Need suggestions for choosing a HT set up

[gman]

Dear all, earlier I tried looking for a HTiB with rear wireless speakers. But I couldn't find too many good options and the ones I saw (or heard!) weren't too impressive :sad:. Violet folks didn't respond properly. So I am now reconsidering to go with wired options .

At the moment I am looking at 50-60k as a budget but if there is something slightly higher but you reckon I shouldn't miss out, I am ok to extend it. I went through numerous threads in the forum but couldn't nail down to any shortlist.

I am open to suggestions whether it is a HTiB or with a combo of AVR + speakers. Open to floorstanders and bookshelf speakers - no constraints, but floor standers would help avoid wiring a bit. Usage would mostly be for watching movies on DVDs, BRays, DTH HD channels. Usage for Music is not a priority. To be used in a living room and not an insulated HT room. so please note I wont be blasting the room at high volume - more of medium range without disturbing neighbors. But I would like to enjoy all the subtle sounds even in chaotic scenes. Crystal clear dialogues are a high priority.

Your suggestions would be of great help!

 

[abhijeet309]

50-60 is a good budget to start with. IMO you should go for separates but have to built slowly. Buy an AVR and three fronts, later add sub and surrounds.
Audition Denon X1000 or Yamaha 473, 475 or Marantz 1403, 1501....these will fit into your budget.
For speakers audition Tannoy, Sonodyne, Klipsch, Jamo, Wharfedale......

 

[gman]

50-60 is a good budget to start with. IMO you should go for separates but have to built slowly. Buy an AVR and three fronts, later add sub and surrounds.
Audition Denon X1000 or Yamaha 473, 475 or Marantz 1403, 1501....these will fit into your budget.
For speakers audition Tannoy, Sonodyne, Klipsch, Jamo, Wharfedale......

Hi Abhijeet, Thanks a lot for your quick response. From my exploration of the forum I saw a few going with Denon X1000 and Wharfedale.

What would be the difference b/w this combo and the Denon 1312 XP (in terms of what we hear)? Does 1312 XP come with an Active Sub? their website isn't telling much about this aspect.

 

[gman]

93 views but only one response...!! Assuming I go with Denon 1713, what would be ideal speaker set to go with it? for a budget of max 30-40K for the speakers. Floorstanders are welcome.

 

[abhijeet309]

For a budget of 30-40 for FS u should look for Tannoys Mercury V4, Sonodyne Sonus 2605, Wharfadale Vardus 400, Dali Zensor 5, PSB Alpha T1, Jamo S606, Jamo S718.....

 

[abhijeet309]

Crystal clear dialogues are a high priority.

Since your priority is clear dialouges, center channel speaker is of prime importance. So while auditioning keep this thing in your mind, choose speaker set whose center is powerful.....

 

[gman]

For a budget of 30-40 for FS u should look for Tannoys Mercury V4, Sonodyne Sonus 2605, Wharfadale Vardus 400, Dali Zensor 5, PSB Alpha T1, Jamo S606, Jamo S718.....

Thanks Abhijeet. are these FS models better than non-FS models? If there are non-FS ones that are better than these can you suggest a few good ones in that category? cheers.

 

[ghatgepatil]

Most important info ...... room dimensions?

 

[gman]

Most important info ...... room dimensions?

Sure. The living room is 14x12, but has a big glass door of 12 ft wide on left side and the room is open on the right side. Basically there are only two walls, 1 for the TV and 1 against which the sofa is placed.

 

[sl4y3r]

Does 1312 XP come with an Active Sub? their website isn't telling much about this aspect.

Yes it does. But since you have got the budget I'd suggest not to go the HTiB way.

 

[abhijeet309]

glass door will be a big problem at your end...... I have some glass shelves in my room, and they vibrate so much when the sound goes above -15db and you have got 12 feet door.....

 

[ghatgepatil]

only satellites fit the bill here ...

 

[gman]

I actually called up hifimart and asked them for their suggestions. Wharfedale MS100 + Denon X500/X1000 or Yamaha 373/473 were their recommendations. Interesting thing they said was that 1713 etc. were old models and that X500 etc. were the latest...

X500 or 1000 vs Yamaya 373 or 473 ? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Btw, what would be a good Blue-Ray player to go with these AVRs? 3D would be just for future compatibility, as I dont have a 3D Tv yet. so please suggest with and without 3D options.

 

[gman]

glass door will be a big problem at your end...... I have some glass shelves in my room, and they vibrate so much when the sound goes above -15db and you have got 12 feet door.....

