to say hello and ask one question

[Jorge Cordeiro]

I want to say hello to everyone at bluray.com
I've been reading a lot for a long time and finally decided to register.
My question may be ( or not ) futile.
I've been growing a taste for Home cinema.
I've purchased a lcd and a ps3 ( for games too of course )
my next step is to get some speakers...but at this i kinda suck!
I mean Watts, dB, woofer tweeter etc etc so much stuff for me to start that it loses me.
For these reason i want to ask the opinion of many people on this forum with much more knowledge.
OH! almost forgot i already have a HT system but i want to upgrade it so i'm no virgin :P.
I was thinking on 2 front B&W 684 with a onkyo 606. This was a suggestion of one store. I Have heard them ( well technically i've eard the 685 so...) and i liked it very much...
any help would much appreciated.
One big thanks to everybody and sorry for the big text
Thank you bluray.com for this excelent forum
PS: nothing over $1000 please...

[BACsader]

Hello and welcome. If you want to start off by spending $1000 and eventually building when money is available to you, I would imagine that is a very good start. Some things you need to consider.

Your room size.
Main purpose for theater system. Movies, Music, Games. etc

[JJ]

Well, the Bowers and Wilkins 684s themselves are $500/ea, so there's your budget just in the two speakers (which I will...ahem...HIGHLY endorse) - not to mention I will not endorse pairing B&Ws with an Onkyo 606, though - all in all, if you want to spend $1,000 - I'd try the Definitive Technology ProCinema or ProMonitor set for your 5 speakers ($700), an Elemental Designs eD A2-300($350) sub, and that same Onkyo 606. What store would suggest that B&W and Onkyo pairing?!?!

What HT do you currently have? A Home-theater-in-a-box?

Beta has 685s, I think, maybe he'll come in and say his own two cents...but that's a whole different boat, given your price range. Oh, and:

-Watts: the power that is driven to the speakers from the receiver/amp/etc (which they get from the powerlines, etc) - this is usually a spec that is blown way out of proportion, the actual difference in listening level is low.
-dBs: Decibels, or, to make it simple for you, the volume level (I know its more complex than this, but I'm simplifying it, chaps)
-Woofer: A low-frequency driver unit
-Tweeter: A high-frequency driver unit

[Beta Man]

The 600 series B&Ws are great, I have some 686s for my rears and love them.

If you are already going to local shops and listening to different speakers, then you are on the right track. Don't worry about watts etc...


For the receiver, I'd recommend looking into Denon maybe..... although the Onkyo they recommended will certainly do the trick.


One thing to keep in mind, if you decide to get bookshelf speakers rather than towers, keep in mind the price of the speaker stands.... it all adds up. My stands were $350, so it's pretty significant in the "Total package" of what you have to shell-out.


with your budget in mind, perhaps FOUR B&W 686s, and the matching center (two to choose from, I'd say the smaller of the two would be good for this type of setup) would be a good start, then you need a subwoofer, but I'd start with Left, Right, Center, and Receiver, then add more as money allows.


Good luck!!!



EDIT:


JJ was close.... 686s

[Jorge Cordeiro]

Sorry i forgot about those.
Well, it will be mainly for movies and music ( 90% and 10% ) in that order
the distance between tv and viewer is about 3m ( 15ft )
and the room is about 30sq ft +-. But eventually i will be leaving this house and the speakers are goning with me so...
thank you in advance

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

The 600 series B&Ws are great, I have some 686s for my rears and love them.

If you are already going to local shops and listening to different speakers, then you are on the right track. Don't worry about watts etc...


For the receiver, I'd recommend looking into Denon maybe..... although the Onkyo they recommended will certainly do the trick.


One thing to keep in mind, if you decide to get bookshelf speakers rather than towers, keep in mind the price of the speaker stands.... it all adds up. My stands were $350, so it's pretty significant in the "Total package" of what you have to shell-out.


with your budget in mind, perhaps FOUR B&W 686s, and the matching center (two to choose from, I'd say the smaller of the two would be good for this type of setup) would be a good start, then you need a subwoofer, but I'd start with Left, Right, Center, and Receiver, then add more as money allows.


