I'm thinking about getting an AV receiver & satellite speakers with subwoofer but before I blindly buy into any of these stuff, I need to know which is the most reliable brand for an av receiver and also for satellite speakers with subwoofer. By the way I have a tight budget!

1. Which brand is the most reliable in terms of quality & worth the money?
2. My budget is around RM900 - RM1300 (AV receiver) & RM800 - RM1200 (satellite speakers with subwoofer)
3. I'm going to put it into my master room.

Your thoughts please?

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: May 2 2019, 01:24 AM

1. Pioneer vsx 524
2. Infinity satellite

Can get in senq if still available

Price for each item bro?

I'll definitely will check it out! TQ!

not sure exact as nobody work in senq.
but is closely match ur budget

Tq.

Anyone else?

actually tight budget should go avr + 2 quality bookshelf. u have more resistance to upgrade hehehe.

budget surround set easy lose steam causing u to spend again & again

A pair of cheap sats and sub at RM1200 max isn't going to get you anything much better than a decent soundbar to be quite honest. Suggest to get AVR + midrange bookshelves is a much better option. The well priced Sony SS-CS5 is an amazing pair at RM700. Yes I said Sony.

Your proposal seems interesting. I found a guy who seems to have a little similar problem as mine.

Here's the thread.

Low-end Towers & Bookshelves vs. Mid/Higher-end Satellites


I am building my first home theatre and have a maximum budget of $1000 CAD.

I realize I don't have a lot of options but research has led me to two possible outcomes.

I am debating between an entry level line of full speakers like the Sony Core Series

SSCS3 Tower - $185x2
SSCS8 - $120
SSCS5 Bookshelf (pair) - $225
SACS9 Sub - $235
TOTAL: $950 + Tax


OR

...a set of satellites with sub-woofer from a respected loudspeaker manufacturer like the Paradigm Cinema 100 CT

5 Satellites + 300W Subwoofer = $700 + Tax

Considerations:
Room is 17ft deep x 24ft wide (listening area is about 17x17ft, but it opens on one side to about 24ft deep). --will those little paradigms be able to even come close to filling that space?
Receiver is a Denon S710 (only 75W per channel) - will this be a problem driving the 6ohm Sonys?
Use will be 80:20 movies:music.

Any advise, further considerations, or additional recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Interesting eh?

To be fair each brand has their own strength and weakness. Sometimes is not just the matter of size. Sound without characteric / tune is basically is just noise

Any recommendation?

Sony SS-CS5

I have not heard the sound for this speaker. Cannot comment on it. For small bookshelf I personally like q acoustics

Denon HOMETHEATER SYSTEM satelite 5.1 channel speaker

RM980.10


or




PIONEER 5.1ch Speaker System S11+S21W

RM719.10


*Two choices for satelite speakers + subwoofer



This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 9 2016, 04:36 PM

I am more into movies than music......

Q acoustics are fine speakers for movies. If you read my comment just few posts on top

check out SVS prime satellite speaker

currently having this



with Pioneer VSX-821K

..and the receiver decides to hang up on me (that damned bugger couldn't go to standby mode!)

wonder if i can sell the speakers & subs off..

Pioneer entry level stuff is subpar, always has been. They're known for their LX series of receivers, their VSX has always been failed products.

Keep the speakers, get a different receiver.

How much you purchased all of it?

I never own a Pioneer avr before. I do have a Denon 1311 avr tho.

I'm thinking either Denon or Yamaha.



RM1159

or


Denon AV Receiver AVR 1513

RM1288

Comments?

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 12 2016, 01:13 AM

Instead of the older v375, go for the v379 instead. Fits right into your budget.

Interesting and BIG too!

Nowadays must have all these.....




This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 12 2016, 04:02 AM

I support Yamaha as is local made

it's a 4yrs' old setup.. RM3k last time.

Ben suggesting V379..? interesting.. will take a look too..

This post has been edited by pokchik: Feb 12 2016, 09:48 AM

It depends on your preference, either the features or the sound, which one is more important to you.

If the sound is more important, I guess:
(1) In tonal quality, Yamaha will sound more relaxing in the ears as compare to Denon bright character (especially the AVR-XX12 & XX13 product years).
However,
(2) In sound character, the Yamaha will sound like ordinary brands enough to please most people, while Denon will have extra advantage in warm and crisp sound to please audiophile people.

Yamaha RX-V375 or Denon AVR-1513, I would go for Yamaha

This post has been edited by radovantz: Feb 12 2016, 10:08 AM

The 379 is a good entry level receiver, rest assured. The price is right, decent features, nice neutral-ish sound but still providing very decent punchy dynamics. There's really not much wrong with it.


