Suggestion on 7.2 AVR + 5.0 Speakers for budget of 1.5 lakhs

[swamytk]

Hi all,

It is two months since I joined HFV. It has been a wonderful journey on my newly found love on good HiFi gadgets. Thanks to you all great FMs I have a learnt a lot, miles to go. Recently I got my first Music system with Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers, which I enjoy a lot - listening more music than ever Now it is time to work on Home theater system for my Sony KD55X9000F TV in Living room.

Environment:
Size: Medium size -> 23' x 12' of height 9' = 276 sq.ft and 2500 cu.ft.
TV on wall of 12' (on 23' side) - rest of the side is wide open to kitchen entry and other room entries.
Listening distance: 10'
All glass windows/doors are dressed with curtains.

Requirement:
50% Movies + 50% Music Videos
For future expansion, prefer 7.X system than 5.X AVR (Not interested in 9.X considering rented apartment and cost)
The max budget for AVR is 40,000 to 45,000 and for 5.0 Speakers it is 1,00,000. In case of speakers I will go incremental than buying whole 5.0.
Right now, no plan to use Sub-woofer. After experiencing 5.0, if necessary will add later.
Max Volume level is moderate - Living in a rented apartment, I understood. I do close all glass windows/doors at higher volume level.
With my current basic Music system Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 in 14' X 12' room, I rarely go volume position 12

Queries:
Here are the AVR and Speakers I have shortlisted based on my requirement and budget.
1. I find Marantz NR1608 close to my budget and to be best fit for me considering 7.2/Audyssey/Network/Front-Preout. But not sure about power matching with Speakers shortlisted.
2. Please suggest Speakers from shortlisted one which can be a good match to Marantz NR1608 AVR. My confusion is Sensitivity/Impedance matching with AVR.
3. Apart from ones shortlisted here, you may please refer others too considering my requirement.
4. I am planning to go for audition in a month time. Your suggestions will help me in focusing on experience than just specification.


AV Receivers - *Amazon prices are for reference only, no plan to purchase from

AV Receiver	Denon X1500H	Yamaha RX-685	Marantz NR1608
Channels	7.2	7.2	7.2
Dolby Atmos	Y	Y	Y
DTS:X	Y	Y	Y
DTS Virtual:X	Y	-	Y
Sub PreOut	2	2	2 + Front L/R
Zone 2	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre
Pass through - HDR10	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - HLG	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - DolbyVision	Y	Y	Y
HDCP 2.2	Y	Y	Y
HDMI IN Ports	5+1	5	8
HDMI OUT Ports	1	2	1
Wireless Speaker support	HEOS	MusicCast	HEOS
IR In	1	1 + Out	1 + Out
Bluetooth	Y	Y	Y
Spotify Connect	Y	Y	Y
Chromecast	-	-	-
Google Assistant	Y	Y	Y
Alexa	Y	Y	Y
Amazon Music	Y	-	Y
Siri	Y	-	-
AirPlay	Y	Y	Y
Ethernet	Y	Y	Y
Wifi	Y	Y	Y
Impedance (ohms)	4 to 16	6 & 8	6 & 8
Power (W) @ 6ohms	120		70
Power (W) @ 8ohms	80	90	50
Calibration	Audyssey	YPAO	Audyssey
Price
Hifimart	₹57,700		₹43,000
avstore
amazon		₹55,000

Speakers

	Front Speaker Pair Price
Model	HifiMart	avstore	Ooberpad	Amazon	Type	Amp Power (W)	Sensitivity (db)	Impedance (ohms)	Freq Range	5.0 Package Price
Pioneer SP-FS52 / SP-BS22 / SP-C22	₹28,000		₹28,000		3way 4 drivers- 2 Rear ported	130	87	6	40-20KHz	₹52,000
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 / B5.2 / C5.2	₹58,000				3way 4 drivers- 3 Rear ported	140	86	6	42-35KHz	₹1,00,000
Q Acoustics 3050i / 3010i / 3090Ci	₹65,300				2way 3 drivers- Rear ported	25-100	92	6	44-22KHz	₹1,00,000
Fyne Audio F302 / F300 / F300C	₹40,400		₹50,000	₹50,000	2way 2 drivers- Rear ported	30-120	90	8	36-28KHz	₹78,000

