Dear audiophiles

[TheWizard]

I have a question. Two parts. I am looking to buy a receiver and some home speakers.  I have narrowed my receiver and speaker choices down to two options.

Reciever: Pioneer VSX-1020 v. Onkyo SR-608
Speakers: PolkRM705 v. Klipsch HD500.

Anyone have any previous experience with any particular brand? Also, neither of those speakers has wireless setup, is that worth looking into? I can post specs if anyone wants.

[Astroholic]

I have a question. Two parts. I am looking to buy a receiver and some home speakers.  I have narrowed my receiver and speaker choices down to two options.

Reciever: Pioneer VSX-1020 v. Onkyo SR-608
Speakers: PolkRM705 v. Klipsch HD500.

Anyone have any previous experience with any particular brand? Also, neither of those speakers has wireless setup, is that worth looking into? I can post specs if anyone wants.

There are plenty of sites on the interweb that compare these things, but from personal experience the 1000 series Pioneers are hard to beat in a feature vs. value matrix.  What are you using the reciever for?  Are you upconverting video?  Just for music?  Saying all of that, I just bought a Denon because it had the features that I wanted.  I do have an older Pioneer and an older Onkyo.  Of all, I still think the Pioneer 1000 series is the best buy in that price range.

I am running a crappy Bose system (came with the house) so I don't have any experience with Polk or Klipsch.

[HudsonHawk]

I have a question. Two parts. I am looking to buy a receiver and some home speakers.  I have narrowed my receiver and speaker choices down to two options.

Reciever: Pioneer VSX-1020 v. Onkyo SR-608
Speakers: PolkRM705 v. Klipsch HD500.

Anyone have any previous experience with any particular brand? Also, neither of those speakers has wireless setup, is that worth looking into? I can post specs if anyone wants.

I've had experience with Pioneer brand of equipment, but not that particular model.  The Pioneer receiver I had was ok, but not great, IMO, though it was a lower end model.  I went with JVC with my last one, and I've had it about 15 years.  It's been terrific, though it's not set up for surround sound or theater or anything like that.  I also have a JVC CD player and a Sony 300-disc changer, which I really like.  I have Klipsch outdoor speakers on the patio, and they've been great (been outside about 8 years).  I used to have 12" Cerwin-Vega floor speakers in the house, and didnt' care for them, so I replaced them with smaller 6" JBLs that sound 10 times better while taking up a quarter of the space.  Sorry, I don't know any model numbers off the top of my head.  As for wireless, I can't speak to that, as everything I have is wired.

[Trey]

I have a question. Two parts. I am looking to buy a receiver and some home speakers.  I have narrowed my receiver and speaker choices down to two options.

Reciever: Pioneer VSX-1020 v. Onkyo SR-608
Speakers: PolkRM705 v. Klipsch HD500.

Anyone have any previous experience with any particular brand? Also, neither of those speakers has wireless setup, is that worth looking into? I can post specs if anyone wants.

I* am currently using a borrowd Onkyo SR-502 (I think) since my Sony stopped working while I figure out what I want to get.  It sounds great (better than the Sony for what that's worth) to me, and the lender** really liked it.  He only stopped using it because he needed a receiver with HDMI inputs.

Also, I assume you've already checked it out, but cnet generally has really good reviews of things like this.


* I am definitely not an audiophile.  I tend to look for the "value" option.
** My friend is more of an audiophile

[Ebby Calvin]

I agree with a lot of the above posts.  I currently use a Denon receiver (great) and Boston Acoustics speakers (meh), but have positive experiences with Pioneer in the past.  Haven't tried an Onkyo or the Polk/Klipsch speakers, though.  Check cnet - they're really good at this stuff.

Also, as far as I can tell, wireless only helps in the initial setup.  If you're willing to spend an afternoon stringing it all together, I wouldn't bother with it.  Of course, I've never used a wireless setup, so like all other things I'm probably speaking out of my ass.

[Astroholic]

I agree with a lot of the above posts.  I currently use a Denon receiver (great) and Boston Acoustics speakers (meh), but have positive experiences with Pioneer in the past.  Haven't tried an Onkyo or the Polk/Klipsch speakers, though.  Check cnet - they're really good at this stuff.

Also, as far as I can tell, wireless only helps in the initial setup.  If you're willing to spend an afternoon stringing it all together, I wouldn't bother with it.  Of course, I've never used a wireless setup, so like all other things I'm probably speaking out of my ass.

