Suggest some speakers for me to look into...

[-B-]

It might be too late for me to post this, but if the 4 Ohm load of the Dyns paired with a Denon receiver worry you, than I would just pick up a cheap amp like the Berhinger A500 from Parts Express. The amp is only about $200.


I've heard that amp with a pair of Dynaudio C-1 bookshelfs, and thought it sounded much better than anything I've ever owned or heard before. Blows my Mackie setup away, imo.

The C-1's are $6500 speakers! I sure hope they sound beter than $1300 Mackies! But from what everyone is saying, not just here, I'm beginning to think that Dynaudio makes some of the most accurate home audio speakers in the world. Judging by the this stereophile article on the C-1s it seems to validity that notion as well.

Regarding the Denon...

Well, I just finished packing the Denon up as the Onkyo came today. I did some comparisons between the two. From what I can tell the Onkyo is pretty much better all around. Here is why I prefer the 708 over the 3310:

1) It supports 4ohm loads
2) Is $50 cheaper
3) Has better bass management options (I can set the crossover on each speaker pair (fronts, center, rears, etc), whereas the Denon was just one setting)
4) Seems to have a slightly lower noise floor compared to the Denon. I hear less hiss when I turn up the receiver when nothing is playing.
5) Sound quality sounds great. As odd as it is, I'd even think it sounds better than the Denon (likely psycho-acoustics).
6) OSD has helpful quick change options (i.e. center channel level, subwoofer level, Audussey stuff if enabled, etc.)
7) Supports HDMI 1.4a

Things I don't like:
1) Doesn't "look" as nice
2) OSD isn't in HD
3) Lacks HD radio.
4) 8-ohm ouput a bit lower than the denon

Those cons aren't really a big deal. The HD radio in the Denon was pretty weak too. The rated power is 110 vs. 120 on the Denon and 0.08 THD vs. 0.05 THD. For 5 channels driven, test results seem to show the difference is more like 85 watts on the Onkyo and 112 no the Denon. This is a 1.2dB difference, so not a big deal. Power consumption is 6.3 amps vs. 7.0 amps.

Other then the listed differences, everything is pretty much the same on the Onkyo. It has networking, same number of connections (minus zone 3 and optical out).

I'm satisfied with the new receiver and feel much better about it than the Denon.

They do, I had them in my home for 2/3 months and still miss them even though my Contour 1.4s are no slouch. Where are you located? If you can go hear a pair. Flint (IG) did a nice review that should be over at the old site.

Glad you like your new Onkyo, you should be plenty happy with it's performance. To me there just isn't another receiver (or the pre) that can compete dollar for dollar. I always found the Denons harder to operate than necessary, I understand the newer GUI is much better, but I have never needed to resort to the Onkyo manual!

 

[yromj]

Yeah, the C1s are fantastic speakers. Someone posted a pic of them as their dream speakers in that thread, and I must agree. The only issue I have w/ them is that their cost is entering KHorn territory. Of course you can't wall mount a KHorn and a C1 doesn't need a corner or a 500 square foot room, either.

John

 

[Maximo]

Well, I just a got a bonus today at work :dance: and got approval from my wife to do as I want :drool:

So here is my current HT setup:

Fronts Athena AS-F2
Surrounds Athena AS-F1
Center Athena AS-B2
Spare speaker Athena AS-B2
SVS 20-39PCi Subwoofer

Denon 3310CI

Room is about 5300 Cubic Feet.

My budget is nearly up to $2K. How best would that money get spent. The sub currently needs to be run 5dB low due to it's limited output in the room (at -10 REF). I also don't mind no longer having matching speakers (and even using the four Athena towers as surrounds and rears). I'm starting to adopt the idea the mains should be were the most speaker money goes. As regards mains, these are my considerations for auditions:
1) SVS MTS
2) Paradigmn Studio 60's
3) PSB Imagine T
4) what others?....

For subs:
1) SVS PB12-Plus
2) SVS PB13-Ultra
3) HSU VFT-15H
4) what others?....

Combination of Speakers and Subs? By the way, the reason I'd prefer towers for the mains is dynamics and efficiency. I don't' care for bass extension. But any bookshelf that match this I am game for as well.

Lastly my new receiver, when I bought it I know it is only rating for 6+ ohm speakers. The SVS MTS is 4ohm so I'd have to get an external amp. The paradigmns are rated 8 ohm, though this sterophile article on the latest versions suggest they are more like 4 ohms.

Here is why 4ohm speakers will not work with my receiver:

Of all those I think you will find the Studio 60's to be the most asthetically pleasing.

 

[FredtheFilmFan]

I have 60's as my mains in the H/T, I think v3's. Currently running without a sub and don't miss is at all on music. Movies, maybe a little...well, a lot. They are smooth and any time that I've had an issue service has always been great on these and my very very very old (20 yrs) Phantoms. The area is just under 8 feet high, about 14 feet wide and 24 feet long in total (kids play area is part of that) and the speakers have no problem filling the area with sound.

Really, the only trouble I've had is when I ran True RTA, I did something and smoked one of the tweeters. I've replaced the tweeter but now I can hear some subtle differences from left to right. Don't know if it's a tweeter problem or a x-over that got a little burnt too. Haven't had time to play. Anyway, love the 60's.

 

[Yesfan70]

It might be too late for me to post this, but if the 4 Ohm load of the Dyns paired with a Denon receiver worry you, than I would just pick up a cheap amp like the Berhinger A500 from Parts Express. The amp is only about $200.


I've heard that amp with a pair of Dynaudio C-1 bookshelfs, and thought it sounded much better than anything I've ever owned or heard before. Blows my Mackie setup away, imo.

The C-1's are $6500 speakers! I sure hope they sound beter than $1300 Mackies!.............

Correct, but that comparison wasn't the point I was trying to make but more or less just suggesting on getting an el cheapo "get me by amp" if you were set on the Dyns and were worried about whether or not the Denon could handle them. Since you sent the Denon back (and seem to be more satisfied with the Onkyo), it's a moot point now.

 

[goaliechris]

+1 for Dynaudio. I have a pair of Contour S3.4s for my main speakers and a set of Audience 52SEs for surrounds. If you don't mind looking at used, I think you can get some great values. There was a pair of S3.4s on audiogon.com going for $2300, which is over your budget, I know. The 52SEs are fantastic bookshelf speakers and can be had for around $800 a pair used. Otherwise, as has been previously mentioned, there are some very trusted members here who can help with new ones.

I have heard great things about the new Magepan 1.7s, which retail for $1700 I think. I have not heard them yet so I can't speak personally to their sound but from what I understand they are a great value. However, probably very low on the WAF (wife approval factor) as they are pretty tall.

Good luck - half, okay a quarter, of the fun is auditioning different speakers and seeing what you like.

 

[Randy]

These should be easy for you to "look into"

:teasing-tease: