is it hot? Yamaha HTR5760B +Athena Micra 6 = $850

[powerful]

Looking for suggestions. I am trying to assemble my first home theartre (budget at $1000) system. Is this a good deal?
Thanks

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=BDL10000750&newdeptid=&catid=19701&logon=&langid=EN&dept=0&MSCSProfile=3C79F0C7EA3162B2F4DE0859C8631BEAC3AF24 7FCDD627F1708F69FABC85F96850C27DA329413601FA1D7B28 7A3E80A5468B7B2C36D480BA9DC11B4297E88D1C3551C0D029 AC7148D9169598AB13A13FB5E1A994AA730A302C86466CE6E7 EBE981F3A5340ED31E4D242874314E124A91B4AEA785EBAAF6 0C&test%5Fcookie=1

[willy]

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10057619.jpg http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10044928.jpg

[oc613]

warm.

[anonymous2]

It's not bad, those Athena's have good reviews, and a Yamaha amp will last for a very long time. It's a good choice for a first time setup. Also you can always build on the receiver. Unlike most 'home theatre in a box' packages you'll usually have to get rid of completely because of the lack of a receiver.

[jiffylube1024]

It's a pretty good deal (the receiver you get is great). Futureshop's price on either individually is crap (I think they want $699 for the Micra system, the receiver goes for $600). The bundle price nice though.

I'm running the slightly larger Athena Point 5 sytem and it's got quite good sound for the size (the Point 5 has 4" midwoofers and 1" tweeters while the Micra system has 3" midwoofers and 3/4" tweeters).

Every review I've read of the Micra system has been positive (some overwhelmingly so) - everyone proclaims "big sound in a small package" etc. They're built very well like all Athena speakers too. They blow competing small speakers out of the water. These Micras aren't your typical mini-system - they have some actual kick to them!

Plus system does have room to grow, which is nice. Down the road if you want to upgrade to 7.1, buy a pair of Athena ASB1's or ASB2's (or even a pair of S.5's) for the front two speakers and move the two Micra's to the back to go to a fully fledged 7.1 system.

Just make sure to stick to the same brand for the front 3 speakers as many/most manufactuers timbre match their speakers (the tones of the speakers are calibrated similarly). Going with different brand speakers to replace the front stereo speakers may result in slightly off sounding surround sound, imperfect sound pans, etc.

[Nefarian]

Where have you guys seen that Yamaha receiver for less? I've checked AV Unlimited, Visions, A&B Sound, and none have it.

Consumer Reports has rated the HTR5760's bigger brother (VX650, whose only addition is multiroom capability) as a "best buy" at $400 US. A&B Sound has it for $700 which is a rip-off considering our dollar of late.

[ben_95sl1]

Well, I'd say the receiver is "overkill" for those speakers. If you upgraded, you'd no doubt keep the receiver....I'd spend a little more and get better speakers, and spend less on the receiver...but thats just me. That being said, Yamaha makes good receivers, and athena makes good speakers. I guess it all depends on how good the micra set is?

[powerful]

Where have you guys seen that Yamaha receiver for less? I've checked AV Unlimited, Visions, A&B Sound, and none have it.

Consumer Reports has rated the HTR5760's bigger brother (VX650, whose only addition is multiroom capability) as a "best buy" at $400 US. A&B Sound has it for $700 which is a rip-off considering our dollar of late.

I have been checking this guy on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a> for a couple of weeks. He sells several yamaha recvers each day on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a>. Maybe you can have a try.

http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQsassZauctionwire1


I just have some other dumb questions. How these other hifi speakers such as PSB, mission etc compared with the famous computer speakers such as logitech & creative.

One of my local store have PSB image 5T on sale at $599, is it a good deal? how is it compared with the Athena Micra. I also have the impression that the receiver of the above-mentioned package is a over-kill. Maybe I only need a 5740 or 5750, and spend more money on the speakers. :)

Let's forget the furtureshop package for a while, if you have 1000$, what will be your target receiver+speaker set in your mind?

[anonymous2]

If I were building for a $1000, I'd buy a good receiver atleast as good as the one in this thread (a Denon, if I could find one on the cheap), and as many Paradigm speakers as I could afford.

It probably wouldn't be able to make a complete surround setup, I might even have to use some rear speakers up front as a stereo for a while.