Yeah, if your budget is really only 1.3k+ or so, the 379 is a great fit.


Pretty much agreed.
Though Yamaha receivers are generally somewhat laid back, neutral-ish sounding, I don't think they lack dynamics for most people. They are a good middle ground and has been proven to be hard to go wrong with.

Coupled with the fact that Yamaha products are generally easy (in comparison to say Denon or Marantz) to get support with here, that's a bonus if anything goes wrong.

actually, as a non-audiophile, i failed to sense the problem(s) which come with Pioneer lower-end setup.
i recently browsed-thru Pioneer MY FB page, and the comments there were like..





probably will get a simple soundbar or that Sony BDV-9200 with wireless speakers.


This post has been edited by pokchik: Feb 12 2016, 02:54 PM

If sound is not the important thing is ok to go with sound bar

AV receiver that supports Bluetooth® for wireless music playback, 4K Ultra HD video with HDCP 2.2 compatibility and a discrete 5.1-channel amplifier design. YPAO automatically calibrates your listening environment for optimal sound performance.

Bluetooth® for wireless music streaming with Compressed Music Enhancer
•4K Ultra HD pass-through with HDCP 2.2 support
•YPAO sound optimization for automatic speaker setup
•Virtual CINEMA FRONT provides virtual surround sound with five speakers in front
•Extra Bass setting provides more bass output from smaller speakers
•5.1-channel powerful surround sound
•Newly designed remote control with large buttons for enhanced ease of use

Rating very good for RX V379 but RX V479 model even better. The problem is out of budget!

Thanks for your opinon! In the mean time I'm like 60:40 on Yamaha compared to Denon.....

The 479 is fine, but at an extra RM500+ I don't think it's worth it. Might as well go for the 679 to future proof yourself when you upgrade to a HDR compatible TV (yes, HDR IS a big deal). Only the 679 and up range are getting HDR support.

The 479 may have a little more power, but you're only pushing a pair of bookshelves of which the 379 is very adequate at. If and when you want to upgrade to a full 5.1 (or more) system, then it'd be easy to sell the 379 down the road and budget yourself for a full system upgrade. The 479 makes very little sense, value wise unless you can get it below RM1.5k.

Thanks for your insight Ben! Currently the Yamaha RX V379 is selling for RM1599 on an online website. The features really excites me!

Now if I can balance up my budget with either satellite speakers with subwoofer or bookshelf speakers?

It's RM1399 at Desa Home Theater last I checked (a month ago). Might be even cheaper if you can haggle a bit.

Another local online store selling for RM1499!

Desa Home Theater in Kepong? Well I bought my Denon 1311 + JBL satelite speakers (with subwoofer) + bluray player from there few years back. RM1399 seems like a better price!

I saw (Desa Home Theatre) they have a promotion back on October last year on Yamaha RX-V477B AV Receiver for only RM1099!

Without promotion, YAMAHA RX-V477 currently selling about RM1399. Any comment?

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 13 2016, 12:22 AM

If you want to go up one level better to go latest model

I'm thinking if the price between YAMAHA RX-V379 & YAMAHA RX-V477 just different of RM100+, why not taking V477.....

Dolby Atmos vs. Auro3D

Well 379 is newer model is more worth to get it

I would go for the 477 considering the greater amplifier power than the 300s series, also got full 5 channel banana plug speaker terminal at the rear. Last year I bought the 477 for RM1799, it was a quick last minute decision because I was about to buy the 377. About gadget features, I don't really use them

Thanks for another opinion. I was thinking 379 or 477 but with price difference of RM100+, why not go for 477. Agree mates?

Yes 477 > 379. Go for it.

Mind to share what set of speaker to pair with yamaha avr?

You can try q acoustics.

how much the price for q acoustics

1 pair of bookshelf should be below 2k.

I wish to have a pair of bookshelf but then again it would be out of my budget if I add on with subwoofer compared with satellite speakers that comes with subwoofer. Am I right?

I am using a JBL satelite speakers with a subwoofer like above currently in my living hall. I wanted black but out of stock and they gave me this grey colour.

I bought around RM900-RM1000 if not mistaken at DESA HOME THEATRE in Kepong.

Denon DHT-1312XP
Price: RM1089


Pros
•Solid sound quality
•Great value
•Onscreen user interface

Cons
•Speaker build quality
•Light on features
•Fiddly setup with supplied cables
•Overly brash at times, lacking Denon’s usual smoothness

The review and rating not so convincing tho.








