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Decent speakers for mid-level AVR

Greetings, 

First time poster here.  I am looking to upgrade my home theater setup with a better set of speakers.  Been doing a lot of research, worried if the speakers i am looking at are going to be able to be driven with my AVR

 I have an Onkyo tx-rz50 that pushes 120 watts into two channels.  i omly have mains, a center channel and small surrounds.  Well, i do have this massive folded horn sub but it has its own amp. 

Been looking used in my area.  Listned to a set of paradigm premier 85f.  Nice, but a little  bright for my liking.  There is a local with a set of Focal aria 948.  I hear gppd things about them, but also hear they are power hungry. 

I dont really "rock out" much anymore, typical classic rock and 90s alternative rock se sensabilities.  and home theater of course.  

Any thoughts?  trying to stay under $4k for a pair.  i know that is pretty low end for auudiophile, but what can i say... i own 7 motorcycles and only one pair of speakers. 

 

thank you! 

pdxmonkeyboy
pdxmonkeyboy OP
5 posts
 

Well, given the suggestions for an external amplifier, I am going to pull the trigger on the B&K EX 4420 available locally.  yes, it is old, but it was recently entirely rebuilt and people say that it sounds excellent, almost tube like, and it pushes out 200w @ 8ohms.  So for $350, seems like a no brainer for me anyways. 

 

I like the look of those SVS ultra evolution pinnacles.  I REALLY like the ascend evolution but I simply can't afford $4k in speakers right now.  I am going to audition the Focal aria 948 on saturday.  He is selling the pari for $1,600.  Seems like a pretty good deal to me. ? 

Perhaps I should just buy $1`k in lottery tickets?  LOL 

 

mark200mph
850 posts
 

Avr have come along way .dennon avr 1 is great sounds good as i have 1 150 wpc.no I did not go with trinov ? Spelling and choose to go with marantz 16 channel  av 10  with amp 10 class d tuned by marantz. Then put 7 channel mcintosh  amp on that with amp 10 in 400 wpc for the rest. Alot of versatility with no amp in main avr and can update separate. It sounds fantastic especially with pink floyd in surround. Put soma fossi amps on your anymore and get some tektons.

mark200mph
850 posts
 

Onkyo

larryincmh
113 posts
 

@pdxmonkeyboy Good luck with your audition of the 948's.  I really am a fan of the Focal sound and paid $2,400 for my 926's (gently used of course) so $1,600 for the 948's from my perspective is a steal.  Give us a full report afterwards including how they might fit in with your amp you purchased.

loomisjohnson
2,021 posts
 

Fwiw I've had good results pairing focal (in my case Electra and cobalt) with a mass market avr (Yamaha, then pioneer elite). Which isn't to say it'll be as good as quality separates, but focal tend to be easy to drive and revealing. Enjoy 

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