Building a HT: Should I build around AVR or around Speakers?

[maverickk]

Friends, am a newbie in the world of Audio and want to build a decent sounding Home Audio System. My room size will be 14 x 16 and most of the time it will be HD-TV (Tata Sky) & 30% of time FM & Music (No loud music. Old English/Hindi songs).

Few things which are non-negotiable:

• I prefer Floor Standers & will go for these only. No book shelf/satellite
• I will not need a 5.1 setup. At best a 3.1 will be enough for me.
• I will start with a basic 2.0 setup

Now, my query is that since I plan to build step by step (and not go a HTiB route), should I select a AVR first and then decide which speakers will go with it or should I decide speakers that I like the sound of and then go deciding the AVR?

Till now, have heard Marantz, & Denon AVRs with JAMO, KEF & Polk

• Denon X1000 with Polk TSX 330 / TSX 440
• Marantz (cant remember the model) with Jamo s626 c605

I preferred the sound of Polk TSX440 the best for my liking but the Denon-X1000 that it was paired with is a bit over my budget. Am now confused on should I select the TSX 440 and use the cheapest amp available to drive them or go for a good amp first (and ok-ok floor standers, like Jamo s426) and then later on go for better FS.

Queries:

• What would be a suggestion for an amp, between 20-25K that can play the TSX 440?
• What would be the best amp under 35k if I have to select an amp first? I will be more than happy with 5.1 AVR with support for Wi-Fi/Internet.

Have searched the net for AVR's and am really confused which model is what from which manufacturer which model should I compare it against from another brand :-( Any place where we have an excel kind of comparison of which model is similar to which model across brands?

 

[koushik]

You have mixed things up badly - Your thread title says HT, Post say Home Audio System with old Eng/Hindi songs. Building HT around AVR and then best AMP around 35k

Ok. Let me sort things up a bit -

1. You will go up to 3.1, so I may consider you are looking for an AVR.
2. An AVR to drive floorstander. So it should be juicy.
3. Why do you prefer a FS over BS? Is it for Sound Quality or Looks?
If it is SQ, then lets not make mistake, good BS can kick away a poor FS any day. If it is for looks, no further discussion, till you realise

Would you like to add anything to those points above or correct anything?

For AVRs, better to stick to Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo. Visit showroom, get demo and choose the one within your budget

Ideally, for stereo you build around speakers. But with HT thing is bit different. We build around the AVR and Front L&R together. It is important to know whether your AVR is enough powerful to drive a pair of FS in Front L&R channel or it is better let your sub to do the job. If you forcefully drive a FS with low powered AVR, if will distort and would effect all the channels and would give you muffled sound. You won't be able to hear dialogue properly etc.

 

[maverickk]

You have mixed things up badly - Your thread title says HT, Post say Home Audio System with old Eng/Hindi songs. Building HT around AVR and then best AMP around 35k

See I told you. Am a total newbie

Ok. Let me sort things up a bit -

1. You will go up to 3.1, so I may consider you are looking for an AVR.
2. An AVR to drive floorstander. So it should be juicy.

Yes. Absolutely correct but a 2.0 should be sufficient for me for some time. No need to have 3.1 from day One.

3. Why do you prefer a FS over BS? Is it for Sound Quality or Looks?
If it is SQ, then lets not make mistake, good BS can kick away a poor FS any day. If it is for looks, no further discussion, till you realise

It is a combination of Sound Quality + the assumption that with a good set of FS I can do away for the need of a separate SUB. I listened to TSX 440 and felt that it can do without a sub.

Now please correct me if my assumption that these TSX 440 for 35K odd are not a reasonably OK set for a FS.

For AVRs, better to stick to Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo. Visit showroom, get demo and choose the one within your budget

Ideally, for stereo you build around speakers.

:clapping: Awesome input. It starts to make sense now -- build around speakers for stereo. Now, assume that I finalize TSX 440, which Amp (exact model) would you recommend?

Again, pardon me for my newbie questions.

 

[koushik]

Now please correct me if my assumption that these TSX 440 for 35K odd are not a reasonably OK set for a FS.

Polk Audio TSX series is creating waves recently and people are seems to be happy with what they are listening. Although, I haven't listened to them yet.

Just saw the picture of the speaker, and man! this has drivers all over the place. With 3 x 6.5" mid/bass drivers and rated 43 Hz @-3dB and 91dB sensitivity you will definitely get serious grunt in the lower mid range. How good? Only a audition can tell that.:indifferent14:

So yes, you can do without a sub to begin with but after a while you will start missing a sub, may 6+ months down the line because it will not flap the bottom of your pant.

You will do well to buy a high power rated AVR. Around 90 watt @ 8ohms (<0.1 THD) and the more the merrier hyeah: