Which satellite speaker package is the best bang for buck ?

[admin_exported]

I could do with some help purchasing some small satellite speakers for my 13ft x 13ft living room. I am set on purchasing the Onkyo 606 AV amp (unless something exciting comes out from Yamaha or Sony in the next month or so).

I am undecided between the KEF KHT1005, KEF KHT 2005.2 and the Jamo A10. They can all be found for between £250 and £300 which is my budget. I am thinking the KEF 2005.2 will be the best option since they are supposed to be £600. Are they suitable for Music as well as Movies? I think they're upfront and lively performance could suit what I'm looking for music and movie playback. Is the sub as good as the others?

All help appreciated

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I would go for the q acoustics 1010 package if you want something reasonable for music too. You could then allways upgrade the 1010 fronts with the 1030 floorstanders in the future to really improve music listening

 

[Anonymous]

Does the 1010 get very good ratings like the 1010i? This could be a better way to go if they are more suitable for music.

The only problem is their size and looks! I was hoping for something a bit more discreet!

 

[Anonymous]

i wasnt really differencating between the 1010 and the 1010i, eithee is pretty good but the i should be better

 

[Anonymous]

headfi:

I am set on purchasing the Onkyo 606 AV amp (unless something exciting comes out from Yamaha or Sony in the next month or so).

I auditioned the Onkyo TX-SR606 a couple of weeks ago attached to £800 of Monitor Audio surround speakers and a REL sub. The sound was fantastic with Blu-ray movies but became very harsh/bright when listening to music, via dedicated CD player. The dealer did explain, and I think you'll find the same in WHF reviews, that this is a trait of Onkyo reveivers. It wasn't to my liking and the dealer suggested auditioning a Yamaha model tuned for our British ears but I ran out of time.

If you're going to listen to much music on your 606, I recommend an audition first before shelling out your cash, the bright sound with music may or may not appeal?

Have fun!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

headfi:
I could do with some help purchasing some small satellite speakers for my 13ft x 13ft living room. I am set on purchasing the Onkyo 606 AV amp (unless something exciting comes out from Yamaha or Sony in the next month or so).

I am undecided between the KEF KHT1005, KEF KHT 2005.2 and the Jamo A10. They can all be found for between £250 and £300 which is my budget. I am thinking the KEF 2005.2 will be the best option since they are supposed to be £600. Are they suitable for Music as well as Movies? I think they're upfront and lively performance could suit what I'm looking for music and movie playback. Is the sub as good as the others?

All help appreciated

Thanks

The Jamos are the best "bang for buck" by a distance in my opinion. You can source the A10 system for under £200 - that really is ridiculous. The sub offers 200w and is decent, the five speakers are solid and well made and come with brackets - they look a lot more expensive than they cost and are far more powerful than you would expect. For your size room and budget the Jamos lead the field.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I think they are the best looking out the above.

I am a bit unsure what they are like with music playback compared to the KEF 2005.2s? I also don't get how a £250 pair of Jamos can be as good as the KEF 2005.2s considering the original retail price of £600?

The review of the Jamos says that they should be paired with a warm amp so maybe I should wait on the new range from Yamaha, and Sony and that would be the way to go.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

headfi:
Thanks, I think they are the best looking out the above.

I am a bit unsure what they are like with music playback compared to the KEF 2005.2s? I also don't get how a £250 pair of Jamos can be as good as the KEF 2005.2s considering the original retail price of £600?

The review of the Jamos says that they should be paired with a warm amp so maybe I should wait on the new range from Yamaha, and Sony and that would be the way to go.

Sorry, I didn't read you original post correctly. The Jamos can be bought for around £180 and I thought that you were talking about packages that retail at no more than £300. However, I've not listened to the new Kefs. If they usually cost £600 then yes, they should be better. You will have to try them out. When I bought the Jamos I was shocked at how good they were with films. Music is harder for me to be certain about - I didn't have a separates system when I had the Jamos - they sounded fine though using my receiver and dvd player.

 

[Anonymous]

What I meant was the KEF 2005.2 can now be found for £300 but they used to cost £600 when they first came out. They are a few years old now so I just wanted to know if they would still be considered better than the newer Jamos. My budget is about £300 so I'm trying to find the best style package at this price.

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Headfi, I don't think anyone can give you a definitive answer other than go listen to them for yourself and choose the ones you like best. It's mostly subjective so what ever you prefer the sound of, is the best bang for buck for you. I've been researching/reading/listening/demoing various sets of speakers for the last few months and keep going round in circles as my mind keeps changing as to what I want/ how much I'm willing to spend/ style etc. I've listened to the Kef 2005.2 range (with a onkyo 6060) and was very impressed with the results, then at the same demo I listened to some 1020's and the sub (not sure which one) added that extra bit which I really noticed. The price was almost double so as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. (I think the main difference with the new 2005.3 series is an improved sub btw). I've recently listened to the Tannoy Arena Lites Vs the Mordant Short Alumi and found I prefered the MSA even though they are slightly cheaper, however the sub being used wasn't the one included in the package so I need to have a second demo. The difference was very slight (the MSA just sounded a little crisper and more detailed and the bass was deeper) and only noticeable as I could listen to both one after the other, had I taken the Tannoy's home I'm sure I would have been very happy with them. I guess my point is, have a listen and if you're happy with the sound a set of speakers produce then go for it. Personally, I like to research and get to know what I'm doing before I buy as I've more chance of getting a new wife than new speakers once I've made my decision. Good luck and enjoy. Btw, I'm hoping to demo the Tannoy F1 Mercury customs Vs the Audio Montior BR2 AV pack next week as well as the Definitive Tech Procinema 800 set. I think sometimes I just enjoy the chase more than the prize 🙂

 

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the response. I'll go and listen to the Jamos and the 2005.2s and see what I prefer. I'm set on the Onkyo amp unless something exciting comes along in next months what hi-fi. It just gets a bit confusing when older speakers which have dropped in price are now competing against newer budget models!

 

[Anonymous]

I know what you mean, I asked the same question. The more I read and test, the more I realise, only I can make the decision as to what sounds best to me. It's good reading through all the reviews but ultimately I'll make my own mind up. How many times have you watched a film and totally disagreed with the critic? I know I have lots of times, how did Scorsese not win an oscar for Goodfellas but did for the Departed? Sorry, I'm still bitter over that one.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Livers:I know what you mean, I asked the same question. The more I read and test, the more I realise, only I can make the decision as to what sounds best to me. It's good reading through all the reviews but ultimately I'll make my own mind up. How many times have you watched a film and totally disagreed with the critic? I know I have lots of times, how did Scorsese not win an oscar for Goodfellas but did for the Departed? Sorry, I'm still bitter over that one.

I hear you Livers - although I loved The Departed also. I think the issue there was that Goodfellas was up against a massively popular film that year - I will not name it because it is still embarassing that it beat Scorsese's masterpiece.

 

[Anonymous]

If music is important to you i would avoid the jamo and kef and go with the q acoustics (still pretty small and can picked up for cheap)