anilsuri said:
3. i am quite surprised on bose reviews on this forum..contrary to popular perception..its sound isn't going well with the "experts" here! however when i checked out their HT systems, they sound good to me!...so what am i missing...maybe i haven't been exposed to the best sound yet..
I have answered this question so many times. I must keep a text copy somewhere that I can cut and paste.
Here it goes again. A sub/sat system consists of very small speakers called satellites. These have a narrow frequency range and very small drivers. By themselves, these speakers cannot present a sound stage nor can they present deep base. For that you need the sub woofer. Now as I mentioned above, a pure stereo system does not utilise a sub. All the frequencies are sent to just two channels.
A sub/sat system may sound OK for a movies as movies utilise the Point 1 (in a 5.1 or a 7.1). This channel, called a LFE channel, carry all the deep bass sounds that are there in the movie. If you use the same system and play a 2 channel CD, the LFE channel will not work, and the satellites will struggle to deliver good sound.
Even in movies, the sub.satellites use very small speakers for dialogues. Now dialogues are very important in a movie and come from the center channel. Actually the center channel carry a major portion of the movie sound.
Next time you audition a sub/sat system ask the dealer to shut off the sub. He will most probably refuse, or say it cannot be done. Ask him to keep the volume of the sub at near zero. If he does that you will hear a completely different sound coming from the system.
OK. That is all my sub/sat bashing.
Now to your requirements. You are looking at a AVR plus speakers that sound good for music and movies. There are a number of AVRs that are available in the market. Some of the models you can look for (not in any order) are:
RECEIVERS
- Cambridge Audio's 540R (Cambridge Audio)
- Denon AVR-1909 (http://denonsingapore.com/documentation\AVR1909_E2_leaf_rev3.pdf)
- Yamaha RX-V663 (RX-V663)
- Onkyo TX-SR606 (Onkyo TX-SR606 - 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver | Model Information | Onkyo USA Home Theater Products)
- Marantz SR4003 (Marantz America | SR4003 * * NEW * * Dolby Digital EX/DTS ES Surround Receiver)
These are the best receivers available in the market for less than 50,000. I have personally heard the Yamaha 663 and it sounds very good for both movies and music. Another member, The Vortex, has the Marantz 4001, an earlier version of the Marantz 4003. He swears by the musicality of the system. A number of other members have the Onkyo 606 and are very happy with it. It has also received the best product award from What HiFi for products in it's price range.
I have auditioned the Denon 1909 a number of times, and have come away with lots of question marks, The dialogues were unclear and the music was not as good as Denon is famed for. The issues could be speakers, inter connects and a lot of other issues. I will like to reserve my comments until I hear it in an ideal environment.
The CA 540R comes from Cambridge Audio who have a reputation for good audio systems. It may a bit weak for movies, but will present all music with gusto, precision, and musicality.
SPEAKERS
To get the best of any of these AVRS, you must marry them with good speakers. Given you budget, I would suggest you look for good bookshelves, matching center, and a compatible sub woofer. Since you are ready to go in steps, all you need to buy immediately are two bookshelves and a sub. Some of the good and inexpensive bookshelves are:
- PSB Alpha B1. The Alphas are classic bookshelves that sound extremely good for their size. They have been praised by many magazines including the Stereophile. I have heard the Alpha's along with the Yamaha 663, and I was very happy with their sound. Read a recent review at PSB Alpha B1 Loudspeaker | AV Guide. The Alphas are available at around 15,000 a pair.
- Wharfedale 9.2. Slightly large speakers, the 9.2 again are award winners, and very popular amongst the members of this forum.
- Cambridge Audio S30. These are very inexpensive speakers, some 7000 a pair.
- Mission m33i
- Monitor Audio Bronze BR2
- Mordaunt Short 902i
- Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2
- Quad 11L2
- Tannoy Mercury F1 Custom
DVD Player
The last item you need is a good DVD Player. There are inexpesive models available from Samsung, Philips, and Pioneer.
Cheers