Which is the better reciever/speaker set geared for movies?

[Greekboy]

Well I have recently upgraded my hdtv from an older samsung 30" crt to a pioneer plasma and thought it was time to do the same for sound. Currently using the Onkyo HT-SR800 7.1 HTiB. I have been looking at using either the Denon AVR-3808CI with Klipsch Synergy III speakers or the Onkyo 805 or 705 and using Polk Rti speakers. What do you guys think would be better overall more movies. Also which should be my first upgrade speakers or reviever? Thank you for your help!

[nhaase]

I've got a Denon AVR-2308CI and Klipsch Synergy II and love the thing to death. It's analagous to what you would be looking at, just 50W less per channel. It sounds absolutely amazing, and the matrixing of the side speakers when playing 5.1 content is perfect. I've read good things on here, too, about the Onkyos and Polk, but I can first-hand tell you that you will love the Denon/Klipsch combo.

[Greekboy]

Thank you nhaase, the Denon/Klipsch combo was accually the one I was slighty leaning towards. What do you think should be my first purchase, the reciever to get the newer codecs since my current one cannot put them out or just upgrade the HTiB speakers? Unsure of what to do with that as well. Thanks for your input. I am a pretty good knowledge of TVs but just begun learning about the audio end of it.

[krazeyeyez]

don't know about your price range or how much of a difference there is between the klipsch reference and regular klipsch. but i just recently got my klipsch reference speakers and they sound exactly like the theatre. watching transformers with them was amazing. im assuming the regular klipsch also have the horn tweeters so i would assume they also produce that theatre like sound.

[Greekboy]

Seems like everyone is leaning towards Denon/Klipsch combo. I don't have too much of a set limit I would like to spend but looking for under $1,200 for the reciever and about the same for a speaker set so roughly a total of $2,400 but of course less is better. Music is of no concern to me as the system will be primarily being used for movies. Thank you guys again for your help

[Blu-Raider]

Here's my opinion.
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[Brian Cash]

I have the onkyo 605 with the Klipsch Quintet Series III and they sound awesome I also have the onkyo 905 with the Klipsch Icon Series and they sound unbelievable im a huge klipsch and onkyo fan you can never go wrong

[Slec]

I would buy the receiver first. This will allow you to take advantage of the lossless codecs and may have you look at a broader range of speakers.

I love my klipsch reference speakers but I can't recommend enough that you go to some Home theater stores (tweeter or something locally owned) and check out how the speakers sound. In the end, that's what's going to matter the most (bring your own source movie too).

Think about if there are space limitations (would you rather have smaller speakers, or towers up front).

Enjoy the hunt! Just be wary that the new receiver will expand your willingness to spend money on good speakers!

[Greekboy]

You guys are a big help. How do you feel about what should be my first upgrade the receiver or the speakers for improved sound? I would think the receiver for the new codecs right?

[Greekboy]

I know Slec my mind is already in the hole when it comes to home theater. My new Pioneer gave me the bug to keep upgrading haha. Also I have room for towers up front but the back of the room is a little tighter the best I would do would prob be smaller bookshelf speakers.

[Slec]

Originally Posted by Greekboy

I know Slec my mind is already in the hole when it comes to home theater. My new Pioneer gave me the bug to keep upgrading haha. Also I have room for towers up front but the back of the room is a little tighter the best I would do would prob be smaller bookshelf speakers.

My original intent was HTiB. Finally started looking to get an Onkyo 605 and my wife bought me one for the holidays! As I started listening to speakers more intently I moved from HTiB to looking at Quintet & mythos systems, to klipsch synergy and Polk RTi series. I finally decided on the klipsch reference and following the silly "buy just above what you were looking to spend" rule, bought some RF-82's. There were probably some other speakers mixed in there as I went through the whole thing but they were not as prominent. Part of the fun was testing things out over the last 2-1/2 months.

Your 2 choices are:
a) continue down the rabbit hole (of your particular speaker choice) and come out the other side happier then you'd expect.
b) keep a reign on yourself and buy more blu!

