Hello, I want to setup HT system. Sound quality is more important than movie for me. So I decided on marantz sr 5500 reciever. So I need your advice for speakers.
requirements: -max 500 usd price -I want music quality more than movie sound
question 1: which brand for speaker and sub?
question : -should I buy 5.1 or start 7.1 or just 1 main 2 front speakers question 2 -If I buy 5.1 can I upgrade it to 7.1 in the future?
Congrats on the 5500, I have the earlier 5400 and love it!
I'd buy the best pair of L/R fronts and sub you can afford right now.
Then if you decide to go into HT, the best center speaker you can afford.
Then go cheap on the surrounds (maximum $100 each) unless you plan to listen to a lot of surround music SACDs or DVD-As: 5.1 first, then 7.1
Your receiver will automatically detect each additional speaker you add on and adjust its output accordingly.
If you value crystal clear, natural but vibrant mids and highs I'd choose the Ascend Acoustics 170s at $340 shipped, and pair it with one of the Hsu subwoofers they will bundle with it on their ascendacoustics.com website.
If you don't want to spend $300-500 for a subwoofer you can get a 10" Dayton sub from partsexpress.com for about $150 shipped, it's gotten a lot of positive feedback in the under $300 price range.