Wharfedale Diamond 10.3 Floorstanders or Other

[baguitos]

Greetings.
I'm about to buy my first AV system. It was indented to be a 5.1, but because of budget was reduced to a 2.1 (2.0 for now) with the possibility to became 5.1 during the current year.

Most likely I will buy the Onkyo 507 (Sony DH800 is still a option), and I've spend the past weeks (about 2 months now) gathering all information about makers, models and stores that sells and ships speakers.

I live in Portugal , many suppliers don't ship to outside UK, so I have to stick with the ones who do, and/or buy from the domestic stores.

Recently I've narrowed my search to 3 models within the same price range.
- Q Acoustics 1030i
- MORDAUNT SHORT Avant 914i
- Wharfedale Diamond 10.3

The problem is that both QA and MS models are discontinued, and it's very difficult to find a matching center speaker (Qa 100Ci and MS Avant 905i).
As for de Diamond 10.3, I can easily find the 10.CC CS and CM, and because it's a more recent model I can skip this purchase for now.

I've been told that for this money (+/- 225£) I could get something better than the Wharfedale, so I've been searching... without success.

My question: Is it worth to spend more time looking for the matching center of the other 2 brands, or the difference between that and the Wharfedale are minimal?
How would you compare the Wharfedale Diamond 10.3 to the Q Acoustics 1030i and MORDAUNT SHORT Avant 914i ?

Many thanks in advance for all your suggestions.

[dicklodge]

I would discount the Mordaunt short 914s, not that there is anything wrong with them, in fact i like Ms speakers and own some, but the Onkyo amp is bright sounding (treble can be to the forefront) and so are the mordaunt short 914is. Paired with a warmer sounding amp, such as the Yamaha I run them with, the Avant range is superb, in my view.

Between the W/dales and the QAs, other people should chip in here, but my feeling is that there will be very little difference, and with the onkyo amp, the Wharfdales could be the better choice. The new Diamond 10 series is getting very good reviews. The Wharfdales will save you the hassle of trying to find a matching centre at the same time as they are a newly released and current range.

[baguitos]

Originally Posted by dicklodge

[...]

Between the W/dales and the QAs, other people should chip in here, but my feeling is that there will be very little difference, and with the onkyo amp, the Wharfdales could be the better choice. The new Diamond 10 series is getting very good reviews. The Wharfdales will save you the hassle of trying to find a matching centre at the same time as they are a newly released and current range.

Thanks. That’s was my main reason to go with the W/dale 10.3.

The reason I haven’t decided yet, was because someone told me that the WDs were a lesser speaker. Look like they’re not.

It’s decided then.
I’ll buy the Onkyo 507 and a pair of Wharfedale 10.3. Next month I’ll probably buy the BK Gemini II subwoffer.

And by the end of the year (I hope) I’ll upgrade to 5.1. With the 10.CS (ou CM) and two QA Q-AV rears (I need them in the skirting or ceiling).

Any other opinions?

[baguitos]

Update.

I'm considering "switching" the receiver for the Sony STR DH800.

If so, are the Warfedale (or even the others) still a correct choice?

[dicklodge]

Originally Posted by baguitos

Update.

I'm considering "switching" the receiver for the Sony STR DH800.

If so, are the Warfedale (or even the others) still a correct choice?

The same speakers that pair well with the Onkyo amp, will pair well with the Sony, so no problem with the Wharfdales.

[baguitos]

I finally got a reply from a local dealer saying that they manage to get a QA 1000C in black.

This means that I can go for the Q Acoustics instead of the Wharfedale.
For the same price, what's your recommendation?

one other thing: If I go with the QA I have to buy the center now (and burst my initial budget), but I will only be using it later... as soon as I have some money to spend on sub (bk gemini II) and a couple of rears.
In the meanwhile I'll be "stuck" with a 3.0 system. Does this make any sense? Are the QA 1030i that much better than the Wharfedale 10.3?

And, while I'm at it:
Sony STR DH800 Vs Onkyo 507... any insights?

[dicklodge]

Originally Posted by baguitos

Are the QA 1030i that much better than the Wharfedale 10.3?

Only a demo will determine that I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by baguitos

And, while I'm at it:
Sony STR DH800 Vs Onkyo 507... any insights?

The Sony is a 7.1 amp and the Onkyo is 5.1. That is the main difference. Some people say that the Onkyo runs a little on the hot side. The Sony H800 has had some excellent reviews.

[baguitos]

Last week got the Onkyo 507 and a pair of Diamond 10.3.

Very pleased.

I'm placing my order of a BK Gemini II sub.
And looking to save some money for the centre speaker.. Still have to chose between 10.CC, CS or CM.