 

[Love4sound]

Hi all,

It is two months since I joined HFV. It has been a wonderful journey on my newly found love on good HiFi gadgets. Thanks to you all great FMs I have a learnt a lot, miles to go. Recently I got my first Music system with Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers, which I enjoy a lot - listening more music than ever Now it is time to work on Home theater system for my Sony KD55X9000F TV in Living room.

Environment:
Size: Medium size -> 23' x 12' of height 9' = 276 sq.ft and 2500 cu.ft.
TV on wall of 12' (on 23' side) - rest of the side is wide open to kitchen entry and other room entries.
Listening distance: 10'
All glass windows/doors are dressed with curtains.

Requirement:
50% Movies + 50% Music Videos
For future expansion, prefer 7.X system than 5.X AVR (Not interested in 9.X considering rented apartment and cost)
The max budget for AVR is 40,000 to 45,000 and for 5.0 Speakers it is 1,00,000. In case of speakers I will go incremental than buying whole 5.0.
Right now, no plan to use Sub-woofer. After experiencing 5.0, if necessary will add later.
Max Volume level is moderate - Living in a rented apartment, I understood. I do close all glass windows/doors at higher volume level.
With my current basic Music system Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 in 14' X 12' room, I rarely go volume position 12

Queries:
Here are the AVR and Speakers I have shortlisted based on my requirement and budget.
1. I find Marantz NR1608 close to my budget and to be best fit for me considering 7.2/Audyssey/Network/Front-Preout. But not sure about power matching with Speakers shortlisted.
2. Please suggest Speakers from shortlisted one which can be a good match to Marantz NR1608 AVR. My confusion is Sensitivity/Impedance matching with AVR.
3. Apart from ones shortlisted here, you may please refer others too considering my requirement.
4. I am planning to go for audition in a month time. Your suggestions will help me in focusing on experience during audition than just specification.


AV Receivers - *Amazon prices are for reference only, no plan to purchase from

AV Receiver	Denon X1500H	Yamaha RX-685	Marantz NR1608
Channels	7.2	7.2	7.2
Dolby Atmos	Y	Y	Y
DTS:X	Y	Y	Y
DTS Virtual:X	Y	-	Y
Sub PreOut	2	2	2 + Front L/R
Zone 2	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre
Pass through - HDR10	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - HLG	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - DolbyVision	Y	Y	Y
HDCP 2.2	Y	Y	Y
HDMI IN Ports	5+1	5	8
HDMI OUT Ports	1	2	1
Wireless Speaker support	HEOS	MusicCast	HEOS
IR In	1	1 + Out	1 + Out
Bluetooth	Y	Y	Y
Spotify Connect	Y	Y	Y
Chromecast	-	-	-
Google Assistant	Y	Y	Y
Alexa	Y	Y	Y
Amazon Music	Y	-	Y
Siri	Y	-	-
AirPlay	Y	Y	Y
Ethernet	Y	Y	Y
Wifi	Y	Y	Y
Impedance (ohms)	4 to 16	6 & 8	6 & 8
Power (W) @ 6ohms	120		70
Power (W) @ 8ohms	80	90	50
Calibration	Audyssey	YPAO	Audyssey
Price
Hifimart	₹57,700		₹43,000
avstore
amazon		₹55,000

