ONKYO TX-NR905 paired with KEF KHT 3005

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I'm planning to build up a new home cinema system. For over half a year I've been figuring out what Plasma to buy. Now I've seen the specs of the new Viera line-up from Panasonic I know I'll wait a couple of months and buy one of the new models. Meanwhile I want to focus on the AV receiver and speakers. I'm especially interested in video processing because of several SD sources, and streaming audio, so a network connection is a must.

I live in the Netherlands and can get a great deal on the Onkyo 905. It's about £1000, the same a Denon 3808 or a Yamaha rx-v3800 will cost me. The video processing is probably superior on the Onkyo, but I'm not to sure about the networking feature.

I'd like to pair the receiver with the Kef KHT3005 set, because of the sound, the looks and most important the budget. Do you think the receivers I've mentioned are overkill for the speakers. An alternative for me would be the Denon 2308 which can upscale (but lacks DTS-HD and TrueHD decoders and has only two HDMI inputs) partnered with the new Denon networking iPod docks. But I think the Onkyo 905 will be more future proof.

I can get the original KHT3005s for £600. The SE which you highly recommend isn't available yet, but when they do they will probably cost twice as much. Do you think the old ones are any good.

I've got a living room of approximately 7.5m x 6m with an attached open kitchen of about 3.5 x 4.5m. The space in the room used for watching TV and listening to music is about 5m x 5m. Do you thing the Kefs could fill the room or do I need more powerful speakers. I know, a lot of different questions. I hope you can answer some of them for me.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
You're right, a lot of questions! OK, let's go with question one: the networking element on the Onkyo is OK, but could be better. It doesn't automatically import radio station names on the internet radio sectionÿ- unlike the Denon AVR-4308 -ÿso you've got to find your stations and 'teach' them to the unit as preferred presets. Not that hard, but more awkward than it ought to be. It also doesn't have wi-fi built in - it requires either a network bridge or a wired connection. Again, not that hard to deal with, but just so you know!

However (and without giving too much away) it should prove a better buy that the Denon or Yamaha options you mention, especially given the price you're able to get it for.

Room size? We've used the 3005SE in our 8m x 5m listening room with no problems. And incidentally, the new 3005SE package IS better than its forebear, being gutsier and more exciting.

However, now for the bad news. A TX-SR905 is definitely too good for those speakers. Others on here, including some colleagues, have noted that its sibling the TX-SR875 will work fine with the KHT3005SE speakers. In my view, while that's essentially true (in that it'll sound good, and the speakers won't suffer any duress), the KEFs will also constrain the receiver's real abilities. For the TX-SR905, which is essentially similar to the 875 (only better), that's even more true.

What to do? If budget is your concern, and yet you're keen to future-proof, why not buy the receiver plus two speakers, then add three more speakers and a subwoofer later? As you've picked out the KEFs, I'll assume that style is a factor to you, so why not consider something like a pair of Tannoy Arena HighLine 500 Towers (£960) to start you off? You could then add the matching subwoofer for around £600, then Tannoy's 500c centre for £380 or so, plus surrounds (which are the same speaker as the centre) as and when you can afford it. A slower route (and yes, a more expensive one) to a decent system, but probably a more satisfying one long term.
 

Andrew Everard

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[quote user="Andy Kerr"]
However, now for the bad news. A TX-SR905 is definitely too good for those speakers. Others on here, including some colleagues, have noted that its sibling the TX-SR875 will work fine with the KHT3005SE speakers. In my view, while that's essentially true (in that it'll sound good, and the speakers won't suffer any duress), the KEFs will also constrain the receiver's real abilities. For the TX-SR905, which is essentially similar to the 875 (only better), that's even more true.[/quote]

Couldn't agree more!
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Thanks for the quick response. You've been a great help.

Style is indeed an important factor for me, as is a limited budget. I'm sure the Tannoy set is very impressive, but so is the price. It sums up to almost £3000, probably more in the Netherlands, which is a little less than I was planning to spent on receiver, speaker and plasma together.

Since the plasma was the starting point, and I definitely want one this year, I've about £1500-£2000 left for the rest. The set you mention is too high end for me I'm afraid. Especially if you take my slight loss of hearing on the left into account :)

Main focus for the 905 was the video processing, networking feature and the great deal I could get. You've convinced me that the Kefs will be suitable for my room and the 905 is overkill for the Kefs. I will go for the Kefs and look out for a more down-to-earth receiver like the 605. The money left could buy me a PS3, which supports network streaming and internetradio. No video scaling for my SD sources, but that problem will be fixed in the next few years.

