685 advice

[Excision]

hey everyone

I've been looking speakers for my room (tired of the 5.1 Sony system i have)
anyways came across the 685's and I've deiced to purchase them soon but I'm still undecided on a amp

choices at the moment are

MARANTZ SR5005 - $1,199.00
DENON AVR2311 - $1,249.00
CAMBRIDGE 650R - $1,699.00

i know the Cambridge is a little excessive but in the future the 685's will become my rear speakers so i want to get a good receiver now so i don't have to
re-upgrade

so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
thanks in advance

[stuofsci02]

Where do you live..

That seems very expensive for a Denon 2311. MSRP for that unit is $899 US.

Cheers!

[Excision]

Western Australia

well if there that price from the states i might as well ship one in :T
any good online retailers that will ship internationally ?


cheers Ryan

[stuofsci02]

Yeah,

Make use of your stong Aussie Dollar.. You should be able to find online for less the $800 USD

I do not live in the US myself, so I could not direct you to a good online retailer.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Excision]

cheers mate

witch one would you recommend out of the three



cheers Ryan

[stuofsci02]

What is your priority or listening preference. For instance are you 50/50 with movies and music.

What are the rest of the components you will be matching to.

Thanks,

Stuart

[brushrop03]

I actually had the Denon but returned it for the Marantz. The Denon didn't have any preouts and I wanted that option.

And if you're looking at the 2311, it's probably more comparable to the Marantz SR6005.

SR5005 and Denon 1911 are in the same league (minus the preouts)

The 2311 does have the GUI overlay if you needed that whereas the SR5005 doesnt. The SR6005 does, however.

[Excision]

listening preference is 80 music 20 movies and the only other component i have to add in is a 100 watt kenwood sub and the audio source will be optical from a computer sound card

aright ill have a look at the SR6005 tonight




cheers ryan

[stuofsci02]

Ryan,

I think musically, the Cambridge would be best, followed by the Marantz. The Denon will probably offer the best features for home theater.

But there is no substitution for listening for yourself.

Cheers,

Stuart

[emig5m]

Where do you live..

That seems very expensive for a Denon 2311. MSRP for that unit is $899 US.

Cheers!

I got the Denon 3311 for $826. :

[Excision]

:T nice score on the 3311 emig

i think ill go the SR6005

any thoughts on a JL Fathom f112 for the system (as a add in later on)

[stuofsci02]

I think you will find that most people will agree that the JL F112 is a sweet subwoofer, and is the measuring stick for 12" subs..

[Excision]

yeah gathered that from the reviews ive read but at its 4k price tag it may have to wait awhile :roll:

well cheapest i found a SR-6005 was $1,370 witch i think is aright

[stuofsci02]

Just wait until you discover how awesome two subs are compared to one.. Then the $4k price tag really hurts...

[Excision]

haha yeah it would

i remember being told to take a look at this as well SubMersive

[dukester]

:T nice score on the 3311 emig

i think ill go the SR6005

any thoughts on a JL Fathom f112 for the system (as a add in later on)

I just ordered a REL G1 but was on the fence between it and the Fathom for the last 6 mos. I chose the REL as it has blended with the music better due to it's unique connection (taps directly into the amplifier). But that Fathom was pretty bada$$...i just prefer listening to music minus any processing. The REL may not be an option if you choose to use bookshelves as mains (must be set to Large for REL to recieve signal) but since you plan on upgrading to larger speakers, I recommend you audition one since you favor Music over HT.

As far as your components, I auditioned both Marantz and Denon units...i did not like either enough to buy one. Haven't heard the Cambridge but heard/read nothing but good things. Have you auditioned any Rotel/NAD gear? Very good for the money.

[Excision]

I just ordered a REL G1 but was on the fence between it and the Fathom for the last 6 mos. I chose the REL as it has blended with the music better due to it's unique connection (taps directly into the amplifier). But that Fathom was pretty bada$$...i just prefer listening to music minus any processing. The REL may not be an option if you choose to use bookshelves as mains (must be set to Large for REL to recieve signal) but since you plan on upgrading to larger speakers, I recommend you audition one since you favor Music over HT.

As far as your components, I auditioned both Marantz and Denon units...i did not like either enough to buy one. Haven't heard the Cambridge but heard/read nothing but good things. Have you auditioned any Rotel/NAD gear? Very good for the money.

sounds good ill take a look at the REL G1 when i get a chance

yeah i heard that Rotel and B&W are a match made in heaven but sadly where i live there are no Rotel or NAD dealers so i cant listen to them :x

what models would i be looking at from them ?

[stuofsci02]

Rotel and B&W are a match made in heaven?

They do work well together... Made in heaven might be a stretch... Classe and Chord... Now that is heaven :T

[dukester]

More like match made by a parent company...agree that heaven is a stretch (very good nonetheless).

The Rotel (1560) and NAD (T7X5) Rcvrs will run a bit more (about a grand more) than what you are looking at but IMO are much better in sound quality...but both sound very good.

Hopefully your dealer has 685's in their sound room along with your amps of choice...i was fortunate to have all my choices in the same room.

Careful...i also started with 685's...but spiraled 'out of control' real quick. All i can say is i love my wife...and apparently she loves me.

[Excision]

More like match made by a parent company...agree that heaven is a stretch (very good nonetheless).

The Rotel (1560) and NAD (T7X5) Rcvrs will run a bit more (about a grand more) than what you are looking at but IMO are much better in sound quality...but both sound very good.

Hopefully your dealer has 685's in their sound room along with your amps of choice...i was fortunate to have all my choices in the same room.

