I have narrowed it down to these Sony speakers. I am assuming they are new because there is no reviews on them anyhwere.
Sony:
SSM-F400H - Front Left, Right
SS-CN495H - Center
SSM-B300H - Rear
SA-WM40 - Sub


HtPB

Why have you chosen only Sony speakers ?

Kev

Agreed, what is steering you to considering only one brand? (Maybe there's a reason you can't find reviews)

Larry

Well, not to be crude, but Sony isn't exactly the first speaker choice of non-deaf people in the world. Maybe the 400th.

Do I detect a slight dislike for Sony speakers?

I like to use Sony equipment - some of their models are are well made, produce good sound, and a very reasonably priced (and I think a lot of us have a budget!) Actually their ES line is phenomenal, and the SAVE815ED home theatre speaker set up was ranked as not only one of the "best", but the top by Consumer Reports (OCt. issue) - now this is greta if you don't have all the time in the world to dedicate to your a/v hobby - or more importantly all the money to pick out a decent $400 center channel and a sweet $800 sub. I like SOny, and some of their stuff. If we could all get B&W stuff (i.e.)- I think we would.

Heretic - go with what you can, and what you think suits your needs and sounds good.
Spiky - that was crude none the less.

Hey Heretic ,

What is your budget anyway ? That would obviously help in making some suggestions ( apart from Sony ! )

Kev

Well actually I have read only one review of an ES Model that faired decently ( a 300 model ). And taking a Consumer Reports rating is worthless to most of us, since we use equipment that is not reviewd by them. Not to mention they don't specialize in AV-I prefer a home theater mag or av specialty mag to get mey reviews.

IMHO Sony=over priced, lower quality, and over rated.

If you let us know the price range you are looking for we can probably help you better with suggestions...Tony

That's the whole point - I like AV, and would've chosen otherwise had I had the budget for it, or found this website prior to getting some of my equipment and know half of what I know now - most equipment found in specialty mags comes at specialty prices. It's almost impossible to find a rcvr. between $500 and 700. As far as speakers go - that's an entire separate price bracket in itself. If it isn't in your budget for a 2G rcvr. - no need to get $1500 speakers. I've heard many complaints about Sony, but I've never had any problems with them thus far.

Many people don't actually try to Listen or try out Sony. They have tried there products before and didn't like them. The reason most people don't Like Brand Names like Sony or Yamaha is because they don't setup the receivers or speakers up the right way.

I have asked this question on many other message boards and I just can't believe how so many people are Against Sony. There stuff is really good. I have noticed that there TVs are made like they used to but other than that there stuff is quite good.

My Budget is $600 or less.

HtPB

I have listened to Sony..their top of the line (comparable price wise) vs. top of the line Denon, Yammy, H/K, and Onkyo. Hands down they were the losers. And msg boards that I read (this one and alt.home-theater) the Sony isn't in the same league sound wise as the equip. that most of us use. That said in the 600 or less range I would look at Energy Take 5 (I think it is right around 600), JBL, and I believe that you could probably put a Paradigm system together for about that (using the performance series speakers). The Energy Take 5 system has been a very favorably reviewed system for the price, probably the best performance for price in that range!
Take all of the recommendations and then listen listen and listen again....Tony

Don't forget Definitive Technologies ProCinema systems.

Don't forget Acoustic Research Hi-Res series.. If it
wasn't for AR none of these other companies would even
exist! (AR Invented the Acoustic Suspension Driver!)

:)

Well... if these are all decent surround speakers, and are in that price range where can I view them, and get the stats on them. Do they have to be able to handle recommended watts per channel (110x5)? Also would they be good music speakers along with cinema. I could use a gander at some newer speakers. Thanks!

Paradigm can only be seen at home theater specialty stores same goes for the Definitive Techs and Energy Take 5. I would check their websites for local dealers to you.
http://www.paradigm.ca
http://www.energy-speakers.com
http://www.definitivetechnology.com

I am not sure about the AR, I would have to defer to Brett. I didn't realize that AR had a system for 600.00 though-thought their stuff was a bit more pricey.
I would buy speakers that can handle what you have, which we don't know, most of the aforementioned speakers can handle most recievers...Tony

This message was edited by ttiger72 on 10/11/01 13:38.53.