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Looking for opinions

post #1 of 21
3/27/12 at 4:44pm
Thread Starter 
I'm debating right now what to buy for my first set of hi-fi 5.1 surround sound speakers and AVR. I've researched this pretty extensively and I've narrowed it down to these configurations:

1. $3,530
Anthem MRX300 AVR
Paradigm Speakers
Fronts: Monitor 7s
Center: Center 1
Rears: Atom Monitor
Sub: Monitor Sub 8

2. $3,380 - This setup is the same except instead of Monitor 7s, Mini Monitors.

3. Retail $3,995, but I know people so he offered me a 25% discount so $2,996.
Integra DTR-50.3 (B-stock)
Focal Dome 5.1 Speakers

4. $2696 - Same deal as above but with an Integra DTR-40.3 (a-stock) instead.

Opinions and suggestions are welcome!
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post #2 of 21
3/27/12 at 5:14pm
Room size, listening preference (music vs HT)?

Plus I would cut out the sub and replace with ID from Hsu, SVS, Rythmik, etc

I'm not a fan of "lifestyle" speakers so that's a big no from me on the Focal.

I would go with Paradigm. Monitor 7 towers.

I would skip the receivers and go with something else. You can get a Denon right now considerably cheaper. 3312 can be had for $799.

That's $1700 worth of speakers retail. $800 for the Denon 3313. Add a Hsu VTF3-mk4 and that's about $800 shipped. That's $3300. I would hope you would get some discount on the speakers buying the whole 5.0 set. I would think this could be had for about $3000 total.

My 2 cents.
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post #3 of 21
3/27/12 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cjsiv View Post

Room size, listening preference (music vs HT)?

Plus I would cut out the sub and replace with ID from Hsu, SVS, Rythmik, etc

I'm not a fan of "lifestyle" speakers so that's a big no from me on the Focal.

I would go with Paradigm. Monitor 7 towers.

I would skip the receivers and go with something else. You can get a Denon right now considerably cheaper. 3312 can be had for $799.

That's $1700 worth of speakers retail. $800 for the Denon 3313. Add a Hsu VTF3-mk4 and that's about $800 shipped. That's $3300. I would hope you would get some discount on the speakers buying the whole 5.0 set. I would think this could be had for about $3000 total.

My 2 cents.

Thanks for your input.

To answer your questions, I currently live in a studio apartment, but I'm planning in the near future to move to a bigger place, but not too much bigger. I plan on using it for both HT and for music. I was hesitant at first when the dealer showed me the Dome system as it is a lifestyle system, but I liked what I heard, loved the design and he's giving me a great deal. Plus, I've read nothing but great reviews so far and they seem right for the spaces I'm living in.

However, I admit I'm not an expert yet and I might be getting sold to. That's why I came here to get some outside opinions.
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post #4 of 21
3/27/12 at 9:51pm
The setup I recommended would definitely piss off your neighbors. You may be better off with the Focals. Paradigm floorstanders would probably be overkill for your space.

Good luck with the search.
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post #5 of 21
3/28/12 at 6:02am
Thread Starter 
Haha. Yeah I know they are gonna be louder for sure but I don't care as much for their peace as I do for getting the most bang for my buck.

The longer I go without buying anything, the more research i do and the more options pop up. Now I'm looking at getting a Goldenear Triton Three HT system. Little bit more expensive than I want to pay, but I like what I've been reading about them and their feature set.
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post #6 of 21
3/28/12 at 6:29am
I would advise staying away from Anthem receivers; they have inadequate power supplies and the amplifier power output is pathetic; really a rip-off. The $2000 Anthem puts out much less power than a $600 Denon. See reviews in Home Theater magazine.

Denon or Integra will give you much better value and performance for your money.

A Rythmic FV12 Subwoofer will give you much better performance than most others.

You can't go wrong with Paradigm or PSB speakers.





