Which has more bang for buck factor - Speakers or AV Receiver/Amplifier.

[Ryu77]

I work in Audio Visual sales, so I am posting this poll to gauge a wider opinion on this topic from a research point of view.

The question I want to raise is - Dollar for dollar which will give you better performance... Better speakers or a better AV Receiver/Amplifier?

I know there are many variables to what I propose as a seemingly simple question and I am aware that the answer isn't as simple to verbalize as the question (poll) I have submitted.

I would also like to hear the why? What gives precedence to your opinion and what other factors influence the answer given?

My opinion is that spending more on speakers will result in a better dollar for dollar system, but rather than give my reasons for that answer (which could go on for pages), I would rather hear what everyone else has to say. Please no posts like "buy the best of both". I know that is the obvious answer but that would defeat the purpose of this poll. Not everyone has unlimited funds so I would like to use this opportunity to gain insight to the large community here at Blu-ray.com.

I would also be interested in hearing what ratio you think this should be? So, if you said 1.5:1 for speakers, as an example that would indicate spending approx. $3,000 on speakers and $2,000 on an AV Receiver etc.

[Clark Kent]

The quality of speakers you have make up the majority of the sound quality in the system. The electronics are usually limiting factors but not the main determinate of sound quality.

[Twitch9]

A good speaker is far more important to good sound than the receiver. The one exception to the rule would be a high end tube amp, that will change the sound dramatically also, where a standard receiver will only offer more power with most of the same features the lower end models will.

[xneox]

I've got the cheapest Pioneer AV receiver out there, but it's clean power, and I'm not using it for processing (using 5.1 of the 7.1 out from the player).

I've also got cheap JBL speakers, but they sound pretty good.

Now, if I had $2,000 to spare on AV toys right now, you can bet your yearly salary I wouldn't be wasting it on a new receiver. I'd spend every last dime on quality speakers, and be very happy doing it. I'm already getting superior processing from my player, and the power is clean, albeit modest...a complete revamp of my speaker setup would yield WAY more improvement than just upgrading my receiver.

Now, we're not talking dedicated amps, processors, preamps, etc...but more money in AV receivers usually pays for more features first, better quality/more power a distant second.

[Slec]

I would have said speakers a few weeks back. I recently got a new AVR and the sound from my system is completely different. I mean completely.. I'll still say speakers, but don't underestimate how the interplay between the two can affect what you hear.

[Digital-Man]

Not having a King's ransom to spend on audio gear (around $1200), the setup I am looking at will be about 50/50 receiver/speakers. I need small speakers, but want a receiver that will decode lossless audio.

[Ryu77]

Originally Posted by Digital-Man

Not having a King's ransom to spend on audio gear (around $1200), the setup I am looking at will be about 50/50 receiver/speakers. I need small speakers, but want a receiver that will decode lossless audio.

Fair point.

[Sith]

Originally Posted by Digital-Man

Not having a King's ransom to spend on audio gear (around $1200), the setup I am looking at will be about 50/50 receiver/speakers. I need small speakers, but want a receiver that will decode lossless audio.

you could get the ONKYO 606 and still have like $750 left for speakers..and
have lossless audio!!

[Digital-Man]

Originally Posted by Sith

you could get the ONKYO 606 and still have like $750 left for speakers..and
have lossless audio!!

I originally was looking at a Onkyo, but started reading about heat problems, and have now started lusting over the Denon 1909.

[Ryu77]

Originally Posted by Sith

you could get the ONKYO 606 and still have like $750 left for speakers..and
have lossless audio!!

Are Onkyo 606's only $450 in the US? They retail for $1399 here in Australia. Of course no-one ever pays retail but $450 sounds really cheap.

Edit: After some quick googling, I can see that is definitely possible in the US.

http://www.nextag.com/Onkyo-TXSR606-...82/prices-html

$450 USD equals $692 Australian dollars, which would be less than the floor cost at my store but I guess a retailer that wanted to clear stock might go that low.

[Squozen]

Originally Posted by Ryu77

$450 USD equals $692 Australian dollars, which would be less than the floor cost at my store but I guess a retailer that wanted to clear stock might go that low.