This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 15 2016, 08:13 PM

just oem spkr with branding license.

my experience is spend front unit with most budget.
they work the most for mixed listening.
side & subwoofer are compliment during movie, which u can leave without them due to limited budget

For home theater the center speaker is the most important follow by front than the surrounds. Of course not to forget about sub. Movies cannot be without sub 😜

1. Budget is too low for discrete equipment. Only enough for those All-in-one package.
2. Unless you have proper space to put and wire the surround sound speaker/placement, i said forget it, and look for a soundbar instead.

This post has been edited by Matrix: Feb 16 2016, 09:06 AM

If budget is limited, I suggest step by step investment in your setup. Much better than investing in cheap product one shot.

Buy the most important equipment first, then add the other equipment later.

Firstly, get a receiver and player. Try to find the good quality center, left and right speaker from the same model. This 3 channel is the most important channel in home theater. (Don't set surround speaker as NO in your receiver if you want to hear more detail). Now you can enjoy the movie.

Secondly, get a pair of surround, also if possible find the surround speaker from the same model like the front speakers. Standard speakers (aiwa, sony, etc) also can be use as surround, just to add surround effect. Normally surround speakers is not to be set as loud as the front speakers.

Thirdly, find a good subwoofer. While waiting for subwoofer to came in, you still can enjoy the movie with good sound quality produced by the 3 front speakers.

This post has been edited by radovantz: Feb 16 2016, 11:33 AM

Tq.

Any value for money soundbar to recommend?

Sounds like a great plan.

At the moment highly very likely I'll go for a YAMAHA avr.

Now as for the speakers.......bookshelf or satelite?

For your budget of 1300 + 1200, the Sony HT RT5 (RM2.2k).

Will actually sound better than that craptacular Denon 1312 set.
Alternatively, you can opt for a Yamaha NSP40 system which is at least more decent than the Denon.

Again, I don't suggest you opt this route if ultimately you are going to have a full HT setup. You will lose more money in the end.

It's actually a very simple choice for your budget which I'm not sure why you are still pondering on.

2.5k budget breaks down to:
- 2x Sony SS-CS3 floorstanders (RM1200)
- 1x Yamaha V477 AVR (1.4k)
- Top up RM100

You might be asking, wth no sub?!@#!@$
The real harsh truth is that all those cheap subs you see in HTiB or AIO systems are horrendous. The CS3 floorstanders can produce bass way better than any of them, with ease.

Your path to upgrading is pretty much only limited by your wallet after this, rather than replacing EVERYTHING.

I'll check the 2x Sony SS-CS3 floorstanders (RM1200) soon.

For home theater, I would suggest to pick up speakers with frequency response covering 80Hz.
Example 50Hz - 20kHz or 80Hz - 20kHz, as long as the 80Hz frequency is coverred, then it is ok.
If the speaker cannot cover 80Hz for example 120Hz - 20kHz, more likely no bass will be produced through the speaker, not enough impact. But for surround is ok.

Some speaker packages don't cover 80Hz by its satellites, but to be handled by the subwoofer. Be careful when choosing this kind of package. Need to listen them first. Some of them may have hole in frequency, i.e gap between High Frequency and Low Frequency is too obvious. Some good packages may have all of their speakers well integrated each other.

Also need to see sensitivity. Try not to use speaker lower than 86dB because it will be power hungry, you turn high volume but still can't go loud. 86db and above should be ok. Lower sensitivity speaker like 85dB will need more powerful amplifier to drive them sufficiently.

This post has been edited by radovantz: Feb 16 2016, 03:05 PM

Wow, very good info. Thanks

I got a strange feeling that Denon 1312 speaker set going to be craptacular anyway....

This post has been edited by jovigrunge: Feb 16 2016, 03:29 PM

Denon speaker SC-M series is ok. SC-M series is actually using Mission parts.
Other series not sure about the quality, try avoid them

My impressions (not review!) on the RT5 was here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=77375007

tldr; Decent at best soundbar, nothing great, but not bad either.

hi, any one here tested/auditioned Sony SS-CS3 against Pioneer SP-FS52 (RM800/pair)? tq

I'm really interested with this speaker. Can recommend where can I buy? I don't want buy online though. Btw. does this speakers comes with Banana Plug connectors. The current speaker cables I have are all banana plug connectors.

Thanks everyone!

cheers
Raj

I will use Sony speaker only if I have Sony amplifier to connect it with
Sadly Sony amplifier is currently not available in Malaysia.

Everything the FS52 can do, the CS3 just does better. Tonality, transparency, neutrality, detail retrieval, soundstage, low end thump, pretty much everything, the CS3 > FS52. The only thing the FS52 beats the CS3 at is price.