Quote:
Originally Posted by Daq32 View Post

I'm debating right now what to buy for my first set of hi-fi 5.1 surround sound speakers and AVR. I've researched this pretty extensively and I've narrowed it down to these configurations:

1. $3,530
Anthem MRX300 AVR
Paradigm Speakers
Fronts: Monitor 7s
Center: Center 1
Rears: Atom Monitor
Sub: Monitor Sub 8

2. $3,380 - This setup is the same except instead of Monitor 7s, Mini Monitors.

3. Retail $3,995, but I know people so he offered me a 25% discount so $2,996.
Integra DTR-50.3 (B-stock)
Focal Dome 5.1 Speakers

4. $2696 - Same deal as above but with an Integra DTR-40.3 (a-stock) instead.

Opinions and suggestions are welcome!
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post #7 of 21
3/29/12 at 7:52am
How much is the Anthem MRX300?

Honestly, I have really hard time spending more than $500-700 on a receiver unless I absolutely need some of the options that no other receivers have unless I spend an arm and a leg for.

Other than that, getting a mid range receiver from Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon would be good enough to power most speakers. If I want more power, I rather get an older close out receiver from previous years in the $400 range and buy an Emotiva XPA amp.

IMHO, spend the most money on speakers, next the subwoofer, and the least amount on receiver.
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post #8 of 21
3/29/12 at 8:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NBR View Post

How much is the Anthem MRX300?

.

1k
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post #9 of 21
3/29/12 at 8:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NBR View Post

How much is the Anthem MRX300?

Honestly, I have really hard time spending more than $500-700 on a receiver unless I absolutely need some of the options that no other receivers have unless I spend an arm and a leg for.

Other than that, getting a mid range receiver from Yamaha, Denon, Harman Kardon would be good enough to power most speakers. If I want more power, I rather get an older close out receiver from previous years in the $400 range and buy an Emotiva XPA amp.

IMHO, spend the most money on speakers, next the subwoofer, and the least amount on receiver.

I agree. I would spend about $500-700 max on a receiver and skip the Anthem.

Something like this would be all you should really need:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...specifications

Also, skip the Monitor sub and look at SVS, HSU, Epik, or Rythmik.
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post #10 of 21
3/29/12 at 8:45am
Perhaps if you begged, pleaded, and bribed, you could get a seat at this upcoming event just north of you:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1324185

That would put quite a few speakers in front of you for consideration.

Warning: I'm a Salk fanboy! And I'll be there as well!!
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post #11 of 21
3/29/12 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daq32 View Post

I'm debating right now what to buy for my first set of hi-fi 5.1 surround sound speakers and AVR. I've researched this pretty extensively and I've narrowed it down to these configurations:

1. $3,530
Anthem MRX300 AVR
Paradigm Speakers
Fronts: Monitor 7s
Center: Center 1
Rears: Atom Monitor
Sub: Monitor Sub 8

2. $3,380 - This setup is the same except instead of Monitor 7s, Mini Monitors.

3. Retail $3,995, but I know people so he offered me a 25% discount so $2,996.
Integra DTR-50.3 (B-stock)
Focal Dome 5.1 Speakers

4. $2696 - Same deal as above but with an Integra DTR-40.3 (a-stock) instead.

Opinions and suggestions are welcome!

Might consider:
http://www.rbhsound.com/mc6ct.php
http://www.rbhsound.com/mc616c.php
http://www.rbhsound.com/mc44c.php
http://www.rbhsound.com/sx12.php

There are other good choices by Atlantic Technology and Klipsch. Also like others have suggested, I would look at the Denon 2112CI. If we can help you, give us a call.
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post #12 of 21
3/29/12 at 11:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by PAD View Post

Perhaps if you begged, pleaded, and bribed, you could get a seat at this upcoming event just north of you:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1324185

That would put quite a few speakers in front of you for consideration.

Warning: I'm a Salk fanboy! And I'll be there as well!!

I saw this thread. Explain to me what it is exactly. It seems quite popular by the quantity and frequency of the posts about it. Sounds like some kind of car club for audio nerds.
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post #13 of 21
3/29/12 at 11:50am
Thread Starter 
Everyone keeps recommending the Denon 2312CI to me. I mostly hear negative things about Denon until I posted this. I would love to save some money so if it truly isn't necessary to drop $1k on a receiver, I won't!

