Onkyo SR608 with KEF 3005SE

[admin_exported]

I am purchasing my first home theatre seperates. I am looking at the Onkyo SR608 (£430.00) with KEF 3005SE speakers (£999.00) and also a Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player (£160.00). I have researched on the internet the past couple of weeks and found these prices to be approx what each is being sold for.

Two questions: Anyone think this amp and speakers are not a good combination and also anyone know any cheaper prices for these items than what i have found. I live near Wolverhampton and unfortunately no hifi specialist near me to visit and they dont deliver on these speakers either. If i decide to buy i would have to travel into some hifi store and buy them, so any advice to help with my decision would be great.

thanks

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

ASonyWanter,

When I heard the 608, it was with the KEF3005SE's and they sounded very good indeed!

A cracking pair

Ronald

 

[MUSICRAFT]

ASonyWanter:
I am purchasing my first home theatre seperates. I am looking at the Onkyo SR608 (£430.00) with KEF 3005SE speakers (£999.00) and also a Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player (£160.00). I have researched on the internet the past couple of weeks and found these prices to be approx what each is being sold for.

Two questions: Anyone think this amp and speakers are not a good combination and also anyone know any cheaper prices for these items than what i have found. I live near Wolverhampton and unfortunately no hifi specialist near me to visit and they dont deliver on these speakers either. If i decide to buy i would have to travel into some hifi store and buy them, so any advice to help with my decision would be great.

thanks

Hi ASonyWanter

I would suggest you also consider Yamaha's RX-V667. Yamaha's Cinema DSP technology and KEF's UniQ technology compliment each other really well.

Btw, the 3005SE's can benefit from even better amplification so if your budget allows then an amp such as the RX-V1067 will be an excellent match.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Musicraft,

In my desire to learn more about how Yamaha's 'Cinema DSP Technology', that you have claimed on more occassions than I can remember, compliments KEF's 'UniQ technology' really well, would you mind explaining to me exactly how this combination, according to you makes the sound produced so wonderfully compelling?

I appreciate you taking the time away from the Yamaha and Monitor Audio brochures to explain this to me, based purely on your own knowledge and experience of how both these 'technologies' merit such a partnership - clearly from a sonic perspective, that would deem them a must hear combination?

Ronald

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

In all fairness to Rick the KEF/Yamaha combination is very solid with the KHT and classic Q / XQ series. The new Q series does work with Yamaha but I feel they benefit from a cleaner sound.

To the OP the Onkyo is a cracking amp and you get a lot for your money. The brash full on sound of old has been tamed significantly and although still lively it will work very well with your choice of speakers. It is all personal preference and some like the lively front/back sound of the Onkyo others prefer the wrap around stable sound of the Yamaha.

I normally suggest the Onkyo with a larger room as the extra drive really helps. In a smaller environment then the 667 is a good choice.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Ronald Archiebald:
Musicraft,

In my desire to learn more about how Yamaha's 'Cinema DSP Technology', that you have claimed on more occassions than I can remember, compliments KEF's 'UniQ technology' really well, would you mind explaining to me exactly how this combination, according to you makes the sound produced so wonderfully compelling?

I appreciate you taking the time away from the Yamaha and Monitor Audio brochures to explain this to me, based purely on your own knowledge and experience of how both these 'technologies' merit such a partnership - clearly from a sonic perspective, that would deem them a must hear combination?

Ronald

Hi Ronald

When you have got a moment to spare please have a listen to a well set up Yamaha AV amp (with DSP activated)/KEF UniQ speakers. The demonstration should hopefully answer your questions.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[strapped for cash]

Surely any opinion offered based on experience of partnering specific equipment (such as the Yam and KEF combo) should be taken as simply an informed suggestion to help the OP compile a shortlist for audition -- which is precisely what they should do; and then make any judgement based on their own preferences having experienced the equipment first-hand.

I see no problem with making such a suggestion, which should be interpreted simply as helpful (as, I think it's reasonable to assume, was the intention of Rick's post). Besides, auditioning a range of equipment is all part of the fun!

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

strapped for cash:
Surely any opinion offered based on experience of partnering specific equipment (such as the Yam and KEF combo) should be taken as simply an informed suggestion to help the OP compile a shortlist for audition -- which is precisely what they should do; and then make any judgement based on their own preferences having experienced the equipment first-hand.

I see no problem with making such a suggestion, which should be interpreted simply as helpful (as, I think it's reasonable to assume, was the intention of Rick's post). Besides, auditioning a range of equipment is all part of the fun!

Unlike Nick and David unfortunately, the 'opinions' of Rick are always biased towards Yamaha & Monitor Audio products - every opportunity for a post is for a sale.