Good luck!!!



EDIT:


JJ was close.... 686s

685s are what, $350/$400 I think? Depending on your haggling skills? 686s are $200-$250. The HTM62 center channel is $400, as well. But he has a good point. The important steps for you, in my opinion are Left/Center/Right speakers, then your receiver, then your subwoofer, then your rears.

[Jorge Cordeiro]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Well, the Bowers and Wilkins 684s themselves are $500/ea, so there's your budget just in the two speakers (which I will...ahem...HIGHLY endorse) - not to mention I will not endorse pairing B&Ws with an Onkyo 606, though - all in all, if you want to spend $1,000 - I'd try the Definitive Technology ProCinema or ProMonitor set for your 5 speakers ($700), an Elemental Designs eD A2-300($350) sub, and that same Onkyo 606. What store would suggest that B&W and Onkyo pairing?!?!

What HT do you currently have? A Home-theater-in-a-box?

Beta has 685s, I think, maybe he'll come in and say his own two cents...but that's a whole different boat, given your price range. Oh, and:

-Watts: the power that is driven to the speakers from the receiver/amp/etc (which they get from the powerlines, etc) - this is usually a spec that is blown way out of proportion, the actual difference in listening level is low.
-dBs: Decibels, or, to make it simple for you, the volume level (I know its more complex than this, but I'm simplifying it, chaps)
-Woofer: A low-frequency driver unit
-Tweeter: A high-frequency driver unit

Why don't you agree with the onkyo+B&W ?
well, since i will almost certainly get an onkyo which speakers do you advice?
Just for the record, i DID heard the onkyo and the 684 and the sound was very nice... but maybe it's because of my "newbie ears"

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Jorge Cordeiro

Why don't you agree with the onkyo+B&W ?
well, since i will almost certainly get an onkyo which speakers do you advice?
Just for the record, i DID heard the onkyo and the 684 and the sound was very nice... but maybe it's because of my "newbie ears"

"Newbie ears" - my friend, no te preocupes! (Assuming you speak spanish) Heck, for that matter, I probably have newbie ears as well. But there are audio differences, however slight. What else did you hear? And...how should I put this - it would be like a Honda Accord engine powering a BMW M-class car! Why are you almost certainly getting an Onkyo, out of curiosity? There are so many other brands to research! Yamaha, Denon come to mind...

It's a lot of research, friend - I spent a few months learning all the audio terminology in these forums, then another 2-3 researching ALL my options in all brands before finally making all my purchases last month. Now, not everyone has that kind of time - but it is a process...and this forum was very helpful. You really want to hear all the speakers/receivers/subs you plan on getting or are in your options.

Other brands you might want to look into - Paradigm, PSB, Axiom, DefTech - unless you want to go with the Polk/Klipsch standard...

[Jorge Cordeiro]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

"Newbie ears" - my friend, no te preocupes! (Assuming you speak spanish) Heck, for that matter, I probably have newbie ears as well. But there are audio differences, however slight. What else did you hear? And...how should I put this - it would be like a Honda Accord engine powering a BMW M-class car! Why are you almost certainly getting an Onkyo, out of curiosity? There are so many other brands to research! Yamaha, Denon come to mind...

It's a lot of research, friend - I spent a few months learning all the audio terminology in these forums, then another 2-3 researching ALL my options in all brands before finally making all my purchases last month. Now, not everyone has that kind of time - but it is a process...and this forum was very helpful. You really want to hear all the speakers/receivers/subs you plan on getting or are in your options.

Other brands you might want to look into - Paradigm, PSB, Axiom, DefTech - unless you want to go with the Polk/Klipsch standard...

well i am portuguese...xD so spanish is almost a must.
i was planning an onkyo due to the price range and its ability to decode the new audio formats...multich PCM DTS HD and TRUEHD.
Note that i do NOT live in the states so there are many things i can not purchase and that the prices are really different.
other thant that everything is the same ( xD )
Denon is great and yamaha too but quality/price factor is present and the onkyo wins ( right? ).