RM800 vs RM1200 (pair), is the CS3 worth the extra RM400? IMO yes. The FS52 can often times struggle with very dynamic bass or very sharp treble, when any source that has these kind of load, the FS52 just can't handle the transient load and worse still, distort. The CS3? Believe me when I say this, it doesn't. Mind blowing that Sony could achieve something of such balance at this price point, on a floorstander.

tldr; The FS52 sounds constrained, dull and struggles when place side by side in comparison to the CS3, in the same environment condition, fed with the same source.


Special order from Sony Malaysia.
Call them.

And yes, they use banana plug connections.


It is.
Sony is selling the DN1060 now, RM2.6k + free BDP S7200 + free MDR-1ABT headphones.

Yes you read that right, insane value.

But to be honest, I don't think the DN1060's nature of wide soundstage, laid back sound is a good match for the Core series speakers. The Core series speakers are already very neutral, in fact some might even say it's a bit too bright and on the cold side. You'd want a semi-warm receiver/amp.

If discrete amp like the TA-A1ES, you'll need to special order from them. But again, I don't think they're a good match either for the Core series speakers.

SSJben, do you know how much is the book shelf and center? tq

700 for CS5 (bookshelve)
500 for the CS8 (center)

thanks, is this rrp? or we will get cheaper/any where that we can audition? look good to start a 3.1 ht.

That's the price from Sony and it's the only price you'll ever get, officially.
The Core Series speakers was never meant to be sold in Malaysia, but seeing there was interest, Sony just brought in a few models to gauge how well it will sell.

No retailers will have the Core series speakers for sale as Sony isn't planning to distribute them, not for now at least.

As to where can audition, only in Sony KLCC.

+ + = $644.00

As much as I loved wireless but if it's for music probably I won't care much but if it's for movies I opted for wired speakers.

2.5k budget breaks down to:
- 2x Sony SS-CS3 floorstanders (RM1200)
- 1x Yamaha V477 AVR (1.4k)
- Top up RM100

Good suggestion.....

Thank you Sir...for replying my post. So I guess I can only buy them via Sony Store online for RM699.00. Only worried about delivery (damage to the goods)

cheers
Raj

or you can go to the nearest sony center to purchase them.

you know, the ones in KLCC or Midvalley.. you can call them up first to check if they're selling them.

The Core series speakers is ONLY selling in KLCC, for now (and the near future). Also, they need to be back ordered.

AFAIK, Sony Malaysia is planning to bring more units in.

Sony really trying to make a come back

Bought the sony sscs5 speakers, any recommended budget amp/receiver to go with? The cheaper the better, <500 preferred

Eh. They're too inconsistent to really be a big force in the audio market. They would come out with a great product then milk the hell out of it for the next 5 years, releasing garbage after garbage as fillers.

Yes, here's hoping they get their act together because I've always had a soft spot for Sony. But facts are facts, they need to be consistent for a long stretch of time, not just 1 year and clap hooray.

Love the Core series speakers, they're definitely a leg up over the Pioneer AJ speakers.

not bad pricing for dn1060 package. i wonder any user now or demo available?

Any comment about your Sony SSCS5? Appreciated!

Pricing is actually insanely good lol. Why? Because it comes with free BD-7200 player and a MDR1ABT headphone. You sell both off at 80% price from new and the DN1060 is like only 1.4k.

The DN1060 also doesn't sound half bad, in fact very good. Great soundstage, good imaging, punchy dynamics (lol not Sony's forte at all previously).
Too bad it falls short on the video department though, only ONE HDCP 2.2 capable port (ridiculous), no HDR support via firmware, only 1 port does 4:4:4 @ 60hz and input lag that cannot be eradicated.

Then there's the reliability.... well, the 1060 hasn't been out that long yet to hear about the horror stories of Sony receivers going dead for no reason what so ever.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Feb 19 2016, 06:21 PM

To be honest the only thing I trust about SONY was their smartphones.

I do support on their TV

weakness is acceptable for its price. i decided
pls dont advertise too much, im buying it soon.
afraid out of stok like mcd toys or shell lego then no review from me.

cyber shot x walkman x xperia

This post has been edited by ktek: Feb 19 2016, 07:20 PM

No Atmos and no dts x. Feel like outdated avr

Got plenty la, don't worry.


Show me a 1.4k AVR with Atmos or DTS X.

But on a serious note, their latest 1070 also doesn't include Atmos nor DTS X. Sadly. I think Sony missed the ball there.