The Official Energy Speakers Thread

[callas01]

Denon, Marantz, Pioneer Elite, Sony ES, Harman Kardon 354, Sherwood, Emotiva, Rotel, Onkyo, Yamaha all have good receivers on the higher end.

Low end, Sony DN1000, Pioneer 1019, Onkyo 607/707, Harman 254, Yamaha 665,

[94GTStang]

Anything I should look for? Those should all work with my harmony 550 I'm guessing.
I was looking at some sony's over lunch, but if there are better I'll go with whomever. It seems as if there are a lot of denon users. I don't think I want a 7.1 setup because I don't for see myself getting two more speakers.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by 94GTStang

Anything I should look for? Those should all work with my harmony 550 I'm guessing.
I was looking at some sony's over lunch, but if there are better I'll go with whomever. It seems as if there are a lot of denon users. I don't think I want a 7.1 setup because I don't for see myself getting two more speakers.

they are all pretty much 7.1 now, I use a Sony and its great, but you have look at the DN1000 and up, below that I am not impressed, the 920 I have is the last years DN1000. If I were to use something different I would get a Marantz or Pioneer Elite, but Marantz would be my first choice

[BigAl87]

All these receivers are great If I have a preference to some over the others I'd have to say Marantz.

It's also a matter of budget or wallet persay. I haved loked list over Callas's list to see that he mentionned the RXV-665 from Yamaha.

There is still possibility to go to a strip down version of that receiver with the RXV-565/ HTR-6250.

The receiver has the same specs in terms of sound, now here's the down side.
No preouts so forget using another amp to get more power, no Banana plugs for the center and surround speakers limiting you in terms of gage, 14 should still work fine from experience but i would not go 12, no second zone and finally no Analog mutichannel inputs but this last one is not a biggy.

Great thing about it still has 4 HDMI inputs and does decode the HD sound for your listening pleasure and I heard its predecessor the 563 / 6150 and sounds great paired with c-500. I felt it could have a bit more power but all in all it's pretty satisfying and will sound light years ahead of any HTIB receiver.

Only reason I bring it up to you Stang is the price I've found on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-625.../dp/B001S2RDAO

[callas01]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

All these receivers are great If I have a preference to some over the others I'd have to say Marantz.

It's also a matter of budget or wallet persay. I haved loked list over Callas's list to see that he mentionned the RXV-665 from Yamaha.

There is still possibility to go to a strip down version of that receiver with the RXV-565/ HTR-6250.

The receiver has the same specs in terms of sound, now here's the down side.
No preouts so forget using another amp to get more power, no Banana plugs for the center and surround speakers limiting you in terms of gage, 14 should still work fine from experience but i would not go 12, no second zone and finally no Analog mutichannel inputs but this last one is not a biggy.

Great thing about it still has 4 HDMI inputs and does decode the HD sound for your listening pleasure and I heard its predecessor the 563 / 6150 and sounds great paired with c-500. I felt it could have a bit more power but all in all it's pretty satisfying and will sound light years ahead of any HTIB receiver.

Only reason I bring it up to you Stang is the price I've found on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-HTR-625.../dp/B001S2RDAO

the reason I recommended the 665 is for the pre-outs, too often people have said the yammys seem a litlle under-powered, but sound quality is really good.

[erict]

I love my Yamaha 663 i think you can still find them on e-bay.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by callas01

the reason I recommended the 665 is for the pre-outs, too often people have said the yammys seem a litlle under-powered, but sound quality is really good.

So this truly confirms what I said hehe.

All things considered the 665 / 6260 is only 40$ more on Amazon. at 349$ can't go
wrong with that.

It's also 7.2

[94GTStang]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll keep those in mind on down the road. I looked into the Marantz and the cheapest one is still $600

I don't for see myself wanting to put an extra amp into my HT, but I like the banana plugs. Though I think the banana plugs would throw that option out the window, it's just nice to have that option.

Is there a certain wattage I need to be looking for, or is that just another marketing ploy?

Ok, I'm loving the look of the Yamaha RX-V665BL. 4 HDMI in's

Is that a low end receiver?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 94GTStang

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll keep those in mind on down the road. I looked into the Marantz and the cheapest one is still $600

I don't for see myself wanting to put an extra amp into my HT, but I like the banana plugs. Though I think the banana plugs would throw that option out the window, it's just nice to have that option.

Is there a certain wattage I need to be looking for, or is that just another marketing ploy?

Ok Maranttz may just be out of yuor price range but looking at the current prices on Amazon on those Yammys I'd have to say it's pretty tempting cause they do sound great we are all conviced by their sound quality but semmed to be a bit underpowered, I repeat myself here.

But let's put that in perspective I feel it's enough for your room and when we say that it underpowered it does not mean it does not go loud it means that you need to bring the volume higher and therefore losing a bit of SQ.

