[donmichaelo]

My Onkyo 607 7.2 is soon to arrive. I need advice related to the speakers to use.
My main concern is my tight budget. I can not go for anything over US$500 or so.
My needs and situation are the following:
Room: Large. I would say 24X20 feet
Use: Mainly HT, some relaxing music, some Rocks
I was thinking in a $300 system and a $200 SW...Yesterday I read in another forum a combination of a Energy speakers+Bic SW....any other options?
How about a harman Kardon HKTS-18??

Thanks in advance!

Don Mich

[Moonfly]

I cant really see how you can buy 7 speakers for $300 and do the Onkyo justice, and $200 on a sub is the same, although this is doable. IMO you should buy your speakers a bit at a time and start with better ones other wise the Onkyo was waist of money and something much cheaper would have done.

You best option is to look at something like a Kef egg package for around the 500 (not sure this is available in the US bit its the kind of thing you should look at), and star at 5.1 and add the other 2 should you require.

That said you havent said if music is important in this setup as well or not, because if it is I wouldnt go for an egg style package myself, if you just listen to music ever now and again and its more background music you'll be ok with eggs.

[rhino2k]

I do believe the svs sbs-01 package is alot cheaper in the usa than it is here, i suggest you try and get an svs setup, they are amazing speakers for the money

[BlueWizard]

My advice, forget 7.1 or 7.2 for now (relative to speakers), you just don't have the budget for it.

While I'm sure people are tired of hearing it now, I don't think you can beat these three deals at the moment -

From SuperFi.co.uk -

The Wharfedale Daimond 9.0 5.1 home theaters system @ £349


From HiFix.co.uk -

These Daimond 5.1 system with BK Subs -

Option A -

£97 = Diamond 9.1/pr
£112 = Diamond 9.cs/ea
£64 = Diamond 9.0/pr
£199 = BK Genini Sub 8"
-------
£472

Option B for BIG -
£179 = Diamond 9.4/pr
£112 = Diamond 9.cs
£64 = Diamond 9.0
£295 = BK XLS200 sub 10"
-------
£650

These are not package deals, you have to buy the speakers individually, and the separate BK Sub directly from BKelec.com .

The Diamond 9 series have a long history of critical acclaim.


If you insist on tiny lifestyle speakers, then the recommend Kef system are as good and as popular as any. Perhaps something from Mordaunt Short or Tannoy, or a few others.

A suggestion, if you get tower fronts, get better tower fronts and forgo the Sub for now.

Alternately, you can save a little by foregoing the Center for now, and getting the sub.

Still, there are complete packages in your price range, as the above examples, and other suggestions show. I think the Diamonds represent good value right now, while supplies last.

Just a suggestion.

Steve/bluewizard

[scorpion88]

Originally Posted by Moonfly

I cant really see how you can buy 7 speakers for $300 and do the Onkyo justice, and $200 on a sub is the same, although this is doable. IMO you should buy your speakers a bit at a time and start with better ones other wise the Onkyo was waist of money and something much cheaper would have done.

You best option is to look at something like a Kef egg package for around the 500 (not sure this is available in the US bit its the kind of thing you should look at), and star at 5.1 and add the other 2 should you require.

That said you havent said if music is important in this setup as well or not, because if it is I wouldnt go for an egg style package myself, if you just listen to music ever now and again and its more background music you'll be ok with eggs.

If music is important i would look at an alternative amp. Onkyos are not renowned for sperlative musis playback.

Cheers

s

[donmichaelo]

I truly appreciate all your advice...so I will go just for a front set of speaker in order to get a better system for my money....then I would go for the surround.
Based on this what would be a good choice for my Onkyo taking into account the same budget written above?? I guess a good towers may be take in consideration.

DonMich

[Moonfly]

Originally Posted by scorpion88

If music is important i would look at an alternative amp. Onkyos are not renowned for sperlative musis playback.

Cheers

s

I disagree, this owner knows his Onkyo to be very nice with music, and preferable to the competition.

[scorpion88]

Originally Posted by Moonfly

I disagree, this owner knows his Onkyo to be very nice with music, and preferable to the competition.

Sorry, but there are comparitive amps that are clearly better in stereo IMO.