Then I'd save up my cash and buy the remaining speakers when I could afford them. Once it's complete I'd enjoy my kick a** setup. Knowing I didn't settle with a cheap receiver and fair speakers. But that's just me ;)

[mre]

I have been checking this guy on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a> for a couple of weeks. He sells several yamaha recvers each day on <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a>. Maybe you can have a try.

http://search.ebay.ca/_W0QQsassZauctionwire1


I just have some other dumb questions. How these other hifi speakers such as PSB, mission etc compared with the famous computer speakers such as logitech & creative.

One of my local store have PSB image 5T on sale at $599, is it a good deal? how is it compared with the Athena Micra. I also have the impression that the receiver of the above-mentioned package is a over-kill. Maybe I only need a 5740 or 5750, and spend more money on the speakers. :)

Let's forget the furtureshop package for a while, if you have 1000$, what will be your target receiver+speaker set in your mind?


Just be very careful buying electronics like this off of <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=78 target=_blank>ebay</a>. Even if the item is new, if the seller isn't an authorized Yamaha dealer you will have no warranty from Yamaha. A sure sign is that the RX-V series is not licensed by Yamaha for online sales, so rule that line out if you want a warranty. The HTR on the other hand, can be sold online by a Yamaha dealer and offer a full warranty.

[Mr Nobody]

If anyone wants to trade their new or like new Micras for my 2 month old larger Point 5s, let me know. I'm looking for something smaller. :)

[ben_95sl1]

I'd buy the cheapest decent Yamaha receiver (I don't know how good the low end one is) and start collecting good speakers with money left over (using cheap stuff for the surrounds for now). If you don't ever need or want a $600 receiver, then don't spend your money on it. Some people aim higher and spend more then $1000 on a receiver.

From my experience; the Athena bookshelfs are pretty good, especially when they are on sale at FS. Quest sounds better then nothing, especially when they are on sale (I think they're ok for surrounds, I'd rather spend the money I saved on better quality fronts/center). I'm no audiophile, but I'm semi-knowledgeable.

[powerful]

If anyone wants to trade their new or like new Micras for my 2 month old larger Point 5s, let me know. I'm looking for something smaller. :)

I am just curious why do you want to exchange a set of Point5 to micra?

[cheap_guy]

I have the HTR-5740. I think its the cheapest decent yamaha receiver. No real insult to the 5730, but for that price, I think you're better off with the Sony one that's always 100$ off (200 in the end, model 575 perhaps) that's 6x100W. HTR5730 is only 5.1, so its 5x100.

I'm really happy HTR5740. Its only 6x85W tho, but that's enough for the 18x18 room its in. If you have a bigger room, or one with carpet, I'd suggest you go with more power. The receiver has pretty much every 6.1 or older standard I've seen which means it shouldn't be obsolete for some time. Its pretty reasonably priced as well. I've seen it for around 300-350 on sale, although never again at 280 (which is what I paid for mine when FS got rid of their black ones).

If you're looking for a decent speaker package, this one (the Energy take 5.2 for 499) comes with pretty good reviews (but you have to buy the sub separately). http://www.audioshop.on.ca/energytake.htm

[Mr Nobody]

I am just curious why do you want to exchange a set of Point5 to micra?

As stated, I'm looking for something smaller. Never really liked the looks of the Point 5s either. My ears don't seem to hear the difference between good and bad speakers either.

[Alexo]

Also check out the Pioneer VSX-1014TX.
It is essentially the same as their much more expensive Elite 52TX unit (minus the muti-room capability).
Excellent reviews across the board.

[bcn1138]

I'd buy the cheapest decent Yamaha receiver (I don't know how good the low end one is) and start collecting good speakers with money left over (using cheap stuff for the surrounds for now). If you don't ever need or want a $600 receiver, then don't spend your money on it. Some people aim higher and spend more then $1000 on a receiver.

From my experience; the Athena bookshelfs are pretty good, especially when they are on sale at FS. Quest sounds better then nothing, especially when they are on sale (I think they're ok for surrounds, I'd rather spend the money I saved on better quality fronts/center). I'm no audiophile, but I'm semi-knowledgeable.


Sorry to say but you aren't that knowledgeable. I mean no disrespect, but anyone who recommends a cheap reciever and spending more on speakers has little to know idea what they are talking about when it comes to audio.

You can have the greatest speakers in the world, but with a low quality input (dvd/cd) and output (amp/receiver) they'll sound like crap. On the other hand if you get a good reciver, they will make cheaper speakers sound a lot better than they are.



I just have some other dumb questions. How these other hifi speakers such as PSB, mission etc compared with the famous computer speakers such as logitech & creative.