So, why the Denon and not Anthem or Integra, besides the savings? I was told the Integra has better video processing and the Anthem has better sound processing by the guys trying to sell me this stuff. How important is that and what do yall think they were referring to when they said that?
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post #14 of 21
3/30/12 at 4:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daq32 View Post

I saw this thread. Explain to me what it is exactly. It seems quite popular by the quantity and frequency of the posts about it. Sounds like some kind of car club for audio nerds.

This is a full range/bookshelf speaker demo gtg. SOme of the folks and speakers that will be there:

Dennis Murphy: Philharmonic 2's - Cannot attend now, but will send speakers
Jim Salk: Salk SoundScape 10's - Confirmed
TJHUB (Duh, it's his house ): Salk HT2-TL w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Merrymaid520: Ascend Tower's with RAAL tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Merrymaid - Confirmed
krzywica: PSB Image T55's
Nuance (me): Salk SongTower RT's w/LCY tweeter - Confirmed
Mrs. Nuance - Confirmed
Warpdrv (50/50)
ALMFamily - Confirmed and is bringing a case of Coke
dlbeck
Randy Bessinger - Confirmed
Dogearz
Shadow Hunter - Confirmed
John (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Mark (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
oppman99 (from Audioholics forum)
jb5200
pennynike1
TurboFC3S (50/50): Vapor Audio Cirrus'
Pet Motel
PAD (Big Red Machine - probable)
Archaea
Gregg (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Kevin (Terry's friend) - Confirmed
Jeff and Kathy - Confirmed

If you are interested in hearing multiple brands in one sitting, then this will be invaluable. You are 78 miles away!
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post #15 of 21
3/31/12 at 5:20pm
Thread Starter 
After agonizing over this decision for weeks, I decided upon the Pioneer Elite VSX-52. Just picked it up on Amazon for $730. That potentially saved me $270 bucks and credit this board for that. Thanks!

Now, I just need to assemble the rest of this beast... Leaning towards the Paradigms for the time being, but bumping up to the Monitor 9s.
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post #16 of 21
3/31/12 at 6:49pm
I run Paradigm monitor 9 v6 and I absolutely love them. Congrats on the new receiver.
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post #17 of 21
4/1/12 at 7:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman View Post

I would advise staying away from Anthem receivers; they have inadequate power supplies and the amplifier power output is pathetic; really a rip-off. The $2000 Anthem puts out much less power than a $600 Denon. See reviews in Home Theater magazine.

Denon or Integra will give you much better value and performance for your money.

A Rythmic FV12 Subwoofer will give you much better performance than most others.

You can't go wrong with Paradigm or PSB speakers.

Looked up the PSB Image T6s online and I like what I see so far. If I were to go with smaller bookshelf surrounds, is it ok to pick the Image B4 or B5s instead of the matching B6s? They are still considered the same series so they should work well with one another right?
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post #18 of 21
4/2/12 at 5:02am
Any good place to buy denon 3312 for around $800 ? I am looking for one as well ..but I see this to be around $1000 +...
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post #19 of 21
4/2/12 at 5:58am
Thread Starter 
Look at that link someone posted earlier in this thread, accessories4less.com. It had a nice selection of Refurbished and reconditioned Denons for cheap. I bought my Pioneer Elite AVR on Amazon and got it at a pretty steep discount. Check there as well.
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post #20 of 21
4/2/12 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daq32 View Post

Looked up the PSB Image T6s online and I like what I see so far. If I were to go with smaller bookshelf surrounds, is it ok to pick the Image B4 or B5s instead of the matching B6s? They are still considered the same series so they should work well with one another right?

You should be fine with the B4 or B5 for surrounds. PSB are nice speakers. I would still consider KEF though
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post #21 of 21
4/3/12 at 8:55pm
Thread Starter 
New question: how do I connect these to my pioneer elite AVR? Which wire (gauge etc...)/wire terminals are best for these? And what about this whole "biwiring" thing?
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