Speakers

	Front Speaker Pair Price and Specification
Model	HifiMart	avstore	Ooberpad	Amazon	Type	Amp Power (W)	Sensitivity (db)	Impedance (ohms)	Freq Range	5.0 Package Price
Pioneer SP-FS52 / SP-BS22 / SP-C22	₹28,000		₹28,000		3way 4 drivers- 2 Rear ported	130	87	6	40-20KHz	₹52,000
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 / B5.2 / C5.2	₹58,000				3way 4 drivers- 3 Rear ported	140	86	6	42-35KHz	₹1,00,000
Q Acoustics 3050i / 3010i / 3090Ci	₹65,300				2way 3 drivers- Rear ported	25-100	92	6	44-22KHz	₹1,00,000
Fyne Audio F302 / F300 / F300C	₹40,400		₹50,000	₹50,000	2way 2 drivers- Rear ported	30-120	90	8	36-28KHz	₹78,000

Qacoustics is a good deal. Speakers have excellent reviews. But 65300 seems very less for all 5 as the 3050i alone has a mrp of 65k.For a 23*12 room you may need a avr that is more powerful then the NR series. Check the for sale section,there are Marantz 6013, 6012 available.

 

[swamytk]

Qacoustics is a good deal. Speakers have excellent reviews. But 65300 seems very less for all 5 as the 3050i alone has a mrp of 65k.For a 23*12 room you may need a avr that is more powerful then the NR series. Check the for sale section,there are Marantz 6013, 6012 available.

Thanks. 65k is mentioned under front pair price column. 5.0 cost is 1 lakh which is in right most column.
Do you think NR1608 is not powerful enough even with high sensitivity speakers like Q acoustics and fyne audio?

 

[prateekatasniya]

Hi all,

It is two months since I joined HFV. It has been a wonderful journey on my newly found love on good HiFi gadgets. Thanks to you all great FMs I have a learnt a lot, miles to go. Recently I got my first Music system with Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers, which I enjoy a lot - listening more music than ever Now it is time to work on Home theater system for my Sony KD55X9000F TV in Living room.

Environment:
Size: Medium size -> 23' x 12' of height 9' = 276 sq.ft and 2500 cu.ft.
TV on wall of 12' (on 23' side) - rest of the side is wide open to kitchen entry and other room entries.
Listening distance: 10'
All glass windows/doors are dressed with curtains.

Requirement:
50% Movies + 50% Music Videos
For future expansion, prefer 7.X system than 5.X AVR (Not interested in 9.X considering rented apartment and cost)
The max budget for AVR is 40,000 to 45,000 and for 5.0 Speakers it is 1,00,000. In case of speakers I will go incremental than buying whole 5.0.
Right now, no plan to use Sub-woofer. After experiencing 5.0, if necessary will add later.
Max Volume level is moderate - Living in a rented apartment, I understood. I do close all glass windows/doors at higher volume level.
With my current basic Music system Marantz PM5005 + Wharfedale Diamond 220 in 14' X 12' room, I rarely go volume position 12

Queries:
Here are the AVR and Speakers I have shortlisted based on my requirement and budget.
1. I find Marantz NR1608 close to my budget and to be best fit for me considering 7.2/Audyssey/Network/Front-Preout. But not sure about power matching with Speakers shortlisted.
2. Please suggest Speakers from shortlisted one which can be a good match to Marantz NR1608 AVR. My confusion is Sensitivity/Impedance matching with AVR.
3. Apart from ones shortlisted here, you may please refer others too considering my requirement.
4. I am planning to go for audition in a month time. Your suggestions will help me in focusing on experience than just specification.