As to your question on PSB and Misson. The difference is worlds apart, and not just between them and the computer speakers. Mission is a European speaker manufacturer, the sound of their speakers is dramatically different from that of the PSB's. PSB is a great speaker manufacturer, but a typical North american one, in that they boost the highs and lows. With the Mission you will get more midrange, in essence more acurate sound reproduction.
With that in mind a setup with small satellites, and a small sub, like most of the computer speakers, you will lose out on a lot of the dynamic range. What that means is that there will be gaps in the range of frequncy (sound) that the speakers can reproduce. The little sub will not be able to play very low sounds, the satellites will play the higher frequencies pretty well, but due to the small size of the drivers they often cannot play the middle frequencies.

What actually sounds better depends on your ears, what you are listening to, and the volume at which you are listening. When you go to listen try to play everything at the same volume, salespeople will turn the ones they want to sell you up louder. It works on a lot of people (I used to do it all the time, sometimes theres more money in cheaper speakers).

Enough of my rambling, check out this site it has some not bad information.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/speakers_glossary.html
or check out
http://www.avsforum.com/
They'll answer any question you could concievably have about speakers/home
theater.

[Alexo]

I just started looking for speakers myself.

Various people over at AVS forum (and similar forums) suggested I look at Axiom, Infinity, Athena, Energy, Paradigm and Polk.

Considering that each has several llines, that's quite a lot of options.
Are there audio stores in the GTA that carry all or most of them, so I can compare the sound in just one or tho places?

[ben_95sl1]

Sorry to say but you aren't that knowledgeable. I mean no disrespect, but anyone who recommends a cheap reciever and spending more on speakers has little to know idea what they are talking about when it comes to audio.

You can have the greatest speakers in the world, but with a low quality input (dvd/cd) and output (amp/receiver) they'll sound like crap. On the other hand if you get a good reciver, they will make cheaper speakers sound a lot better than they are.



As to your question on PSB and Misson. The difference is worlds apart, and not just between them and the computer speakers. Mission is a European speaker manufacturer, the sound of their speakers is dramatically different from that of the PSB's. PSB is a great speaker manufacturer, but a typical North american one, in that they boost the highs and lows. With the Mission you will get more midrange, in essence more acurate sound reproduction.
With that in mind a setup with small satellites, and a small sub, like most of the computer speakers, you will lose out on a lot of the dynamic range. What that means is that there will be gaps in the range of frequncy (sound) that the speakers can reproduce. The little sub will not be able to play very low sounds, the satellites will play the higher frequencies pretty well, but due to the small size of the drivers they often cannot play the middle frequencies.

What actually sounds better depends on your ears, what you are listening to, and the volume at which you are listening. When you go to listen try to play everything at the same volume, salespeople will turn the ones they want to sell you up louder. It works on a lot of people (I used to do it all the time, sometimes theres more money in cheaper speakers).

Enough of my rambling, check out this site it has some not bad information.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/speakers_glossary.html
or check out
http://www.avsforum.com/
They'll answer any question you could concievably have about speakers/home
theater.


i even said "cheapest decent yamaha receiver"....i didn't say buy the cheapest one you can find! at $1000, you're going to be cutting corners anyway...

so what is the best budget receiver with just 5.1 DD/DTS then....

[jiffylube1024]

If anyone wants to trade their new or like new Micras for my 2 month old larger Point 5s, let me know. I'm looking for something smaller. :)

Have you tried the Point 5's with the grills off? They look pretty sexy without the grills ;) .

[jiffylube1024]

Well, I'd say the receiver is "overkill" for those speakers. If you upgraded, you'd no doubt keep the receiver....I'd spend a little more and get better speakers, and spend less on the receiver...but thats just me. That being said, Yamaha makes good receivers, and athena makes good speakers. I guess it all depends on how good the micra set is?

It's never a bad idea to go with a really good receiver. Many cheap receivers are just that - crap. That is a kickass receiver with growing room in the future if need be, banana plugs all around and tons of inputs (for those running an Xbox/PS2/DVD Player/Digital TV/etc... bear in mind next generation of video game systems will all use one type of digital audio or another).

Cheaper receivers may support only 5.1 or 6.1 surround, would probably not have Dolby Pro Logic IIx, etc.

[Mr Nobody]

Have you tried the Point 5's with the grills off? They look pretty sexy without the grills ;) .

Somehow I feel they're going to get damaged. Are they only there to protect from dust?