell her what sounds better (because that's a personal choice) it sounds like you might find it hard to inform her to that Bose isn't the be-all end-all. There's three or four guys at work with various lifestyle systems and I know it's pointless telling them that there is a lot better stuff out there. I have listened at one of their houses and while it sounded okay, once you realise what sound is missing (mid range) you start to understand half the issue people have with them.

Buying a system for one is easier than for two and it will end up being a compromise and needs the both of you to be listening to a reasonable amount of gear. Sounds like you've started that so good. Good suggestions in the thread so far. Realistically if you spend some reasonable money on the above brands then you should do pretty good. Just don't do a gen y job and rush into buying something without listening to other stuff because you want it now.

[SHO]

Thanks again for all of your responses.

I went with the wife today into a store and at first we looked at BOSE as that is what she likes.

To be brutally honest I thought it sounded pretty darn good from one of the lifestyle systems but I am only a newbie at this.

We then went into another room where he heard a Yamaha RX-V3800 plugged into JBL speakers.

I thought that this sounded better than BOSE but my wife is not convinced.

We then heard the Yamaha through Whatmough Magnum 2 series speakers and I thought it sounded better.

Anyone have any advice on these systems.

Many thanks

The whatmough's you have mentioned are lovely speaker's i think, They are an Australian manufactuer also.

[fawlty99]

You also have to reminder her that the tiny speakers are connected to a largerspeaker which provides mid-range. I'm not sure what positioning requirements are for these but they have to go somewhere within cable reach. My neigbour also has a bose lifestyle which he thinks is great. I reckon it's ok as well just not as good as you can get for the same money. Also remember than the inputs are limited as well compared to an AVR.