Opinions/Recommendations Wanted

[Worf101]

I like what Yamaha's doing and my Yammie components are rock solid. But in all the home theatre's I've installed nothing goes in slicker and easier (a concern with a newbie trust me) as Onkyo... I'd recommend the 701... feature laden and pretty solid. Just another suggestion..

Da Worfster

[larrye]

Thanks for the help, guys!

I have listened to a H-K car stereo, and was very unimpressed.

What is interesting is that none of you seem concerned about how well the receiver I choose will match up to speakers. I am a bit surprised. I have read other discussions where the experts seem to really focus on this. I really want to eventually be able to get some good speakers that will have good bass separation. Also, I have heard that some HT receivers are good with the HT, and others are good with stereo. But very few are good with both. I think I might be down to Yamaha, NAD, and Denon (I will have to bring some CDs in and listen to them).

Any recommendations on speakers? Do I have to get a sub in order to get good bass separation?

Larry

[Worf101]

don't believe there's much to this "receiver's having a particular sound" type stuff, particularly with HT receivers. How your speakers sound to you, regardless of the HT receiver is the most important thing.

Da Worfster

[Monstrous Mike]

Thanks for the help, guys!

I have listened to a H-K car stereo, and was very unimpressed.

What is interesting is that none of you seem concerned about how well the receiver I choose will match up to speakers. I am a bit surprised. I have read other discussions where the experts seem to really focus on this. I really want to eventually be able to get some good speakers that will have good bass separation. Also, I have heard that some HT receivers are good with the HT, and others are good with stereo. But very few are good with both. I think I might be down to Yamaha, NAD, and Denon (I will have to bring some CDs in and listen to them).

Any recommendations on speakers? Do I have to get a sub in order to get good bass separation?

Larry

This notion of HT receivers being better at stereo or multichannel is a bit of stretch for me. If you think about it, an HT receiver has 5, 6, or even 7 identical amplifies in it. I don't see how only using the two front channel amps for music and using all amps for surround sound is going to have some kind of sound difference. While this may be cynical, I believe lots of rumours are started and propegated in audio circles that are designed to get you to buy more equipment.

As others have suggested, step one is to get a state of the art HT receiver that will have all the functions you will need for years to come. Right now is a good time to get one. Most mid range products have DD EX and DTS ES processing along with Dolby Pro Logic II. You will likely want one with component video switching because you are eventually going to need it.

I wouldn't worry too much about matching speakers to your HT receiver. Almost all of them are 80-120 watts per channel so there is an extremely large range of speakers that will sound just fine with these receivers.

After your receiver, I think your next purchase should be a decent subwoofer. Again this does not have to "match" with any other component. You will use the LFE output on the HT receiver and the subwoofer will have its own amplifier. A sub is almost a necessity for good DVD movie watching and will give your music listening a low end boost.

Lastly, if you are going to be playing DVD movies you are going to need a minimum of 5 other speakers and perhaps another rear centre channel. At this point, would say you should buy those remaining speakers as a set for two reasons: cost savings for buying them as a package and you want your speakers to be the same brand (i.e. same tweeter for timbre matching.

There are many settings on the HT receiver that you can use to blend your bass management and compensate for speaker placement.

Good luck and post back if you have any further questions.