AV Receivers - *Amazon prices are for reference only, no plan to purchase from

AV Receiver	Denon X1500H	Yamaha RX-685	Marantz NR1608
Channels	7.2	7.2	7.2
Dolby Atmos	Y	Y	Y
DTS:X	Y	Y	Y
DTS Virtual:X	Y	-	Y
Sub PreOut	2	2	2 + Front L/R
Zone 2	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre	Spk/Pre
Pass through - HDR10	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - HLG	Y	Y	Y
Pass through - DolbyVision	Y	Y	Y
HDCP 2.2	Y	Y	Y
HDMI IN Ports	5+1	5	8
HDMI OUT Ports	1	2	1
Wireless Speaker support	HEOS	MusicCast	HEOS
IR In	1	1 + Out	1 + Out
Bluetooth	Y	Y	Y
Spotify Connect	Y	Y	Y
Chromecast	-	-	-
Google Assistant	Y	Y	Y
Alexa	Y	Y	Y
Amazon Music	Y	-	Y
Siri	Y	-	-
AirPlay	Y	Y	Y
Ethernet	Y	Y	Y
Wifi	Y	Y	Y
Impedance (ohms)	4 to 16	6 & 8	6 & 8
Power (W) @ 6ohms	120		70
Power (W) @ 8ohms	80	90	50
Calibration	Audyssey	YPAO	Audyssey
Price
Hifimart	₹57,700		₹43,000
avstore
amazon		₹55,000

Speakers

	Front Speaker Pair Price
Model	HifiMart	avstore	Ooberpad	Amazon	Type	Amp Power (W)	Sensitivity (db)	Impedance (ohms)	Freq Range	5.0 Package Price
Pioneer SP-FS52 / SP-BS22 / SP-C22	₹28,000		₹28,000		3way 4 drivers- 2 Rear ported	130	87	6	40-20KHz	₹52,000
ELAC Debut 2.0 F5.2 / B5.2 / C5.2	₹58,000				3way 4 drivers- 3 Rear ported	140	86	6	42-35KHz	₹1,00,000
Q Acoustics 3050i / 3010i / 3090Ci	₹65,300				2way 3 drivers- Rear ported	25-100	92	6	44-22KHz	₹1,00,000
Fyne Audio F302 / F300 / F300C	₹40,400		₹50,000	₹50,000	2way 2 drivers- Rear ported	30-120	90	8	36-28KHz	₹78,000

Listening distance from your speakers?

 

[swamytk]

Listening distance from your speakers?

It is 10'

 

[Love4sound]

Thanks. 65k is mentioned under front pair price column. 5.0 cost is 1 lakh which is in right most column.
Do you think NR1608 is not powerful enough even with high sensitivity speakers like Q acoustics and fyne audio?

It will drive them but go for a more powerful avr which also has pre-outs. Better you go for a 2.0 set up initially and add speakers Nd subwoofer later. 5013 and Denon 3500 is also a good avr if 7 channels are enough.

 

[swamytk]

It will drive them but go for a more powerful avr which also has pre-outs. Better you go for a 2.0 set up initially and add speakers Nd subwoofer later.

Yes, that is the plan as I mentioned

5013 and Denon 3500 is also a good avr if 7 channels are enough.

They are double the budget :-(

 

[elangoas]

The max budget for AVR is 40,000 to 45,000 and for 5.0 Speakers it is 1,00,000. In case of speakers I will go incremental than buying whole 5.0.

I would suggest you to consider swapping for the budget.. Get a better AVR.. Denon x 3500 7.2 AVR with 7.2 pre-outs or wait for the Denon x 3600 9.2 AVR with 11.2 pre-outs.. You have anyways planned to build the set-up, so you can always add over time..

 

[swamytk]

I would suggest you to consider swapping for the budget.. Get a better AVR.. Denon x 3500 7.2 AVR with 7.2 pre-outs or wait for the Denon x 3600 9.2 AVR with 11.2 pre-outs.. You have anyways planned to build the set-up, so you can always add over time..

Why do I need 7.2 pre-outs?
In what ways do you think this Marantz AVR is not enough for me?

 

[Ashenden]

Hi, do include Dali Zensor series to your audition list. Z5 are front ported and well reviewed for their musicality, that paired with Z1 for surrounds should be in your budget.

 

[elangoas]

Why do I need 7.2 pre-outs?

