Speaker Selection for HT - Marantz NR1604

[AV55]

Hi,

I have been a member for just about 2-3 weeks and I am really impressed the way FM are helping each other. I need suggestions for my small HT. The detail is as under.

A) Dedicated HT of about 225 sq. ft (14' x 16') area.
B) Ceiling height of about 11 ft.
C) Two sides of the room are sliding glass doors - which I will cover with heavy curtains.
C) Movies 70% and Music 30%.
D) AVR - Marantz - NR 1604
E) Source: Tata Sky / Blue Ray DVD / Internet downloaded movies.

Please suggest me a good 5.1 Ch speakers for this setup. The budget for 5.1 is about 50 K. Wall mounting is preferred however I can consider FS for the front if sound quality is going to make a real difference. I will take a audition prior to finalization but I need from FM the good makes and model no.s of the speakers.

Thanks.

AV55

 

[ghatgepatil]

If you are looking at procuring FS (as fronts) in the 5.1, within a strict budget of 50 +/- 5, then the Pioneer package already discussed in the Forum is about the best buy. Sonodyne comes a close second, though, would be little more taxing on your pockets.

 

[ps_sonic]

Since I will be using it for movies & am worried about the low end so sticking to FS speakers which can do the job of a subwoofer to a certain extent.

 

[Nick101]

If u don't want an extra subwoofer than u can look at jamo 626 . There is a 8 inch subwoofer in each floor stander .

 

[piyush78]

Energy RC micro 5.1 is a decent HT system with wall mountable sats & a decent subwoofer for the low end & is well within your budget ( approx. 36k).What price did you pay for marantz?

 

[spirovious]

Even Boston package is worth.

 

[efernand1]

Hi

The Bostons work well with the Marantz and this I can tell from experience for over a year now. I use the Satellite speakers and they are any day better than Bose cubes and true value for the money you spend....I have a 200 sq ft area and use around 45% volume to get room filling sound and good movie theatre experience....

If you are inclined towards bookshelfs...you may want to look at the following package

Boston Acoustics A 2310HTS Home Theater Speaker Package

OR Wharfedale

Wharfedale Obsidian 600 Home Theatre Package


I feel the below combination should meet your requirements....

Floor Standers

Boston Acoustics A 250 Floorstanding Speaker

Centre

Boston Acoustics A 225C Center Channel Loudspeaker

Rear

Boston Acoustics A 25 Speaker

You can add the Subwoofer now or later....

Boston Acoustics ASW 650 Subwoofer

Hope this helps....you can purchase the speakers where available for less with warranty where possible.



Hope this helps....

 

[AV55]

I think I will settle for Boston 5.1 package (A 2310). But please tell me if this A2310 is good enough to enjoy just good quality music too - without the movie?

 

[spirovious]

I think I will settle for Boston 5.1 package (A 2310). But please tell me if this A2310 is good enough to enjoy just good quality music too - without the movie?

For music,you need to use SW too.Looking at driver size,they are better for movies than music.

 

[efernand1]

Hi AV55

I use the Boston Acoustic Soundware 5.1 satellites and do get good music out of them including movies...they match perfectly with the Marantz...you can do the automatic setup (audyssey) or manually adjust the tonal quality of each speaker and enjoy both the music and movie experience....the Manual Adjustable EQ helps a lot including M-DAX which helps cleans up MP3 music to a great extent.....I am sure the A2310HTS would be better than the satellites....if possible audition the same or view some YouTube videos to understand better...

 

[rayvonnee]

Hi AV55

I use the Boston Acoustic Soundware 5.1 satellites and do get good music out of them including movies...they match perfectly with the Marantz...you can do the automatic setup (audyssey) or manually adjust the tonal quality of each speaker and enjoy both the music and movie experience....the Manual Adjustable EQ helps a lot including M-DAX which helps cleans up MP3 music to a great extent.....I am sure the A2310HTS would be better than the satellites....if possible audition the same or view some YouTube videos to understand better...

Which model do you have the soundware xs or the s??

 

[AV55]

Now almost certain to go for the BA - A2310 speaker set. Shall try to get an audition prior to closing the deal. If it does not meet my expectation, I can always upgrade in future.

Thanks everyone. You all have given me a good valuable input.

 

[Vinay2013]

Now almost certain to go for the BA - A2310 speaker set. Shall try to get an audition prior to closing the deal. If it does not meet my expectation, I can always upgrade in future.