Yes, but we get screwed on everything. Ask the Americans how much they pay for a BMW, Mercedes or Porsche.

[kingofgrills]

Honestly, I think it depends on what your starting point is.

If you have a really crappy receiver and so-so speakers, getting highly detailed speakers will only bring out more of the flaws present in the crappy receiver. Likewise, bad speakers paired with a so-so receiver would do better with a speaker upgrade.

I don't think there's an absolute rule with this. It all depends on what you've already got.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

The quality of speakers you have make up the majority of the sound quality in the system. The electronics are usually limiting factors but not the main determinate of sound quality.

I agree....

Now, as far as "Ratio" There isn't one set in stone, because someone with a $1,000 budget, is going to want to spend $300-$350 to get the codecs etc.... but I would say for a budget of $10,000 I WOULDN'T spend $3,000-$3,500 on the components.... I'd spend probably under $1,000 for a solid AVR, or maybe $2,000 for a Pre/Pro and multi-channel Amp.... So the ratio changes.....

Not to mention, the ratio changes based on the number of speakers at that point..... adding a couple of rear surrounds is no big deal for many.... but in my case, my two additional speakers (not being used unfortunately) were $1,600 or so. I'd use the same AVR whether I'm setting up my system as 5.1 or 7.1.....

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Honestly, I think it depends on what your starting point is.

If you have a really crappy receiver and so-so speakers, getting highly detailed speakers will only bring out more of the flaws present in the crappy receiver. Likewise, bad speakers paired with a so-so receiver would do better with a speaker upgrade.

I don't think there's an absolute rule with this. It all depends on what you've already got.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

[phansson]

I upgraded my Klipsch speakers about 6 years ago to Paradigm Studios.

Since then I have had 3 different (sets of) amps, three different sound processors, four SD dvd players,7 Blu Ray players, five sets of speaker wires, three sets of interconnects, three projectors and one receiver.

My point is, spend good money on speakers and you will keep them forever.

[SPH]

I think it is all speakers in the beginning. But is you have a great pair of speakers and a mediocre avr, you will be getting all you can. But if you have great speakers and upgrade you avr, you will notice huge increase quality.


Speakers for the win

[Popper]

Well I guess all I could add would be this - and it comes from many years in the live sound arena-You can take middle of the road equipment and make it sound like a million by using quality interconect cables and more importantly power conditioning. Clean power makes a huge difference in any amp.

[Ryu77]

Originally Posted by Popper

Well I guess all I could add would be this - and it comes from many years in the live sound arena-You can take middle of the road equipment and make it sound like a million by using quality interconect cables and more importantly power conditioning. Clean power makes a huge difference in any amp.

Hmmm... Sorry, but I'm not sure I agree with that in regards to Home Theater. With live equipment that might be a different topic altogether though as the power has to be portable, I guess.

Are you saying that with an average receiver and speakers that power conditioning is the most important factor?

I agree cables are important to some extent but they are like the protein drink or the multi-vitamin tablet to the olympic athelete. That is just the edge to give that little bit more to a winning formula. Without all the hard training and preparation, that drink or tablet wouldn't do squat.

Of course HDMI and optical cables etc. are necessary if you hope to run a digital connection but I am referring to higher end varieties, especially higher end speaker cable.

So in conclusion, I feel quite the opposite. Without high end equipment, by upgrading to higher quality cables isn't the first place I would recommend to spend money. Just to clarify, I definitely recommend using good quality interconnects to begin with. I just wouldn't make the jump to the elite class of interconnects, without equipment to match.

[Ryu77]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Honestly, I think it depends on what your starting point is.

If you have a really crappy receiver and so-so speakers, getting highly detailed speakers will only bring out more of the flaws present in the crappy receiver. Likewise, bad speakers paired with a so-so receiver would do better with a speaker upgrade.

I don't think there's an absolute rule with this. It all depends on what you've already got.

Well said.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I would have liked to vote on your poll, but I cannot, as I don't believe there is a definitive answer. I think that kingofgrills said it best in his post.

John