Well, after reading hundreds of threads here and even posting a few, I finally ventured out to get some demos this week. Trouble is, I can't get all the components I want in the same shop! Anyway, here's where I'm at...
Went to Richer Sounds to try out Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2 fronts and Mezzo centre paired with an Onkyo 875. Sounded ok for films but went to pure direct stereo for music and I was so disappointed by the Mezzo 2 speakers. They just seemed to lack any life and only occasionally showed any potential when driven hard. Maybe they're just not suited to the Onk 875 but I just feel that the speakers aren't doing the business.
Next went to a local dealer to hear the B&W 685 theatre with the Onk. I was getting nervous now as I began to think that I would be disappointed by these standmounts too. Would be a problem as I have no room for floorstanders. I'm around studios at work all day so I'm constantly exposed to cracking kit in ideal settings so it's always difficult to be satisfied with a HC / Hi-Fi set up at my budget!
Anyway, cut to demo 2 - Problem 1: Just sold their last 875... they had the speakers on Super Dreadnoughts but no receiver so we have to use a Yamaha of 'similar level' (maybe the 1700?). This time, started in direct stereo mode with my mix CD gingerly pressing play expecting to be disappointed. I needn't have worried - I was immediately impressed with the 685s; clear vocals, tight, thumping bass and a general soundstage that I just instantly took to. I have found my fronts and for the first time, I'm properly excited by this project.
Onto DVD's for 5.1 and for some reason, the HTM62 centre doesn't seem very clear, in fact, speech is quite muddy. Unfortunately, shop assistant can't figure out if it's one of the amp's settings or not but I put it down to the fact that it has just been pulled out of the box to be demo'd for me and hasn't been run in. I haven't got room for the 686's as rears so we ran M-1 rears which sounded fine to my ears.
The ASW608 Sub however, I wasn't so sure about - Nothing wrong with it per se but it felt quite loose and a bit boomy. My perception wasn't helped by the guy plugging in the PV1 for a spell! That sounded tight as a duck's proverbial in comparison (it should do at over 3 times the price!).
So, I have my 5 speakers chosen with a question mark over the .1 - I'm still keen to get the Onkyo 875 even though I can't put it in the same shop as the speakers at the moment. I'd also like to consider the Arcam AVR350 now that it's down to £599 but nowhere around here has it.
I think my only question now is over the sub - can anyone suggest an alternative to the B&W ASW608? Maybe I'm being harsh on it - I don't think I'd be disappointed with it but I'm willing to consider similarly priced subs. I have been pointed to one site selling the Quad L-Sub for £250 which seems like a bargain.
Just sharing my experience but if anyone has suggestions for alternative subs around the £300 mark
Thanks, guys.
Went to Richer Sounds to try out Mordaunt Short Mezzo 2 fronts and Mezzo centre paired with an Onkyo 875. Sounded ok for films but went to pure direct stereo for music and I was so disappointed by the Mezzo 2 speakers. They just seemed to lack any life and only occasionally showed any potential when driven hard. Maybe they're just not suited to the Onk 875 but I just feel that the speakers aren't doing the business.
Next went to a local dealer to hear the B&W 685 theatre with the Onk. I was getting nervous now as I began to think that I would be disappointed by these standmounts too. Would be a problem as I have no room for floorstanders. I'm around studios at work all day so I'm constantly exposed to cracking kit in ideal settings so it's always difficult to be satisfied with a HC / Hi-Fi set up at my budget!
Anyway, cut to demo 2 - Problem 1: Just sold their last 875... they had the speakers on Super Dreadnoughts but no receiver so we have to use a Yamaha of 'similar level' (maybe the 1700?). This time, started in direct stereo mode with my mix CD gingerly pressing play expecting to be disappointed. I needn't have worried - I was immediately impressed with the 685s; clear vocals, tight, thumping bass and a general soundstage that I just instantly took to. I have found my fronts and for the first time, I'm properly excited by this project.
Onto DVD's for 5.1 and for some reason, the HTM62 centre doesn't seem very clear, in fact, speech is quite muddy. Unfortunately, shop assistant can't figure out if it's one of the amp's settings or not but I put it down to the fact that it has just been pulled out of the box to be demo'd for me and hasn't been run in. I haven't got room for the 686's as rears so we ran M-1 rears which sounded fine to my ears.
The ASW608 Sub however, I wasn't so sure about - Nothing wrong with it per se but it felt quite loose and a bit boomy. My perception wasn't helped by the guy plugging in the PV1 for a spell! That sounded tight as a duck's proverbial in comparison (it should do at over 3 times the price!).
So, I have my 5 speakers chosen with a question mark over the .1 - I'm still keen to get the Onkyo 875 even though I can't put it in the same shop as the speakers at the moment. I'd also like to consider the Arcam AVR350 now that it's down to £599 but nowhere around here has it.
I think my only question now is over the sub - can anyone suggest an alternative to the B&W ASW608? Maybe I'm being harsh on it - I don't think I'd be disappointed with it but I'm willing to consider similarly priced subs. I have been pointed to one site selling the Quad L-Sub for £250 which seems like a bargain.
Just sharing my experience but if anyone has suggestions for alternative subs around the £300 mark
Thanks, guys.
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