Where to invest

[goodsound]

With the limited budget at starting what is the best option for someone to invest in home theater set up, AVR or speakers? There are many options available for AVR and speakers. For example, for SLR camera, many photographers believe that it is better to invest on lenses rather than very costly body. You can change the bodies latter if you have good collection of lenses. Is it true for speakers? I really dont know how many people keep on changing AVR or speakers in regular intervals and how many have dedicated systems for music and movies. Some are good for movies some are for music:sad:. In that case what to do if you have total 45000/- to spend at starting confused:.
Can experts in this line through some light on this?

 

[Flash]

Well it totally depends on listening preference. if its music . Then Stereo Amp + a pair speakers + Source CDP/DAc/PC

if its Movies then AvR + 5.1 speakers + Source

There are many in the forum and elsewhere who upgrade their speakers, stereo amps pretty regularly. However it has to be considered that there would be a substantal loss each time you change components.
What i have noticed though is that when it comes to AVR's. Usually the norm is once bought its not sold unless there is a change in tech.

However with Stereo. Most folks do go ahead and upgrade the Stereo Amp and speakers to attain Audio nirvana.
The same can be said for speakers when used wth AVR

So it purely boils down to your listening preference Music or Movies. if your ratio for movies to music is pretty high go the AVR route. AVR's do a decent job at stereo as well, however u cant compare it to a Stereo Amp.However it does give the flexibility of sound processing, Connectivity etc.

45k for an AVR setup with 5.1 would not buy you a lot . a low range AVR from Denon / Yamaha / Onkyo and satellite speakers with a powered sub. youll be pretty much stuck with that,
45k for stereo would buy you a decent integrated Stereo Amp (Denon/ Marantz/ NAD/ Yamaha/Norge) + Good Bookshelf speakers.
Plus the option to change components or build a HT around that over time by adding an AVR and other speakers if the need arises

Cheers

- F l a s h -

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Although your budget is not known, but to start with one can select a good 2 channel integrated amp and a pair of speakers. The source may be with PC/HTPC with a good sound card. In future, one can go for a transport + DAC or a CDP.

If you want to go to AVR route, one thing for sure you will not get the satisfaction of audio. But for movie - yes AVR can be a good bet.

I can share my personal case. I first started with Integrated amp + a pair of Bookshelf speakers with my PC as source. Then subsequently added a dedicated CDP as source. Computer source is still being used with headphone for personal listening sometimes.

Then I went for a separate movie system ina separate room with Blu Ray player + AVR + 5.0 speaker system with a Plasma TV. The subwoofer is yet to be purchased.

Now, I am extending to Turntable / Vinyl to get more enjoying music.

If you spell your preference, people may suggest the brands/models. But 45k budget for AVR+5.1 speakers will not be a good system. You have to be satisfied with entry level AVR and satelite speakers at that budget.

 

[anm]

at that budget, you should go for an HTIB. Save more money like an EMI and then invest in very good speakers - say 75k to 1L.
So taking analogy from photography - get a p&s right away so that you can start experiencing it. Once you start hitting the limitations figure out what you need.
OR you can buy this if music is all you care for - http://www.hifivision.com/group-buy...-pm5004-marantz-cd5004-quad-11l2-package.html or maybe just the speakers/ amp and use existing dvdp etc for source, till you have the money to buy a better source.

 

[goodsound]

Well it totally depends on listening preference. if its music . Then Stereo Amp + a pair speakers + Source CDP/DAc/PC

if its Movies then AvR + 5.1 speakers + Source

There are many in the forum and elsewhere who upgrade their speakers, stereo amps pretty regularly. However it has to be considered that there would be a substantal loss each time you change components.
What i have noticed though is that when it comes to AVR's. Usually the norm is once bought its not sold unless there is a change in tech.

However with Stereo. Most folks do go ahead and upgrade the Stereo Amp and speakers to attain Audio nirvana.
The same can be said for speakers when used wth AVR

So it purely boils down to your listening preference Music or Movies. if your ratio for movies to music is pretty high go the AVR route. AVR's do a decent job at stereo as well, however u cant compare it to a Stereo Amp.However it does give the flexibility of sound processing, Connectivity etc.

45k for an AVR setup with 5.1 would not buy you a lot . a low range AVR from Denon / Yamaha / Onkyo and satellite speakers with a powered sub. youll be pretty much stuck with that,
45k for stereo would buy you a decent integrated Stereo Amp (Denon/ Marantz/ NAD/ Yamaha/Norge) + Good Bookshelf speakers.
Plus the option to change components or build a HT around that over time by adding an AVR and other speakers if the need arises

Cheers

- F l a s h -

Exactly my question was the same. For general purpose everyday use what should be the option, considering both music and movie. I know that there are lots in India who can afford to change the system in regular interval. But who are not able to do so, what for them? My question was what would be the best option both for music and movies within 45-50K. I know it'll be stupidity to expect the same quality for in this system if compared it with a dedicated system for music or movies. Let me put the question in different way. If you are given 45-50K and asked to "satisfy" both in music and movies what will you choose and why. The condition is that you'll not be permitted to replace the system within 5-6 yrs.