Really blind folded I think you would have a hard time telling the difference in term of Sound quality with Marantz It's just that Marantz is just Rock Solid. There lower end receiver is indeed around 600$

349$ for the yammy 665 /6260 is a deal and a half and accepts the banana plugs and has everything you need for future upgrades.

Now in term of wattage a 50 Watts HK AVR254 for 379$ is far more powerful than 90 watts Yammy.

HK is rating the receiver with all channel operating at full power at the same time.

3 models below that 365/6230, 465/6240 and 565/6250 and 2 above 865/6280 and 1900/6290

[arrt vandelay]

i have a yamaha rx v765 and i use a separate amp for my c500s. the 765 did a fine job powering the c500s. i'd highly recommend a yammy. i'd think the 665 has enough juice for 95% of the ht population, and pre-outs if you want more boom boom...

[BigAl87]

Looks like I forgot a model somewhere.

[callas01]

Here is the difference between a $600 Marantz and a $350 Yamaha, when the Yammy 665 says 90 wpc, it is talking 90 watts per channel in 2 channel stereo. Its bench test results are 42 watts per channel in 5 or more channels playing. When the says Marantz 90 watts per channel it is bench test shows 153 wpc in 2 channel, 103 wpc with 5 channels driven and 88 watts per channel with all 7 channels being driven.

The amp and power supply in the Marantz is much more powerful and efficient. Yes you may loose some features, but its a much better receiver overall.

[94GTStang]

Originally Posted by callas01

Here is the difference between a $600 Marantz and a $350 Yamaha, when the Yammy 665 says 90 wpc, it is talking 90 watts per channel in 2 channel stereo. Its bench test results are 42 watts per channel in 5 or more channels playing. When the says Marantz 90 watts per channel it is bench test shows 153 wpc in 2 channel, 103 wpc with 5 channels driven and 88 watts per channel with all 7 channels being driven.

The amp and power supply in the Marantz is much more powerful and efficient. Yes you may loose some features, but its a much better receiver overall.

Of course, one gets what they pay for.

I think I am going to need to educate myself on what to look for in a receiver and get a little more in depth on all the terms. I would love to spend less than $500 on this little oversight of mine.

I will keep all those brands in mind as well as the Yama's. So far I've heard and read that people seem to use Yama's and Denon's a lot. That must speak a lot of those companies. Like speakers though, there are just a million different options and things to consider. Luckily I have the speakers taken care of

Like BigAl said, I don't have a huge room to fill up so I am not looking for gobs of power. Just enough to power these speakers and still sound great. When I move into another house in 7 years, I'm sure I'll have a dedicated HT room which will require something more powerful and in 7 years, I'm sure there will be tons new cool features.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by 94GTStang

Of course, one gets what they pay for.

I think I am going to need to educate myself on what to look for in a receiver and get a little more in depth on all the terms. I would love to spend less than $500 on this little oversight of mine.

I will keep all those brands in mind as well as the Yama's. So far I've heard and read that people seem to use Yama's and Denon's a lot. That must speak a lot of those companies. Like speakers though, there are just a million different options and things to consider. Luckily I have the speakers taken care of

Like BigAl said, I don't have a huge room to fill up so I am not looking for gobs of power. Just enough to power these speakers and still sound great. When I move into another house in 7 years, I'm sure I'll have a dedicated HT room which will require something more powerful and in 7 years, I'm sure there will be tons new cool features.

Dead on Callas is right Just keep in mind not to get fooled by power, Yammys sound great and looking at THD 0.06% 20hz to 20khz at 50watts speaks for itself. 10hz to 100khz is also great and last but not least S/N ratio > 100db is awsome. Those number compare with marantz in terms of SQ but Marantz are far more robust and powerful and you would notice just by looking at them they're a fine piece of art. Feeling their weight also gives you a great idea on their power supply.

[94GTStang]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Dead on Callas is right Just keep in mind not to get fooled by power, Yammys sound great and looking at THD 0.06% 20hz to 20khz at 50watts speaks for itself. 10hz to 100khz is also great and last but not least S/N ratio > 100db is awsome. Those number compare with marantz in terms of SQ but Marantz are far more robust and powerful and you would notice just by looking at them they're a fine piece of art. Feeling their weight also gives you a great idea on their power supply.

Gotcha.

Perhaps I will just save a little every month and I can put that towards the higher end receiver instead of settling for something now. I don't want to make the same mistakes again and go for the 'gusto' the first time. Hence the reason I bought the C500's

Looking at the Denon AVR790, it's $500 even. For another $50-100 I could get the Marantz.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by 94GTStang

Of course, one gets what they pay for.

I think I am going to need to educate myself on what to look for in a receiver and get a little more in depth on all the terms. I would love to spend less than $500 on this little oversight of mine.

I will keep all those brands in mind as well as the Yama's. So far I've heard and read that people seem to use Yama's and Denon's a lot. That must speak a lot of those companies. Like speakers though, there are just a million different options and things to consider. Luckily I have the speakers taken care of

Like BigAl said, I don't have a huge room to fill up so I am not looking for gobs of power. Just enough to power these speakers and still sound great. When I move into another house in 7 years, I'm sure I'll have a dedicated HT room which will require something more powerful and in 7 years, I'm sure there will be tons new cool features.