From my friends past experiences, I would avoid wireless at all cost, except maybe tearing out sheet rock.

[HudsonHawk]

From my friends past experiences, I would avoid wireless at all cost, except maybe tearing out sheet rock.

I would tend to agree.  Wireless certainly will not make the sound any better, so unless you just can't physically run the wires, I'd stick to the old fashioned way.

[Gizzmonic]

Although I'm far from being an audiophile, here's my two cents:

I have an Onkyo TX-SR507 and I'm pretty happy with it.  Pioneers have a well-earned reputation for quality though.  My in-laws have a Pioneer and it's very nice.  I'd go with the cheaper option myself.

As for speakers: I prefer Polks.  They are a good compromise between performance and price.  Although you might check around Craigslist if you're really cheap (like me).  People are always getting rid of speakers.  Just make sure that the speakers 'match' if you're going to do a 5.1 system.

[subnuclear]

I bought a nice stereo system about 15 years ago that I still use (PSB speakers and an integrated amp that I can't remember the name of) and when I was shopping for them I brought in some CDs I listen to a lot and listened to those through the various stereo systems the salesmen had.  I just tried to listen for any distortion at different volumes.  Its important that you listen to music you like as well as those fancy demos they give.  

[TheWizard]

There are plenty of sites on the interweb that compare these things, but from personal experience the 1000 series Pioneers are hard to beat in a feature vs. value matrix.  What are you using the reciever for?  Are you upconverting video?  Just for music? 

I have a PS3 for my BR, so mainly just for music. I will also use it to upconvert my older stuff, but my main priority is music.

[JackAstro]

My two cents: wireless is ass.

[Outlawscotty]

Got Klipsch tower fronts that have horns instead of tweeters for the highs.  To me, this is the ultimate difference in sound quality and I've had the setup for about ten years coupled with a Yamaha receiver.  I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Pioneer product, but would definitely recommend anything Klipsch.

[Limey]

I have a Denon A/V receiver, and a SpeakerCraft surround sound system, all installed by Geek Squad (the speakers were pre-wired during construction).  Very happy with the stuff.  SpeakerCraft have a lifetime warranty, so when if I blow them, I get new ones.  The sound is incredible and, to be honest, I think my ears will give out and/or the house will shake to the ground before the speakers quit.

[Lurch]

I've had two Onkyo recievers and both have been excellent.  Played with them all at Fryes and then bought for $200 less on Amazon

[Andyzipp]

I just recently purchased a Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver and a set of Polk speakers.

Very pleased with both.

Gizzmonic's buddy installed them for me.  He's fairly awesome.

[EasTexAstro]

The last time I bought a receiver was in 1988. I still have the old Kenwood. Nice sound. I have some Cerwin-Vega AT-10s and D-9s to go with the receiver. Maybe some of you remember those. Fantastic sound.

I have nothing to offer on stuff from the last 20 years.

[Limey]

The last time I bought a receiver was in 1988. I still have the old Kenwood. Nice sound. I have some Cerwin-Vega AT-10s and D-9s to go with the receiver. Maybe some of you remember those. Fantastic sound.

I have nothing to offer on stuff from the last 20 years.

You know they make them with stereophonic sound now, right?

[EasTexAstro]

You know they make them with stereophonic sound now, right?

No....

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I've had the same Harman Kardon receiver/amp since '94. It's been ok. 'Bout time for me to buy a new one. 

[TheWizard]

My two cents: wireless is ass.

I am leaning away from getting wireless the more I read.

[chuck]

You know they make them with stereophonic sound now, right?

Can't hear you, my left side speaker's on the blink.

[Gizzmonic]

I just recently purchased a Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver and a set of Polk speakers.

Very pleased with both.

Gizzmonic's buddy installed them for me.  He's fairly awesome.

He's a good man.  And thorough.

Also, if you're cheap like me, the Velodyne Starfire subwoofers offer considerable performance at an attractive price!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I'm looking to by some new stereo equipment, so I revisited this thread. Perusing the net I came across one really high end speaker combo, a bit out of my price range. Solid 18 karat gold for under $7 million. They make silver and a bronze model if the gold one is too pricey or already sold.

[Limey]

I want to buy a gramophone.

[austro]

I want to buy a gramophone.

Hadn't seen this one.

[Gizzmonic]

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