Source
r/hometheater•
LilLessWise

Advice Appreciated - First Home Theater

Hello hometheater enthusiasts. I recently purchased a new home that has a home theater setup that I would like to take advantage of. It is prewired for a 5.1 configuration, but the previous owner is taking his system with him. My local options are quite limited as I am in a rural area, but Paradigm are the 'best' speakers I am able to demo. Sinclair and Bose is also available. As far as Receivers go there are Denon, Onkyo's, and Anthems to demo.

After a lot of research it seemed that for subwoofers many were recommending SVS, and now the Power Sounds Audio for the performance/dollar ratio.

I wanted to spend some money to ensure I don't have to upgrade for several years. I would be upset if I had to redo everything because I spent a grand less to cheap out today. So my budget is definitely <10k, probably more in the 5-8 range.

Below is the system setup I am considering. Prices may seem a bit high if you're from the States, as I am in Canada. I would like some opinions on the setup, specifically which subwoofer, and which receiver to choose. Does anyone have good or bad experience with the Paradigm speakers? I have heard amazing things about anthem's ARC, while the Marantz has more flashy features and ability to upgrade to 9.2. Subwoofer I like the idea of internet direct with Power Sound Audio, but am worried that I won't be able to use the perfect bass kit to set it up properly. Anyway - Help a newbie out, I am quite ignorant in the way of home theaters.

Subwoofers

Power Sound Audio - $899US

DSP 3200 - $850

Sub 12 Monitor - ~$1100

Speakers

Monitor 11 v7 $1450/pr

Mini Monitor $550/pr

Center - $550

Receivers

Marantz Sr7008 ~$1000

Anthem 710 ~1900

Posted Apr 21, 2015, 12:26 AM UTC

011
MacNugget•

I don't think it makes much sense to spend money trying to "future proof" the receiver. If at some future date you decide you want to add more channels (9.2 or Atmos or DTS:X or whatever), upgrade your receiver then. Of all the components you can spend money pn, receivers depreciate the fastest and the state of the art moves the quickest. Buy for now and re-evaluate later.

A $1900 receiver seems like too much for driving $2500 in speakers. You could spend a lot less and have the exact same sound quality. You'd be better served by spending less on the receiver and putting that money into speakers. The speakers will last decades and the receiver will be boring and stale in five years. Two years from now you're going to want 18GHz HDMI with HDCP 2.2 or whatever fancy gizmo everyone needs and have wandering eyes for the latest. But good speakers you buy today in 15 years you'll still be waxing nostalgic about them and bemoaning that nobody makes 'em like that any more.

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LilLessWiseOP•

Thanks for the detailed response! I hadn't considered spending more on the speakers and less on the receiver, but you do make a good point.

From what I understand there isn't a lot of audio sources that fully use a 7.1 stereo, let alone a 9.1. I imagine coming from TV speakers to a decent 5.1 system will keep me pretty content.

That being said if I spend 1k on the receiver and throw more into the speakers, is 1k distributed amongst 5 speakers going to make that much of a difference? I was looking at the Anthem primarily for the review of their Room correction ARC as I've heard it's unreal, and I'm essentially getting the MRX 710 for the price of the 510.

Do you have any suggestions for speakers to move beyond the Paradigm?

1
000Destruct0•

Not familiar with the speakers or subs you are considering. I own the SR7008 and it's an awesome receiver but the Anthem is a better unit, possibly the best AVR on the market today... all due respect to Arcam.

2
DieselWang•

Go with this subwoofer for best bang-for-the-buck in your price range, $950 with free shipping: http://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/echo-15?variant=1107662665

The Paradigms are nice but I'd consider a 5.0 system from Ascend Acoustics for better value (and IMO better sound): http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html

2
pcdude99•

I've got the mrx 310, and use it with an external amp. Can't say enough about the sound with ARC. The mrx line may not have flashy features, but more than make up for it in sound quality.

Edit. With ARC you won't need any EQ on the sub.

2
LilLessWiseOP•

Have you had experience with other receivers and the other sound correction system audyssey? (sp?)

I only hear amazing things about anthem... It makes it tough to not take the plunge. That being said they definitely are a bit stingy on features, most of which I wouldn't miss.

1
pcdude99•

No experience with Audyssey, just the basic Marantz EQ, but I have done quite a bit of 2 channel speaker and room treatment design, and ARC is by far the best I have heard as far as seamless integration of the sub and mains and 3D soundstage presented on 2 channel sources. All the missing features such as streaming, etc, can be found on inexpensive STBs that can be replaced in a couple of years when they become obsolete.

2
walkinthecow•

I've never heard of Power Sound Audio....that dual 15" sub is super cool. I was just thinking why don't you see any HT subs with dual drivers like those. I guess it's because it's huge and hard to place?

2
SubjectA•

I have monitor 7's, v3. Love them. You really don't need to spend the extra dollars on the 11's if you have a decent sub which it looks like you will. My 7's are paired with SVS 20-39pc+. My setup is 10+ years old and is still fantastic.

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LilLessWiseOP•

Thanks for the reply! Someone who finally owns paradigm haha. Maybe I'll look into downgrading the speakers type, but move up to their other series.

Someone else had mentioned that with the 11's you often don't require a subwoofer or at least a powerful one as they have quite a bit of oomph themselves.

1
khpura•

There are excellent prices here for receivers, speakers, and even TV if needed here:

http://www.gadgetar.com/home-theater/

1