Home theater and multi-channel

Discussion in 'Speakers' started by Cspirou, Oct 14, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    They are all shit. For $500, you will get the shit version of HDAM. For $2000, it will be OK, but a Vidar as an output stage will still beat it.
     
  2. Poleepkwa

    Poleepkwa Friend

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    My experience has been with that the Marantz receivers are slightly warmer and the Denon a bit cooler in tone. In the last few years this difference has gotten a lot smaller. In the few I have tested. Yamaha or Onkyo could also be alternatives. I would rather look at the room correction version and buy the amp that has the best one.
     
  3. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I like Pioneer for AV receivers, should be able to get a good deal on one. Their room correction is pretty decent and configurable as well.
     
  4. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    The higher end Marantz processors are excellent (7703 and 8802A), but yes the lower end integrated units are pretty awful.
     
  5. SineDave

    SineDave Friend

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    At your price range I tend to recommend Yamaha as their refurbed units on accessories4less.com are quite good.
     
  6. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    Agreed. The problem with $500 receivers is that the manufacturers are more concerned about making sure that all the spec boxes are ticked when you view the reciever on the best buy etc. site (Atmos, 4K upscaling, # of inputs, licensed room correction etc.). After that there is only so much that they can allocate to sound quality. You end up with a piece of equipment with more features than you are likely to ever need or use (including about a dozen surround modes) but sub standard sound.

    I'm a huge fan of Anthem receivers. For me the MRX720 is a no nonsense AVR that gives me everything I could ever want, with nothing I don't really need. There is no video processing or upscaling but you get decent AKM Dacs and a conservatively spec'd power. The icing on the cake is the amazing ARC room correction. I know this is far more than you'd want to spend but in the context of SBAF the recommendation to avoid those jack of all trades $500 AVRs is a valid one. The point of diminishing returns is much higher than $500 I'm afraid.
     
  7. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I am fully aware that at my budget, everything is shit. I was just wondering if there were some that were neat little logs instead of a soupy mess. I don't need or expect anything near reference quality, just some simple surround processing and input switching to enhance my movies and games. For careful listening, I have my headphone and office setup. Will check out Accessories4less when the time comes. Thanks again, folks.
     
  8. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    With that being the case I'd recommend Yamaha. Sure YPAO is not as effective as Audessey but you don't have the license fees. My experience with Yamaha's PEQ modes is that "through" can be just a bit bright with harsher speakers and the "natural" setting is just warm enough to offset the brightness. Your speakers are laid back so I'd suggest Yamaha run in "pure direct" mode for 2 channel content and "through" for multi channel will work well for you. The RXV683 on special would be what I'd aim for.
     
  9. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    I just bought a Denon AVRX-4300H a couple of weeks ago on closeout. I watch a lot of movies but have never had much of a HT system. I currently run it 3 channel with non-optimal speaker placement until I can convince the wife I should put the TV above the fireplace and set up the speakers properly. I wasn't expecting much but it actually sounds pretty decent. This is with 20 year old B&W bookshelf speakers and a center channel cobbled together with some old Radio Shack speakers that had the Linaeum tweeter. $50 cheapass Sony Blu-ray. Previously the variable out just ran into an old Adcom amp and the B&Ws. The Denon sounds better but not much of a shock.

    Most of the AV receivers today arent spec'd for 4 ohm speakers. Denon and Marantz are the few exceptions. I tried a Yamaha a few years ago but it sounded like ass. Onkyo was tempting but I still read that they have reliability issues.
     
  10. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I dont know what equipment you have but if you are anything like other audiophiles you might have a collection of amps that are collecting dust. If thats the case I would consider taking the amps out of retirement and putting your money towards a 7.1 preamp/processor. You can get an Oppo for $550 and it has 7.1 analog outputs. Or the Emotiva MC-700 which is $600.
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2017
  11. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I probably built a 2.1 system with less than $500 if your willing to look used. I just bought a high end Denon AV-3805 7.1 receiver, with over 100 watts x 2 for $150. It does not have HDMI, but what else are Logitech remotes for?

    The KEF C75 Speakers I got used for $175. 10" sealed sub I picked up for $100.

    I say probably because I did replace parts on the KEF's and picked up a matching sub for $100. All used.

    I had an 5.1 Onkyo, but it was only 65 watts. The Denon really gets the KEF's going. It almost sounds brighter than the Onkyo, but I think I am just picking up more details. The Denon still has some power on the bottom end. Plus, it has line outs if I want to bypass the amp for an external.

    My only complaint is that it does not have stereo sub output.

    Honestly, I love my setup for movies or music. I don't see why there is or should be a difference. However, small satellite speakers will pass for movies, but not so great for music. I have not found a speaker or setup the other way around.
     
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    For some reason my uncle has a TV with RCA inputs but no analog outputs or digital out. The sound is quite bad and I just want to add some external speakers so speech is legible. It has a USB port and I tried my Modi 1, but it wasn't recognized.

    So I'm looking for a device that can take HDMI in and has an HDMI out and either analog or spdif output. Just something really cheap that gets the job done. If anyone knows such a device, let me know.
     