Thanks everyone. You all have given me a good valuable input.

Can also check Wharfedale DX1 5.1 set. Should be available in your budget though price of these have increased significantly. Tannoy HTS1 is another option.

Also carry your AVR to audition if possible

 

[Vinay2013]

Also Marantz products are known for their musical capabilities and to enjoy it to the fullest (in pure direct mode) Bookshelf or Floor standers are more appropriate. Satellites can't do the justice but at the same time you need to check the power handling capabilities as Marantz's slimline receivers have less power.

Audition is the key. Please do not go blindly to suggestions as everybody has their own taste and they can advise you based on their personal experience only.

Happy auditioning

 

[efernand1]

Hi rayvonnee,

I use the Boston Soundware XS 5.1 speaker set.

Hi vinay2013

Marantz may quote itself as underpowered and before I purchased the same, I auditioned some music and movies....the Marantz was connected to Focal speakers and it easily handled the same in a demo room as big as 200 sq ft at half volume. I have the NR1601 connected to KEF Cresta 10 Bookshelf which work very well without a sweat!

The Denon X500 infact did not run the Focals properly and the sound was hollow....something was indeed missing....depth...clarity etc...

Hi AV55

Whichever brand of speakers you choose....Make sure that the impedance of speakers are same or more than the AVR or amp.....YouTube has videos of almost all Boston speakers which are running on either Marantz AVRs or SONY ......

Matching Amps and Speakers - Do we Need to Worry?

Hope this helps....

 

[Vinay2013]

Hey efernand1

I have used NR1402 with Energy micro 5.1 and it is great value for money but I have auditioned SR 5007 as well and I know the difference in power.

I have suggested to go and audition as much options as possible. I have nothing against any particular company. Whatever sounds good to my ears are good for me.

As i could see from various posts of yours, your suggestions are always taking round around Marantz and Bostons. I can understand people suggests what best suits them but every individual is different and have different taste.

Boston soundware is great value for money but somehow I don't like the shape and appearance of it. Also in one of the reliance showroom I saw torn paints from the grills.

It is our hard earned money and should be spent wisely even in the so called budget set up, which actually is not a budget relatively (compared to US, Dubai, etc).

Thanks

 

[efernand1]

Hi Vinay2013

Well as you said it, we as forum members are here to suggest and it is upto the individual to decide what appeals to him and his budget....my posts very clearly mentions this and this is what HFV is about, to provide first hand experience and opinions to members who have the final call to decide what's best for them.

Everyone has the right to express his / her opinion. You may have had a bad experience with Bostons while mine was a good one....ofcourse Auditions and budget is key in any case....

 

[amitksvs]

Now almost certain to go for the BA - A2310 speaker set. Shall try to get an audition prior to closing the deal. If it does not meet my expectation, I can always upgrade in future.

Thanks everyone. You all have given me a good valuable input.

@AV55, what did you finally choose? BA S5.1 or XS5.1 or HTS2310? I am in the same dilemma, while I know S5.1 or HTS2310 may serve Movies well; I am apprehensive about Music; especially when you listen to lot of classical stuff; so wanted to know your experience.

Friends is it possible to construct a speaker package by taking all the components of HTS2310 and just substituting the front A23s with a pair of A26s??
A23 is 2-way 3 1/2 Bookshelf
whereas A26 is 2-way 6 1/2 Bookshelf.
Frequency range of A23: 80Hz - 25KHz
and that of A26: 51Hz - 25KHz
and I would let the rear surround remain as A23 only; how will it sound? I am doing it because of my music needs.

 

[elangoas]

Friends is it possible to construct a speaker package by taking all the components of HTS2310 and just substituting the front A23s with a pair of A26s??
A23 is 2-way 3 1/2 Bookshelf
whereas A26 is 2-way 6 1/2 Bookshelf.
Frequency range of A23: 80Hz - 25KHz
and that of A26: 51Hz - 25KHz
and I would let the rear surround remain as A23 only; how will it sound? I am doing it because of my music needs.

Yes.. Possible. And you are right... A26 can do lil more than A23 in freq handling..

So if you are considering HTS2310 & BA26 together, that makes it a good 7.1 system, will serve you needs for music/movies...

 

[prash2k01]

try with wharfadle HCT 100................. i will be a good combo