New to Audio, Wharfedale and Mcintosh?

[RGA]

Watts really are not that important - the power supply and the speakers are. Some speakers will play louder with 1 watt than other speakers will play with 100 watts. And the quality of the first watt, as it were, is the most critical thing. And McIntosh should murder current receivers.

That amp should allow you some extra cash for speakers(hich is where the bulk of the dollars should go). I like the Wharfedales - I own some of the best Wharfedale made back in the late 1980s. The Diamonds are a good budget line but I think you want to consider several options here before you buy anything.

Firstly Do you want to eventually build home theater? If you do then you want to consider a speaker line that offers a matching center and rear speakers - don't wait too long because a lot of companies bring out new lines ever 2-4 years and then you have a tough time matching. Chances are the Mac can't do home theater like the HK.

If you care about music mostly and movies now and then then you can certainly buy TWO really good speakers and watch movies through them - two good spekaers is always better than 5.1 speakers for the same money. Find a specific budget you're willing to pay but listen to speakers and gear well out of your price range - I heard a $50,000.00 system and several well beyond that - not because i have any intention of getting it but becuase i needed a reference of what is some of the best available - some of those companies have cheaper speakers that resemble those expensive systems. Which is what I bought - I could not afford the dream system but I can get relatively close for saner money.

Secondly - consider the floorstander versus standmount scenario - inexpensive floorstanders like the 804 have more bass but they also have more box resonances than their standmounts - some people argue that it is better to buy say the Diamond 8.1 and a good subwoofer - This may or may not be better but something you will have to explore.

I reviewed several budget speakers here not long ago - there may be a few for you to consider auditioning - never go solely by a review of course but there may be some in here you had not considered and some you may end up liking a helluva lot more than the Wharfedale's - then again maybe not - these are pretty long posts in order.

RGA reviews <$1,000.00 Loudspeakers - Wharfedale, Athena Technologies etc., page 1.
RGA Reviews <$2000.00 Page 2, Epos, Audio Note, Paradigm, B&W etc.
RGA Reviews Page 3 - yes still more.

[TessierAshpool]

Hey RGA - thanks for the really thorough response!

I'm building this primarily for music, and yes, I'm on a budget so what I've heard about wharfedale's has been pretty positive. They've just come out with the Diamond 9 line which is supposed to be even better than the 8's, so I'm actually thinking about saving up for those (now that I don't have to drop a lot on a receiver).

Thanks for the links to the threads - I'ma peruse them and get back to you. Once again, I really appreciate all the info and will post back when I get it all set up, speakers blaring my mind into infinity.

-TA

[RGA]

Hey RGA - thanks for the really thorough response!

I'm building this primarily for music, and yes, I'm on a budget so what I've heard about wharfedale's has been pretty positive. They've just come out with the Diamond 9 line which is supposed to be even better than the 8's, so I'm actually thinking about saving up for those (now that I don't have to drop a lot on a receiver).

Thanks for the links to the threads - I'ma peruse them and get back to you. Once again, I really appreciate all the info and will post back when I get it all set up, speakers blaring my mind into infinity.

-TA

Well Wharfedale is now owned by Quad as is Mission. I liked what I have heard from Wharfedale - for the money they've been solid for decades - they had some problems in the mid 90s and were bought by a CHinese company and seemed to only be selling junk stuff at Costco - but QUad has stepped in and basically bought the name Wharfedale and are putting out some nice speakers again.

The Pacific series got some nice reviews in the british press as well and are apparently not much money either - but as always everything gets a good review from the press so you still need to listen.

[topspeed]

When did Quad buy Mission? What else does Quad own? Are they trying to become the Harmon of Europe?