2 channel music system under 30K

The Pioneer DV-578-A-S is a universal player but availability here may be an issue. At your price level, try locally made bookshelf speakers costing around Rs 10,000. An entry level AV receiver from Yamaha or Sonodyne should suffice. The sound will be a lot better than any multi-channel rubbish.

Thanks. I enquired about that Pioneer model last weekend, I got a quote of 14K although he was not 100% sure that he will be able to get it.

Regarding receiver are you suggesting to get the Sonodyne's 2 channel amp(SiA 102R) rather than 5.1 (AV 300R)? Although multichannel is not my priority for the time being, I want to keep the option open.

How about Sonodyne Sonus speakers. 2605 will exceed my budget, what about 1601?

Any other suggestion from anybody will be greatly appreciated.

hi,

yamaha 5.1 receiver is for 14k
and the sonus 2605 is for 22k /pair
the 1605 is for 12,800 , 4 ohms-

yu can try out the sony tower speakers also-

http://www.sonyindia...e.jsp?categoryId=193

regs
anirvan

Sonodyne 1605 is bogus IMO,
The bookshelves at 8k a pair are far better.
You can always transform it as your rear speakers in your HT system.
As far amp is concerned, if you are looking at stereo amp within 12k, here are the options,

Pulz Stereo amp,
Sonodyne amp (the one you have mentioned)
Lyrita audio has some solid state amps which you should try and look at
Yamaha AX-396/496

For an AVR
Pioneer has one at 13k
Yamaha has one at 14k
Even Sony has one at 15k (I dont recommend that)
Sonodyne has one at 17k (the best in this budget).

Take your pick but remember that you cant expect stereo performance from an AVR unless you add a sub to your system.

Abhi, thanks for your recommendation for receivers. I want to get a 5.1 channel AVR. I will audition Sonodyne & Yamaha ones. For Speakers what do you recommend? Is it possible to get a decent pair at 13-15K? Sonodyne's bookself (Genie 1) will require sub as its lowest frequency is only 90Hz...I plan to add sub next but may be after 6-8 months.

In 13k-15k range you can get very good bookshelves from Wharfdale, Polk Audio, Jamo, Kef.......but floorstanders would be just too difficult.

the cheapest towers you might get are the jamo E 350 for 18k,
but again i dont think they wud do a good job of stereo-
have heard it once - abhi and people are more qualified to comment on this-
r
anirvan

No point discussing floorstanders in 15k range....I have seen some very good bookshelves in this range. It would advisable to look at the bookshelves first and if at all you are not happy then we can talk of other options....

If the sound is good, no problem with Bookshelves, in fact I wanted Bookshelves only...For Polk, I will visit Profx @ MG Road, but where can I audition Wharfedale in Bangalore?

Total Sound, Gem Plaza (Near Safina Plaza) can contact Anand there Mobile no: 9886722937

Ok, first of all the source. There is a new model from Yamaha.
Dvd 657, this is a universal player. Plays just about
everything - DVD AUDIO, SACD, DVD VIDEO, VCD, CD, MP3, etc.
The same is available for less than rs 15000 officially with
warranty. Comin to your configuration around the 30k price
bracket, you could consider yamaha or denon entry level
av receivers with some mission, monitor audio or tannoy
book shelves.
You could get the yamaha rxv357 for about 16k and the
denon avr 1404 for about 17k. On the speaker front -
mission m31 - 13k
mission m32 - 16k
tannoy fusion 1 - 16k
monitor audio bronze 2 - 17k
Hear them before you decide..... good luck......

Hi Diskspinner,

If you plan to go for home theatre later, get an AVR instead of a stereo amp. There will be some slight compromise in sound but it will be the wiser option.

If you opt for a bookshelf, purchase a larger bookshelf like I did. A subwoofer is essential to support smaller bookshelves. I would recommend the Mission M32. I have heard it and it sounds good. Even reproduces decent bass.

If you can fit a floorstander in your room, the Mission M73i is a good performer and not too expensive at around Rs 17,000. You might save on a subwoofer later if you take a flrs. So factor that into your purchase decision.

