Don't have experience with the XLS encore. Just reading opinions and reviews is what I know from them, but if it's one thing everyone agrees is that they do present an exceptional budget-performance value.

In 2 channel mode, an integrated amp is usually going to sound better than an entry level receiver of the same price. How much better is subjective of course. If you're going to do 3.1 (which in your space does seem possible with a bit of squeezing, won't be too bad though), then a receiver is your only route.

If you want good sound over anything else, then the int. amp is the way to go but you do sacrifice some features like DD/DTS decoding, auto room correction, a hub to route all your devices and whatever else.

For around the same price as the Yamaha S301, you can take a look at the Yamaha RX-v379 or the upcoming v381. I can only suggest Yamaha for entry level receivers these days, the budget types from Onkyo and Pioneer has way too many reliability complaints. Denon entry level receivers aren't sold here, so there's that. So don't take it as though I'm a Yamaha fanboy, I'm not.


Blu-Ray discs usually comes with Dolby TrueHD or DTSMA tracks now a days. They are lossless compression codecs, similar in the sense to how FLAC is a lossless compression codec used for music. There has been countless debate on whether people can hear the difference between the older lossy codecs like Dolby Digital or DTS, regularly used during the DVD days. It's a grey area of discussion, only way to hear if there's a difference is that you test it out yourself. I personally can hear a subtle difference between DTS and DTSMA, but I can't tell a single shit of a difference between DD and DTS.

An integrated amp won't be able to decode any of the codecs from Dolby or DTS. So instead, everything will simply be downmixed into PCM 2.0, which is what ALL audio devices must understand.

I believe you could go for an entry level receiver with a 2.0 setup first, add the sub after that then add the center channel later on.

Just a note about center channels though, you'd ideally want it to be tonally matched with your L/R speakers and they should be equal in sound quality output or better.

At first I thought of getting Yamaha RX-V379, then RX-V479.....after that RX-V579 but now since RX-V81 models will be out soon especially those with Dolby Atmos, I changed my mind again and wait to see what will be the price. AV receiver with Dolby Atmos is for long term.

Can you guys see how fickle minded I am? Damn technology!

Besides Yamaha, Onkyo, Pioneer, Marantz, Denon...no one considered Harman Kardon?

Btw, I'm using an older entry level HK AVR 156. Personally think it's not bad...

I've been monitoring this thread for quite some time and thanks to all here for the good info. I myself is in my way to upgrade my home theater speakers as I ventured into HT 3, 4 years ago. As we all know that KLIAV 2016 is just around the corner, I would like to have some suggestions and recommendations of speaker packages, so I can have a shortlist of speakers that I can look out during the show. I depend totally on forums and internet review; I bought stuffs based on Whathifi award, LOL. As a beginner myself, now only I realized that center speaker is very important; previously I bought a 3.0 setup with Wharfedale 10.2 and Wharfedale 10cs connected to Yamaha RX-A810. I just bought the center so that i have a center channel and it's cheap, but after times, now I know it lacks clarity and positioning. Now that I have changed the Wharfedale 10.2 to Wharfedale 121, I think they sound worse and is like didn't match each other,
Now that if I have a budget of rm4k-5k for a new left right and center speakers, what good speaker package can I have that can be considered a significant upgrade? i'm thinking of SVS prime/ultra line, B&W 685 series, Q acoustics line (but as far i remembered, they sound a little thin). I am also considering the XLS encore setup but not sure whether it's a good upgrade or not as no place to demo.

You can audition q acoustic, XLS and SVS in acoustic system amcorp mall. B&W is in Jaya one. Really should go for a listen than to know.

here sifu all big room... will need high power avr to fill up.

im one of the mismatch center channel setup. calibrate with manual eq can help. put higher crossover to weakest link. sometimes block the bass port of wharfedale can gain some difference

if wanna upgrade im attracted by bower wilkin and mon audio.

I can hardly hear people complaint about Yamaha av receivers.

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: May 19 2016, 11:10 PM

Hurmm, the left right bookshelf is a down firing bass, while the center is rear ported.
Which b&w series and monitor audio series are u talking about?
I think I remembered hearing the monitor audio silver series 2 years back, I liked its treble, very sparkle

Owh, got xls in demo there? Thanks for the info. Anyway, do you have any suggestions?

I can hardly hear people complaint about Yamaha AV receivers. Yamaha will be my next choice of avr.

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: May 19 2016, 11:12 PM

Any Denon avr users here?

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: May 19 2016, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the advised bro...will look into the avr model..so many stuff😋 have to learn one by one😋

This post has been edited by sivanathan04: May 20 2016, 01:08 AM

😋

Xls encore have good review but im having same problem is it a good buy 😋

will listen to it..many good reviews but they using diff amp to bring good sound from the speaker..i read some from the review

This post has been edited by sivanathan04: May 20 2016, 01:10 AM

Great info bro...ok if i decide to go with xls which amp is the best to bring out best sound from the speaker..

This post has been edited by sivanathan04: May 20 2016, 01:07 AM

Yup will look for display unit or used item at the shop if can will get some warranty..just scared 😋...thank you bro

This post has been edited by sivanathan04: May 20 2016, 01:11 AM

avr rite?
5 brands pick one. denon pioneer yamaha onkyo marantz.
denon and yamaha quite all rounding from my experience.

was silver rx like the one u auditioned.
now latest model has changed but character not far usually.

Remember, only the v581 and above has Atmos.
Also consider the fact that 5.x.2 Atmos is really only viable in a small room. If you have medium sized room, 5.x.2 isn't immersive enough, even if you have 6.5" wide dispersion drivers as your overheads. That's my IMO at least, having experimented with them.

So, unless you'll always have a small room setup, consider the fact that getting a budget receiver isn't a long term investment.


5k isn't enough for an SVS Ultra LCR setup though, they would cost around RM8.5k+ or more. Just a pair of Ultra Bookshelfs, then perhaps.
The SVS Prime Bookshelf + Prime Center on the other hand is possible with a 4-5k setup.

B&W 685 series has always been popular, I'm not exactly sure of the pricing but they are a good choice to check out as well. Some other I can recommend are Klipsch if you like clarity and sparkly trebles, their horn tweeters man... they're good stuff as long as you don't find them fatiguing.

KEF Q series bookshelfs too, they aren't bad. I used to own a pair of Q100 and Q200 as LCR, found them pretty good all rounders for many things but falls short of standing out.

As explained, if you only have a budget of an entry-level AVR, go Yamaha. Onkyo and Pioneer are alternatives, but you only need to make 1 search about their reliability reports and you'll understand why they aren't recommended below their high-end stuff.