Which reciever should i get for my home theater?

[aphex]

As you can see below, i decided on the Athena Micra 6 speaker system to replace my Sony HTiB which, while serving me well, its time to upgrade...

Now, the decision comes down to the reciever. I don't need anything incredibly fancy, i have no need for XM support, nor do i really need upconversion (my DLP has plenty of inputs), i just want good warm sound, reliability, and a good price. I do need at least 3 digital audio inputs though, 2 optical would be nice, but having 2 coax would be fine as im pretty sure most of my devices support both.

I've narrowed the field down to 4 recievers in my price range and wanted to see what ya'll thought...

The Athena Micra 6 has a recommended wattage of 20-100watts, so i think any of these would work fine.

Denon AVR-1506 - $200 (free shipping, no tax)

• 75 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
• Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6, and DTS 96/24 processing
• 192kHz/24-bit Analog Devices DACs
• component video switching: 3 in, 1 out (30MHz bandwidth)
• digital inputs: 1 optical, 2 coaxial
• 5.1-channel analog audio preamp input
• 3 audio, 4 A/V (including 1 front-panel and 3 S-video) inputs
• no phono input
• multibrand A/V remote with glow-in-the-dark keys
• high-current, low-impedance amplifier design
• 56 AM/FM presets
• 2 sets of main speaker outputs
• banana plug-compatible speaker binding posts for all speakers
• 17-1/8"W x 5-13/16"H x 16-3/16"D
• warranty: 2 years
• Link to Product

Onkyo TX-SR504 - $200 (free shipping, no tax)

• 75 watts x 7 channels into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
• Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES® and Dolby Pro Logic® IIx decoding
• XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and special antenna)
• Neural Surround decoder for XM's HD Surround channels
• Wide Range Amplifier Technology
• 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
• CinemaFILTER
• component video switching: 3 in, 1 out (60MHz bandwidth)
• digital inputs: 3 optical, 1 coaxial
• 2 audio inputs
• 4 A/V inputs (including 3 S-video and 1 front-panel)
• multibrand remote
• 2 sets of main speaker outputs
• banana plug-compatible speaker posts for all main-room speakers
• high-current, low-impedance amp design
• aluminum front panel
• oversized power transformer, filter capacitors and heat sinks
• no phono input
• 30 AM/FM presets
• 17-1/8"W x 5-15/16"H x 15-3/8"D
• warranty: 2 years
• Link to Product

Yamaha RX-V459 - $249 (free shipping, no tax)

• 90 watts x 6 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.06% THD
• Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, DTS Neo:6, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS 96/24 processing
• XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and special antenna)
• Neural Surround decoder for XM's HD Surround channels
• Digital ToP-ART design
• high-current, low-impedance amplifier construction
• 192kHz/24-bit high-performance DACs for all channels
• Compressed Music Enhancer for MP3s and other digital music files
• Quad-Field Cinema DSP and 14 surround programs
• audio delay helps align out-of-sync audio and video for digital sources
• selectable subwoofer crossover frequencies and phase switching
• Direct Stereo mode bypasses tone controls and processing for better sound from stereo sources
• front-panel mini input jack for portable audio players
• component video switching: 3 in, 1 out (60MHz)
• digital audio inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial
• 2 audio, 4 A/V (including 3 S-video and 1 front-panel) inputs
• 5.1-channel input for SACD or DVD-Audio
• no phono input
• multibrand remote with illuminated source buttons
• 2 sets of main speaker outputs
• 40 AM/FM presets
• 17-1/8"W x 6-3/8"H x 16"D
• warranty: 2 years
• Link To Product

Pioneer VSX516-K - $196 (no tax)

• 100 Watts x 7 Channels
• 9 Surround Modes
• Dialogue Enhancement
• Sound Retriever for Improved Sound
• Dolby Digital EX, ProLogic IIx, DTS-ES Surround Sound decoding for a 7.1 surround speaker array, it is a great value. It includes Surround EX technology to up-convert 5.1 source material for a 7.1 surround sound configuration.
• Decodes Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic IIx, DTS-ES, NEO6, DTS 96/24 and WMA-9 PRO (to Interface with PC audio)
• Nine Advanced Surround Sound Modes: Advanced Movie, Advanced Music, TV Surround , Sports, Advanced Game, Expanded, 7-Stereo, Virtual Surround, Phones Surround (Headphone Surround Effect)
• Two Component Video inputs and one component video Output
• Audio / Video Outputs: 3A / 3AV / 3 Digital Inputs (2 Coaxial, 1 Optical)
• New Freescale 180MIPS Processing DSP
• Large speaker terminal for easy Connectivity and Expandability Dimensions
• (WxHxD):16-9/16 x 6-1/4 x 13-7/8 inches (420 x 158 x 352.5mm) / Weight 19 lbs 13 oz (9.0 kg)
• Link to Product

OLD THREAD: I think its time for an upgrade from my Sony Dream System. It has served me well, but the reciever is fairly limited (only 1 optical in) and the sub is weaker that i need... It was great when i bought it and was tight on space, but times have changed.