[Greekboy]

Yeah, I was set back then to just pick up a cheap $500 or so HTiB thats why I picked up the onkyo one after several good reviews about a being a good starter system. Never realized how huge of a difference audio makes wow was I wrong, now I'm looking at spending $2,500 or so total. Still have a lot to learn about and you guys have been helping a lot I really appreciate it. Any further input let me know I am def not set on any particular brand of speaker or receiver just want it to sound great for movies.

[crackinhedz]

Yamaha RX-V863 ($899) (Review)

...with either Polk or Klipsch series speakers, they would both sound excellent.

(for speakers, best to match the Center & L/R front speakers...this will allow you to spend more on better fronts and to skimp somewhat on surrounds. Surrounds do not have to be same model or even top of the line...also invest in a great subwoofer.)

[Greekboy]

Thanks crackinhedz. I never even knew that one existed so many to consider and the more and more I learn the further I get confused in all of my options. Such a tough decision I appreciate all your input guys

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Greekboy

Thanks crackinhedz. I never even knew that one existed so many to consider

...if you want to even save some money, you could consider the Yamaha RX-V663 ($499)

[Greekboy]

Now I think your just trying to put my mind in a hole lol still playing around with my brand choice as a whole though. I heard somewhat that yamaha's are better for music? I actually think it was a salesman, you would think I would know better. Is there any truth to that at all or was he another ignorant salesman?

[Ben123]

I got a Denon 3808 not so long ago and it's fantastic. It packs the punch and dynamic range for movies as well as the resolution and subtle detail for music. Having own both Denon and Yamaha, I personally always prefer Denon since I feel they pack more punch then Yamaha but you really can't go wrong with either a Denon or a Yamaha since these two are the most popular. If you are on a budget and do not need too much power, you can go for the less powerful Denon 2808 instead which also have HDMI and support all the advance lossless audio codecs.

As for which to upgrade first, actually you need to upgrade both Receiver/speakers together since they work hand in hand. You will not benefit much from improve sound if you upgrade the speakers first without the receiver or vice versa since good speakers need a good receiver to drive it and good receivers need good speakers to show their performance.

As for speaker recommendation, my only advice would be not to save money and consider any HITB speakers. They usually all sound awful ( relatively speaking ). Consider a full fledge speaker system instead. Also, you should actually listen to it yourself rather than follow anyone's recommendation. Bring your favourite movies and CD to test it out and if you like the sound then you buy it, not because it is a good brand or many people recommend it.

Hope this helps. :-)

[sandman6662]

Speakers === KLIPSCH Reference system , all the way hands down , Sorry I'm a Klipsch lover bought my 1st pair in Italy over 24 years ago and would never buy anything else..

Reciever === Marantz SR7002--This is what I just upgraded to ,But I also looked at the Onkyo 705 adn the Denon ,Not impressed with the Denon , But the Onkyo was not bad & great price for it,But again sorry this is the 3rd Marantz upgrade for me and I'm a Marnatz Lover ..the EQ has never failed me once & built like a tank..

As for Polk ,really never been of fan of them sorry .Hope the info helps to..

PS.as for Klipsch speakers You can pu together a small Bookshelf Reference system pretty cheap if you shop around I did my system for $1000.00 Look in my sigg for model numbers .

good luck & enjoy

[maseo503]

if you go with Klipsch...dont play around and get the Reference series... thats the only line i would consider from that company. if you go onkyo... its the 805 that has your name on it... dynamics ability out the wazoo... besting denon and yamaha in that category... just consider the unit's high temps under normal operation. the 805 has its other trade-offs also...but if you're watching a lot of hi-def movies with competent speakers the 805 just does what its asked effortlessly. check and see if you have a PSB dealer near you. you might get around to listening to some music and the many selections of concert blu-rays... thats where a speaker like PSB excels and just makes your purchase even more valuable.

[TOP_GUN]

also check out the kef speakers they sound great i have the 2005.2 and the marantz sr7001 man my movies sounds great