Try the PSB T55 (floorstanding front) and C40 (center). Together probably 3.5k.

Or Klipsch RF-52 (floorstanding front) and RC-52 (center). PM htkaki for the price, but I think would be within 4k.

Saw in your sig you have the RF52. How come didn't get the RF62?

Hah, I understand what u mean. Buy something now, then soon after wishing for something better

Haven't had much progress for my room acoustic treatment. I think it sounds ok as it is now, but then I've not heard a properly treated room so I don't have a frame of reference. This acoustics thing really pening... I wish there was some kind of Idiot's Guide to Acoustics I can learn from...

PSBs are good value for money speakers. Have you gone to hear them? A&L has both Yammy and PSB so ask them to pair it together and demo. That's the best way to know if you like them.

---

Added on June 18, 2009, 11:19 pmYeah I wonder who too...? Probably the same guy who poisoned me with the BD60 and white snake...

This post has been edited by jchong: Jun 18 2009, 11:19 PM

What is so surprising about that? For most AVRs the power that is advertised (e.g. 130W, 140W, etc) is at 2 channels driven. The more channels you drive the lower the watts. That's why it's important to read reviews with measurements for at least 5 channels driven because for HT, people will use 5 channels minimum.

However, for the 3900 it seems to fall quite far short of the rated power (140W). At 5 channels @ 1% it is 58.2% of rated power (81.5/140).
Compare to Onkyo 806, at 5 channels @ 1% it is 94.9% of rated power (123.4/130).

This post has been edited by jchong: Jun 28 2009, 11:29 PM

In the review for the Marantz 5003, at 5 channels @ 1% it is 131% of rated power (118/90). Wow, so you get even more watts than specified!

Same for the older 8002, at 5 channels @ 1% it is 107% of rated power (133.8/125).

This post has been edited by jchong: Jun 28 2009, 11:40 PM

The reviews give the 1% measurement since that's about when clipping occurs. And generally people wanna know when it clips because that's seen to be the limit of amp power.

---

Added on June 28, 2009, 11:50 pmDunno, but they do seem to fall quickly under load. Even the RX-V863 also same thing, at 5 channels @ 1% it is 46% of rated power (48.4/105).

This post has been edited by jchong: Jun 28 2009, 11:50 PM

You have to read reviews which measure the power output. Like this one: http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers...mics-page2.html

Yeah, at least the RXV-1800 is closer to the rated power. At 5 channels it is 79.2% of rated power (103/130).

But still, I wonder why Yammy's power is quite below the rating. Looking at the tests for Denon, Marantz and Onkyo they are usually close to the rated power (or even higher!).

This post has been edited by jchong: Jun 29 2009, 11:41 AM

15' seating distance means your room is quite big.

1080p upscaling is for playing DVDs or other non-full HD material. If your DVD player can do upscaling then you don't need to rely on the AVR.

Yup, audio like DTS HD-MA or True HD applies to bluray. DVDs would not have this.

That's true.

But sometimes I feel that movie's LFE are synthesized sounds and it's up to the sound engineer to define it. In terms of natural bass, this is where hi-fi comes in like if you have recordings of the kodo drums or jazz tracks with nice double bass action or pipe organ music. In fact one of the good tracks to demo dynamic bass is a fireworks recording on the Danley website, see here: http://www.danleysoundlabs.com/technical%20downloads.html

With natural bass, you have a chance to compare the real thing to your system capabilities. Like if you've attended a live fireworks display you know how the explosions feel and sound like. Then play the Danley recording, if your system can give approximately the same experience then you know your system is really good!

Another example mentioned by moomoos already is the lion dance drums. If there was a good recording of this it would be a good test of the subwoofer's speed and attack.

---

Added on September 19, 2009, 11:11 amFor Pure Direct / Pure Audio, sometimes the AVR can use the LFE channel if you choose the 5.1 audio track (this will depend on your AVR brand). Like when I listen to Michael Buble BD, if I choose the 5.1 audio and use Pure Audio I will get some LFE (but the same as if I turn off Pure Audio).

This post has been edited by jchong: Sep 19 2009, 11:11 AM