Need help buying a surround sound system

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Cant thank you guys enough for your input, greatly appreciated. I think I have learned enough to make an informed descion. Like I said, I am taking it back for sure. Looked at Bestbuy and found a number of 7.1 recievers with tons of inputs and capable of the HD sound for ~$500. I'm going to go that route and re-use old speakers for the front and purchase new ones in the near future.

Let us know what you get, I'm curious to see what's out there nowadays.

[GoinAllTheWay]

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Will do, in fact, when I get home tonight I would like to post the links to a couple of these recivers I found to see what you guys think.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

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Will do, in fact, when I get home tonight I would like to post the links to a couple of these recivers I found to see what you guys think.

Good idea. Just FYI, when choosing a receiver, considering the size of your room. For me, I have a 7.1, but can't use it, 5.1 max, because my room is small and I don't have the room for the rear surround speakers. Although if you have a bigger room, or thinking you eventually will (i.e. bigger house down the road), then 7.1 is a good choice.

[OBCT]

FWIW, out of those listed on the Bestbuy.ca website, I'd strongly recommend the Denon AVR-789. That's a top notch receiver. If it is within your price range, I'd say go for it (especially if you can get it for $500-$600).

If you need 4 HDMI inputs, I'd recommend the Onkyo TX-SR606 if they carry it.

Otherwise, weigh the pros and cons as you see fit. I'm sure you'll make a great choice. Looking forward to hearing about it!

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by OBCT

FWIW, out of those listed on the Bestbuy.ca website, I'd strongly recommend the Denon AVR-789. That's a top notch receiver. If it is within your price range, I'd say go for it (especially if you can get it for $500-$600).

If you need 4 HDMI inputs, I'd recommend the Onkyo TX-SR606 if they carry it.

Otherwise, weigh the pros and cons as you see fit. I'm sure you'll make a great choice. Looking forward to hearing about it!

As good as the Onkyo 606 is, there are better receivers in the price range that that receiver is in. In the states you can get it for like $250-300, here in Canada you have to pay more than $600 for it. Plus I don't think BB caries it, the only place I saw it was Visions, and it was indeed $600. Although it is a good receiver.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Onkyo is good, is it? Funny thing about them, at both BB and Visions when I was out looking for something unrelated, I saw that brand of reciever being returned at both stores.

Anyways, took a look at BB and FS websites. I think they may have removed a couple as I can't find 1 or 2 others I was looking at but these two are still up.


Yamaha HTR6160 7.2
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...78&catid=20313

Only has two HDMI in but all the sound options I think I'm looking for. What's the 7.2 all about though? I've been told mid priced Yamaha's are pretty good.

This one from Future Shop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0107372&catid=

Think this may be a winner. All the right sound options and 4 HDMI in. Should I worry about upconverter chipsets?

That's just FS and BB anyways, few other sites to check out but waddya guys figure?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

That's just FS and BB anyways, few other sites to check out but waddya guys figure?

http://www.crutchfieldcanada.com/Receivers_s/34.htm

[3 Justin 3]

The Sony is good. Its power per channel is a bit low at only 110, I don't know what the "x 7 Amp Power" means, the 7 might just mean x7 speakers, or if you put a huge sub/amp in the system if you could jack the Wattage up. Either way, decent receiver.

But if it specs are right, it only weighs 8 pounds, that could be worrying because generally (as I have learned), the heavier the better. This is for durabilty. 8lbs is VERY light, mine is 36pounds with the packaging.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Onkyo is good, is it? Funny thing about them, at both BB and Visions when I was out looking for something unrelated, I saw that brand of reciever being returned at both stores.

Anyways, took a look at BB and FS websites. I think they may have removed a couple as I can't find 1 or 2 others I was looking at but these two are still up.


Yamaha HTR6160 7.2
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...78&catid=20313

Only has two HDMI in but all the sound options I think I'm looking for. What's the 7.2 all about though? I've been told mid priced Yamaha's are pretty good.

This one from Future Shop:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0107372&catid=

Think this may be a winner. All the right sound options and 4 HDMI in. Should I worry about upconverter chipsets?

That's just FS and BB anyways, few other sites to check out but waddya guys figure?

I'm not a huge Sony proponent. They don't make a bad product and they do stand behind their stuff, but there are a number of brands that sell models with comparable feature sets at a better value IMO. They have also been known to offer slightly less power than their stated specs imply (allegedly; though supposedly they are not alone in this).

Anyways... of those two, I'd buy the Yamaha. But honestly - and the money is yours to spend! - I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra $80 and upgrade to the Denon AVR-789. I think $600 is a very fair price for that unit (for example, the identical Denon AVR-1909 is $700 @ Crutchfield, an outlet known for it's reasonable prices on electronics). Outside opinions: here, here, here. Long user review(s) here.