Anyway, i've been looking at some smaller speaker systems. I don't have room for floorstanding models, nor are even the Onkyo systems small enough... Looking for something on the small side, yet powerful.

Looking at the Klipsch Quintet ($300) + Klipsch/Other Brand 10" Sub or possibly the Athena Micra system w/ sub ($300)?

What about recievers? I remember hearing awhile back Yamaha was supposed to be excellent, along with Denon.

- Decided on the Athena Micra 6

 

[Goosemaster]

First of all, I would classify Denon above yamaha

The horns on the klisch are very good, even on their quintets.

 

[Fenixgoon]

check out SVS for subs :

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
check out SVS for subs :

Too expensive in this case.


hell, even an athena or klisch sub is out of the question

 

[thespeakerbox]

avsforum.com

Whats your budget exactly? Be sure to include cable , etc..

Room size...... only HT or some music?


Speakers: Athena Micra HTIB, HSU ventriloquist w/sub or you can pic up 3 pairs of the best buy insignia's and a cheap sub on ebay. Velodyne subs have great price/performance ratio.


Receiver:
Panasonic xr57

 

[TheShiz]

shop around, i have some athena speakers and they have been good. also have a yamaha receiver (HTR-5790)and it has also been good, look at some pioneers also, they make a good receiver. i found a good deal on some returns at best buy when they had some 30% off coupon and they were giving away a free 12" klipsch sub if you purchased $700 in audio equipment.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: TheShiz
shop around, i have some athena speakers and they have been good. also have a yamaha receiver (HTR-5790)and it has also been good, look at some pioneers also, they make a good receiver. i found a good deal on some returns at best buy when they had some 30% off coupon and they were giving away a free 12" klipsch sub if you purchased $700 in audio equipment.

on the cheap end, pioneer is hard to beat..

 

[DaveSimmons]

Onkyo has a brand new 2006 model 504 receiver for $229 shipped at jr.com, and their receivers have always been a good value at the low end. There are black and silver versions.

Unless you have an unlimited budget spend as much of it as you can on speakers, and "just enough" on the receiver.

 

[thespeakerbox]

Definately check ebay for anything paradigm also.

 

[BRObedoza]

check your local best buy for the Athena Point 5 system. should be on clearance but they're hard to find. match that with a dayton subwoofer for 150 and you've got a great system.

i'd also go with Denon over Yamaha. For a great budget receiver check out the Panasonic xr55

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Bring in a demo disc to a Klipsch retailer and do a demo to make sure you like them before you decide on them. Klipsch have a pretty distinct sound and you might not like them. If they'll let you, try to listen for a good amount of time to see if you get any listening fatigue.

I know most of these are out of your budget, but here is a short list of some other options you might want to at least consider.
http://intellexual.net/speaker5.html

What's happening with your current system?

Have you thought about reusing some of your current speakers? Your front three speakers are by far the most important speakers in a HT system, with emphasis on the center. If you don't have plans for the sony system, you might want to think about reusing some of the speakers as surrounds in your new system. This might allow you to get a better set of three speakers up front, where it matters the most.

If you are looking for better music performance and listen in stereo mode, you could even just upgrade the front stereo pair and get something a lot better.

I think you'd be best served with getting a very low end receiver and spending as much on your speakers/sub as possible. Even going for a sub-$200 Pioneer or something would be a good move if it means you can spend more on your speaekers. I think you'll have a better system in the end if you can spend more on the speakers/sub and cut back on the receiver cost.

What's your total budget for the project?

 

[The Stigenator]

i have a personal grudge against the kiplisch tatrix horn.. while yes its goood.. the horn really does seem to distort some of teh voice related midrange.. its not a bad speaker system but i think i prefer a proper midrange speaker than using a tatrix horn.. what do you say?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

aphex - What about a Dayton 10"/12" subwoofer? There was a post in Hot Deals about them that you might want to check out, it's not very recent but the prices on them are very good.

