Question What should I buy

Fansari

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Hello All,

I need some help please with a decision. I currently have a yamaha rxv-581 and monitor audio mass 10 system.
I have been thinking to upgrade the sub to a svs-pb3000. I can't decide if I should upgrade the fronts and the centre as well?
I have been to richer sounds for a demo and heard the monitor audio silver 200's and matching centre speaker and like the sound. I have just come across the monitor audio monitor 300 which are not that different on the specs but price is half of the silver 200 range. If I buy the fronts and centre I will need to upgrade the amp as well to onkyo txnr696.
What do you guys suggest, should I upgrade the sub and see how it all blends in and then buy the rest or buy the whole lot?
As usual tight on budget :).
Thanks in advance
 
The biggest influence on audio is primarily the speakers, followed by the room they're in a then the amp. The 200s with a sensitivity of 89dB are not going to be to hard on the Yamaha and should certainly perform better than the Mass.

As the 200s are floorstanders then you must have to the room for them to perform, hence me remark on the influence of the room. Floorstanders like room to breath and will not perform too well if shoved into a corner. If you have the ability to correctly place them then they are certainly going to make the basis of your system for many years go come and a better receiver and sub should or could be your next move.
 
Thanks gibbsy, it's a decent size room so should be ok with the space requirement. Richer sounds are giving me a good deal with 3k for the whole lot... which I think is a good deal... i need to decide if i should take the plunge and if the difference will be worth it. I have read that pb3000 will definitely be worth it... :)
 
If it´s mainly for HT system i would think about Silver 100s which are 350£ cheaper than S200 if you can accept standmount speakers sitting on speaker stands. You can put that saving in to better center channel which makes more noticeable difference with movies. You don`t "need" tower speakers if you have quality subwoofer(s) and decent sized LCR. You can get speaker stands (60cm) around 50-100£/pair.
Monitor Audio Silver 100 Satin White Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) - Bookshelf Speakers - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists
Monitor Audio Silver C350 Walnut Centre Speaker (Single) - Centre Speakers - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists

You can build kick ass HT system with the Monitor line, but example the S100 is only 100£ more and i believe that you would keep the Silvers longer than cheaper speakers. What i mean is the Silver line is very much sweet spot for many if you think about what you get for the price, going higher up isn´t reality for most people as the cost jumps quite alot and the differences can be less pronounced. Monitor serie is cheaper than Bronze serie, so there is more compromises done. Cheaper mid-bass drivers, cheaper cabinet, cheaper audio crossover components vs. Silver serie. For the cosmetic side Silver serie has real wood veneer cabinets, as Monitor and Bronze uses vinyl wrapping.

But as always there is many speakers to choose from and if i were to build low cost HT system now i would want to listen the new Klipsch RP serie.
Klipsch RP-600M

Klipsch RP-600C

Do the upgrade in steps, don`t try to get everything right away or you will make compromises. If you don´t go ape crazy with volume levels you will be fine with Yamaha for now. I would look better receiver than the Onkyo you mentioned. It isn´t big enough jump from Yammy. Denon X4500H can be had under 1k£, but there will be time it drops to 800£ mark. Yamaha RX-A2070/80 or A3070/80 are great options as Marantz SR7012/7013 when the price is right. Just have to look for good deal.

PB3000 looks awesome if we forget the uglyish finish, in the real world tests it has been quite close to PB4000 so while it isn`t cheap in UK you get lot bang for buck.
 
Hey GASP3621, thanks for the recommendation. I didn't think that but yes that makes complete sense that a sub with that spec, I don't need the fronts to have that frequency response. and completely agree with using that amount for a better center channel.
No, I don't go crazy loud, i mean the loudest i have turned my yamaha is -9db and it can go quite a bit more...
So, all in all, I can get the subs and the speakers for now and leave the amp for later on. and I will not be compromising on the quality yes?
 
Don't do it, your on a slippery slope to spending thousands for years to come! Haha.