In the end, there are many options. There may not be a perfect receiver for you. The big draw (why I'd buy it) of the AVR-789 is it's extra features. Things like Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ are newcomers to the consumer audio market, but they have been met with rave reviews by pros and amateurs alike.

Depending what kind of speakers you'll be running and how loud you want to crank it, you might be better off investing in a more powerful, less feature-laden component (such as the Sony). On the other hand, better, more efficient speakers (ie. Klipsch), require less amplifier wattage to produce higher volume levels.

Conclusion:
If you want a feature future-proofed receiver with enough power to drive efficient speakers to high levels or inefficient speakers to okay levels, get the Denon AVR-789.

If you want a powerful receiver with the ability to drive even inefficient speakers to better levels, get the Sony STR-DG820.

If you want a compromise between the two, then the Yamaha could be for you. They do make good mid-priced receivers.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

The Sony is good. Its power per channel is a bit low at only 110, I don't know what the "x 7 Amp Power" means, the 7 might just mean x7 speakers, or if you put a huge sub/amp in the system if you could jack the Wattage up. Either way, decent receiver.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

But if it specs are right, it only weighs 8 pounds, that could be worrying because generally (as I have learned), the heavier the better. This is for durabilty. 8lbs is VERY light, mine is 36pounds with the packaging.

Agreed. Real world measurements tell the real tale.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

As good as the Onkyo 606 is, there are better receivers in the price range that that receiver is in. In the states you can get it for like $250-300, here in Canada you have to pay more than $600 for it. Plus I don't think BB caries it, the only place I saw it was Visions, and it was indeed $600. Although it is a good receiver.

I did not realize that. Wow, good to know... I'll keep that in mind.

Down here in the States the Onkyo models are usually considered great budget models for the features you get. The one thing Denon has on them is that Onkyo's are notorious for running hot, something some people never get used to.

[T@T]

All I can say is...you get what you pay for. And if you paying $500.00 for a system it will be a waste of $500.00.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by OBCT

I'm not a huge Sony proponent. They don't make a bad product and they do stand behind their stuff, but there are a number of brands that sell models with comparable feature sets at a better value IMO. They have also been known to offer slightly less power than their stated specs imply (allegedly; though supposedly they are not alone in this).

Anyways... of those two, I'd buy the Yamaha. But honestly - and the money is yours to spend! - I wouldn't hesitate to pay the extra $80 and upgrade to the Denon AVR-789. I think $600 is a very fair price for that unit (for example, the identical Denon AVR-1909 is $700 @ Crutchfield, an outlet known for it's reasonable prices on electronics). Outside opinions: here, here, here. Long user review(s) here.

In the end, there are many options. There may not be a perfect receiver for you. The big draw (why I'd buy it) of the AVR-789 is it's extra features. Things like Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ are newcomers to the consumer audio market, but they have been met with rave reviews by pros and amateurs alike.

Depending what kind of speakers you'll be running and how loud you want to crank it, you might be better off investing in a more powerful, less feature-laden component (such as the Sony). On the other hand, better, more efficient speakers (ie. Klipsch), require less amplifier wattage to produce higher volume levels.

Conclusion:
If you want a feature future-proofed receiver with enough power to drive efficient speakers to high levels or inefficient speakers to okay levels, get the Denon AVR-789.

If you want a powerful receiver with the ability to drive even inefficient speakers to better levels, get the Sony STR-DG820.

If you want a compromise between the two, then the Yamaha could be for you. They do make good mid-priced receivers.

The real world difference between a receiver with 90 watts and one with 110 watts is negligable and wouldn't be noticeable to the average person. In order for an amplifier or receiver to make a 3 decibal jump in perceived volume, it needs to double it's power. So, a receiver outputting 200 watts would be 3 Dbl louder with the same set of speakers than one outputting 100 watts. Some good reading on the subject here:http://www.audioholics.com/education...-watts-and-dbs

Denon and Yamaha (As well as Harman Kardon, Onkyo, Marantz) make far better a/v receivers than those made by Sony in their lower lines. The ES line of products that Sony makes are better, but still not as good (imo) as those made by the above listed companies.

I would be willing to bet that 90 watt denon would kick the crap out of that 110 watt sony in lab tests.

Sony makes great TVs, but their av stuff is mostly lackluster.

I have owned a number of Yamaha audio equipment and have never regretted buying it. They make good stuff. I've never owned a Denon, but they have a good reputation so If the OP goes with either of those brands, I'm sure he'll be happy.

A good rule of thumb for buying audio equipment is that ~65-75% of your total budget should go to speakers, as they have the most affect on the sound. Generally any receivers made by the various companies at a similar price point are going to perform roughly the same. A $500 Denon is going to perform about the same as a $500 Yamaha etc. Just buy the one that you like best.

