[noboost4you]

I've been reading and reading and reading the wealth of information on these forums and my brain is simply racked. I currently have a mix-match of KLH book shelves, (2) Fisher ST-832, and (2) Pioneer CS-D9000 floorstanding speakers. These are being powered by a Pioneer VSX-D514. This is a fine and dandy setup, albeit old, but were introduced into this new room dedicated to a home theater wired for 7.2. It's time to upgrade everything.


The room size is 24' x 14'.

95% of the time, this AVR will be used for Blu-ray movies. The other 5% is for music/cable TV.

Room correction technology is a plus.

Need the AVR to have the ability to play a movie in the HT as well as cable TV and/or mirror the aforementioned movie in a secondary zone.

Internet apps (i.e. SiriusXM, Spotify, etc) are nice, but certainly not required. We have these apps on another Onkyo AVR and they are rarely used. Same goes for Bluetooth and AirPlay functionality.

3D/4k passthrough is not required now, but would be a nice feature to have.


Would like to stay under $1500, if possible. Have been researching Denon's AVR-X4000, Marantz's SR7007, and HK's AVR-3700. Are these too much machine for my needs? If so, any other suggestions?


Speakers will be upgraded, but have yet to be determined. I understand the importance of upgrading the speakers first, but I want to see if a new AVR could push our existing speakers any further.


Any help would be appreciated. Am open to all suggestions and opinions.

 

[phantom52]

Your best bet IMO would be to upgrade your speakers first then get the AVR. A nice set of 5 speakers and a very good sub is a good start. Buying the AVR first may end up handcuffing you in the future as for your choice of speakers. Be a real bummer to buy the AVR and find speakers you love and realize that the AVR can't drive them like you want. JMHO and the way I would handle this situation. I don't feel like any AVR will make your speakers sound any better. It works the other way around.

 

[noboost4you]

These current speakers are not necessarily bad and I would like to take advantage of the 2 extra surround channels even though I know the center channel makes up the most of the system. I'm not an audiophile by any means. I cannot discern slight differences in speakers. I'm also not against upgrading everything now. However, I have zero idea what speakers to look into. One local A/V store is suggesting B&W speakers paired up with the Marantz SR7007 while another is suggesting Klipsch speakers and an Integra/Parasound amp combo. When in reality, a HTIB system would probably make me happy, but I need book shelf, in-wall and in-ceiling speakers that a HTIB cannot provide.

 

[phantom52]

Give a serious look into the Andrew Jones Pioneer speaker sets that gets very good reviews. They have speakers that will fit your budget easily. Then have money left over for an AVR. All set to go for your budget. Below is a link to the speakers. Google Andrew Jones Pioneer speakers for reviews for them.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Home+Theater+Speakers

 

[jonfitch]

The word you are looking for is "wracked"

 

[noboost4you]

 @jonfitch po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to

@phantom52 The $1500 was for the AVR only. I would add another $3500 for speakers for a total of $5000.

 

[phantom52]



Quote:
Originally Posted by noboost4you  /t/1517370/brained-is-racked-help-suggest-a-7-2-avr#post_24346011

@jonfitch po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to

@phantom52 The $1500 was for the AVR only. I would add another $3500 for speakers for a total of $5000.

Sorry about that. Denon X4000 for AVR, and give the Paradigm speakers that will fit in your budget a serious listen. They have an excellent selection of speakers that are high performers.

 

[Alpharettaboomer]



Quote:
Originally Posted by phantom52  /t/1517370/brained-is-racked-help-suggest-a-7-2-avr#post_24346732


Sorry about that. Denon X4000 for AVR, and give the Paradigm speakers that will fit in your budget a serious listen. They have an excellent selection of speakers that are high performers.

If you live near a FRYS get yourself the RC70's ($700 to $800 a pair) RC LCR Center ($249), RC10 Surrounds (200 a pair) .... Then get yourself the X4000 which you should be able to get for $1000....... Killer system....... These Energys used to go for 3 times as much but have been discontinued and are incredible..... You will be set for years and years to come......

 

[phantom52]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpharettaboomer  /t/1517370/brained-is-racked-help-suggest-a-7-2-avr#post_24346783


If you live near a FRYS get yourself the RC70's ($700 to $800 a pair) RC LCR Center ($249), RC10 Surrounds (200 a pair) .... Then get yourself the X4000 which you should be able to get for $1000....... Killer system....... These Energys used to go for 3 times as much but have been discontinued and are incredible..... You will be set for years and years to come......

Good choice of speakers also but OP wants in-wall and ceiling speakers. Paradigm has some very good sets of these type of speakers in his budget.

http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/type=inwall

http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/type=inceiling

http://www.paradigm.com/products-current/type=inwall-subwoofer

 

[noboost4you]

 @Alpharettaboomer Unfortunately, there is no Fry's in Ohio.

@phantom52 Thanks for the tips. We'll certainly look into the Paradigms as a local store does carry them. Is it better to use the same speaker brand for all 7.2 channels or would it be advantageous to mix and match around the room?

 

[phantom52]



Quote:
Originally Posted by noboost4you  /t/1517370/brained-is-racked-help-suggest-a-7-2-avr#post_24348097

@Alpharettaboomer Unfortunately, there is no Fry's in Ohio.

@phantom52 Thanks for the tips. We'll certainly look into the Paradigms as a local store does carry them. Is it better to use the same speaker brand for all 7.2 channels or would it be advantageous to mix and match around the room?

For the fronts you want to especially match them. The surrounds can be smaller ones but they are also better to match those together also. Hope those Paradigms impress you. I love mine.