Speaker question/recommendations

[Treble]

I need some new speakers and (finally) have the cash to get some. Basically, they'll be for games, music and DVDs, and I need centre, rears and sides but not a new subwoofer (mine's already great).

They'll be working off a Yamaha surround amp, so stuff that will sound-match Yamaha's gear is preferred but not essential.

In order of importance for playback, this is what I use the amp for:
1. Music
2. Games
3. DVDs

Music being about 65-70% of the usage. Money isn't really a big issue, although the miser in me doesn't want to spend more than about ?200, really
But go wild and recommend anything over ?200 and below ?500, and where to get it from, please!

[mid]

Firstly, and off-topic: Blaaady 'Ell! Since when did Richer Sounds do DVD players for a mere ?40? Thats just stupid!

Back to the topic at hand, you could do a lot worse than wander down to your nearest Richer and ask what they have to suit you- the instore offers are usually great, but stock varies so much from one place to the next its difficult to recommend any one model. If you can get some Maudant-Shorts all round then you'll be lucky; they sound rather nice.

Personally, I went for Celestions all-round (F1s in front, F35c in the middle and F20s in rear. Yes, I have floorstanding rears. Yes, my wife is ok with that. Thank goodness), which came in around ?550, but they don't do them any more.

[superkully]

Can I recommend the JPW ML310's for sides, I've got the previous iteration of these and they're great connected to my Yamaha VS-10 system. Unless you want floorstanders.

BTW Which Yamaha amp do you have?

[mid]

Oh, by the way - what sub do you have? Those that know more than me might find it useful, as matching your speakers to your sub is probably more important than to the amp even.

Oh, and you've mentioned sides. Do you mean the main fronts, or do you have a 7.1 amp?

[Treble]

Don't really want floorstanders for sides, tbh. I can't remember the model of amp, sorry - It might be this one though:

RXV540RDS

I'd have to check - I'm not sure mine's quite as good as that, but it has a lot of the same features.

[MartyG]

I've got a set of Eltax speakers from Richer Sounds that cost ?280 for the set. They sound good to me and match my Yamaha amp well, but speakers can actually sound different for different people

I recommend going to an audio place (even taking your amp with you), to try the different speakers out.

Something that you really should budget for is decent speaker cable - it's quite surprising how much difference this can make to the quality of the sound.

/me hangs head in shame as mine are completely inadequate

Regards
Marty

[Treble]

I might well sort out some speaker cable as well, although it's viciously expensive for what it is

Well, the consensus seems to be a trip to Richer Sounds, so I shall wend my merry way there over the weekend, armed with your advice on a sad scrap of paper. Cheers

[charlesr]

I've got some small eltax surrounds and centre and they are fine. Although the centre could probably do with more uuumph. Going to turn up the vol on that channel later.
Did you know that if you are getting a cinema setup, your speakers should all be the same size (for DD5.1)?
As you want if for music though, you will need some floorstanders at the front or some nice stands. Don't skimp on the stands if you go for stand speakers.

[Roost]

Did you know that if you are getting a cinema setup, your speakers should all be the same size (for DD5.1)?

Why's that?

[Treble]

Was just about to ask that myself (bit of a dunce when it comes to audio matters).

[fuzzybee]

Did you know that if you are getting a cinema setup, your speakers should all be the same size (for DD5.1)?
As you want if for music though, you will need some floorstanders at the front or some nice stands. Don't skimp on the stands if you go for stand speakers.

Not quite myfriend, if you are refering to the very popular Sub-sat speaker systems then yes they are all the same size, but for simple reasons like ease of placement and convinience and the old stumbling block the Wife Acceptance Factor.
It is always advisable to buy the same branded speakers from the same range as they are perfectly balanced to complement eachother.
However mixing and matching is not a problem and for a decent DD/DTS setup the same size speakers in not and never has been a nessecity.
Below the ?500 mark Mission seem to be the manufacturer to go for and i'm sure Richer Sounds will have what you need.
The important thing is to audition what you want with your own audio/video source so then you know yourself if it's what sound you are looking for(all AV gear sounds very different and we all have different tastes)If they cannot demo it for you then don't buy it from them

Good Luck with your purchase

[Roost]

Last time i tried order some speakers online after listening to them in richer sounds it all went pear shaped about 3 times and i ended up going back richer sounds and getting what i wanted from there. So this time I think i'll just get what i want from Richer.

I really like the look of the Eltax Symphony range. Preferably i'd go for the Mini's for the rear. The 8.3's for front and the C3 for the centre as thats the setup Eltax have on their site. I'll have go in and ask or email as i don't know when i'll be able go in but Richer have most of the symphony range but the C3 centre

[fuzzybee]

Although Richer Sounds do offer very good packages don't be drawn in by some of the cheap and nasty packages they sell.
They are also not the only cheap dealers on the planet and most specialised AV shops will pricematch.
Over the years Super-Fi in Sheffield have served me well and have always offered discount if asked for.

http://www.hifistore.co.uk/category.php?qsCat=AVSPKPACK2

Something on this page should tickle your eardrums, the Mission Cinema M33 package should be high on your list as the front floorstanders would be a perfect solution for two channel audio as well as DD/DTS then adding your own Sub would be the icing on the cake
If like what you say two channel music is your thing then a sub/sat system isn't rearlly what you need
My advice to you would be have around ?300 for some main L & R speakers as two channel audio is your priority.Go to specialised AV dealers like Super-Fi or Sevenoakes and audition what you want, then add a center and rears as and when.

[Treble]

This is what annoys me about speakers: for that kind of money, they should not only be able to throw around brilliant sound no matter what kind of audio signals you throw at them, but they should be able to make you a cup of tea and give you a blowjob.
ft:

[Roost]

Exactly what i think mate.

I sure you mentioned a ?200 budget

?400? Maybe when i'm not still at uni.