 

[Flash]

With a budget of 45k to 50k and if someone wants to satisfy both Movies and Music and on the premise that no further upgrade would be done for a few years

Then AVR would be a safer bet. and the reason for this is
1. With an AVR you get the flexibility of connecting your TV and watching some movies as well as take care of stereo duty when called for.
2. AVR's are not that bad for music reproduction as someone might expect you to believe. After all they are just one component of the entire chain . All AVR's do have a mode for stereo, Direct and pure direct where it bypasses the video circuitry to give you the best possible sound it can for Music
3.AVR also have a lot of sound processing built into it Dolby, DTS etc etc. So again movies, serials etc will be enjoyed not by you alone but the entire family.
4. AVR's offer a host of inputs and outputs, so you can connect your TV, DTH, CD player , Blu Ray player, PC, etc etc etc etc
5. There are probably millions of houses all over the world where they use an AVR for movies as well as Stereo and are pretty satisfied.

Look at it this way. Assume you have a Hyundai Accent, you probably love the power the torque the handling, the acceleration and everything about the car and you are pretty much satisfied, probably in your mind you would say . who needs anything more.
Lets assume a friend is heading out of town for a week or 2 and hands you his Hyundai i20
Well lets say you use it for a couple of weeks and hand it back to your friend. and begin to drive your Hyundai back again .
You will suddenly realise that your car probably sucks. at around the same cost the i20 was way better. better interiors , better power, classier interiors etc
However no boot , slightly cramped interiors etc etc ec
Infact you would not feel like driving the Accent for some time and it would probably take same time to get used to again

Same goes for AVR vs Stereo --- A person who has not spent considerable time with a stereo 2.0 setup will be more than happy with his AVR 5.1 channel combo and will probably think its out of the world , Plus he will be happy with the added flexibility of sound decoding, Connectivity to TV and other sources etc etc etc

I sat my wife through some music the other day and played 2 versions of
TROY - Sinead OConner
Lossy mp3 and Flac
Well lets say she did not find a difference and said both seemed the same.
Since she is amongst the 6.9 billion people who are not critical listeners. it did not make a difference. Both sounded the same. So assume I had done the AVR / Stereo amp test , she would have again found no difference .
Ask yourself this .
How many of your family members try to listen to Soundstage, depth, Vocal tone, Imaging etc when listening to music / movies.
I guess none .
Infact they hear music and never listen to it .
As for us Audiophiles. we are constantly listening to music and looking for certain things like soundstage, Holographic center imaging of vocals etc etc etc.
Infact we have a very hard time enjoying music, We have become too critical and that's the reason for constant upgrades and addition of components

Now if the person who has a budget of Rs50,000 is amongst the 6.9 billion people out there . AVR . no 2 ways about it .

 

[goodsound]

Thanks for the reply. I know what you are saying is correct. And thats the reason I asked the expert like you to help.
But I asked the probable model no of AVR and speakers.

 

[Flash]

What is the size of the room ?

 

[Flash]

Probably AVR / Speakers if it is for me on a tight budget

Denon 1312 / 1612 or Yamaha RXV 471
mated with JBL Cinema 300 or 500

 

[goodsound]

TV screen to ear distance 15'. Romm (non dedicated) size 18'x12' with furniture (if it makes difference). Yesterday I got an offer for Denon 1612+Polk RM6750 at 54K and 1312BA+Polk RM6750 at 44K with headphone free. How are the offers?

 

[goodsound]

Probably AVR / Speakers if it is for me on a tight budget
/ 1612 or Yamaha RXV 471
mated with JBL Cinema 300 or 500

What is the minimum budget for you to have "decent" system and how you devide it model wise for AVR and speakers?Denon 1312

 

[marsilians]

First things first, dont buy a complete system with the budget you have. It will be substandard at best. Also understand if you want only brand new or used equipment.

YOu will realise soon that in terms of changing/upgrading, its in the following order Source > AVR > Speakers. So investing in decent speakers would make sense. Then look to including a decent amp/avr.

With the limited budget at starting what is the best option for someone to invest in home theater set up, AVR or speakers? There are many options available for AVR and speakers. For example, for SLR camera, many photographers believe that it is better to invest on lenses rather than very costly body. You can change the bodies latter if you have good collection of lenses. Is it true for speakers? I really dont know how many people keep on changing AVR or speakers in regular intervals and how many have dedicated systems for music and movies. Some are good for movies some are for music:sad:. In that case what to do if you have total 45000/- to spend at starting confused:.
Can experts in this line through some light on this?

