Home Theater 5.1 - Recommendation for Purchase with 1L budget

[ayrus]

Hello Friends,

I am based out of chennai and am looking for guidance for my first Home Theater Purchase (30-40% time on movies and 50-60% music listening - ~ 1 Lakh Budget)

I have auditioned few brands and got mighty confused as all of them sound good and hence my post here for recommendations from gurus on this portal.

My initial thoughts for my Open Living/dining Room of size: 16 x 26Feet are:

AV Reciever: Yamaha 675 or Yamaha 475 (understand this is one of the best available AV's)

Speakers : Tannoy / KEF / Polk (not sure if there are better brands though)


Will appreciate if any specific models/makes are recommended for my immediate purchase.

cheers
Surya

 

[efernand1]

Hi Surya

Well congrats and it seems you have a nice budget for a decent Home Theatre...you should audition a few models and add them to your wish list then the next thing is to read the tons of reviews and videos posted by users across the world who are using or have used the models you are interested in.

Thumb rule.....Home Theatre systems ....the Centre speaker and subwoofer are the most important and have to be of high quality....the other speakers are just passengers to provide support and effects during a course of a movie...

Speakers need to deliver all the frequencies a human hear can hear (20hz to 20khz) and has to be of good built quality (Kevlar cones, Dome Tweeters, treated paper cones etc) Speakers which have a higher sensitivity perform better and even low powered amps can drive the speakers well ..speakers should be higher than 89db..... Impedence is also important....6 to 8 ohms...

The AVR should be able to provide power across all frequencies (20hz - 20khz) and should be almost at the same impedence like the speakers....There are some top brand avrs which claim to deliver high power...mind you this so called claim is only at 1khz frequency...so matching the amp + speakers is very important...

I have used different Home Theatre systems over the past 11 years and with changing times have used almost all reputed brands.....last march I purchased a Marantz NR 1402and the experience is awesome.....I use boston acoustics soundware XS speakers and the combination is so good that I have not heard anything better all these years....

You can look at Marantz NR or SR series which work well with the Marantz...

End of the day...all depends on what appeals to you and your budget....you can search for posts on First Home Theatre and also click on my name for other related posts.

 

[ayrus]

Hi efernard,

Many thanks for your prompt response..

I will also looking into the combination that you have suggested;

I have been going through all the information available on internet and got confused. I have started with a budget of INR 50K and now looking at 1 - 1.3L because of the feedback that I got from various shops.

I am currently looking at:

AVR:
Denon X1000
Yamaha - 475 (or 675 if it is in my budget)

Speakers
Polk Audio TSX550T ( Tower Speakers)
Polk Audio TSX 250 T
TSX 110T
PSW 125 (Sub Woofer)

and a Tannoy package available at "http://htstore.in/index.php?route=product/product&path=18_73&product_id=189"

I have read some reviews where Polk is not so highly rated as Tannoy and other brands
Please can you advise me on pros and cons on my selection (I am a complete newbie in this area)

thanks
Surya

 

[ayrus]

Hi efernand1,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

I have started with an initial budget of INR 50K and increased the budget to 1.2-1.3 Lakhs after meeting several dealers and auditioning few brands.

I have auditioned some good brands and they all sounded well (and same to me) and here I am after 6 months.

Wiht whatever limited understanding that I have, I have narrowed down to following:

AVR:
Denon X1000 (ProFX guys rated this over Yamaha 475)
Yamaha 475

Speakers (All from POLK Audio; they are currently offering 15-20% discount on their product range)
Polk 550T
TSX 250 T
TSX 110 T
PSW 125


I am also looking at the Tannoy 7.1 Stereo package available at : http://htstore.in/index.php?route=product/product&path=18_73&product_id=189

Again not sure if these are best; but am open to look at some good brands.

Will try to audition the brand that you are currently owning; btw how much would that cost now?

Please can I have your thoughts on pros and cons on the model that I have shortlisted.

thanks again...
surya

 

[Premblr]

I have the Polks with Denon 1000 brought from PROFX, very much happy with the performance at the price point.