Stick with an all in one system :).

I have the Monitor Audio 300 with matching 350 centre, sounds really is impressive. I have them in white which was a gamble for me but they do really look impressive too.
 
Hey GASP3621, thanks for the recommendation. I didn't think that but yes that makes complete sense that a sub with that spec, I don't need the fronts to have that frequency response. and completely agree with using that amount for a better center channel.
No, I don't go crazy loud, i mean the loudest i have turned my yamaha is -9db and it can go quite a bit more...
So, all in all, I can get the subs and the speakers for now and leave the amp for later on. and I will not be compromising on the quality yes?

Listen them first, there is also KEF Q350 + Q650c combo for same price. I think for the sake of not regretting your purchase you should look around what you can get for your budget and spend time listening different speakers! Lot of people don´t notice that they can actually get better standmount speakers for around same price as lower serie floorstanders. But of course we got to think about the fact that MANY people prefer how the floorstanders look. We also tend to look the speakers daily for years so they need to look great! :) So it´s tough decision.

Compromising? In a way yes as the receiver is not that powerfull when listening such loud volume and of course with more expensive receiver you tend to get more from the quality speakers. But i still wouldn´t worry about this too much at this point cause with limited budget you need to make compromises somewhere.

How large is your room with possible openings? Just curious.
 
yes, I did look at the KEF's and personally like the look of them as well, as long as they are on a stand I don't mind, it's just that will have to buy the stands as well so can possibly add that money to the speaker if possible... but i think it would still come out cheaper, here is it attached...
Thanks,
 

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yes, I did look at the KEF's and personally like the look of them as well, as long as they are on a stand I don't mind, it's just that will have to buy the stands as well so can possibly add that money to the speaker if possible... but i think it would still come out cheaper, here is it attached...
Thanks,

Yes it comes cheaper with stands. Play little bit with the main speaker distance from each other, but also try to not to place the right side speaker close to that side wall and push the couch forward from the rear wall if you can. You don´t want to sit far (5m) away and against rear wall, also the surround speakers would be too close to listener which sucks like nothing else! Pushing the couch forward you can get three things better right away. There is always some compromises in typical living rooms so you do what you can.

Keep us posted about your findings after demoing/comparing few models! :smashin:
 
the bit in the middle is the TV and seating is the opposite, I have kept the sofa a bit further away from the wall as its a recliner so needed that bit of clearance too.

Sure, will leave some gap from the walls...

Right ok, so after quite a bit of thinking and number crunching, have taken the plunge and have gone with the following:
KEF Q350 fronts
KEF Q650C center
ONKYO TXNR696
SVS-PB3000

will be delivered next week, can't wait to try the new setup...
thanks for the advice and suggestions, will update once I get the kit.
 
the bit in the middle is the TV and seating is the opposite, I have kept the sofa a bit further away from the wall as its a recliner so needed that bit of clearance too.

Sure, will leave some gap from the walls...

Right ok, so after quite a bit of thinking and number crunching, have taken the plunge and have gone with the following:
KEF Q350 fronts
KEF Q650C center
ONKYO TXNR696
SVS-PB3000

will be delivered next week, can't wait to try the new setup...
thanks for the advice and suggestions, will update once I get the kit.

Not to ruin your parade but is there any particular reason you went with the onkyo?

Depending on how much you paid for it, I'd recommend going for an alternative brand. There has been some issues with the previous onkyo avr's and their reliability. also their room eq has a lot to be desired.

You have just purchased some great gear but cannot help but feel your avr is the weak link.
 
Hey dollag,

No problem, well the only reason being that it fit the price point, is more powerful then my current one and richer sound guy said, its a newer model with upgraded firmware and will serve well for my needs. The other alternative was denon avrx2600h, but had lower power output as compared to onkyo, hence why...
 
