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What should I be looking for to go with my floorstanding speakers

526 views 24 replies 8 participants last post by  jdsmoothie 
#1 ·
So I am look at acquiring a pair of Monitor Audio Silver Series 6 floorstanding speakers

I am somewhat new to the audio world and am getting (what I think to be) a good deal on these speakers so I figure I gotta start somewhere.

I listen to a lot of different genres of music as well as audio formats. Anything from rock/alternative/jazz/techno/folk and I have a small record collection/music on my iphone/ cd collection/ and satellite radio.

I'd like to know other than the speakers which I am looking at getting, what else do I need (any recommendations would be appreciated and then I can look for alternatives if not available). The primary means of audio will be from iphone (wired or wirelessly), records (I own a record player) and ideally satellite radio.

I'm open to all suggestions and advice, ideally without breaking the bank! Should also point out, currently just looking to have the two speakers.

Thanks
 
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#4 ·
Appreciated.

Do not plan on setting up multi-channels/home theater... may set up a sub down the road if required.

More curious over should I be getting a AVR, that would have airplay/satelite radio....
Or get integrated stereo receiver, and go from there?
Or is there something else I am missing.. I guess I really don't know enough about receivers/amplifiers and there seems to be a lot to choose from with price ranges all over the place
 
#7 ·
I also recommend an AVR. Yeah, you may
Have features you may not use, but it also
Will handle all digital formats. You will also
Have the ability to expand your system if
You want. Like the subwoofer.

Most modern AVR's don't have a phono preamp
Built in so that may be an additional expense
For your vinyl. Likely under $100.

You said you listen to satellite radio? I'm assuming
Your talking about Sirrius/XM. Be advised that
As a source it is low bit rate and highly compressed.

A better alternative would be some of Internet streaming
Services such as Pandora,spotify etc. Their paid subscription
Plans offer much better quality.
 
#8 ·
I third an AVR and one that includes a higher level of Audyssey like XT32 preferably. Likely this AVR of this level will also have a phono stage built in. Ample room to grow if/when the need arises. Many more sound options.

Yes, an AVR is the route I would go in your position.
 
#11 ·
You are probably correct. I didn't check
All the details out. My previous research
Did show me that SirriusXM was at the bottom
Of the heap. (Along with DirecTv/Dish/cable company's
Free music service channels)

The only streaming service I use on an
Occasional basis is the free Apple Radio.
It sounds pretty good.

The Wife's BMW has SirriusXM which she
Subscribes to. I'm not very fond of it,but the
Variety is a nice change on long road trips.
 
#13 ·
If you don't care to add multichannel then something along the lines of Denon X2100w would be good. It has Audyssey XT, AirPlay, and all the internet radio options: http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-receiver-with-wi-fi-bluetooth-airplay/1.html

Otherwise if you read up on Audyssey and decide you want Audyssey XT32, the X4100w can be had on there for about $800. That might be overkill since it has ATMOS. But then again a lot of people start where you are and go multichannel down the road. Either of those would work though.

Do you not watch TV? An AVR will help with that also.
 
#14 ·
The current "plan" is to just use these speakers for music. I have a TV/multichannel hook up done elsewhere.
However, with that being said I will likely be putting a TV in the area of the speakers at some point, but I don't imagine will be used for much other than casual tv, sports, and gaming.

My first upgrade will likely be a subwoofer (if needed) but that will also be down the road.
 
#15 ·
Also, to bring up a point from earlier, is something like Audyssey XT32 necessary for my needs? Granted I am sure it does wonders for room correction, but someone who is essentially entering the audio world with a decent pair of entry floor speakers, will I get that much out of it? Or am I over-thinkng this, which is something I generally do.
 
#17 ·
I've only used multich speaker systems with my avrs. XT32 was a significantly better room correction compared to my experience with Pioneer's MCACC or Audyssey XT. That's with multiple subs and 7 speakers currently. XT32 has dual sub capabilities which is nice. Might be overkill for 2.0 or 2.1.

Back on this topic again...
I'm being told that the NAD 326BEE is (for that price) the best option and will make the speakers sound the best.
And that if I want to wirelessly listen to music to pick up a Sonos CONNECT .. Turning this into ~800

So I'm feeling that for those reasons alone an AVR may indeed be suitable. I am fairly certain they only sell Yamaha, not sure if anyone has any advise/experiences with these units?
I can also go to the bestbuy and get a Denon or Onkyo
You are talking about what a salesman is telling you? At a store with limited lines? I use the internet myself. That NAD is nice enough but it's just seems to be a relatively expensive boutiqueish integrated stereo amp to me and since I have no use for one, never really looked at one....I doubt they have any kind of magic sound, though they may be more suited to 4ohm use than some avrs; your speakers are rated at 8 ohm so that shouldn't be an issue. Don't know much about Sonos except that they do have a nice setup for wireless but a bit pricey, and their speakers are on the weak side.
 
#16 ·
Back on this topic again...
I'm being told that the NAD 326BEE is (for that price) the best option and will make the speakers sound the best.
And that if I want to wirelessly listen to music to pick up a Sonos CONNECT .. Turning this into ~800

So I'm feeling that for those reasons alone an AVR may indeed be suitable. I am fairly certain they only sell Yamaha, not sure if anyone has any advise/experiences with these units?
I can also go to the bestbuy and get a Denon or Onkyo
 
#19 ·
Just get a denon with xt32 and be done with it :)

Buy one from a magnolia (reg best buy subs are crap) or save a few hundred getting it online. And I wouldn't hesitate to get a refurb, the site I linked is legit. And no I don't work for them. I bought two refurbs within the last 90 days from them. Originally I got x3100w, but then I realized I wanted Atmos so I sold it to coworker and got x4100w. Now I'm already wishing I got x7200 for 11 channels... I'm dumb like that.

Really after the AVR the next thing that will make you grin from ear to ear is getting a dedicated sub.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Just get a denon with xt32 and be done with it :)
+1
An AVR is a great choice even if you never add another speaker. It'll equalize the two speakers - and a sub if you decide later to add one. Even an AVR with Audyssey XT is a good choice since it also equalizes the sub. A Marantz SR5008 or SR5009 from accessories4less (refurbished with one year warranty) would also be a good choice. Most AVRs have better 2 channel power than many stereo receivers and integrated amps since the power not used for center and surrounds can be routed to the main L/R speakers. And sound just as good doing it as their stereo counterparts - which counters common believe in the audiophile world. Invite one to a double blind test (DBX) and they crap their jeans!

AVRs that come to mind off hand that would be good choices, and these are all refurbished - are:

Audyssey XT:

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...ork-home-theater-receiver-with-airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...theater-receiver-3d-ready-hdmi-airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-channel-network-home-theater-receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...etwork-a/v-surround-receiver-w/airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...tegrated-network-a/v-surround-receiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...k-ultra-hd-networking-receiver-airplay/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...ultra-hd-networking-receiver-w/airplay/1.html

XT32:

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-channel-network-home-theater-receiver/1.html

This isn't a comprehensive list by any means. There are older Onkyo AVRs with Audyssey but those are the 'dark ages' for Onkyo IMO - prior year models and have shown to be unreliable at best. Onkyo bought out Pioneer and now use that technology instead of Audyssey.
 
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