Hi everyone, I've decided to purchase a complete home AV system and I realy need some experienced help of yours since there are 3 different choices specially that if receivers and subs are compatible with speakers and if the speaker combo is fine, My use from the system is both music and movies and the space where I want to use the system is about 50 sqm.
The choices are:
1. JMLab chrous: front(726s),rear(706 or 707),centre (cc700),sub(from your other advices I found out that b&w pv1,velodyne DD12,DLS3750,DLS4000,SVS pb12/plus & pb12/plus2 are good subwoofers)and receiver(marantz 7500,denon 2807 or 3806?)
2.Kef iQ: Front(iQ7),rear(iQ3),centre(iQ6c),sub and receiver same as above based on your feedbacks.
3.this system is more expensive than others but I want to know if there is really a major difference in sound and picture quality or the others are ok as well.
B&W: Front(704),centre(HTM7),rear(601s3),sub(mentioned brands above+how is SW700?),receiver (I really don't have any idea! is 4306 ok or it can not make 704 move? what do you suggest, brands I can find are:NAD,arcam,denon,marantz)
Thank you and your feedbacks are realy important for me since I want to purchase according to your replies.
At the lower end scale of what you've suggested the Focal is the better system. I'm not a fan of those KEF iQs. They're better than the original Qs (much better), but still not really brilliant value for money. The Focals are better made and have a better presentation in my view. That said, Focal are just about to change the Chorus range. The new Chorus range has largely the same model numbers but with a V on the end, so 706V, 714V, etc. My colleagues who have heard them say they are a significant improvement on the old Chorus range (which was no slouch) and punch well above their weight so are far better perceived value since they retail for very similar money tot he old range. They should be released in the next very few weeks.
On the subject of the larger system, the 4306 is more than enough amplifier for the job, especially since the 4306 allows you to biamp the 704s with 4 channels. I see you're only doing 5.1, this receiver allows you to use the two extra channels on the front speakers.
The speaker system you've suggested is unbalanced in my view. The 601s really are long in the tooth now and don't have the performance envelope to provide a realistic soundfiled with 700-series speakers up front. The correct solution is to use a pair of B&W's wall mounted DS7 speakers or the 705s, which are designed with similar quality parts and cabinetry. At the very least consider the CM1. The B&W DS7s are the best solution since they also offer a significant improvement over ordinary direct radiating speakers.
B&W's own PV-1 sub would be a natural match in this system. The other B&W subs are quite disappointing I think. If you prefer to go with a dedicated sub manufacturer, then Velodyne or possibly M&K are the ones I recommend. The Velodynes are particularly transparent and very flexible.
On the subject of receivers, the cheaper speaker systems can be driven very satisfactorily by the likes of the Denon 2807 or better. You would get a very decent result with that receiver. Obviously if you buy a better model you will get better results. Don't forget that higher end receivers enjoy more than just extra power, but also different digital chipsets, design topology, components, power supplies. This all adds up to the extra cost and the better results.
On the more expensive system, the 4306 is a good choice. Here in the UK, the Arcam AVR350 is a very strong competitor since they are the same price, and I would take the Arcam over the 4306 because it has better musicality as well as a more natural acoustic in surround. Arcam really are ahead in this respect in my view. The Arcam's achilles heel is that it doesn't have an auto-setup feature. The Denon's is really good.
At that money bracket, and using appropriately powerful receivers, there are other things to look at such as B&W's own XT range which is gorgeous to look at as well as sounds great, and has a sensibly sized centre speaker (the HTM7 is huge), Totem and Dynaudio speakers. The Dynaudios are only single wired so biamping is not an option, but they are fine speakers so well worth a look if possible. The Totems are characterful but they're also a lot of fun and you get a big sound from a relatively small box.
Once you're laying out all this cash, please ensure you cable up properly! The best solution is to cable using the same stuff all the way around, but good cable costs significant money so if you can't go that far, go for cheaper cable to the back speakers by all means - just make sure it's a sympathetic match to the front cable. The easiest way to ensure this is to stick with the same brand of cable. Cable manufacturers, just like electronics manufacturers, choose cable constructions which suit their tastes and therefore have similar presentations. If you don't believe in cabling then there is little point in going for the better system in my view.