 

[subbubusk]

Hi efernand1,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

I have started with an initial budget of INR 50K and increased the budget to 1.2-1.3 Lakhs after meeting several dealers and auditioning few brands.

I have auditioned some good brands and they all sounded well (and same to me) and here I am after 6 months.

Wiht whatever limited understanding that I have, I have narrowed down to following:

AVR:
Denon X1000 (ProFX guys rated this over Yamaha 475)
Yamaha 475

Speakers (All from POLK Audio; they are currently offering 15-20% discount on their product range)
Polk 550T
TSX 250 T
TSX 110 T
PSW 125


I am also looking at the Tannoy 7.1 Stereo package available at : Tannoy Vi Transformer

Again not sure if these are best; but am open to look at some good brands.

Will try to audition the brand that you are currently owning; btw how much would that cost now?

Please can I have your thoughts on pros and cons on the model that I have shortlisted.

thanks again...
surya

Polk speakers as per ur choice looks awesome but avr x1000 is under rated for driving 550 i think , go for x2000 or yamaha 675 avr. better audition with both.Go with Polk you will be never disappointed.Even it is good for music too.

 

[ayrus]

Thank You Subbubusk/ Premblr,

Any thoughts on Tannoy 7.1 Stereo package (link in my earlier thread)

 

[efernand1]

Hi ayrus

To be absolutely honest, I did visit a ProFx shop in Mumbai and auditioned the Polk speakers with PSW 125 subwoofer with a Denon receiver and it was bad...Hotel California live was sounding crap.... movie clip from 2012 did not really impress me at all....see the below video links which are from some users who have purchase Marantz, Boston speakers and even a marantz with polk speakers..


BOSTONS A series with Marantz 5007
Boston A Series And Marantz SR 5007 Sound Test In HD - YouTube

Marantz 5007 with other speakers
Klipsch Synergy F3 7.2 system - YouTube

POLK with Marantz AVR
Marantz-Bic Acoustech-Panasonic-Polk Audio-PS3 - YouTube


Boston Soundware with Sony AVR
Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System with a Sony STRDH810 Amp - YouTube


POLK + ONKYO AVR

Polk Home Theatre 5.1 - YouTube

The setup i use at home (AVR NR 1402 + Boston Soundware XS speakers) amounted to 48k ...the same NR 1504 + Boston Soundware XS speakers are available as combo deal for 51k odd on HiFiMart.....if you want to use bigger speakers you can use the same receiver with Bostons A2310HTS speakers....also available on HiFi Mart.....still if you want more bigger the following setup will cost almost 70k for speakers only.....A250 Boston Floor Standers....A225c Boston Centre speaker, A25 Boston Bookshelf for rears and ASW650 for a powerful subwoofer....

If you got your mind set on the Polk speakers you choose...they are good as their sensitivity levels are high 90db and above......the Denon X 1000 may fall a bit short....honestly when you crank up the volume of the Denon...it starts sounding empty and lacks punch....you should seriously consider a Marantz SR series thats SR 5006 or SR 5007. Since the speakers have a higher sensitivity you can even use the X 1000 with not much issue...but it may lack the actual punch....you may need to read this link about amps + AVRs...

AV Receiver and Amplifier Power Ratings Trends: How and Why Wattage Ratings are Manipulated | Audioholics

End of the day it depends on what appeals to you and your budget.....see videos and read reviews before you make your final choice.....hope this helps. I have spent a good 3 months on auditions and reading reviews and finally took a decision to settle for the Marantz + Bostons as it is value for money and meets my requirements...

 

[Jinxed]

Hi ayrus

To be absolutely honest, I did visit a ProFx shop in Mumbai and auditioned the Polk speakers with PSW 125 subwoofer with a Denon receiver and it was bad...Hotel California live was sounding crap.... movie clip from 2012 did not really impress me at all....see the below video links which are from some users who have purchase Marantz, Boston speakers and even a marantz with polk speakers..