 

[pupupuchi28]

After listening to all that you had to say get Wharfedale Obesian package and Yamaha RXV371. I guess 6-7K above your budget but certainly you will not repent.

also check out the package of Jamo speakers, Polk sub and Denon amp.
The Home Theater Store

The towers in both the options will very well take care of your liking for music, while overall its a DEAL.

 

[adie]

Thanks to all the querry raiser and answer providers. You all have done wonderfull job of providing releif to first timers to build good audio system.

 

[suresh lalwani]

Depends on what your passion is.
I have been an audio man past 43 years. I have a decent set up.
Some 3 years ago I got into home theater. So I bought the same brand of speakers for the mid & rears namely Magneplanar. I am happy.
Ofcourse I had to invest in a 5.1 channel control amp namely the NAD.
But of late I have bought the Cadence Canasyas mono power amps. I think if I had bought these first I would not have bothered to go 5.1
This power amp is both a beast power wise & a beauty....... delicate finesse
Give it a thought cause a new item bought from the mkt today has to be sold at a throwaway price just 2 months down the line

 

[suresh lalwani]

Depends on what your passion is.
I have been an audio man past 43 years. I have a decent set up.
Some 3 years ago I got into home theater. So I bought the same brand of speakers for the mid & rears namely Magneplanar. I am happy.
Ofcourse I had to invest in a 5.1 channel control amp namely the NAD.
But of late I have bought the Cadence Canasyas mono power amps. I think if I had bought these first I would not have bothered to go 5.1
This power amp is both a beast, that is power wise & and a beauty......its delicate & has finesse
Give it a thought cause a new item bought from the mkt today has to be sold at a throwaway price just 2 months down the line

 

[goodsound]

With a budget of 45k to 50k and if someone wants to satisfy both Movies and Music and on the premise that no further upgrade would be done for a few years

Then AVR would be a safer bet. and the reason for this is
1. With an AVR you get the flexibility of connecting your TV and watching some movies as well as take care of stereo duty when called for.
2. AVR's are not that bad for music reproduction as someone might expect you to believe. After all they are just one component of the entire chain . All AVR's do have a mode for stereo, Direct and pure direct where it bypasses the video circuitry to give you the best possible sound it can for Music
3.AVR also have a lot of sound processing built into it Dolby, DTS etc etc. So again movies, serials etc will be enjoyed not by you alone but the entire family.
4. AVR's offer a host of inputs and outputs, so you can connect your TV, DTH, CD player , Blu Ray player, PC, etc etc etc etc
5. There are probably millions of houses all over the world where they use an AVR for movies as well as Stereo and are pretty satisfied.

Look at it this way. Assume you have a Hyundai Accent, you probably love the power the torque the handling, the acceleration and everything about the car and you are pretty much satisfied, probably in your mind you would say . who needs anything more.
Lets assume a friend is heading out of town for a week or 2 and hands you his Hyundai i20
Well lets say you use it for a couple of weeks and hand it back to your friend. and begin to drive your Hyundai back again .
You will suddenly realise that your car probably sucks. at around the same cost the i20 was way better. better interiors , better power, classier interiors etc
However no boot , slightly cramped interiors etc etc ec
Infact you would not feel like driving the Accent for some time and it would probably take same time to get used to again

Same goes for AVR vs Stereo --- A person who has not spent considerable time with a stereo 2.0 setup will be more than happy with his AVR 5.1 channel combo and will probably think its out of the world , Plus he will be happy with the added flexibility of sound decoding, Connectivity to TV and other sources etc etc etc

I sat my wife through some music the other day and played 2 versions of
TROY - Sinead OConner
Lossy mp3 and Flac
Well lets say she did not find a difference and said both seemed the same.
Since she is amongst the 6.9 billion people who are not critical listeners. it did not make a difference. Both sounded the same. So assume I had done the AVR / Stereo amp test , she would have again found no difference .
Ask yourself this .
How many of your family members try to listen to Soundstage, depth, Vocal tone, Imaging etc when listening to music / movies.
I guess none .
Infact they hear music and never listen to it .
As for us Audiophiles. we are constantly listening to music and looking for certain things like soundstage, Holographic center imaging of vocals etc etc etc.
Infact we have a very hard time enjoying music, We have become too critical and that's the reason for constant upgrades and addition of components

Now if the person who has a budget of Rs50,000 is amongst the 6.9 billion people out there . AVR . no 2 ways about it .

You are right. Sound is not the tart of profession of mine or my family. But it is major part of our daily entertainment. So I need to have a "decent" arrangement within my limit. During survey for last few days I understood that 45K is not enough, so I've to increase it a bit may be upto 65-70K (considering I'll not change anything in coming 5-6 years). My only requirement is best sound for both music and movies within that limit. It may not have very loud sound (as my room is small) but should have clear sound. Now any specific models for AVR + speakers?