Careful...i also started with 685's...but spiraled 'out of control' real quick. All i can say is i love my wife...and apparently she loves me.

well just had a look at those two receivers :jawdrop:
they both seem amazing the price is steep but are they worth the extra $'s over the Denon ' Marantz and Cambridge receivers I've listed.

[stuofsci02]

Only you can decide if it is worth it... Go forth and audition!

Seriosuly though, there is a price point where it makes sense to go with separates...

[dukester]

Only you can decide if it is worth it... Go forth and audition!

Seriosuly though, there is a price point where it makes sense to go with separates...

Completely agree...if i could do it all again, i'd have gone separates. However, if you decide on a rcvr, make sure it has pre-outs...

[Excision]

well good news found a place near me that has the RSX-1560 and deals the B&W line all the way up too the 800 Diamond series so when i get a chance too will definitely go have a listen might take a look at some 805's while I'm there :B

I'm sorry but i pretty new too all this what do you mean by "separates"

[Opus007]

well good news found a place near me that has the RSX-1560 and deals the B&W line all the way up too the 800 Diamond series so when i get a chance too will definitely go have a listen might take a look at some 805's while I'm there :B

I'm sorry but i pretty new too all this what do you mean by "separates"

Seperates are a stand alone amp and pre/amp/processor.A receiver has the amp built in and all the video and audio is done inside the reciever.With seperates you have a pre/amp that does the audio and video processing and then you have a second unit the amp that powers your speakers.

Main reason for seperates is that a reciever has do all the work.With a seperate amp and pre/amp the load is lightened.One unit does the processing and other supplies the power.

When manufactures build a reciever they cram all they can in there.A lot of the time this can be bad thing as they skimp on things to add other things.

When a manufacturer builds a pre/amp they do not have to worry about putting transformers and other circuits in the unit and can dedicate the pre/amp to processing and likewise goes with a seperate amp.They do not have to worry about video chips and processing.

Hope this helps
Shaun

[Excision]

Seperates are a stand alone amp and pre/amp/processor.A receiver has the amp built in and all the video and audio is done inside the reciever.With seperates you have a pre/amp that does the audio and video processing and then you have a second unit the amp that powers your speakers.

Main reason for seperates is that a reciever has do all the work.With a seperate amp and pre/amp the load is lightened.One unit does the processing and other supplies the power.

When manufactures build a reciever they cram all they can in there.A lot of the time this can be bad thing as they skimp on things to add other things.

When a manufacturer builds a pre/amp they do not have to worry about putting transformers and other circuits in the unit and can dedicate the pre/amp to processing and likewise goes with a seperate amp.They do not have to worry about video chips and processing.

Hope this helps
Shaun

Thanks Shaun :thanku:
well the 1560 retails for $5000 here in Perth but i have found a add for one being sold for $770 (Brand New, Black, RSX-1560 Receiver ! never opened)
sounds too good to be true too me but we shall see

if i was going to go down the seperates road what would be a good combo that wouldn't bust the bank ?

[Excision]

I've found a RSP-1098 preamp for sale near me

would that pair nicely with my 685's and a stereo power amp ?


cheers Ryan

[stuofsci02]

The RSP-1098 is a nice piece, but it does not have the new HD Audio Codecs.

Are you doing a Home Theater setup or a Stereo setup?

Cheers!

[emig5m]

Ok 685's... Bought mine for rear channels but have played with them as stereo mains. I was a little shy about using my XPA-5 poweramp with them at first being afraid I would fry the little rinky-dink bookshelf speakers with the colossal poweramp. But what I found out with my subjective experimentation with the 685's is that even though they're small speakers they actually could handle a big power amp no problem and in fact did seem to benefit just as much from the added power as the 683's did, just in a different way. Where the 683's had more current demands, the lower efficiency of the 685 had more SPL demands. So I don't care if I was using 685's or a pair of 802Di's, I would always use a separate poweramp anymore. The processor is the brain, but the amp is the heart and bloodline of a quality hi-fi system IMO.

But I don't think you really need exotic separates with the 685. A good midrange Yamaha or Denon AVR and a Emotiva amp and you'll be set. In the year 2011, I personally wouldn't buy any pre/pro without Audyssey/YPAO or the like. These new room correction programs is really something that I couldn't live without after using them.... It's just the icing on the cake.

[Excision]

its just a stereo setup for now but will be home theater in the future

yeah i know what u mean Emig I'm mainly looking at getting this preamp because when i eventually upgrade to 5.1 or 7.1 ill have good amps all ready and wont have to re upgrade them if that makes sense.


cheers Ryan

[Opus007]

Ryan,
Did you deceide which direction you are going to take? First let me say this,you say you found the 1560 for $770.00.Is that a private seller or from a website?It does sound to good to be true.There are a couple of websites on the web that sell everything from top of the line B&W speakers to amps,preamps,receivers and so on and they are all scams.You send your money and get nothing in return so use caution when buying esspecially if they are not a certified rotel dealer.

With that said,I think if that is for real and you could get a 1560 for 770.00 I would jump on it.It has all the latest codecs for HD audio and preouts so if you wanted to add a amp you could.The 1560 should power the 685's though with no problem.I think you would be happy with the 1560 but in reality any decent receiver would do so you do not have to break the bank.

The 685's are probably the best deal out there on a budget and they are not and do not sound like budget speakers.They only go down to 50hz but to me sound as if they go lower.A sub is needed for movies.Hope this helps.
Shaun

[realhifi]

The Denon to get is the 3311CI. It not only is networkable but has Airplay functionality from Apple. The other thing is that Denon is the most recommended (after Rotel of course) from B&W reps. I think it sounds good too.