If you don't mind shopping on Amazon.com, they have the Sony STR-DN1000 for $369, the Denon 1910 for $550, Onkyo 706 $550, Onkyo 607 $426, or the Pioneer 1019 for $499, Yamaha 665 $499 or last years 663 for $388.

All of which would do great running your speakers. Best on there is probably the Onkyo 706, then Denon, and then all the rest are basically whatever you prefer.

[94GTStang]

Originally Posted by callas01

If you don't mind shopping on Amazon.com, they have the Sony STR-DN1000 for $369, the Denon 1910 for $550, Onkyo 706 $550, Onkyo 607 $426, or the Pioneer 1019 for $499, Yamaha 665 $499 or last years 663 for $388.

All of which would do great running your speakers. Best on there is probably the Onkyo 706, then Denon, and then all the rest are basically whatever you prefer.

I have zero problems with shopping on Amazon. Bought the HTIB setup off Amazon actually. However, I need to wait on getting the receiver for a few months. Need to recoup from the speaker purchase and convince the wifey that the receiver we have now will self implode.

I do however want to learn as much as I can and do the research now so I know what I'm looking at. I need to realize though that I am not going to be listening to these speakers at insane volumes. While a more expensive receiver will manage concert size decibels, I probably will never stretch it that far. Plus I can care less about satellite radio compatibility and I just use RCA cable for my iPod.

The Yammy isn't out of the question. I like the 665 for sure. Looking at the 663, I see it only has two HDMI in's and I need 3 at least.

That Sony you listed looks nice as well and is at a price point I can live with. After reading around, it looks like people aren't much a fan of Sony receivers and feel for the money there are others out there that will out perform. Which will bring me back to the Yammy or a similar Denon.

Would a factory refreshed Marantz be a good route or should I get new? I saw a refreshed SR6001 for $349

[callas01]

Originally Posted by 94GTStang

I have zero problems with shopping on Amazon. Bought the HTIB setup off Amazon actually. However, I need to wait on getting the receiver for a few months. Need to recoup from the speaker purchase and convince the wifey that the receiver we have now will self implode.

I do however want to learn as much as I can and do the research now so I know what I'm looking at. I need to realize though that I am not going to be listening to these speakers at insane volumes. While a more expensive receiver will manage concert size decibels, I probably will never stretch it that far. Plus I can care less about satellite radio compatibility and I just use RCA cable for my iPod.

The Yammy isn't out of the question. I like the 665 for sure. Looking at the 663, I see it only has two HDMI in's and I need 3 at least.

That Sony you listed looks nice as well and is at a price point I can live with. After reading around, it looks like people aren't much a fan of Sony receivers and feel for the money there are others out there that will out perform. Which will bring me back to the Yammy or a similar Denon.

Would a factory refreshed Marantz be a good route or should I get new? I saw a refreshed SR6001 for $349

The things is, with a receiver that can play at concert size decibels, you will get greater detail and clarity at lower volumes. The 6001 would be good if you have a PS3 or Blu-ray player that can internally decode the HD audio and send it out via LPCM.

The main issue that people have with Sony receivers is that they were one of the first to say that their receiver had 110 x 5 wpc, and it not be true. Now you see that a lot of reciever companies do the same thing, Sony gets the brunt of this, but Yamaha, Pioneer and Onkyo are all guilty too. Last year the numbers were like this for each of the recievers(stated watts/Actual), Sony 920 (110/56), Pioneer 1018 (130/69), Yamaha 663 (90/47), Onkyo 606 (90/72), if memory serves. So who makes the best reciever?? of the 4 Onkyo was the truer receiver. At least Harman actually tells the truth, and Denon and Marantz should be close to state output. Denon 1909/1910 would be the place to start or the Marantz 5003.

Best thing to do is go listen to them all.

[callas01]

for the record, I am not trying to justify buying a Sony receiver, I don't like being lied to and now that I know they are all liars, I will stick with Marantz or an upper level Denon. Which is why I am stressing those receivers over the others.

Weight of the reciever is a good indicator of a good receiver. The Yammy 665 and Pioneer 1019 both went down in weight from last years models, as much as 10 lbs. the Onkyo 607 is about the same and the Sony DN-1000 actually went up in weight 3lbs.

[94GTStang]

I can understand why companies don't tell the truth about the actual numbers. Just like car companies rate an engine at say 300hp and truly only 260hp gets to the ground. You can't sell a car or a receiver based on actual outputs. They bank on people not doing the research and knowing the actualities.

With that said, I do like that Denon 1909 and the 1910. Tomorrow I'll do some more research on those two.

I can't thank you guys enough for all the help. I would have been going out of my mind with everything I've encountered these past days! Thanks again!