Need Speaker help starting from scratch....

[shar14k]

Hello

I'm starting from scratch with my home speakers. I need some help buying new ones. I love music and watching movies and I thought it is about time I tried to get some decent or good speakers

I'm also getting a receiver and picking 1 out 3
Pioneer Elite SC-57
Integra DTR-80.3
ONKYO TX-NR5009

My room is 23 x 13

I'm looking to get 2 floor standing speakers and the side and back as book self speakers. I'm looking to spend more for the floor standing speakers 1000-3000 each and I don't want to have different kind of speakers I would rather stay with the same company. I have been looking at a few but I'm hoping some people on the form will point me in the right direction and if not help me pick then at least narrow it down to 3 units.

Some of the ones I was looking at
Bowers & Wilkins CM9
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 804
Aperion Verus Grand Speaker System

Thanks for any + input

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by shar14k

Hello

I'm starting from scratch with my home speakers. I need some help buying new ones. I love music and watching movies and I thought it is about time I tried to get some decent or good speakers

I'm also getting a receiver and picking 1 out 3
Pioneer Elite SC-57
Integra DHC-80.3
ONKYO TX-NR5009

My room is 23 x 13

I'm looking to get 2 floor standing speakers and the side and back as book self speakers. I'm looking to spend more for the floor standing speakers 1000-3000 each and I don't want to have different kind of speakers I would rather stay with the same company. I have been looking at a few but I'm hoping some people on the form will point me in the right direction and if not help me pick then at least narrow it down to 3 units.

Some of the ones I was looking at
Bowers & Wilkins CM9
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 804
Aperion Verus Grand Speaker System

Thanks for any + input

First, I assume that you meant to type Integra DTC-80.3 (receiver) instead of Integra DHC-80.3 because the latter is a preamp and would require you purchasing separate amplifiers. All three of these are really nice for both audio and video. Personally, I only have experience with Onkyo so I can't offer you much advice. However, I am really pleased with my own 7.1 Onkyo so you couldn't go wrong with that choice.

Regarding your speaker choices, will you have an opportunity to hear your 3 choices for both music and movies before you purchase them? That is the only way to go in my opinion. I purchased my Definitive Technology towers way back when THX was first introduced for home theater use and I had listened to a variety of THX approved speakers and the Definitive Technology bipolar speakers for both music and movies. In the end I decided that I liked how both music and film sounded on the Definitive Tech speakers; even though they were not THX approved.

Just some thoughts off of the top of my head; hope these are helpful!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

First, I assume that you meant to type Integra DTC-80.3 (receiver) instead of Integra DHC-80.3 because the latter is a preamp and would require you purchasing separate amplifiers. All three of these are really nice for both audio and video. Personally, I only have experience with Onkyo so I can't offer you much advice. However, I am really pleased with my own 7.1 Onkyo so you couldn't go wrong with that choice.

Regarding your speaker choices, will you have an opportunity to hear your 3 choices for both music and movies before you purchase them? That is the only way to go in my opinion. I purchased my Definitive Technology towers way back when THX was first introduced for home theater use and I had listened to a variety of THX approved speakers and the Definitive Technology bipolar speakers for both music and movies. In the end I decided that I liked how both music and film sounded on the Definitive Tech speakers; even though they were not THX approved.

Just some thoughts off of the top of my head; hope these are helpful!

This an important thing to remember as your HT will be functioning as your movie and music setup. Let me also drive away immediately the silly idea that there are speakers for music and then speakers for movies....BUNK....doesn't exist. So go and audition and listen (if you can) to speakers in a HT environment, watch some video clips and then switch over to music only.

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by John72953

This an important thing to remember as your HT will be functioning as your movie and music setup. Let me also drive away immediately the silly idea that there are speakers for music and then speakers for movies....BUNK....doesn't exist. So go and audition and listen (if you can) to speakers in a HT environment, watch some video clips and then switch over to music only.

Thanks for "amplifying" my advice John with some additional important advice!

[callas01]

where do you live? I ask cause it might help to find some local dealers near you that you can audition speakers at. My suggestion is audition, audition, audition. I spent a lot of time auditioning speakers before I bought. There are lots of good speakers, then there are the ones you'll take home. With your budget, take your time, and don't rush it. Im glad that I didn't, and love what I have now.

