Suggested system for HT/Music

[nwanted]

Hi,

 

I am a newbie here. Been using a low priced samsung HTIB all this while. Keen on upgrading now. Totally confused as to what to buy. I tried going through the forums here but there is too much information to digest.

 

Want to buy a AV receiver with a 5.1 speaker system. Want something which sounds good for both movies/music.

 

Here is some info.

Room size 5m x 3m

TV using Samsung LCD 32" with 1 HDMI port only.

Total budget 1500S$ (AV receiver + speakers)

Since TV has only 1 HDMI port, prefer AV receiver with 2 or more HDMI ports.

 

Saw a package at City Electronics,SLS, for Denon 1508 + Wharfedale (Diamond 8.3 pair + WH 208 Sub + Crystal 8 Surround + WH 2 center) for S$1250. Not sure whether its a good deal. Any ideas?

 

How do you guys rate the Denon 1508 and the Wharfedale speakers package?

 

Is it better to get a Onkyo SR505 instead of Denon for AV receivers? Price wise both are more or less same.

Or should I go for a slightly higher end model like Onkyo SR705 or Denon 1908?

 

I saw some good reviews on Diamond 8.3/8.4 floorstanding speakers on the net. 8.4 pair were available too for a 100S$ more.

 

Also saw some suggestions on Paradigm Cinema CT90 in another topic. Can they be compared to Wharfedale or are they better? I am not very particular on compact speakers. Dont mind standing speakers.

 

Could you please give me your suggestions and Recommendataions?

 

Thanks

[nwanted]

Some one please help?

[petetherock]

Hi and welcome

Have you read the sticky above?

The threads listed include systems and those for 1.5k. Did you really go there?

And these same threads will also tell you that for 1.5k you can get a HT setup, not a really musical system.

There are plenty of options listed there, and the most important are your EARS and your Pockets

 

Have you auditioned them?

THe Diamonds are a decent speaker and the 8.4 may allow you to skip having a subwoofer for a while.

I suggest you use the centre from the same series for tonal matching.

 

Go try it out first, read up a bit, then solicit opinions

 

Good luck

 

[Jose]

It's quite impossible to have any amp sound equally good for both HT AND music. Jap brands are better for HT. American and European brands are better for music.

[vadimur]

This is just my own opinion.

 

I think they are just trying to clear stock for those Wharfedale speakers, cha-ba-lang sell to you. HT package speakers should come from the same family, not one series mix with another series, otherwise they will not sound consistent, make sense?

 

Whereas for AV receivers, it's very difficult to get opinions from everyone. Nobody listens to every av receiver out there, moreover, there are hardly any shops that will entertain you by letting you try out 2-3 entry-level receivers. What's more, different av receivers sound differently with different speakers & different people like different kind of sound. It's really a gamble.

 

A simple general guide from KEF though, go for denon & yamaha if you are 80%movie & 20% music, marantz if you are 80% music & 20% movie. Generally consensus is that marantz is more musical, denon & yamaha are better for movies.

[xfi]

Sometimes when you get a entry system you may not be so happy with it after a while and will wanna upgrade (thus spending more money). But on the other hand you may not be sure of the brand/ sound that you like.

 

One other option is to get a good 2nd hand amp and speakers. Many are sold for less than half the price bought. So in effect when you spend 1.5 k you may be listening to a >3k sound...hehe and give other bros here a chance to sell their equipment and upgrade too...Keep the cycle going...

[nwanted]

Thanks everyone. Tried looking for 2nd hand amp/speakers but couldnt find anything in the price range I am looking for.

Will be on the lookout in the buy/sell forums.

 

Leaving the amp aside, can I get a good set of front, center speakers for 1k?

I looked at the 5.1 speakers recommendations thread but most of them are book shelf speakers. I prefer more of a floorstanding ones. Atleast for the front speakers. Rest of the suggestions are all above 2k or even more.

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

[Mindfield]

The Diamond 8.2's are lovely speakers and IMHO, the 8.3 and 8.4 are not as good in value for money. The 8.2 may be lacking the bass of the older 'brothers', but it is faster and more rhythmic.

 

I would stay away from the WH2 centre. I used to have one. They are decent but should be avoided if you can.

The WH2 bipolar surrounds however, are pretty good. Even the Diamond 8 bipolars aren't much better.

 

I would stick to the Diamond 8 centre if I were you. Its not just about quality but tonal matching as well. People say tonal matching is less important for surrounds, but you know what, I can hear the tonal disparity between my Eltax Monitor fronts and my Wharfedale WH2 surrounds and it bugs the hell out of me if I can't tune it out. But then again...that's just me. :)

 

I would also not trust the WH2 sub. the Diamond 9 sub is excellent though (for the price).

 

 

I suggest waiting. Try the Echoloft sales forum.

If I were just starting out knowing what I know now, I would wait and buy a complete 5.1 or at least 5.0 package from a forummer who was upgrading. Most hifi/ht enthusiasts maintain their gear in very good condition and often people sell after less than 2 years of use. However, the second hand market isn't what it used to be. When I first started in 2002, there was a lot of selling being done. Now it's slowed down quite a bit, especially for HT.

[blackburn]

The Diamond 8.2's are lovely speakers and IMHO, the 8.3 and 8.4 are not as good in value for money. The 8.2 may be lacking the bass of the older 'brothers', but it is faster and more rhythmic. ..................

 

I would stick to the Diamond 8 centre if I were you................

 

the Diamond 9 sub is excellent though (for the price)..................

 

Most hifi/ht enthusiasts maintain their gear in very good condition and often people sell after less than 2 years of use.......

 

absolutely agree ;)

 

[Mindfield]

http://www.echoloft.com/cgi-bin/buysell/YaBB.cgi?board=ht&action=display&num=1194358361

 

Infinity Primus are something to consider.

[nwanted]

Thanks Mindfield. Just looking at the reviews on the Infinity speakers.

 

 

[nwanted]

Looking at the Buy/Sell section in Echoloft. Found the following floorstanding speakers.

 

Infinity Primus 250

Energy C8

PSB 800i

JBL Eseries E80.

 

Any comments? I am yet to audition them. Your valuable inputs will be very useful.

 

Thanks

[buzztiger]

I personally found the wharfedale diamond 9.1 abit shouty and bright. I recommend u try listening to mission m31i it has a spacious sound and not shouty like diamond.