AV Newbie: Request for Advice/Comment/Warning?

craigwhelan

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Hi

Firstly, can I say thank you to anyone replying to this post - I completely appreciate there are a lot of people looking over the forums and a great deal probably ask the same questions over and over again...trust me I will continue to trawl the forums for advice and information on my pending purchase(s).

I'm lucky enough to be buying a house soon, the lounge (roughly 3.8m x 3.8m and a bay window to one side) I want to fit out with a decent 'home cinema' and have started to speak to the guys at a specialist chain.

I have literally no idea when it comes to 'real' audio or cinema. I know what kind of music I like (dance, rap, soul, jazz, rock - fairly broad) and I know I like watching films in clear distortion free clarity - I could tell the difference when I watched a film the other day on a Sony 4K screen at the cinema and know when brightness is too much on a screen but that's about it :) Not exactly profound I know :)

So a little story and here goes; I've been demo'd and offered the following at what seems a reasonable price (although I would be negotiating given I've seen components a lot cheaper elsewhere) - what are general thoughts on (and if you have the same or similar setup I'd be very interested to hear your personal comparisons to previous equipment owed or demo'd)

Onkyo TX-NR616
Onkyo BD-SP809
Focal Chorus 716
Focal Chorus CC 700 V
Focal Chorus SR 700 V
REL T7​

I'd be looking to couple all that with a Panasonic TX-P50VT50B

I'm under no illusion this is quite a step in to home cinema as a first punt but I generally buy things to last and wouldn't be swapping things around too much (at all if I can help it) so would like to 'buy right' first time.

Anyone any advice or thoughts, warnings or otherwise?

Many thanks

Craig
 
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Focal make cracking speakers ;). Enjoy your new setup.
 
Thanks davepuma

Nothing purchased just yet and in some respects I'm glad - I think I'd like to get a demo of a Oppo BDP-103 and also may need to look at alternatives for the TX-NR616 (documented issues about HDMI and firmware are concerning, along with poor customer service from Onkyo) - also finding both of those devices considerably cheaper than the 'offer' made to me is quite frustrating

Something annoying about the Focal stuff - a pair of the 716's bought in Calais can be obtained for €499 !! I'd be almost tempted to take a day trip over for the savings !

Frustrated on hearing that the Focal range to replace the 700's isn't going to have a light walnut effect finish available, which I really like, and I've been informed the demo set at Audio T are some of the last available - so if I really want them I need to think quick about making a decision...hopefully not being gullible on thinking i'm being helped by a specialist and not served by a salesman

Anyone with any thoughts on buying Focal stuff in France, I'm guessing the standard 2 year warranty would apply due to European law and I'd just deal with Focal direct in the case of any issues after the initial support from the shop in Calais (which could be interesting given my complete lack of real French language skills) :D
 
‘also finding both of those devices considerably cheaper than the 'offer' made to me is quite frustrating’ – so the guy who offers you a demo facility and local support is a bit more expensive than the guy who isn’t!, seems fair enough!

I’d be tempted to suggest you go with a step or two up in the AVR and go for the stand (or wall) mount 706 spks – speaker positioning is (as always) critical and you don’t want to be dealing with an over the top floor mount in a relatively tight room, with no room for manoeuvring them.

You could also consider a step down in the SUB dept – the lower cost T-5 may again be easier to integrate into your room, possibly one to negotiate on in terms of trying both out at home if you go with the local dealer.

I see too that the Dealer you mention offers a Deliver & Setup option – I’d be looking to negotiate that into the package as having a couple of bods on-site who know how to install and optimise the kit is well worth the difference in savings over a web only supplier.

Joe (who has no connections with the Dealer you mention).
 
Cheers Jo, appreciate the feedback - I note you are quite frequent to the forum

I completely understand your view on the local support and demo...is that worth 10% ? I guess it might be...and like you say maybe bargaining the deliver and setup in to the mix would sweeten the deal for sure

I did mentioned the T5 as I thought the T7 might be just a lil overkill...and it would be if I were to move to the 706; personally I would have expected to be recommended a 'bookshelf' sized unit rather than the floor stand due to the size of the room...but then also in some respects my own ignorance on AV had something to do with 'I rather like the colour of the veneer' :S Terrible thing to say I know.

Connected or not - feedback is always appreciated; else it's just me doing research online and talking to one or maybe two shops...so the great input I can get from various sources the better I'll feel when asking for demo's or plumbing for well reviewed and proven equipment by those who actually know

Thanks again
 
Sorry I feel I should clarify that 10% too - that was across the entire piece...on the break down is the amp and blu-ray that are costing a fair bit more...100 and 200 respectively (approximately)
 
It is easy to get suckered into the big and beautiful when viewing loudspeakers – how they fit back at home is often another matter!

No problems with going with a finish which you prefer – having employed French polishing specialists in the past to match speakers to furniture (even had to have the left/right sides of the cabinets finished differently in an open plan room before now) it makes sense to ensure you get a finish you like the look of.

I’d definitely push for a package which included all required cables, delivery, setup and basic audio calibration.

Joe

PS Don’t let anyone tell you you require fancy cables – shout back here once you get some ideas on what package deal may be on offer :thumbsup:
 

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