In your price range I would check out Focal, Totem, Dynaudio, Revel, Paradigm, PSB, Kef, GoldenEar, Dali, Monitor Audio, as all of them make phenominal speakers in your price range.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by shar14k

Hello

I'm starting from scratch with my home speakers. I need some help buying new ones. I love music and watching movies and I thought it is about time I tried to get some decent or good speakers

I'm also getting a receiver and picking 1 out 3
Pioneer Elite SC-57
Integra DTR-80.3
ONKYO TX-NR5009

My room is 23 x 13

I'm looking to get 2 floor standing speakers and the side and back as book self speakers. I'm looking to spend more for the floor standing speakers 1000-3000 each and I don't want to have different kind of speakers I would rather stay with the same company. I have been looking at a few but I'm hoping some people on the form will point me in the right direction and if not help me pick then at least narrow it down to 3 units.

Some of the ones I was looking at
Bowers & Wilkins CM9
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 804
Aperion Verus Grand Speaker System

Thanks for any + input

The Pioneer has the power and clarity to run just about anything, if you're not going to run a separate amp. I'm not familiar with Integra performance over time, but it has a good reputation; I'd stay away from Onkyo for more power-hungy main speakers, they're simply not as efficient, and should be used for smaller rigs than what you envision.

I'm not a fan of the Bowers & Wilkins look, though they sound great. A terrific option is Definitive Audio Mythos, considering your room size - they have the power, clarity, and footprint to work just fine, with ST or STS for mains, and a variety of center speakers and bookshelf speakers to choose from. They have a cleaner look and smaller footprint than B&W or Aperion, and are somewhat more efficient - complemented perfectly by the SC7, which will have plenty of headroom for them.

It's just my two cents - what you're considering would work very well indeed, and sound great - but I'm thinking of mounting options, power reserver, and esthetics, and it worked well for me. Stunning sound.

And one of the previous posters was correct - once you get into truly quality units, they work will with any sound reproduction, be it movies or music. Go for it!

[shar14k]

I live in NY, I know a place called stereo exchange that has a lot of great speakers

[callas01]

Originally Posted by shar14k

I live in NY, I know a place called stereo exchange that has a lot of great speakers

that looks like a great store. Id go there to audition the Quad, Totem and Sonus Faber speakers, then head over to Innovative Audio where you can hear Dynaudio, Linn, Spendor, B&W. There is also In Living Stereo with Devore and Dynaudio, and others....

http://www.lyricusa.com/
they have Focal and GoldenEar and other speakers... Im sure you would have enough to make some decision from with these 3 places.

I have an Integra, its great. Integra and Onkyo are basically the same, small differences. I think Pioneer makes nice receivers, I just prefer a different sound. It would come down to what you have them paired with, and what you prefer in terms of sound.

[shar14k]

I will check out those locations for sure, thanks for the input. I have a question about your receiver, I heard the Onkyo and maybe even the Integra makes a strange clicking sound some times. Have you had that issue with yours.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by shar14k

I will check out those locations for sure, thanks for the input. I have a question about your receiver, I heard the Onkyo and maybe even the Integra makes a strange clicking sound some times. Have you had that issue with yours.

The only clicking sound they make is when the audio changes, say if you are watching TV, and then a commercial comes on and the commercial is in 2-ch stereo, the relays click, then when it goes back to 5.1 dolby digital the relays will click again. Personally this doesn't bug me. The SQ is so good anyways, that even if it did bug me, Id live with it. The Integra sound is a neutral warmth, and I personally love the sound with my Dynaudios. I went and listened to a lot of receivers as I was very concerned about the speakers and receiver matching, and a receiver that could power the speakers the way they needed to be... and Integra won the day for me. The only other strong consideration for me was the NAD 747.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by shar14k

I will check out those locations for sure, thanks for the input. I have a question about your receiver, I heard the Onkyo and maybe even the Integra makes a strange clicking sound some times. Have you had that issue with yours.

I believe the 'clicking' should be a signature thing for Onkyo. The clicking doesn't bother me, it actually makes me aware that something is going on and it makes me look to see what it is.

The clicking noise comes from all of the Onkyo/Integra receivers.