Abhi and SNV have given you good advice. So shop to your heart's content and do tell us what you got and how much it cost

Great to have all you helpful guys in this forum. I will try to finalize the combination within 2-3 weeks. It is time to audition the recommended ones. Thanxxxx

I listened to Polk Audio Monitor 40 (12.5k) at ProFx, A pair of Space speakers (9.7k) and Tannoy Fusion 1 (14k) at Music Ranch yesterday. All were good but Space was a surprise to me. Good enough if I consider the price, anybody has any experience to share on Space. Is it trustworthy?

Also listened Yamaha rx-v350, good for price but I think I will settle for rx-v357 (16.7k). Any comments?

hey-
which model of space did u audition-
r
anirvan

I don't know the model number. I saw the model number but forgot. It was a medium-sized bookshelf priced at 9.7k. They had towers also, I did not audition them because Music Ranch is only 10 minutes walk from my home. I thought of doing research and taking feedback first then I will go for another audition. No info available on net about Space

hey boss,

heres space audios url http://www.spaceaudioinc.com/,
also check out sanen, pulz and torvin if you find it some where-
http://www.sanenaudio.com/
http://www.pulzaudio.com/
http://www.torvin.com/
r
anirvan

diskspinner schrieb:

No info available on net about Space :|

Look a bit harder...

had enough of it eh..?
make it easy for you..
here you go..
http://spaceaudioinc.com/

Regards,
sachi

Thanks for the Link. I auditioned the model BK-6X. Is 'Space' reliable? I know where I can get torvin (Audio Planet, Koramangla).

diskspinner schrieb:

Also listened Yamaha rx-v350, good for price but I think I will settle for rx-v357 (16.7k). Any comments?

Sonodyne is way better for the same price IMO.
I have heard both, even RXV-650 but Sonodyne impressed me a lot more than the Yamaha series.

diskspinner schrieb:

Is 'Space' reliable?

diskspinner schrieb:

Music Ranch is only 10 minutes walk from my home

You gave the answer yourself....any problems just rush back to music ranch..

Abhi, I have listened Sonodyne AVR and Yamaha rx-v350...in 2 channel mode I could not decide which one is better. More so because the speakers were different. I have not listened rx-v450, do you think Sonodyne scores over that too?

hmmmm...Man sonically (generic) I prefer Sonodyne over Yamaha RXV-650 too but in 2 channel mode I cant comment, because I found both of them "somewhat dissapointing". Sonodyne lacked slam in Stereo mode while Yamaha lacked the crisp.
In 2 channel mode Marantz, HK, NAD would do better than both of these but I dont think it will be in your budget.

Anyway you cant get enough Sonic characteristics in any of these (in stereo mode) which would keep you hooked to your system. But if you prefer to listen to stereo with your sub on then you do get some decent music. Again in that case I would prefer Sonodyne.

Bottom line is "dont think of extracting a lot from any of these AVRs (Sonodyne or Yamaha) in pure stereo mode (without sub)" and that should not be your criteria either when you are evaluating AVRs on the thinnest budget.

Don't scold me
I am not expecting much, just want a decent one for the budget. I spend too much on Cds (around 30k per year at present rate), so I have to contain myself on this front. But anyway I will invest more later...For the time being I will try to happy with a receiver, 2 speakers. (I could have invested more but I have a wife.)

(I could have invested more but I have a wife.)

Then I suggest you stick to your budget...if you know whats good for you

diskspinner wrote :

I spend too much on Cds (around 30k per year at present rate)

Thats 2.5 k per month..maybe you should stop buying Cd's for some time and invest in a better AVR...oh yeah EMI's would do, but sacrificing system for sake of buying CD's is what amuses me..is that amount fixed at 30k per annum as Cd allowance .......you better be happy even though you have a wife she allows you to spend 30k on CD's....don't try to trouble her too much..

SUB_BOSS schrieb:

don't try to trouble her too much.. 8)

Not even thinking of it. She is completely 'NO NO' to EMIs since I am already serving a car EMI. A bulk investment hurts more than slow burn of 2-2.5k per month. It is difficult for me to stop buying CDs.

Anyway I will buy good towers/sub next year.

