Is there a catch with the ONKYO satellite speaker kit?

[Garawa]

Hi

I have an ONKYO NR414 running KEF iQ70s and this a new set-up after replacing a blu-ray all-in-one 5.1 kit and a hifi! I am very pleased with the sound although my 15 year old Qudos cable sounded better than the QED Silver Anniversary cable I was recommended in buying!! Weird.

Anyway, I have seen rear and centre kits made by ONKYO for around £90 Onkyo-Now.co.uk : : Specialists in Onkyo's award winning Hifi and home theatre systems and can't help but wonder what the catch is seeing that the cheapest centre speaker I have found is more on its own! Part of me is thinking it's cheap so stay away whilst the other half is saying why would they make a very good quality amp and then issue rubbish speakers for it?

I am new to this level of audio equipment and am looking to pay around £100 each for rears and centre so any help or advice would be greatfully received. (PS, the picture may not be the correct ones as I wrote this quickly but they are similar to the other ones available.)

 

[dante01]

Simple, Onkyo don't really have a reputation for manufacturing loudspeakers and the speakers they do make or allow to be branded as being Onkyo aren't very good. You get what you pay for

Ford make reasonable cars, but are crap at making tennis balls

 

[Garawa]

I kind of knew that would be the answer! Needed someone to encourage me not to fall for the "wish I hadn't done that" route! Thankyou! Having been certain in getting a Denon and only opting for the Onkyo because it did more (and was a stupidly low price), I am still finding my feet here but I am very impressed so far! Annoyed I bought the more expensive cable though!

Does seem a bit odd that such a good piece of kit can be ruined by the same company - they may even lose later sales as people think the amp isn't much cop! Thanks for such a speedy reply.

 

[dante01]

You may have been better catered for with a more substantial AV receiver considering your using a pair of KEF iQ70s with it? You really need the matching KEF centre speaker to make the best of what you've got. The rears aren't as important, but I'd still suggest you try source KEF speakers for use as surrounds. The most appropriate centre speaker would probably be the iQ60c and maybe look out for a pair of iQ10 or iQ30s for the rears? You'd need to buy these secondhand seeing as the iQ series is no longer in production.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-KEF-...omeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item4d0ae767e5

 

[Garawa]

Thanks, will look out for that. As both the speakers and amp had lots of money off, I am able to replace the whole set-up instead of bit at a time. I love the the iQ70s though, pin sharp when some can sound a little muffled (at least they were until I put the Silver on)!