Always good to have pre-outs, as it gives you the flexibility to add a power amplifier at any time.. It would take the load off the AVR for powering speakers..

In what ways do you think this Marantz AVR is not enough for me?

Am not against Marantz or any other brand.. The most important feature in an AVR, IMO is the the auto calibration system and the room correction feature.. Audyssey XT 32, which is aval on Denon x 3500 and other flagship models is also aval on Marantz 6xxx series upwards.. So good to have it.. XT 32 has sub EQ HT, has the capability to handle independent subs, which is a very important feature to contain low freq issues in the room..

The model that you have considered has Audyssey Mutli EQ feature, which is two levels below the flagship Audyssey XT32..

Up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide..

 

[swamytk]

Always good to have pre-outs, as it gives you the flexibility to add a power amplifier at any time.. It would take the load off the AVR for powering speakers..



Am not against Marantz or any other brand.. The most important feature in an AVR, IMO is the the auto calibration system and the room correction feature.. Audyssey XT 32, which is aval on Denon x 3500 and other flagship models is also aval on Marantz 6xxx series upwards.. So good to have it.. XT 32 has sub EQ HT, has the capability to handle independent subs, which is a very important feature to contain low freq issues in the room..

The model that you have considered has Audyssey Mutli EQ feature, which is two levels below the flagship Audyssey XT32..

Up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide..

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[swamytk]

Hi, do include Dali Zensor series to your audition list. Z5 are front ported and well reviewed for their musicality, that paired with Z1 for surrounds should be in your budget.

Thanks. Though I have mentioned 50% music (kids like music videos), mostly it is for movies to start with. How is Z5 for movies?

 

[Ashenden]

Thanks. Though I have mentioned 50% music (kids like music videos), mostly it is for movies to start with. How is Z5 for movies?

They are well reviewed all rounders. Should be a great match for both movies and music !

 

[ypan07]

Thanks. Though I have mentioned 50% music (kids like music videos), mostly it is for movies to start with. How is Z5 for movies?

I am using Z5 for both movies and music (after having evaluated bose lifestyle 650, Polk/Q-Acoustics floorstanders etc). Pretty darn good, imho!

 

[swamytk]

I am using Z5 for both movies and music (after having evaluated bose lifestyle 650, Polk/Q-Acoustics floorstanders etc). Pretty darn good, imho!

I like front port aspect of Z5 due to space constraints. Let me consider it too. Thanks to both of you.

 

[swamytk]

Always good to have pre-outs, as it gives you the flexibility to add a power amplifier at any time.. It would take the load off the AVR for powering speakers..



Am not against Marantz or any other brand.. The most important feature in an AVR, IMO is the the auto calibration system and the room correction feature.. Audyssey XT 32, which is aval on Denon x 3500 and other flagship models is also aval on Marantz 6xxx series upwards.. So good to have it.. XT 32 has sub EQ HT, has the capability to handle independent subs, which is a very important feature to contain low freq issues in the room..

The model that you have considered has Audyssey Mutli EQ feature, which is two levels below the flagship Audyssey XT32..

Up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide..

Yes, Marantz 1608 lack of these. Apart from these what is your opinion on power of Marantz 1608?

 

[Love4sound]

Yes, that is the plan as I mentioned


They are double the budget :-(

If you are ok with grey market the 5013 is available for 52-55k and the 6013 at 72k

 

[prateekatasniya]

It is 10'

Subwoofer selection depends on Room size and speaker selection depends on listening distance.

 

[elangoas]

Yes, Marantz 1608 lack of these. Apart from these what is your opinion on power of Marantz 1608?

The total power consumption of Marantz NR 1608 is 250 Watts.. 2 channel driven is abt 50 watts.. All channels driven should be less than that, may be 30 watts or even lesser.. You will be able to add power amps to L/R though.. This means that to use 1608, smaller room would be good.. May leave you wanting for more power in your room size..