Help me pick a Home Theater system.

[Medellon]

I'm looking to spend around $2000-$2500 on a home theater setup that just includes the receiver and speakers. I went to 2 stores and both offered packages that are pretty similar in price. The first store packages Paradigm Monitor 7 series speakers(including center channel, sub, and surrounds)with a Denon AVR-1803 receiver while the second store offers a Yamaha RX-V740 receiver with Boston Acoustics CR95 series speakers(including center channel, sub, and surrounds). The price difference is around $100 so they are practically equal as far as price goes. Which should I go for? Thanks for the help.

 

[Maverick]

I upgraded my old Yamaha with a Denon. For the money I got more power with Denon. Check the RMS watt ratings on both receivers and let that help you make the decision.

 

[conjur]

I'd go Paradigm with Yamaha

But, I have Yamaha now and would like to get some Paradigm speakers.

When I upgrade next, it will probably be to B&K or maybe just Outlaw (great performance at a great price level)

 

[BigSmooth]

Personally, I would go with the latter although I think the Denon is an excellent receiver.
My old Yamaha receiver was very solidly built and the 740 just came out a month ago so I assume it has all the newest features 'n' junk.

Additionally, I LOVE the sound of Boston Acoustics speakers. I have an all-Boston setup, including CR8s in the rear (an older model) and I have always been more than happy with their sound.

ETA: I don't have any experience with Paradigm speakers other than hearing them in the store a few times. Most people on message boards seem to love them, though. I don't think you can go wrong with either package.

 

[amnesiac]

Paradigm + Denon is a good choice.

Or BA + Denon

I don't particularly care for the Yamaha receivers all that much. Too metallic sounding.

 

[Sepen]

Paradigm and Denon without a doubt.

 

[ElFenix]

onkyo TX-SR601 $500
2 pair polk RTi38s $800
polk CSi40 $400
polk CSW303 $300
of course all that is negotiable, thats using circuit city's ripoff pricing.

 

[NewSc2]

 

[isasir]

Have you listened to both of 'em? If you haven't, I'd suggest you do that.

 

[glen]

Paradigm speakers
Pioneer reciever

 

[NewSc2]

Personally I'd get Ascend Acoustics package Center with 4 CBM-170's (about $800-900), add an SVS subwoofer for about $400, and spend the rest on a Denon 3802 and cables.

www.ascendacoustics.com (sorry can't link, i'm typing in quickreply)..

Their CBM-170's have won many awards including audioreview's Consumer Choice award, and SoundStage!'s 2003 reviewers choice award., and they're cheap at $300/pair. The SVS subwoofer is definitely better than anything quoted above, and the 3802 is much better than the 1802.

Personally I got some Swan Divas (4.1/R3/C3 set) for about $1500 + Denon 1802 for $300. I paid about $200 for my SVS 16-46CS, and used an old amp to power it. Falls right in your category.

 

[Medellon]

I like floor standing speakers as my mains, bookshelves aren't powerful enough.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

Go with the denon reciever - I have it and love it. Most Yamaha sound to bright to me. As for speakers, you can go a little cheaper and look at the KBL studio series which are very nice for the $.

 

[EngenZerO]

I second the ascend acousitcs package along with an svs...in the next couple of weeks I am going to go for

center - ascend acoustics CMT-340
fronts - ascend acoustics CBM-170
rears - ascend acoustics CBM-170

sub - svs 25-31PCi optionally tuned to 22Hz (probably best sub under a grand (well the PC+ version is cooler, but a little more).

reciever - HK 525 (the HKs make the ascends sound warmer and less bright).

go to www.avsforums.com read some of the reviews. You also may want to check out rocketloudspeakers or aperion audio.

This setup will kill any BA or Paradigm, imo, with money to spare.

 

[spidey07]

rockets fit your price point well, as do polk LSi, b&w 600 series, klipsch RF if you want super loud.

do yourself a favor and go to a home theater forum. The paradigm monitor series are really very bad. I mean really, really bad nasty sound.

www.hometheaterforum.com
www.avsforum.com

 

[Goosemaster]

<---Mirage Owner



I say get a denon3803 at LEAST ....


For speaks...B&w..no questions about it.

 

[Goosemaster]

KEF is very nice as well...

 

[EvilYoda]

I also strongly suggest that you look around a little more...$2000-$2500 should catch you a much much much better setup than the ones you stated. The Denon 1803 is their lowest offer in their x103 line (newly replacing the x102 line)...they're great pieces of hardware, but you can do better. For receivers (or pre/pros, if you so wish...), you can find a lot online at places like onecall and 6ave. I would suggest looking around www.hometheaterforum.com too, as there are some great deals there.

Speaker-wise, let's just say you spend a "mere" $500, which should get you something around a H/K AVR 325, easily. That leaves you $1500-$2000...I recently picked up my Paradigm Studio 40s (their reference line, if you're unfamiliar with Paradigm) for $625 USD (I live near the Canadian border). If you want to PM me, I could probably work something out with the dealer that could get you 40s up front, the CC, 20s in the back for ~$1300-1400, leaving you a lot of room to play with ideas for a sub (servo-15? or just 2200? or maybe SVS?)

Whatever your decision, with that much money, take your time, as you certainly don't want to regret what you decide to get...lots of options. B&W, Totem, Paradigm, Mission, Mirage, Axiom, PSB, ad nauseum...

 

[glen]

Paradigm System 4 ~ $1,700.00
but you can probably find it for less

Pioneer VSX-D912K~ $300.00
You probably will pay this much

 

[Spac3d]

WTF? People spend that much on sound?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Spac3d
WTF? People spend that much on sound?

eh, the really awful part is that if you're skilled with a saw you can buy the drivers and some wood and make stuff of equal or better performance for ~25% of the cost or less

 

[Goosemaster]

Go ahead...tell me these things aren't beautiful (Kef)

 

[glen]

Originally posted by: Spac3d
WTF? People spend that much on sound?

Sure.
here are my speakers:
~ $6,200.00

 

[EngenZerO]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Go ahead...tell me these things aren't beautiful (Kef)

rockets look 10x better with teh roosewood,

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Spac3d
WTF? People spend that much on sound?

eh, the really awful part is that if you're skilled with a saw you can buy the drivers and some wood and make stuff of equal or better performance for ~25% of the cost or less

I am learning how to put together a crossover as we speak...parts express here I come...