Thanks for the caution. I am hoping it would be manageable since I wont be playing at loud volumes. I need a HT just for the 'feel' with surrounds and of course a bit of bass. Right now I do have a basic LG HTiB and I didn't have any issue as I never reached such high volumes...so, keeping fingers crossed!

 

[sl4y3r]

X500 or 1000 vs Yamaya 373 or 473 ? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
.

I have never owned a Denon, but i do like how the x1000 looks, I have had good luck with 2 Yamahas I have used.

Do not go in for the x500 or 373 as those are Very basic entry models. Even the x1000 and 473 entry level, but I think with your budget go for them over the x500/373

 

[gman]

I have never owned a Denon, but i do like how the x1000 looks, I have had good luck with 2 Yamahas I have used.

Do not go in for the x500 or 373 as those are Very basic entry models. Even the x1000 and 473 entry level, but I think with your budget go for them over the x500/373

Thanks sl4y3r. The difference b/w X500 and X1000 seem to be more of internet features etc. which I am not keen on. In terms of specs of performance they seem to be at par (just 5W additional power per speaker in X1000)...Of course USB is missing in X500. I would mostly be using DTH and DVD/BRs. However, if you have any other suggestions in terms of better 'experience and feel' (and not necessarily more powerful/loud bass), please let me know. cheers.

 

[raghu91]

Thanks sl4y3r. The difference b/w X500 and X1000 seem to be more of internet features etc. which I am not keen on. In terms of specs of performance they seem to be at par (just 5W additional power per speaker in X1000)...Of course USB is missing in X500. I would mostly be using DTH and DVD/BRs. However, if you have any other suggestions in terms of better 'experience and feel' (and not necessarily more powerful/loud bass), please let me know. cheers.

Hey, I bought an x1000 recently. HiFiMart guys are right, the X series are the new models (2013). About the difference between X500 & X1000, I find the network feature useful. Apple Airplay and Spotify are both very useful to me. The other reason why I went for X1000 over X500 is that X1000 comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT. Can make a great deal of difference. Checkout a few videos on YouTube. Good luck!

 

[sl4y3r]

However, if you have any other suggestions in terms of better 'experience and feel' (and not necessarily more powerful/loud bass), please let me know. cheers.

A Internet feature may not be useful for you today but 6 months down the line you may want to use it, will you spend 30 again ? No right ? Future proof youself my friend. Something I usually try to do, especially when the month is good and budget is not too tight (in your case your budget of 50-60k is good!) If you simply look at the back of the x500 you will see the cost cutting that has been done, no proper terminals with support for banana plugs, but instead cheap spring based connectors that are used on 15k systems by Phillips and LG.

Honestly I am speaking out of experience, When buying my AVR it was a bad month(financially) and my brother told me to go in for a 7.1 AVR, I did'nt, and see whats happened ? My AVR is on the "For sale section" as I have decided to expand my setup to 7.1

Sorry for the long read, just don't want you to do what I did, especially when you have a good initial budget.

 

[gman]

A Internet feature may not be useful for you today but 6 months down the line you may want to use it, will you spend 30 again ? No right ? Future proof youself my friend. Something I usually try to do, especially when the month is good and budget is not too tight (in your case your budget of 50-60k is good!) If you simply look at the back of the x500 you will see the cost cutting that has been done, no proper terminals with support for banana plugs, but instead cheap spring based connectors that are used on 15k systems by Phillips and LG.

Honestly I am speaking out of experience, When buying my AVR it was a bad month(financially) and my brother told me to go in for a 7.1 AVR, I did'nt, and see whats happened ? My AVR is on the "For sale section" as I have decided to expand my setup to 7.1

Sorry for the long read, just don't want you to do what I did, especially when you have a good initial budget.

sure. I get you.
Also the 5.1 v7.1 seems to be like opening a can of worms. so many views for and against each. In my case the sofa will be placed against the wall. Moving the sofa away from the wall is ruled out. So thinking of settling with 5.1. Your thoughts?

 

[gman]

Hey, I bought an x1000 recently. HiFiMart guys are right, the X series are the new models (2013). About the difference between X500 & X1000, I find the network feature useful. Apple Airplay and Spotify are both very useful to me. The other reason why I went for X1000 over X500 is that X1000 comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT. Can make a great deal of difference. Checkout a few videos on YouTube. Good luck!

Hi Raghu91, Thanks for your response. And yes I forgot to mention about Audyssey. Will check out the videos.. cheers.