BOSTONS A series with Marantz 5007
Boston A Series And Marantz SR 5007 Sound Test In HD - YouTube

Marantz 5007 with other speakers
Klipsch Synergy F3 7.2 system - YouTube

POLK with Marantz AVR
Marantz-Bic Acoustech-Panasonic-Polk Audio-PS3 - YouTube


Boston Soundware with Sony AVR
Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System with a Sony STRDH810 Amp - YouTube


POLK + ONKYO AVR

Polk Home Theatre 5.1 - YouTube

The setup i use at home (AVR NR 1402 + Boston Soundware XS speakers) amounted to 48k ...the same NR 1504 + Boston Soundware XS speakers are available as combo deal for 51k odd on HiFiMart.....if you want to use bigger speakers you can use the same receiver with Bostons A2310HTS speakers....also available on HiFi Mart.....still if you want more bigger the following setup will cost almost 70k for speakers only.....A250 Boston Floor Standers....A225c Boston Centre speaker, A25 Boston Bookshelf for rears and ASW650 for a powerful subwoofer....

If you got your mind set on the Polk speakers you choose...they are good as their sensitivity levels are high 90db and above......the Denon X 1000 may fall a bit short....honestly when you crank up the volume of the Denon...it starts sounding empty and lacks punch....you should seriously consider a Marantz SR series thats SR 5006 or SR 5007. Since the speakers have a higher sensitivity you can even use the X 1000 with not much issue...but it may lack the actual punch....you may need to read this link about amps + AVRs...

AV Receiver and Amplifier Power Ratings Trends: How and Why Wattage Ratings are Manipulated | Audioholics

End of the day it depends on what appeals to you and your budget.....see videos and read reviews before you make your final choice.....hope this helps. I have spent a good 3 months on auditions and reading reviews and finally took a decision to settle for the Marantz + Bostons as it is value for money and meets my requirements...

Did you visit their Mulund showroom by any chance? Cuz even I did visit d same place n made bad opinion about d Polks but a visit to couple of other dealers n other ProFX stores made me change my mind. I own the 330T with Denon X1000 n believe me the soundstage is huge for a large living room/hall.

 

[efernand1]

Hi jinxed,

Yes I did...overall did not like the experience....being a DJ for all these years...I go right down to technical aspects in terms of punch, depth, performance and ofcourse value for money and honestly the polks did not make me go WOW.....the RTi A series are good to some extent....I somehow don't agree with the Denon AVRs.....I was given an option to either purchase the Denon X 500 or Marantz NR 1402 for the same price last year...in terms of performance , connectivity, depth etc etc...I opted for the Marantz and I am a happy user.

 

[Jinxed]

I beg to differ, the problem are not those speakers but the place u reviewed them. Those speakers sound awesome anywhr else but that particular ProFX place. In addition, the person who manages that Mulund store is a total NOOB. I personally felt the floorstanders sound much better at my home than anywhr I reviewed them. I bought the Denon from Fairdeal. Imran gave me a price I couldn't resist. I did review the other brands including Marantz but had to go for Denon as they pair well with Polks. Got this same feedback even from Imran.

 

[ayrus]

Hi jinxed,

Yes I did...overall did not like the experience....being a DJ for all these years...I go right down to technical aspects in terms of punch, depth, performance and ofcourse value for money and honestly the polks did not make me go WOW.....the RTi A series are good to some extent....I somehow don't agree with the Denon AVRs.....I was given an option to either purchase the Denon X 500 or Marantz NR 1402 for the same price last year...in terms of performance , connectivity, depth etc etc...I opted for the Marantz and I am a happy user.

Hi efernand1,

I auditioned Polk 550T yesterday by playing the tracks that I like including Hotel California; It didnt make me feel WOW.

Thank you for your detailed inputs in your earlier threads; I am little overwhelmed with the information that you have provided; this stuff is new to me, am slowly understanding.. Thanks again..

Surya

 

[sash]

Also i suggest you audition the Tannoy package. Unlike Polk, Tannoy will do you good for music too. The Tannoy Mercury V4 (the package you were referring to) is probably the best value for that kind of money out there.
Polks are great for movies and the 550t is one of the newest and best from the Polk stable.
Also note Tannoy's ports are on the back of the speaker whereas Polk's ports are at the front. Speakers with ports on the back require some breathing space and need to be spaced a little away from the back walls.
About Polk, some people love the sound, some people cannot stand. On the other hand, i haven't seen anyone trashing the Tannoys - i have heard it and absolutely loved it.

