Def Tech SM450 VS Cambridge S30

Hi Shish Kabab, get the Definitives, of course!
If you check out the DT owner's thread on this site, you'll see some fanatical lovers of our products and company. We take care of the customer in a way that earns us some points, outside of the sound.
You'll love the SM 450's, even more so when you add a sub later.
They will be fine on an entertainment center, although any bookshelf speaker's dispersion characteristics improve if you should someday decide to put them on stands.
Thanks again for your interest in our products, and let us know when you get them. BTW if you like to play music, we are good at that part. Some products are best for theater only.
Take care - best, Joe

The older Definitive Studio Monitors are nice speakers - however, there is something unique
about the Cambridge speaker. Only you can make that final decision.

fwiw,i own the cambridge audio s-30 and two other pair of more expensive speakers (outlaw bls and the reference 3a mm de capo i) and for the price the s-30 does a fairly good job against the outlaws which are 4x more.they have a very good mid range and a nice low end . tight not sloppy and boomy like other speakers in its price range.a very well rounded little speaker. highly recommanded
Edited by smasher50 - 2/5/13 at 6:12pm

I own the SM450's and are just an awesome room filling speaker. I looooove mine.

The 1612 has over the 1613: a couple of extra analogue inputs, an S-Video / iPOD dock input, and it decodes DD EX and DTS ES.

The 1613 has over the 1612: an ethernet port, DLNA certification, and some Apple-related and streaming features.

Otherwise, they're pretty much the same. You can't go wrong with either one. If you get a good deal on a 1612, snag one; otherwise, get a 1613.

As for speaker wire, 14- or 16-ga. wire from your local hardware store - or from Monoprice.com - is all you need.
Edited by eljaycanuck - 2/6/13 at 10:25am

+1 for both of the above.

Monoprice is also the place to go if you need HDMI or interconnects (RCA cables) unless you are doing runs across a room. If you doing HDMI or RCA runs across a room, then I would look at Blue Jeans cables.

The 1612 will sound exactly the same as the 1613. You can go here to see the difference in GUI, remotes, volume controls, etc. I would onlu go 1613 if the features mentioned there matter to you.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1409431/the-official-denon-avr-xx13-model-owners-thread-faq

I also had the Def Tech SM350's and really liked them. Eventullay upgraded to Def Tech BP8 towers.
Edited by ricemanva - 2/6/13 at 1:07pm

It's not too much for the S30s. And it may be just what you need if/when you move to 3.1 or 5.1. Enjoy it.

From Monoprice:
- 28ga. HDMI cables
- 16ga. speaker wire

Optional (from Amazon.com):
- banana plugs

I have become a Sewell Deadbolt banana plug fan. Order these, love them and extremely easy to use.
http://sewelldirect.com/Sewell-Deadbolt-Banana-Plugs-2-Pair-.asp

I would probably get more than two pair though because you'll want to use them on the receiver terminals and speaker terminals.

I'm a 14ga speaker wire guy myself although I'm sure 16ga would work fine now. Just like the thickness of 14ga wire.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902

I have the Denon AVR 1613, it wont be too much for your s30 speakers at all. Actually would be really nice pairing.

Were you able to get the remote and microphone with your open box receiver?

They'll probably do just fine. Try them out, and if they don't work, get some newer ones.

There is a Denon xx13 owners thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1409431/the-official-denon-avr-xx13-model-owners-thread-faq

Just post your question in that forum. You'll get plenty of help.

Your setup is pretty simple with only 2 speakers.

It's amazing how much you can learn if you just read the manual...

The bic and the Polk psw505 are often mention. I bought the klipsch synergy 10 inch sub from new egg for 179 last month. Good sub.

You picked one up. Cool. I was wondering how they sound.

Also, for another 10", there is the JBL SUB150P for $175 shipped at Newegg. Should work very well in an apartment with the S30 speakers.

If its GE Pro 14AWG wire with copper and silver(its just a silver finish over copper)..then yes it will work fine...I have used it before and thought is was good...your me a year ago looking at wire...