 

[Flash]

You are right. Sound is not the tart of profession of mine or my family. But it is major part of our daily entertainment. So I need to have a "decent" arrangement within my limit. During survey for last few days I understood that 45K is not enough, so I've to increase it a bit may be upto 65-70K (considering I'll not change anything in coming 5-6 years). My only requirement is best sound for both music and movies within that limit. It may not have very loud sound (as my room is small) but should have clear sound. Now any specific models for AVR + speakers?

70k does seem to open up more choices .
With AVR's, Denon 1612 or 1912 (approx 30k- 40k) - Both good AVR's over a plethora of features, connectivity options .
Denon's are good at both movies and music. I have a Denon 2106 which ive had for quite some time now probably 4 years. However recently when I pitted it against a brand new Onkyo NR809 (which costs 70k +). the Denon came on top with Music, However it could be a result of of it being paired with my B&W 685 speakers
Anyway avoiding the nitty gritties
With Speakers I would go in for
let say the
Wharfedale 10.1 as front speakers - approx 15k
Wharfedale 10cc Center channel - approx 10k
Wharfedale 10dfs Surrounds - approx 11k

So total would work up to around - 65k + or - Rs -5000 (depends on your negotiations skills)

There is still one component missing though and thats a subwoofer - purely depending on the amount of slam you require 12000 - 25000

I know I have overshot your budget after adding the subwoofer . but the beauty of buying components lis that you don't have to buy everything at one shot . unlike those 5.1 packages. you could build it over time
You will ask me the question why Wharfedale -
Well Wharfedale products are pretty well regarded and very musical they are infact very good at their price point very very hard to beat. it will keep you and your family entertained for years and will serve both duties music/movies very very well. Yes there are way better speakers out there but lets not forget the price point as well
There are other brands as well Polk TSi, Tannoy, JBL Studio etc etc which fall in the same price bracket.
What makes sense is to go and audition these speakers at AV showrooms and see which one trills you the most (sonically)
However at your increased budget. you will have something that will keep you entertained for years to come

Cheers
- F l a s h -

 

[goodsound]

70k does seem to open up more choices .
With AVR's, Denon 1612 or 1912 (approx 30k- 40k) - Both good AVR's over a plethora of features, connectivity options .
Denon's are good at both movies and music. I have a Denon 2106 which ive had for quite some time now probably 4 years. However recently when I pitted it against a brand new Onkyo NR809 (which costs 70k +). the Denon came on top with Music, However it could be a result of of it being paired with my B&W 685 speakers
Anyway avoiding the nitty gritties
With Speakers I would go in for
let say the
Wharfedale 10.1 as front speakers - approx 15k
Wharfedale 10cc Center channel - approx 10k
Wharfedale 10dfs Surrounds - approx 11k

So total would work up to around - 65k + or - Rs -5000 (depends on your negotiations skills)

There is still one component missing though and thats a subwoofer - purely depending on the amount of slam you require 12000 - 25000

I know I have overshot your budget after adding the subwoofer . but the beauty of buying components lis that you don't have to buy everything at one shot . unlike those 5.1 packages. you could build it over time
You will ask me the question why Wharfedale -
Well Wharfedale products are pretty well regarded and very musical they are infact very good at their price point very very hard to beat. it will keep you and your family entertained for years and will serve both duties music/movies very very well. Yes there are way better speakers out there but lets not forget the price point as well
There are other brands as well Polk TSi, Tannoy, JBL Studio etc etc which fall in the same price bracket.
What makes sense is to go and audition these speakers at AV showrooms and see which one trills you the most (sonically)
However at your increased budget. you will have something that will keep you entertained for years to come

Cheers
- F l a s h -

Thanks for the reply. I enq: about 1912 here in mumbai. It casts about 45900/. And with Polk705, the package is offered at 72000/-. What do you think.
I just want to know----can you pl tell me where in Mumbai I can get the audition. I'm from Navi Mumbai, so nearer to navi mumbai is preferable.

 

[Flash]

Thanks for the reply. I enq: about 1912 here in mumbai. It casts about 45900/. And with Polk705, the package is offered at 72000/-. What do you think.
I just want to know----can you pl tell me where in Mumbai I can get the audition. I'm from Navi Mumbai, so nearer to navi mumbai is preferable.

You have been over quoted for the Denon 1912.. 45k is way too steep. Thats the mrp. expect the price to be 10% lower if not more
Get in touch with other forum members , Santy , Denom , Hemant. they are all based out of navi mumbau . they will give you locations to audition .

The Polk 705 . Imo ... not worth it . with your budget . . Polk 705 is good for Movie duty. not very musical .
look at the Denon 1612 as well. and use the money saved for better speakers and cables.