[CasualKiller]

it would be like a Honda Accord engine powering a BMW M-class car

No offense but B&W 600 series are hardly "BMW-M Class" rofl.

Nothing wrong with running them off of an Onkyo, they are meant to be an easy to run, budget line of speakers bearing the B&W logo.

A few other brands to look at:

Monitor Audio, any of the Bronze or the RS1/RS5/RS6

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/ranges.php

Aperion Audio, free shipping and a 30 day trial:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/catalog/Tower,28.aspx

Don't be afraid to nose around for used gear either:

http://www.audiogon.com/index.html

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Jorge Cordeiro

well i am portuguese...xD so spanish is almost a must.
i was planning an onkyo due to the price range and its ability to decode the new audio formats...multich PCM DTS HD and TRUEHD.
Note that i do NOT live in the states so there are many things i can not purchase and that the prices are really different.
other thant that everything is the same ( xD )
Denon is great and yamaha too but quality/price factor is present and the onkyo wins ( right? ).

Ah! My second guess was portuguese. Yes, things are different as far as buying in different countries. Do you actually live in Portugal?

Well, the Onkyo 606 is a great entry level receiver that will serve you well. For its features and price, it is a solid entry. I will recommend going for that. Now, my laptop battery is about to die so I will let someone else continue the teaching!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Welcome to the forum!

Just because JJ recommended NOT pairing an Onkyo with the B&W's, doesn't mean you shouldn't. Everyone has different ears and what sounds good to one sounds awful to another. Go with what sounds good to you.

In defense of JJ however, he was expressing his opinion and that is what we all do on here.

The best piece of advice I can give you and most will concur.....take your time, don't rush and listen/audition to as many componants (that includes speakers) as you can.

[Jorge Cordeiro]

Yes i live in Portugal.

About the monitor audio series... Those were my first choice BUt the BR5 ones.
then many stores told me that they were better for music than movies and the tweeter caused many troubles... I can't afford the silver ones. Here the price is over 1300$ us for those... thats why i am kinda restricted.
OH! and the variety isn't that great either...
B&W Monitor audio KEF JAMO Wharfedale... thats about it, i mean... for my price range.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by Jorge Cordeiro

Why don't you agree with the onkyo+B&W ?
well, since i will almost certainly get an onkyo which speakers do you advice?
Just for the record, i DID heard the onkyo and the 684 and the sound was very nice... but maybe it's because of my "newbie ears"

Onkyo and B&W work great together. Don't know what that previous poster is yammering about. Check out my signature below this post. Those B&W M-1 speakers are a very good way to start a high-end home theatre. They are compact speakers that really pack a wallup without unpacking your wallet. The only negative to them is that they only come with tabletop stands and wall mounting brackets. Floor stands are extra. The M-1 speakers sell for around $250/ea CDN.

[Jorge Cordeiro]

gotta do more research...
thank so much you to everyone.

[Uniquely]

That Onkyo is a great little receiver, especially if you are pretty new to this sort of thing. The Audyssey does a great job of calibrating your system, and the on-screen set up menu is easy to navigate and understand. You get a lot of nice features (like 4 hdmi inputs and faroudja upscaling) for a great budget price.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Onkyo and B&W work great together. Don't know what that previous poster is yammering about. Check out my signature below this post. Those B&W M-1 speakers are a very good way to start a high-end home theatre. They are compact speakers that really pack a wallup without unpacking your wallet. The only negative to them is that they only come with tabletop stands and wall mounting brackets. Floor stands are extra. The M-1 speakers sell for around $250/ea CDN.

Hey. You tell me to my face when I yammer.

Sheesh. I can't believe the berating I just ensued for an opinion - I thought this wasnt the Movies forum - come now, Killer.