Quote Originally Posted by bfalls
I'm not a big fan of speakers made by non-speaker manufacturer, but there are some Sony speakers which sound very good (SSM7, SSM9, etc..) and received good reviews. Being a noob try to avoid generalities. Judging a company's entire speaker line by listening to their HTIB speakers does them and yourself an injustice. It's like saying all Chinese food is bad because you didn't like one bite.
I don't consider Yamaha a high-end speaker manufacturer. I've heard several of their towers and subs and felt they sounded anemic with very little true low-end. But, I wouldn't judge their entire line from my limited experience. They've manufactured music and sound reinforcement systems for decades, they must be doing something right. Comparing Sony speakers to "white van" speakers isn't fair. Sony doesn't claim their $200-$300 HTIB speakers retail for $1500+/each or try to mislead the consumer by trying to make their speakers look almost identical to high-end lines. Try to keep an open mind, you may get surprised.
My apologies then about sony speakers. I planned on buying the speakers only, and using the current receiver. I was a tad upset having to run to BB to pick up a yammy receiver. But being I spent $250 for a receiver, powered sub, and 5 speakers, I guess they performed well for the price. I should restate my opinion-

Do not buy into Sony's sub $300 home theater packages. I feel that a $100-200 receiver and $200 on some ok speakers would go much further. I apologize for any emotions that I had at that moment making into that blanket statement, I shouldnt have done that.

That being said -

Allow me to say everyone here could really teach a thing or two to the other AV forums.

I tried getting some help with this issue and the only responses I got were -

Doesnt matter if you can use towers as surrounds, return em and get (fill preferred name in here) for $xxx only $xxx more than you wanted to spend.

So I thank everyone here for responding about my question, and not turning it into a "so and so is better than xxx"

I think I found a new home to learn about audio. (got the video part down, but Im a complete noob when it comes to audio, receivers, ohm's, etc)

On another note - I am quite pleased with the ns-777's. I cant wait till the 555's get here (should be mid week next week). Yamaha is definitely not known for being a speaker company - I agree whole heartedly on that one. But I didnt exactly blind buy them. I went to quite a few listening rooms, and previewed quite a few brands.

I was thrilled with both the looks and performance for the price. Are they the best? No. But better than anything Ive ever owned. The wow factor alone (when people see them) is quite a tickler for me. Add good performance at $320 for the 777's and $250 for the 555's, and $120 for the c444 center, and well Im sure you could see where a college student like myself could scream "DEAL!!!!"

Im also finding out that the receiver plays a large part as well. I was shocked at the level of customization that a real receiver includes. You can change just about anything.

On another note - does anyone have any good links to read up on ohm's and the like? I know zero about this and would like to learn. Im not asking for someone to spoon feed, but if you have a link you could share, I would be most grateful.

And once again - this is one of the best, down to earth AV sites Ive been on yet. The members here make it that way - you guys r great.