30k for a pair of speakers and an AV receiver is far too less money. You may able to get a pair of bookshelf speakers for about 15k but the rest of the budget is not enough for a decent receiver. All budget av receivers I have heard regardless of brand suck big time when it comes to good music reproduction. My suggestion is to go for a decent amp like the Nad C 320bee for around 18k. Stretch your budget a bit and pick up a pair of bookshelf speakers from Acoustic portrait or lyrita audio (if you are not too finicky about brands and want maximum bang for your buck) or if you want brands go for wharfedale or mission. They have some good stuff around 15k.
Please do factor in the cost of a good pair of stands for your b/k spks and spk wires too. A pair of stands can take stretch your budget by another 2k at least. That way, the mission floor-stander for 17k is a good idea. Look around in the used market. You may be able to pick up a used wharfedale diamond 8.4 for around 17k. This way you get the best music for your money. Believe me, if you connect a sub 20k sony or Yamaha receiver to any good speaker, you just suck the life out of them. The entire exercise becomes a total waste. The company has to give you a pre-amp, processor, tuner, latest gimmicks, 5 channels of amplification, power supply, funny airport display etc… for around 15k. This has to include all the overheads and their profit/dealer margin etc….You can imagine what the quality of the amp section will be. You can assemble yourself a better stereo amp for 5k. Best is to stretch your budget a bit and get yourself a simple, entry level audiophile grade system. You won’t regret it in the long run.

sq wave wrote :

Believe me, if you connect a sub 20k sony or Yamaha receiver to any good speaker, you just suck the life out of them. The entire exercise becomes a total waste. The company has to give you a pre-amp, processor, tuner, latest gimmicks, 5 channels of amplification, power supply, funny airport display etc… for around 15k.

not to mention the thousands of watts, colourful remote, extra bass boost circuitry and airport display

Stretch your budget a bit and pick up a pair of bookshelf speakers from Acoustic portrait or lyrita audio (if you are not too finicky about brands and want maximum bang for your buck) or if you want brands go for wharfedale or mission. They have some good stuff around 15k.

could try the Norge bookshelves at 8.5 k..you won't go too wrong at that price point.

You can also try out Mission, Polk floorstanders (around 17k) with a Pulz/Lyrita/Sonodyne/Yamaha Stereo amp.
I know its a compromise but you would definitely get the feel of Hifi system.

Which model of Polk? Monitor 50? or Rti6?
Where can I listen Mission in Bangalore? I am yet to try Wharfedale also, I went to Total Sound last Wednesday but it was closed, may be weekly holiday.

monitor 50

Try anything thats in your budget....

Have you listened to monitor50 ?

No, I have listened Monitor 40. Planning to listen Monitor 50 & Wharfedale Diamond 8.x tomorrow.

Wharfedales are slightly difficult to drive. They are 86db (low) sensitivity and they need a high current amp (at least a nad C320bee) to drive them without clipping. I have owned a diamond 8.4 pair before. Forget about driving them with low-end receivers and amps.

Yeah...I have seen the rating for Wharfedale Diamond 8 series. I have not yet bought the amp/receiver, so I am open to listen to them. Thanks for your advice.

One more suggestion. If you go with very low end models from any brand, you could end up with a lemon. The good sound/speakers start from the mid-end models only. You could actually try out a good kit from corrson speakers in bangalore. http://www.corrson.com/kits.html These are assembled with vifa drivers usually seen with speakers costing upwards of half a lac or so. There are members on this forum who have assembled their own speakers using vifa drivers with success. Benkenobi and Ronnie. You could try one out yourself or buy a kit. It will give you the maximum bang for your budget.
Then buy a c320 bee amp and get the best of both worlds……..

Constructing speakers!!! You are scaring me!!!

Anyway I do not have high expectation from the system. Even if I raise my budget to 70k, still a few people will think I could have gotten a better one if I spend a little more...there is no end to this. Bottom line is if you want to be critical you can never get happy...

I definitely thank you for your advice.