Hey dollag,

No problem, well the only reason being that it fit the price point, is more powerful then my current one and richer sound guy said, its a newer model with upgraded firmware and will serve well for my needs. The other alternative was denon avrx2600h, but had lower power output as compared to onkyo, hence why...

currently, the denon x3500 can be picked up at the same price. its more powerful and also has a much better room correction tool. I would consider swapping it out.
 
thanks so much dollag, it indeed is...will give them a ring tomorrow and ask for it, :thumbsup:

No worries. Glad I could help. The 3500 is a great avr and will help them kefs sing.
 
the bit in the middle is the TV and seating is the opposite, I have kept the sofa a bit further away from the wall as its a recliner so needed that bit of clearance too.

Sure, will leave some gap from the walls...

Right ok, so after quite a bit of thinking and number crunching, have taken the plunge and have gone with the following:
KEF Q350 fronts
KEF Q650C center
ONKYO TXNR696
SVS-PB3000

will be delivered next week, can't wait to try the new setup...
thanks for the advice and suggestions, will update once I get the kit.

Congrats on new setup! You didn´t think about it too long and didn`t listen them or others. Well let´s hope you like em. Only nitpick with Onkyo is that poor AccuEQ room correction software on Onkyo which can give you grey hairs. Power output wise it´s head to head with X3500H (100w vs. 105w). But Denon comes with preouts and the Audussey is much more tweakable with the app (you can limit the correction), subwoofer eq is also better which is important to get the beast PB3000 sound controlled. So let`s hope the shop will swap it! Notice also you are limited to just one pair of atmos speakers if you want to add those later, that`s why i was little bit skeptical to buy another 7.2 receiver but if you don´t care about this then it´s ok.

You need speaker stands! There is many options, but if you want something cheap these will do the trick for Q350s.
Fisual Dynami Duo Matte Black Speaker Stands 600mm (Pair) - Speaker Stands - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists

Fisual Dynami Duo Gloss White Speaker Stands 600mm (Pair) - Speaker Stands - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists

Fisual Dynami Duo Gloss Black Speaker Stands 600mm (Pair) - Speaker Stands - AV Online - UK Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists
 
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Hey Gasp,

I did listen, hence I got the better center channel and the fronts rather than the original monitor audio setup :smashin:. I will be calling them up and they should be able to swap it. The thing I wasn't planning to purchase the AMP, but just got in the moment really.
I did know about Audessy in the Denons but probably the sales rep at Richersounds didn't persuade me at all, so...

Thanks for the speaker stands, will definitely go for these.
The sales guy recommended these:
Soundstyle Z2 (Black) and said that he would give me for £65, but yours are considerably cheaper so will go for them. I will be looking for stands on the marketplace too for if i can grab a good deal on used.

Thanks, :)
 
Right so, i gave them a call and they said, once you have it delivered, take it to a store near you which have the Denon in stock and they will replace it for you... :clap:
 
just an update on this, the two stores that have got it near me they have it on reserve, so i might not get a hands on it. What I can do is return the onkyo when i get it and then get it from somewhere else. OR, he recommended this one:
Sony STRDN1080 (Black)

what do you guys think?
 
just an update on this, the two stores that have got it near me they have it on reserve, so i might not get a hands on it. What I can do is return the onkyo when i get it and then get it from somewhere else. OR, he recommended this one:
Sony STRDN1080 (Black)

what do you guys think?

No! X3500H is one level higher so to say with better features!
 
right ok then, its decided :), if i don't get it from richer sounds, I will return the onkyo and get from somewhere else... Thanks again...
 
yea, seen that, its just that it would have been an easy swap with richer sounds as had it on an interest-free plan...
on a side note, can you recommend what is next best in richer sounds to this?
 
yea, seen that, its just that it would have been an easy swap with richer sounds as had it on an interest-free plan...
on a side note, can you recommend what is next best in richer sounds to this?

There really isn´t any other as good value/performance/feature wise atm. You can notice it at US too how popular this is as they have added 5x200w poweramp and running some crazy systems with it. I hope you get it somehow!

PT intrest free finances:
About Finance
 

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