Also all the Onkyo's are great for movies (albeit somewhat visually challenging and hot) but cannot match, Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, HK, Sony etc etc for music particularly stereo.

If you disagree that's fine.

Cheers

S

[BlueWizard]

Originally Posted by donmichaelo

I truly appreciate all your advice...so I will go just for a front set of speaker in order to get a better system for my money....then I would go for the surround.

Based on this what would be a good choice for my Onkyo taking into account the same budget written above??

I guess a good towers may be take in consideration.

DonMich

So, are you now looking for a pair of speakers for the front and a sub at the same £500 budget, or is that just for floorstander, or is there a new budget.

It is important to know if the Sub is still in the equation. We can quote either way, or both ways, but we need to know.

Am I also right in assume that the Onkyo 607 amp has already been purchased? So, can we take that issue out of the discussion?

I think a concise restatement of your new expectations and your budget are in order. Then we can begin again.

Though I will say, that you wouldn't be disappointed by either of the full speaker systems I recommended.

Steve/bluewizard

[scorpion88]

I am afraid the OP is unclear of speaker or performance requirements. No matter how much one tries to help there will always some with an inherent lack of understanding.

Sad but true.

Cheers

S

[donmichaelo]

Scopion:

Indeed I am an old 50' medical doctor looking for advice. I am moving on a new home...quite big as I posted. My main objective is to get a fine set for movies (basically) and for listen good old rock and classical music.
I would say I understand quite enough about technical audio/video jargon (more video than audio)...
So, don't underestimate too much our knowledge, being an amateur Ham Radio, Computer assembler (as a hobby), and video technical knowledgeable,
I would understand your kind and valuable recommendations.

Thanks

Don Mich.

[donmichaelo]

Thanks BlueWizard

As others have stated I should buy the speakers before the receiver....anyway I will go for a set of front speakers, then a good sub and then the rears one.
With my tight budget I am considering:
Energy's series C ("Takes" are small for the space), Jambo, TSC-LCR3, Jamo A320, Wharferdale Diamonds and so...for the Sub the Bic America F-12..
I cant go for more than US$600..at least to start....

Don Mich

[BlueWizard]

Sorry, I should have noticed in your original post that you quoted your budget in US dollars.

That changes things somewhat, as what is available in the UK, is not alway available in the US.

A few of many good sources in the US are -

jr.com (a reliable New York company with a long history)

Frys.com (computer and audio, limited selection, but frequently good buys on Polk Audio)

For Wharfedale, I only know of two places. I kick myself again and again because the first source had Diamond 9.6 for US$585, and I waited, though I was temped. Now they are almost $900.

wharfedale : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

The second is in Oklahoma (I think), Wharfedale and Cambridge Audio, as well as other brands -

Wharfedale Speakers | Diamond 9 | Evolution 2 | Powered Subwoofers

If nothing else, this should help get you started.

The bulk of the discussion in this particular forum of UK electronics.

I recently heard some Martin Logan's at Best Buy that sounded sweet, but the were US$675 each.

Steve/bluewizard

Steve/bluewizard

[Moonfly]

Originally Posted by scorpion88

Sorry, but there are comparitive amps that are clearly better in stereo IMO.

Also all the Onkyo's are great for movies (albeit somewhat visually challenging and hot) but cannot match, Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, HK, Sony etc etc for music particularly stereo.

If you disagree that's fine.

Cheers

S

Well Im not the Only one who disagrees. I find Denon a bit lacking a certain something, a missing sparkle that while they sound good, dont produce any smiles. I like Yamaha's but they dont sound as warm which for me gives the Onky the edge. I agree Sony do sound good but I'd say only on a par, and Onkyo beat them in all other areas for me, plus I dont like Sony as a company (root Key anyone, super computer for the home anyone?). I loved Pioneers sound for years, but at the time I bought my amp they had nothing that could match the Onkyo, and according to a few dealers Ive spoke to, recent efforts have come upto spec but dont do anything sound wise that others arent doing just as well for less money. That said I havent heard any recent Pio amps.

I could go on and on but I guess Onkyo seem to be a love/hate device. Personally I love them, even if they are probably the least good looking of whats available on the market.