 

[blurredvision]

I'm not an audiophile, therefore I can't give to much advice. However, I did go through this same exact thing a month or two ago, looking for a new receiver and speakers. I first picked up a receiver, the Pioneer 1015tx. It was an open box at Best Buy, and I enjoyed it while I had it, but a couple of nagging things were wrong with it that I couldn't live with (front audio ports didn't work, couldn't map optical audio to certain inputs for some reason). I took it back to BB within the 30-day period, and picked up a Harman-Kardon AVR435 from jr.com, which I'm really enjoying. It's stylish and feature-filled, puts out great sound to my ears.

I then decided on the Athena F2.2 left/right and the C1.2 center for my speakers. Had them shipped in from audioadvisor.com, which had excellent pricing and free shipping. The speakers sound great IMO, although I've yet to really crank them up being that I live in an apartment. I've heard nothing but good about the Athena Micra system, though. Like mentioned before, check out avsforum.com, they have an audio section dedicated to all the different components.

 

[aphex]

is the horn tweeter on the quintet simular to the one on the promedias? I had some klipsch promedia's a few years back and LOVED them.

 

[aphex]

UPDATE: Ok, i found some Athena Micra 6's at my local Bestbuy for $507, gonna see if they will PM their website at $299

Also, what do you guys think of this reciever? http://www.crutchfield.com/S-LA297Gf3oC...-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=158STDG500 which i can get for $154 (free shipping no tax)

Details:

» 100 watts x 6 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD
» Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, DTS Neo:6, and Pro Logic® IIx processing
» Digital Cinema Sound modes
» Digital Cinema Auto Calibration
» A/V Sync helps align out-of-sync audio and video for digital sources
» component video switching: 2 in, 1 out
» digital audio inputs: 2 optical, 1 coaxial
» 2 audio, 4 A/V (including 1 front-panel) inputs
» 5.1-channel input for SACD or DVD-Audio
» no phono input
» A/V remote
» 2 sets of main speaker outputs
» 30 AM/FM presets
» 17"W x 6-1/4"H x 13-1/4"D
» warranty: 2 years

That would put the whole system at;

$317 (speakers) + $154 (reciever) = $471

I could probably sell my current sony HTiB for ~ $150, putting me in a ~ $300 for the upgrade... Worth it?

Also, in regard to the reciever, they have two others i was looking at. A Pioneer for nearly the same price (maybe $25 more), and a Denon for $200 (but it only has 1 optical in)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I think I'd take a Pioneer 516 over a sony if that's the one you're looking at.

Worth it? I guess that's up to you

Did you get a chance to demo the Athenas at BB?

 

[MrChad]

I've been leaning towards a setup from Orb Audio to replace my current HT setup. The reviews are outstanding, although the systems are a bit pricey.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: MrChad
I've been leaning towards a setup from Orb Audio to replace my current HT setup. The reviews are outstanding, although the systems are a bit pricey.

Are you considering them because of WAF? If not, then just because they look neato and the reviews are good?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: MrChad
I've been leaning towards a setup from Orb Audio to replace my current HT setup. The reviews are outstanding, although the systems are a bit pricey.

Are you considering them because of WAF? If not, then just because they look neato and the reviews are good?

Well, to be honest, WAF is the prime motivation. My wife hates my floorstanding Klipsch speakers. I was looking for small speaker alternatives, and Orb seems to fit the bill nicely.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Klipsch are very efficient speakers...perhaps a tad too efficient. They use horns instead of tweeters so you get very crisp clean highs but some people find them to be too "bright."

I like my RF-3s though. I power them with a Harmon Kardon AVR-500 and they will handle full volume with very little distortion. I can't handle that though so I almost never crank them that high. :laugh:

I have no experience with the Athenas.

 

[aphex]

How bout this Denon-1506 instead of the sony? Its only $200

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lf6mUnCZCH...-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=033AVR1506

 

[aphex]

^

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: aphex
How bout this Denon-1506 instead of the sony? Its only $200

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lf6mUnCZCH...-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=033AVR1506

That looks like a good one.

(much better choice than the sony I'd say)

 

[aphex]

Ok, so this seems to be the new idea...

Denon-1506 ($200)
Athena Micra 6 ($300)
= $500 Total

Think this will be a big improvement over my Sony HTiB Dream System?