  13. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    Sounds like an "hdmi switcher with audio output" or an "hdmi de-embedder" is what you need. Monoprice sells one for about $50. I've also seen some on amazon. On my phone otherwise I'd post a link.
     
  14. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Thanks, ill check the Monoprice one. I've nameless HDMI devices on Amazon before and got burned
     
  15. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYN46VK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_f8qDAbD9M9QTF

    There monoprice unit may be better? I didn't look into it.

    https://www.monoprice.com/search/index?keyword=hdmi audio extractor

    Edit - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24278

    Looks like that's the one I'd go with.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2018
  16. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Tv is tv not music in my house, so constantly trying to do more with less on the TV front. My stereo speakers are fantastic and will never be hooked up to the tv.

    My latest TV speakers are some nice Kef Q100s on stands with a simple Onkyo A-9010 (not HT) Integrated 40watts or so. Also has a passable built in dac. Great intelligibility and the amp has remote mute for killing pesky commercials that are too dang loud.

    Total cost for tv setup of amp,speakers and stands $360 combo of new and used.
     
  17. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Old thread but I didn't see another one for home theater stuff.

    I recently bought my first house and am building a dedicated home theater/music room in the basement. The previous owner already put up all the drywall and ran speaker wire through the walls for a surround sound setup. Currently painting and laying flooring. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out what speaker system to put together. I'm pretty simple, 5.1 setup is fine for my uses. I have a pair of Klipsch Heresy III but that is for dedicated 2 channel listening (will try and integrate them into L/R but will probably need dedicated HT L/R channels).

    My budget is probably around $600-800 for the L/C/R and surrounds. I'm budgeting my Sub and receiver separately. My sub will likely be a sealed one from Rythmik, SVS or HSU (hybrid sealed/ported). Going to get a dedicated 5.1 AVR since they are generally cheaper than 7.1 equipment.

    I'm at a loss for what speakers to get. I have several ideas but could use some help with direction.

    L/R:
    - Klipsch R610: Was leaning towards this for about $400 a pair. Apparently the Reference line is super bright though and I would want to step up to the RP (reference premier) lineup, which brings me too:
    - Klipsch RP4000: Little expensive at $600 a pair, cheapest tower of the RP line.
    - Klipsch RP160M: Bookshelf around $500. Not sure about this one.

    Center:
    - Klipsch R52C: Was looking to pair with R610 above, but like I said, apparently as bright as the sun.
    - Klipsch RP400C: Smoother and "better" version of the above apparently.

    Surrounds:
    - Klipsch R41M: Lower end reference bookshelfs. Not too worried about brightness since they are surrounds. Cheap at around $140 for the pair.


    Obviously I have done a lot of research on Klipsch due to my enjoyment with my Heresy (though that's very different from their HT stuff). Every other brand I've tried to look at has its fatal flaws as well it seems like.
    - Pioneer AJ setup: Dark and muddy, where are the vocals?
    - Bic: Knock off Klipsch supposedly.
    - HSU bookshelf and center: Dark with upper rolloff.

    What are your guys thoughts? Should I stretch for the Klipsch RP lineup and skip the base R series or should I be looking elsewhere? I hate bright gear for music listening but this is strictly home theater, does it even matter for my purposes?

    Thanks!
     
  18. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    For HT stuff, always spend more money on the center and sub. The rest is for the effects really. Especially if you are not going to be using for 2 channel music audio. So I would go for the Smoother more expensive RP400 or even RP500 if you can swing it.
     
  19. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    If you don't like bright speakers for music, don't get them for home theater. Not only are you still getting music (often through all speakers, especially in modern movies), but sound effects could get really fatiguing. Even though most room correction software for home theater like Audyssey on my Denon targets a particular response, if you have bright speakers, there is only so much you can do. I personally disliked every Klipsch I have heard in the big box range. I know there is tremendous value to be found DIY, but don't know if you are inclined. Ascend Acoustics has a lot of fans and has some home theater speakers in your range. Personally, if I were doing my setup again and I decided not to build my own stuff, I'd probably grab some stuff from KEF (accessories4less has some great deals on refurb or open box KEF).

    In the end you could opt to spend less and grab the well-reviewed Monoprice package and a good AVR to see what you like and don't like.

    EDIT: I second rtaylor's advice that the center channel and sub are the most important pieces, though marginalizing the rest of the speakers to just sound effects minimizes how much scores and soundtracks impact a movie experience. I was surprised at how much music comes out of the rear speakers in some modern soundtracks.
     
  20. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    Not a home theater guy, so take with a grain of salt, but maybe look at Emotiva, as they offer speakers in your budget. My T2s are not bright at all, I'd say they are dark but vocals are incredible on them (seems like this matters to you). I gotta think their center channel is probably tuned the same way. You would definitely need a subwoofer though, and SVS would probably be where I would look.

    I've heard good things about the Elac's for home theater use, but I can't tell you the exact models.

    FWIW you might want to surf on the AVS Forums, if you haven't already. There might be some helpful threads over there that can guide you in the direction you want to go in. Or reach out to some folks there who clearly know what they are talking about and have experience.

    I would be interested in what you decide on.
     

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