What I would really find refreshing is for Rick to at least for once, consider that there are many other products out there in the market besides what he stocks as a dealer that may be of interest to any posters - that would also work 'really well'.

An unbiased opinion that caters to the needs of the OP, rather than himself, would be nice for a change.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

MUSICRAFT:Ronald Archiebald:
Musicraft,

In my desire to learn more about how Yamaha's 'Cinema DSP Technology', that you have claimed on more occassions than I can remember, compliments KEF's 'UniQ technology' really well, would you mind explaining to me exactly how this combination, according to you makes the sound produced so wonderfully compelling?

I appreciate you taking the time away from the Yamaha and Monitor Audio brochures to explain this to me, based purely on your own knowledge and experience of how both these 'technologies' merit such a partnership - clearly from a sonic perspective, that would deem them a must hear combination?

Ronald

Hi Ronald

When you have got a moment to spare please have a listen to a well set up Yamaha AV amp (with DSP activated)/KEF UniQ speakers. The demonstration should hopefully answer your questions.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Incidentally, I have heard one such combination and was waiting with anticipation on your input - which as expected, did not materialise, or we could have exchanged notes on our opinions.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Although we keep a wide range of products, I've always had a soft spot for Yamaha, ever since 1990 when I joined Radford Hi-Fi. Yamaha have always produced their own processing chips, and have been the only company allowed to mix their processing with Dolby Digital and DTS processing - something which no one else is allowed to do. Yamaha take their DSP processing from actual venues, including the Odeon Leicester Square theatre. These give genuine and credible soundstages,unmatched by anyone else. Even in standard DD/DTS mode, I've always felt that Yamaha produce a more integrated and more believable soundstage, regardless of the movie or source.

As far as KEF is concerned, I feel their UniQ drivers lend themselves very well to movie soundtracks, being more able to reveal Yamaha's subtleties. They're wider dispersion, unlike most hi-fi speakers, and more like dedicated AV packages like M&K. Rather than being an overly warm sounding speaker and smothering detail, the KEF sound is generally a better balanced one, with the ability to dig out more detail, and present it in a more attacking manner, again, more like a dedicated AV speaker package.

Because of this, the combination of Yamaha's soundfields and KEF's UniQ arrangement is a tough act to follow. I hope this answers the question posed

 

[Big Chris]

It's funny. When I bought my Onkyo 3 years ago, the guy up Tottenham Court Rd I bought my MT30s from offered me the Yamaha 3800 for £1100 (down from £1400 IIRC).

I looked into it, but it was all those DSP modes that put me off. I think A/V receivers can be complicated enough without adding to the headaches. There's something to be said for (relative) simplicity.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

David,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question, although you were not the intended responder.

It is obvious that you write from your own extensive experience and that is what we would all benefit from in this forum.

You are clearly well-versed with both the tangible and intangible aspects of these equipments, which is what makes your posts insightful and a learning experience.

Ronald

 

[Frank Harvey]

Big Chris:
It's funny. When I bought my Onkyo 3 years ago, the guy up Tottenham Court Rd I bought my MT30s from offered me the Yamaha 3800 for £1100 (down from £1400 IIRC).

I looked into it, but it was all those DSP modes that put me off. I think A/V receivers can be complicated enough without adding to the headaches. There's something to be said for (relative) simplicity.

I think people are put off by DSP modes, but I think that's because people tend to think they're all 'delay circuits. Yamaha take readings from real venues to produce real reflections and colourations that are present in the venues caused by furnishings and fixtures. Other people's DSP modes are just differing degrees of delay to the signal. I think many people hear these modes and assume they're just superfluous, but when they're used subtlely, they can be extremely effective. Pick out a flat sounding live recording and have a play with some modes - it can bring them to life.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Ronald Archiebald:
David,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question, although you were not the intended responder.

It is obvious that you write from your own extensive experience and that is what we would all benefit from in this forum.

You are clearly well-versed with both the tangible and intangible aspects of these equipments, which is what makes your posts insightful and a learning experience.

Ronald

Thanks Ronald. Forums should be educational and informative

I apologise for jumping in so soon.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Ronald Archiebald

I could discuss technical and practical aspects however ultimately if i am not comfortable and confident then i will not suggest/recommend anything for the sake of it. I am mildly suprised you had held back on your listening experience.

Some of the suggestions/recommendations i also make are using supplied mains leads, generic speaker cables, Wilkinson stores mains extension blocks, dicontinued/used products (and also from brands that i don't deal with) and mentioning other retailers (with their contact details). I run a business and frankly i don't need to do this at all.

Btw, i am trying to maintain a level of consistency.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Okay Kefophiles, how would a 5.1 system made up of iQs (iQ90, iQ30, iQ60c, PSW2500) sound with a suitably sympathetic amp? A good home cinema choice?