I know it sounds scary……….It is not that bad at all……..Speakers are basically a cabinet and drivers with a crossover. All you need is a proven design. It becomes messy only if you make your own cabinet and design the crossover/driver config yourself. It is very simple if you use a well designed kit. You can set them up in a couple of hours. This is done all over the world by people who are on a tight budget and want the maximum bang for their budget.
For an example see this
http://www.madisound.com/kits.html
If you are not upto it, don’t do it..buy an entry level speaker which sounds nice to you..have a nice weekend hunting

btw:the mission floorstander at 17k sounds interesting....

I agree with square wave on that. Assembling a kit from an establised design (crossover and cabinet should have been designed keeping the specific drivers in mind) only requires time, patience and passion. It is not tough at all and also pushes a person further up the learning curve than he could have possibly done by researching.

Benks will have a different perpective however. He has designed an active speaker and has also measured the drivers himself post which he has designed his cabinet. So he has taken the much harder route. I guess mainly because he has already traversed much higher up the learning slope.

Personally, until such time that i don't have much time and a lot of spare cash lying around, I will not be buying a speaker( or for that matter an amplifier ;-)) off the shelf.

DIY is satisfying and enjoyable.

square_wave schrieb:

btw:the mission floorstander at 17k sounds interesting...

Where can I get to listen it in Bangalore? I emailed the mission distributor in Mumbai, they said they do not have dealers in Bangalore. They can only send requested product by cargo. Does Audio Planet keeps Mission?

I don’t know anybody who stocks missions out here. There is one bookshelf speaker I can recommend for awesome bass and even tonality at this budget. It is the acoustic energy AE EVO 1. I think it sells for 16k or something. You won’t miss a floorstander with this one.It is better to stay small and simple in this budget. You could try out absolute phase near mg-road phone-25327496

dont get scared diskspenner-
corrson also assembles the kits for you-at a lill xtra money-
its there on the site- so it a really good idea to check them out before buying the thing-
coz vifa drivers are really good-

r
anirvan

If you want to go the kit route then i have a book(of course, a copy of Junia's original ) with design recipes for loudspeakers written by Vance Dickson, speaker building legend.
His book,'Loudspeaker Design Cookbook-sixth edition' is the reference manual and bible for all speaker builders.

The 'Loudspeaker design recipes' written by him and has a host of 2 way designs.
the first one is with the same woofer ronnie has used(vifa p17j) and the tweeter is a scanspeak D2905.
The design for the xover and the blueprints of the box are provided along with the frequency plots, impedance curves,xover plots and a lot more info that i did not bother to look into, yet!The plans also provide designs for a custom made stand for the standmounts.

Am sure that if constructed this aprticular speaker should out-do speakers costing 1200$ and more,easily.
Let me know if you or anyone who is interested in looking/making a copy of the book.
Cheers,
Benkenobi

Any possibility of getting a soft copy of the book.

Sorry Rajesh. No soft copy.

benkenobi schrieb:

If you want to go the kit route then i have a book(of course, a copy of Junia's original )

I am sure I will mess up if I go that way.

So I will stick to speakers made by others... BTW where can I get NAD320BEE in Bangalore?...I have listened to Wharfedale 9.1 & 8s, I liked 9.1. As it is also low sensitivity like its 8.x counterparts, I am wondering if Marantz SR 4500 will be best budget receiver to play them. Can any of you name the place where I can get Marantz or NAD320BEE?

Initially I thought I will get a receiver (because wanted to keep multichannel option open) & 2 speakers. Now I am thinking of getting a 2 channel amp and 2 speakers...After a lot of thought I think it makes much more sense as my music:movies ratio could be 95:5 (or even 98:2), and I have close to 250 original ACDs & 500 Mp3 albums as compared to 5 VCDs ...One of my relative is going to Bangkok next week for 3 days...So I am thinking of getting a NAD 320 BEE from there as NADs are a bit overpriced in India but 'warranty' & customs might be an issue if I import one. Another bad thing is I am yet to get a chance to listen NAD 320 BEE. But if I get NAD, I plan to audition speakers with NAD.

As of now I am still focussed on Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 but I plan to listen some more before finalizing.

I listen mainly to 60s, 70's classic rock, progressive rock and a lot of other rock music but no boybands, divas & hiphop. I hope the import decision clicks. Let's see.