HT Audio advise: Integra receiver and Monitor speakers
Greetings,
Some great info throughout this forum!
I was hoping to get advise on what I am thinking of purchasing. All advise is most welcome!
The system is for my small home office. I have a Samsung 8000 plasma which I love. I will use the system mostly for music - CD and itunes - and also for home theater. I am trying to keep the budget to under $2,500 for everything including tax, wires, etc.
I've looked at Best Buy and 2 smaller shops. (I live in Essex County, NJ.) At this point I am leaning towards:
- Integra 30.3 receiver
- Monitor RX1 Silver for fronts
- Monitor Silver for center
- Sunfire subwoofer
- Monitor rears, inexpensive
I like the Integra receiver because it goes online for Pandora, and it seems easier to setup. I like that a microphone can be hooked up to facilitate balancing the system especially if I move seats (from my desk to the couch). I also like the interface on the Integra - it seems easier to work with. I've also looked at Pioneer Elite and Denon. I don't see a lot of reviews on the Integra so very curious for feedback.
I was going to try to save $ on the center as my office is small and I felt a smaller center would work but other threads have suggested I am best served to match the center and fronts. Make sense?
Then there is the sunfire. Again, I have a small room. But given that I am not getting floor standing speakers I thought the base would be particularly important for music and it seem well reviewed and certainly sounded great.
I am aiming for the Monitor RX1s because I like the way they sounded! I also heard Definitive, B&W and a few others and preferred these. The dealer was also recommending them and he seemed legit. I know these things are so subjective but I'd love to know your experience with Monitor and the RX1s. There are so many variables and of course I can't hear all the ones I like next to each other so who knows the impact of the different rooms or setups on the speaker.
All help is most appreciated!
Eric