Put more money in a receiver or speakers

[kornphlake]

I'm thinking about putting together a stereo system, I've always wanted a nice stereo and with an unexpected christmas bonus and some generous gifts I think I can afford something I'll be happy with. My budget is <$500 so I don't expect I'd be able to afford anything that is truly audiophile quality but I'm certainly in a price range that is a step above a Sony bookshelf system.

I'm looking at purchasing a receiver and speakers for now just 2 ch (possibly 2.1 in the future.) The only use would be for listening to music. I don't really feel like I enjoy watching TV and movies enough to make it worthwhile, please keep the discussion away from surround sound, I'm only interested in stereo.

I've done a little research and I think I'd like to get a Harman Kardon HK3390 for $219 at jr.com and Polk R50 speakers for ~$100 each. I understand the HK3390 is a very capable receiver (and a great price at JR) while the Polk R50 speakers are good for the price, they're still budget speakers. I've been told that good speakers are what make the biggest difference and the electronics are secondary, I'm wondering if it would be better to spend a bit less on a lower quality receiver and a little more on speakers or are the components I've picked out a pretty good compromise?

 

[vi edit]

I think you could do much better than the Polk speakers. Around $300 a pair gives you some very good options, especially if you are willing to look used.

 

[mmntech]

Get the best speakers you can afford. They'll outlast your receiver so you might as well put the money there.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Speakers. They'll never become obsolete, but the receiver will. Get a great set of speakers, and you can swap the other equipment in and out as you upgrade.

 

[sdifox]

Speakers...

 

[EvilYoda]

Speaker CABLES. Everyone knows this.

 

[zerocool84]

Monster CABLES. Everyone knows this.

fixed

 

[sivart]

another vote for speakers.

Similar to the camera body / camera lens argument with DSLR's

 

[kornphlake]

Anybody want to recommend some good speakers for ~$300/pair?

 

[jimbob200521]

$300 for a pair of bookshelf speakers could get you a pair of lower end Definitive Technology or mid-range Klipsch bookshelf speakers. Just keep in mind anyone can make a suggestion on which speakers to buy, but no matter what you do, make sure you demo them first to make sure you like how they sound.

 

[rchiu]

Another vote for speakers.

By the way, if you don't mind buying used, you can find many good stuff here

http://www.audiogon.com/

 

[shortylickens]

Speakers.
First, as most folks already said: You are less likely to upgrade them as time goes on, especially if they were nice to begin with. Whereas the reciever will probably get updated simply because of technology advancing.
Second: Simply because the reciever is a high tech device it will likely burn out or have issues long before the speakers do, and you will probably have to replace or repair it anyway. Given the cost of repairing stuff these days it often makes sense to just replace it with a higher quality item.

Also, like the camera argument it makes sense to start with amatuer stuff, learn, and then upgrade to something that fits your exact needs when you know what you want.

 

[Riverhound777]

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...05/energy-rc10

I have these and love them.

 

[kornphlake]

Thanks all, I'll look around for a good deal on better speakers, there are a couple of shops around town that sell used equipment I may find a good deal.

 

[vi edit]

Do you have a preference on bookshelf vs. tower for size reasons?

 

[kornphlake]

I'd kind of like a floor standing speaker, not for any reason other than the room needs some more "furniture." I'd have to buy or build stands for bookshelf speakers which will add a little more cost but isn't a huge concern. If the bookshelf speakers in my budget sound a lot better than floor standing speakers I'd go with the smaller speakers, but again my preference is for larger speakers.

 

[vi edit]

I'm not sure where the OP is located, but these are pretty nice for $200 a pair.

http://forums.av123.com/showthread.php?t=42365

av123 X-MTM towers. I wish they were still in production

They are the the older, non-encore's so they are little more laid back...which is a good thing IMHO.

 

[mshan]

Since you only want to use them with music, perhaps consider the Paradigm Atom?:

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-atommonitor-model-2-4-1-1.paradigm
http://www.qaudio.com/fdemos.html

 

[Tiamat]

PSB Alpha B1 is also pretty good at just under 300$ per pair.

http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/507psb/index.html

Very linear frequency response.



Later on, adding an inexpensive subwoofer like http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-635 will (if configured correctly) extend the frequency response and give kick drums and things of that nature more depth.

 

[PJABBER]

Another vote for speakers.

By the way, if you don't mind buying used, you can find many good stuff here

http://www.audiogon.com/

I try to stay off that site because it has so many great deals for audiophiles.

 

[ericlp]

Well, you can't have one with out the other... Sadly it doesn't work that way.

1) get yourself a t-amp and some good speakers and see what you've been missing.

2) cables, as long as they are decent no smaller then #14 pure copper cable you should be good to go.

But that's my opinion.

So what speakers would go good with a 40 dollar tamp from parts express? Energy or Infinity ...

Good Luck...

 

[Zorba]

Since you only want to use them with music, perhaps consider the Paradigm Atom?:

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/fronts-monitor-atommonitor-model-2-4-1-1.paradigm
http://www.qaudio.com/fdemos.html

I use the Atoms for my rears, they are great speakers. Paradigm also makes some very good wall mounts for them that cost $30.

 

[kornphlake]

Shoot I found a pair of Thiel CS .5 speakers nearby for $400, a little out of my budget but very tempting. Would something like a $90 Sherwood RX 4105 receiver be too budget oriented when paired with speakers that retail for over 10x as much? I haven't searched pawn shops or thrift stores but I may be able to find a better stereo receiver if I consider used.

 

[NutBucket]

For stereo go for vintage electronics. They will absolutely sound better than new electronics in the same price range.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

For stereo go for vintage electronics. They will absolutely sound better than new electronics in the same price range.

Here here!

Nakamichi TA-4A


In terms of audio quality, you would have to spend thousands and thousands.

We're talking Krell quality without exaggeration. Look up Stasis amps.

Nakamichi licensed the Stasis amp topology but unfortunately screwed it up with bad business decisions. Denon? HK? Onkyo? Junk by comparison.

I have a TA-2A, which is not as powerful, but I haven't found anything better.

I'm building some speakers to complete a 5.1 setup, but after that I'm going to make something special for it.