AVR and Speaker Choices

hoggheaven

I have not purchased anything yet and looking for advice.

I am looking for a mid-range system for mostly movie watching and some occasional music listening. The room is approximately 20x20 (which is open to the kitchen and breakfast areas) and would like to use built-in speakers for a less noticeable look. I am considering the following setup:

AVR: Onkyo TX-SR607
Front two Speakers: Polk RC85i (mounted in wall)
Middle two speakers: Polk RC80I (mounted in ceiling)
Back two speakers: Polk RC80i (mounted in ceiling)
Center speaker: Polk CSi / A6

My house in under construction and so I have the opportunity to run my own speaker wire - any particular wiring recommended? At our local Fry's Electronic store they have 16 gauge wire rated for in-wall installation at $70 per 100' roll.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

obieone

Welcome to Club Polk. The only recommendation I would make, is, if you can, buy Audio Quest CL3 14/2 in wall wire. Or something of similar quality-NOT Monster.
It is about $1/ ft. but, you'll have peace of mind.

hoggheaven

Thanks for the feekback - i will look for that wiring. The AVR and speaker choices will work OK? I was not sure about having all built-ins and did not want to be disappointed with the selection.

hoggheaven

Also, I forgot to ask about a Subwoofers? If the rest of the choices are good what is a good subwoofer that would compliment the system?

ky_polkie

14 gauge, 100 foot roll, $22

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2820&seq=1&format=2

ahorvitz

ky_polkie wrote: »

14 gauge, 100 foot roll, $22

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2820&seq=1&format=2

+1, or check out Blue Jeans Cable for fair pricing on Belden in-wall speaker cable.

If you're going "in-wall" the speaker choices are fine.

For the receiver, I'd look into a receiver with pre-amp outputs. You won't need them for this system, this round. But given the nature of this hobby, you're better off safe than sorry. If you like Onkyo, I'd buy something used from here: http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?searchstring=onkyo&B1=go.

Your choice of subwoofer comes down to room size and budget. You may end up crossing those in-wall speakers over at 100-120Hz. Given this, and so as not to overwhelm the rest of the system, I'd look into the 10" and 12" options from HSU, SVS, and Polk. But without knowing the room size (volume), I can't make specific recommendations.

SivaNevets

check out Denon AVR 590 /1610
full Audyssey feature
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1153086

cnh

A close examination of Denon's site indicates that ONLY the 3310 and above have pre-outs....as thought. This means that the 1610, 1910, and 2310 do not. It is also problematic for buyers because the price point on the 3310 has been moved up from the AVR 2809 which had pre-outs last year!

The MSRP of the 3310 is 1499? the 2310 is 849 this indicates a strategy on Denon's part to eliminate the 280x series and bring down the price/power settings of the 3809 and create a model between them now labeled the AVR 3310! The 3310 is a hybrid...between the 2800 and 3800 series with some new features and power ratings between the 28 and the 3800.

The buyer is left with the choice of spending almost 14-1500 for pre-outs from Denon. A bad business strategy IMHO!

cnh

SivaNevets

cnh wrote: »

A close examination of Denon's site indicates that ONLY the 3310 and above have pre-outs....as thought. This means that the 1610, 1910, and 2310 do not. It is also problematic for buyers because the price point on the 3310 has been moved up from the AVR 2809 which had pre-outs last year!

The MSRP of the 3310 is 1499? the 2310 is 849 this indicates a strategy on Denon's part to eliminate the 280x series and bring down the price/power settings of the 3809 and create a model between them now labeled the AVR 3310! The 3310 is a hybrid...between the 2800 and 3800 series with some new features and power ratings between the 28 and the 3800.

The buyer is left with the choice of spending almost 14-1500 for pre-outs from Denon. A bad business strategy IMHO!

cnh

ur right, i bought my avr-789 on sale without knowing and considering the preout issue. now my plan has to change, since theres no way i can run the A9 (2k for new receiver+amp), i decide to go A5+sub for my future upgrade, and that probably will be it for my HT. I may go for LSi 9 or other brand bookshelf for 2 channel music listening for my computer with a 2 channel amp (from a nice soundcard+ ape of course). theres no store in toronto carries LSi series too bad.

but even i can still return my AVR789 (i bought them 10 days ago), im not willing to do so, got it for $499 CDN, same price as AVR 590, i still do not want go for same price range yahama with preout. so im a happy man
i think audyssey is very useful.

hoggheaven

Thanks for all the help and feedback!

Gadabout

If your going Onkyo.....

TX-SR706 or higher. Believe me, the Pre Out capability will save you money in the future. in my HT I have the 706 and it is basically operating as a Pre Amp / Processor now. The few extra $'s spent now will save you some $'s in your HT budget in the future.

Scott

hoggheaven

Yeah, I had read other post about getting the TX-SR706 or higher because of the pre out capabilities. I will probably end up doing that but just might have to invest a little more than I planned on at the moment - but like you said it's will save in the long run.

I am still looking at other AVR's as well - from reading product reviews on the various mid-range AVR's (like Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha and a few others) it seems like a toss up and so I seem to be drawn to Onkyo because they seem to be priced more reasonably for what you get.

Retro152

hoggheaven wrote: »

Yeah, I had read other post about getting the TX-SR706 or higher because of the pre out capabilities. I will probably end up doing that but just might have to invest a little more than I planned on at the moment - but like you said it's will save in the long run.

I am still looking at other AVR's as well - from reading product reviews on the various mid-range AVR's (like Denon, Onkyo, Yamaha and a few others) it seems like a toss up and so I seem to be drawn to Onkyo because they seem to be priced more reasonably for what you get.

Excellent AVR considerations. Look into the Pioneer "Elite" line also, you wont be disappointed. The 05, 07 models can be found at a good price with great features. But, have a listen to anything you consider, most important.:D Good luck with everything, and welcome to Club Polk.


Pat.