Future proof enough for me, I think. Thanks again
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I am looking for a new receiver with HDMI video capabilities as well, and am looking as well for the 905. Simpathy, I am also living in NL and was wondering where you did find this could deal? Since you have decided to go for 605 + PS3, PS3 will have video up-scaling capabilities for SD resources...

Thanks.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I wonder if you could give me a little advice on a related matter please.

I am also looking at the Onkyo 905 receiver but have looked at two different sets of speakers - The Dali Ikon 6 Package that you recommend in your excellent magazine and the Gold Signature package from Monitor Audio.

Will the Amplifier do the speakers justice and vice versa? Having listened to both set ups my ears tell me that there is little to tell them apart sonically but my eyes (and more importantly, those of my wife) love the piano black finish on the Monitors. There is a significant difference in price, however, so I do not want to spend the extra money on the Monitors if their performance is being impaired by the amplifier.

My listening room is 4.5m wide and 6.5m long and I expect to have a 7.1 (or maybe 7.2) set up.

Thanks for any advice and or alternative suggestions you may have.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
The receiver will easily cope with either package, so if you like the Monitor Audio system, go for it. Within our 8m x 5m main AV test room, we use two subwoofers (strictly speaking, by the way, that's not a 7.2 system -ÿit's a 7.1 system with two subwoofers, because the two subs are being fed by the same audio signal) but you may well not need to. I'd go with one sub first and see how you get on.
 
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Anonymous

Guest
[quote user="wiepie33"]

I am looking for a new receiver with HDMI video capabilities as well, and am looking as well for the 905. Simpathy, I am also living in NL and was wondering where you did find this could deal? Since you have decided to go for 605 + PS3, PS3 will have video up-scaling capabilities for SD resources...

Thanks.

[/quote]

WIepie, I'm afraid I haven't been following the exchange rate for the pound for a while. I was still under the impression that one pound is 1.5 euro. I've seen the 905 for ?1499,- at RAF (check their site), which in my opinion is still a great offer. And it's a professional hifi reseller, not an internet shop.

You mention the PS3 can upscale SD sources. I assume you only mean DVD's, or does the PS3 also have video inputs for external SD sources like DVB decoders, Wii etc. I'm not particularly looking for a PS3, but read it featured network streaming. On top of that it is a HD player.

I haven't decided yet. At the moment I'm leaning towards the Denon 3808, which is probably still too much for the Kefs. Main advantage is that I only have to turn on one machine to listen to internet radio or network music, instead of receiver PS3 and TV. Like Andy said, networking and internet integration on the Denon is much better than Onkyo, it supports more audio formats (like FLAC) and it also has HD sound decoders, 4 HDMI inputs and a 1080p scaler on board (no Reon though). On top of that it has a compressed audio restorer (for what it's worth), a nice new GUI, and it looks much better (my opinion).

Unfortunately It costs about the same or even more than the 905, which I think is too much compared to the Onkyo. For now, I'll wait and hope the price of the Denon will drop a bit.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Sorry to drag up old question, but I was about to buy the KEF KHT 3005SE to go with the Onkyo 905 and saw this....

What extra will the highlines give? How do I compare speakers in this way? Is it the output wattage?

I was really after a small set such as the 3005SE's, but if I'm buying the Onkyo 905 I may as well make the most of it. Are there a smaller set that can match the quality of the Highline 500? How about the Tannoy Arenas?

Cheers
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Simpathy,
have you decided yet?
I have had the same dilemma's concerning the Kef 3005 & 3005SE choice, but just bought 3005 at RAF for 699,- Euro!
that deal was half the price of the 3005SE.
(I hope the editors over here won't say the SE is still worth the extra 700 euro though... ;-)

Now I also need a new AV Amp, and I fully understand your problem & wishes.
Have you looked at the recent Sony STR-DG920 or the STR-DA1200 or the even better STR-DA3200ES series?
From what I read on forums, they are great and well-furnished, and have the PS3 user interface.

Anyone advice which of the Sony's is a great match for the 3005's ?

I also prefer music streaming & Internet radio and am also planning to buy a PS3.
 

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