 

[ayrus]

Also i suggest you audition the Tannoy package. Unlike Polk, Tannoy will do you good for music too. The Tannoy Mercury V4 (the package you were referring to) is probably the best value for that kind of money out there.
Polks are great for movies and the 550t is one of the newest and best from the Polk stable.
Also note Tannoy's ports are on the back of the speaker whereas Polk's ports are at the front. Speakers with ports on the back require some breathing space and need to be spaced a little away from the back walls.
About Polk, some people love the sound, some people cannot stand. On the other hand, i haven't seen anyone trashing the Tannoys - i have heard it and absolutely loved it.

Hi Sash,

Thank you for your feedback..

I am trying to audition Tannoy in Chennai but unfortunately, I am not able to find one; any suggestions ?

Found one in Bangalore but I need to travel from Chennai just for the audition. If I can find any AV guys dealing with Tannoy in Chennai, it will be great..

Surya

 

[ayrus]

Hi,
There is a company in chennai who is dealing with Tannoy; I am meeting them to audition; will update my experience later this evening...

 

[sash]

Hi,
There is a company in chennai who is dealing with Tannoy; I am meeting them to audition; will update my experience later this evening...

Good. Please audition it with the receivers that you will be buying or multiple receivers in your budget/shortlist. Since this is a 5.1 setup, try to audition in that setup instead of a 2.1 setup if you can help it.
Also audition it with and without a subwoofer.
Most importantly listen at volume levels that you will actually use at your home Ex: if you have dedicated room, you will watch movies at high volumes (83 db or more at your listening position)
If you can, take a reference blu ray with you. I just love the bullet sounds in opening scene of MI-Ghost Protocol, Car bomb blast when Hunt is in the car with the US envoy to Russia, background score of Skyfall, tiger roars in Life of Pi.
Do not forget to post your review here.

 

[ayrus]

Hi Sash,

I went and auditioned Tannoy Speaker package (Mercury V4i + VCi + 2x V1i ) and quite liked what I listened.

Let me please have your thoughts on Mercury V4i + VCi + 2x V1i

thanks

Good. Please audition it with the receivers that you will be buying or multiple receivers in your budget/shortlist. Since this is a 5.1 setup, try to audition in that setup instead of a 2.1 setup if you can help it.
Also audition it with and without a subwoofer.
Most importantly listen at volume levels that you will actually use at your home Ex: if you have dedicated room, you will watch movies at high volumes (83 db or more at your listening position)
If you can, take a reference blu ray with you. I just love the bullet sounds in opening scene of MI-Ghost Protocol, Car bomb blast when Hunt is in the car with the US envoy to Russia, background score of Skyfall, tiger roars in Life of Pi.
Do not forget to post your review here.

 

[grunthos]

Since I just picked up a pair of Dali Zensor 7s and I am very happy with them, just check this review out
DALI Zensor 5.1 Review, Price in India, Specifications - AVMAX on Tech2

There is a Dali dealer in Chennai - here is the list :: > Welcome to Kripa India <::

I am very sure you will really like the Dali sound
And if you think it is exceeding your budget, you can reconfigure by exchanging the Dali Zensor 5s with the Zensor 1

 

[ayrus]

Thank you Grunthos,
Will audition Dali speakers.. Was speaking to a dealer who was dealing with Magnat range, he mentioned that the Magnat speakers are produced in Germany and has ceramic components etc and sound better then other brands in sub 2 lakhs budget. I have not been able read any reviews on Magnat so far..

Any feedback will be helpful..

Thanks

 

[ask4shibu]

Hi everybody
I am on the verge of acquiring my first home theater. My room is 16/8.5. Budget is under 2.5l. and have zeroed in on the following products.
BenQ short throw projector
Fixed frame screen
Denon AV receiver
speakers... not yet decided....
I await your valuable suggestions....