Opinions on AV Rec / Speaker combinations please...

[admin_exported]

I need some expert advice designing / purchasing my first HT around a Pioneer 500A Plasma, Panasonic DMP-BD80 & Wii. I have been offered a bargain price on a Onkyo SR876 AV Reciver which I understand is a pretty big powerful unit from last year. The speakers I like so far are KEF 3005SE or Wharfedale Diamond 10.7(front), 10c(centre) & 9SR(rear) with a Velodyne CHT10Q sub. I'm not concened whether floor standing or compact speakers. The living room is big open plan in an L shape with open hallway at one
end. Had limited time to browse the stores here in Singapore and have
only a general knowledge of the technicalities of AV recievers,
speakers and the like.

1. Is the SR876 overkill or too powerful for the little KEF speakers?

2. Should I wait for the new Yamaha RX-V465 receiver to come out here next month. Or consider another receiver / speaker combination?

 

[d4v3pum4]

The 876 will handle the Kefs or Wharfedales no problem and in fact, the Kef's would benefit from some beefier amplification. The 876 will be a far better amp than the Yamaha which should be considered to be a budget model, no more. I'm sure it's a fine receiver but it's not in the same company as the Onkyo.

How did the Wharfedale's sound and what was the finish like?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks d4v3 advice much appreciated. My budget won't quite stretch to the Onkyo NR906 so will go for this 876. On my travels yesterday I also listened to Jamo S606 HCS6, Morel MkII's and some Pioneer and Yamaha speakers (did not take model no's) . Only the KEF's and Wharfedales really left an impression on me. The WD's sounded amazing watching a action movie scene (Transformers) and then acoustic guitar from a CD in a small sound room. To be honest I did not take a close look at the finish of them. The 10's were in black vinyl I think. I was more taken by the sound performance. Any other AV / Speakers combo's in this rough price bracket you would suggest listening to?

 

[Sorreltiger]

If your room is quite large, you might find 'traditional' loudspeakers work better - especially for music - than the Kefs. It has been quite common, I believe, for owners to replace the Kef sub, which is less effective in a large space.

I don't think that the Wharfedale 10s are available over here until the summer, but I have very positive experience of the 9s, which are satellites in my work set-up in an 8m x 8m room with quite a high ceiling.