Home Theater package for <1 lakh

Hello everybody,
This is my first post here. I am based in Chennai.
I am looking for a HT package (speaker and receiver) with a budget of Rs 1 lakh. It will be in my living room - 18ft * 13 ft. I will use it for 80% music and 20% movies (I like to listen to music pretty loud - primarily Hindi and Tamil movie songs). I am quite confused which one to buy. I am looking for a compact package (not interested in floorstanders). I was looking at a few options:

1) Marantz 5001 (Rs35k) with Mordaunt short Genie package (Rs 44k)
2) Onkyo 703 (Rs45k) with Def tech procinema 1000 (Rs 70k) - little over budget though
3) Onkyo HT 990thx - THX certified HT package (Rs 65k)
4) Onkyo 703 (Rs45k) with Wharfedale 9.2 fronts (Rs15k), 9.1 rear (Rs12k) SW-150 sub (Rs17k) and 9CM center (14.5k).

I liked the sound of Marantz and Genie package & Onkyo THX certified package. I liked the Genie better. Will be listening to Def tech this weekend. Not sure if I can listen to Wharfedales in Chennai.

It will be great if somebody can help me out which would be the best for music and movies. Also pl refer me other brands/combinations in the price range.

Thanks in advance!

I would suggest you to check out the Denon 1507(20K) or 1907(26K) receiver with the EPOS ELS3 5.1 (75K) speaker package or the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1AV speaker package(75K)

You will get better bang for you buck with the above two combinations.

Absolutely avoid the Onkyo!

Hi Cyrus,
Thanks for the reply. Any idea where I can get EPOS in Chennai/Bangalore?

I thought Onkyo was a good brand for AV receivers - Their speakers were not impressive though.

Thanks,
Suresh

Onkyo is a highly overrated and overpriced brand in India. IMHO Denon provides better sound, built and value for money.

Epos dealer distibutor in India

M/S Reference Point
No:8, 12th cross, 1st stage,
Indiranagar
Bangalore
560038
India
Telephone: +91-80-25257246.
Email: refpoint@yahoo.com

Mention that you were recommended by this forum and hopefully you could get a price break!!!

Here is a link to the Epos 5.1 system http://www.epos-acoustics.com/produc...1&lookup=els51

I would also appreciate to get your personal feedback on these speakers.

Pl see the attached excel file for details. I am comparing the numbers for
Def tech procinema 1000, KEF 2005, Mordant short Genie, Wharfedale Diamond 9.1, Epos 5.1.

If I look at the numbers, Procinema 1000 looks to be the clear winner. It has wider frequency range and are the most efficient speakers (highest db)
While reviews were good for all the above brands, I am more towards buying the Procinema & IHMO they are the best speakers in the sub 75k range
Again, due to their higher efficiency, they will play much louder than the rest.
However, I havent listened to Def Tech yet - hopefully will be listening to them over the weekend.
Mordaunt Short Genie looks like the best value for money speaker system.

Any comments?

Attached Files

Speaker comparision.xls (15.5 KB, 104 views)

On Onkyo AVR’s – they may be overpriced (only in the context that it can be purchased at a lower price abroad – same goes for the other AVR’s sold here in India – > Marantz, Denon, and HK) – but in my view definitely not overrated.

I’m a very satisfied Onkyo user (TS-XR 604). I also have a Marantz SR4600 driving a second HT set up in our den. For a home theater set up I feel the Onkyo is better than the Marantz – very clear delivery/processing of the surround channel signal. With music the Marantz beats Onkyo hands down. If you want it loud I feel Onkyo will be spot on for your needs. The 604 drives my Wharfedale set up (9.5’s up front, 9CS center, 9.1’s for surround) in our living room (L4.5m x W3.5m x H2.4m) with ease.

I can’t comment on Denon since I have not owned one. But from what I heard Denon makes very good AVR’s. In choosing an AVR I suggest you list down your requirements which can be grouped into the ff.

1. Connectivity – HDMI, etc
2. Pre-outs
3. Bass Management system – capability to set a different x-over point per channel
4. Zone 2 capability
5. Auto Set up feature
6. Power rating

On speakers personally if I can, I stay away from HTIB’s and from sat/sub combinations. To my mind separates will almost always perform better than all-in-one systems. On satellites – I just feel that there’s a frequency gap somewhere – maybe due to a single small driver.

I would look to the ff. for your needs (not in order of preference):

1. Wharfedale
a. 9.1’s for the front and surrounds
b. 9CS center
c. SW150 sub

2. Mordaunt Short Avant
a. 902i’s for the front and surrounds (or the 903i bipole for surround duty)
b. 905i center
c. 309i sub

3. Athena
a. AS-B2 fronts
b. AS-B1 surrounds
c. AS-C1 center
d. AS-P4000 sub

4. Polk Audio
a. Monitor 40 – fronts
b. Monitor 30 – surrounds
c. CS1 – center
d. PSW 10 or 12 sub

5. Monitor Audio – I’ve only heard very good feedback on these speakers. Maybe a bit pricey compared to the list above but still worth checking out.

I have not heard Def Techs but I have a friend in the US who swears by them.

As always you should audition all options available to you. Let your ears decide!

Happy hunting and do keep us posted!

CR

I would not recommend you to BUY your gear just on specs alone. I would suggest you to hear them all and buy the one that sounds best to you.

I have heard both the wharfedale and epos speakers and they are excellent buys in their price range. If you live in Bangalore, contact the EPOS distributor there for a home demo.

Fully agree on this one!

Let your ears decide...

hi guys,

i am from gurgaon and was looking for a dealer for Def tech procinema 1000 cud anybody help me on the same.

Regards,

Arvind

Hi Aravind,

Not sure of one in Gurgoan, but the one in Mumbai is:
Lakozy Impex and Services
Showroom No 3, Lakozy Mansion
21 Chowpatty Seaface
Mumbai 400007
India
Tel : +91 22 23697001/02
Fax : +91 22 23698001
Email: lakozy_impex@rediffmail.com

You can probably get in touch with them and ask for a dealer in Gurgoan. I am told that the Procinema 1000 if Rs74500 and 800 is approx Rs 60000.

SS