[OBCT]

Originally Posted by T@T

All I can say is...you get what you pay for. And if you paying $500.00 for a system it will be a waste of $500.00.

GoinAllTheWay plans to pay ~$500 for a receiver alone. I don't think this is an unreasonable sum. It makes sense to me to make upgrades as the budget allows.

I don't want to bash you, T@T, but that's my opinion.

Stick with the old speakers until you can afford to dive into some mains that will satisfy you for a good long while; make the old speakers your new surrounds. Add a good sub as the budget permits (this drastically improves the home theater experience). It doesn't have to happen all at once.

[Shazam]

Visions has the 606 for $528 right now. I'm still hemming and hawing if I should get it. I hope LD might price match, since I can't stand Visions.

BB had the Pioneer 1018 for $399 during boxing week. That was a smoking deal.

Too bad this thread wasn't around last week. I would've pushed for the Energy Take Classic for $500, and the Pioneer 1018 for the aformentioned price.

FS has the Energy Take Classic + Yammy and Energy Take Classic + Pioneer for sale right now. Also, you don't really need a receiver that decodes HD codecs if you want HD sound - you can get a BD player that either has analog out (e.g. Panasonic BD55) and connect that way, or you can get a player that decodes the HD codecs into linear PCM via HDMI (e.g. Panasonic BD35, Sony PS3). I'm not sure if there's anything else that uses these HD codecs besides BD.

This allows you to save some money up front, since ~>$500 is what it'll cost you to get a receiver with HD audio, if that matters to you.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Visions has the 606 for $528 right now. I'm still hemming and hawing if I should get it. I hope LD might price match, since I can't stand Visions.

BB had the Pioneer 1018 for $399 during boxing week. That was a smoking deal.

Too bad this thread wasn't around last week. I would've pushed for the Energy Take Classic for $500, and the Pioneer 1018 for the aformentioned price.

FS has the Energy Take Classic + Yammy and Energy Take Classic + Pioneer for sale right now. Also, you don't really need a receiver that decodes HD codecs if you want HD sound - you can get a BD player that either has analog out (e.g. Panasonic BD55) and connect that way, or you can get a player that decodes the HD codecs into linear PCM via HDMI (e.g. Panasonic BD35, Sony PS3). I'm not sure if there's anything else that uses these HD codecs besides BD.

This allows you to save some money up front, since ~>$500 is what it'll cost you to get a receiver with HD audio, if that matters to you.

Hehe, I got the 1018 on boxing day. I was sh..ting bricks standing in the 400 person line in front of best buy (me being about 400th in line), thinking I drove all this way (to Sunridge) for nothing. I run in and when I got it they had about 15 left. Stupid me, either way, worth it.

Only reason why I suggest getting HD codec's decoding as it sort of is futureproof"ish", since down the line he may want a blu-ray player, he may already even have one. He could also go my uncles root and spend a ton on a receiver that has unbelievably high wattage and just wants to blow your a$$ away when you listen. His speakers have a 12" bass woofer, or something, they are like 3 feet across, have a circuit breaker making them "unblowable". He is mad.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by T@T

All I can say is...you get what you pay for. And if you paying $500.00 for a system it will be a waste of $500.00.

I don't agree with this at all. I got my HTiB for $200 and it's far from a waste of money. I don't think it is much of a downgrade from the Yamaha receiver + Energy Take 5.1 system I used to use.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Only reason why I suggest getting HD codec's decoding as it sort of is futureproof"ish", since down the line he may want a blu-ray player, he may already even have one.

The only thing is that you pay a premium for futureproofing. That premium might be able to afford something a lot better down the road if and when HD audio is more mainstream.

Personally, I'm more then happy with standard 5.1 and I doubt that jumping to HD audio from it is a huge leap forward like going from SD to HD video.

[ken0042]

Just to jump in with my 2¢ on those two amps- I am a Sony fan; however unless most of your equipment is also Sony I would recommend getting the Yamaha amp. Sony amps tend to be "pretty good" in my books, whereas Yamaha ones are "very good."

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by OBCT

FWIW, out of those listed on the Bestbuy.ca website, I'd strongly recommend the Denon AVR-789. That's a top notch receiver. If it is within your price range, I'd say go for it (especially if you can get it for $500-$600).

If you need 4 HDMI inputs, I'd recommend the Onkyo TX-SR606 if they carry it.

Otherwise, weigh the pros and cons as you see fit. I'm sure you'll make a great choice. Looking forward to hearing about it!

I'll have to agree with OBCT regarding the Denon. But I do have to mention that I love Denon and Onkyo and I have an extreme dislike for Sony receivers. So my opinion is definitely biased.

And for some reason Onkyo's prices in Canada are definitely way off base. You could order one from the states, pay the exchange, shipping and customs and still be siginficantly cheaper then in Canada.