Topic: getting close to having my playback system figured out...

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i've been thinking about this for a while and trying to research as much as possible before purchasing my playback system.  right now i'm looking at the swan diva 4.1 for my speakers and the panasonic sa-xr45 for my receiver.  this is going to be used for audio playback and a/v for movies.  eventually i'd like to get some rear/center speakers to go along w/ the diva's for surrond sound for movies, but for now i'm hoping the divas would give me the sound to hold me over until i can afford them.  besides cables is there anything i'm overlooking?  this is my first real playback system so any tips would be great!

thanks,
justin

[jpschust]

i owned a pair of the diva 4.1's- you really need a sub to go with those.  they carry the highs unbelievably well, but the lows need some help.  i dont remember the rating of the 4.1's but make sure your receiver can push them- they require some power.

[Craig T]

If you go with the xr45, make sure your speaker cables are terminated in banana plugs on the amp end - it won't take spades.  If you can wait, get the xr70 instead of the xr45 - the xr70 will have an HDMI interface that will allow digital connection for hi-res audio & video.  I think the first gen dvd-v/dvd-a players with HDMI output are shipping or will be within the next month.  Last I read the xr70 is shipping mid March.

[scervin]

Divas are really nice.  Great airy speakers.  I'm sure you could find more info at avsforum.com or head over to www.rocketloudspeakers.com.  The Rockets are the latest and greatest from the company that brough most of us the Diva line.  

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any idea where to find some used swan diva 4.1?  i check audiogon.com and ebay.com and haven't had any luck yet.  any other ideas?

[jpschust]

they dont come up as much as they used to, but they do come up from time to time on audiogon, those are gonna be your best bets

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thanks johnny +t, i'll keep my eye out...i'm not in a huge hurry so i'll wait and see if i can save a little buying used so i have more $ for other fun stuff

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almost forgot, +t to everybody else who replied  

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one more question.  when i buy my center/sub/rear speakers do i need to stay w/ the same brand/line of speakers to get a good sound?  my main focus is getting a good playback system....then having a decent surround sound to watch vids.  i was hoping to spend a little less on my other speakers since i'm not looking for quite as good of quality.  

any tips on some decent speakers for complete my surround sound in the future, that will go good w/ the swan diva's?

[MattD]

I would, just because speakers of the same line are generally of similar timbre. You DEFINITELY want to do this across the front ... having a bright center with dark L/R would drive me nuts, for example.

[jpschust]

the rears i wouldnt be as concerned about, they tend to carry a lot of mids and less highs and lows, so it means you can afford to go a bit cheaper on the rears

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how about the sub?  do i need to stay w/ the same brand or is there a cheaper option than the Swan Sub10 BC?

diva 4.1 (front l & r) - $500 new
sub10 bc (sub) - $399 new
Swan C2 BC (center) - $200 new
Swan R2 BC (rear l & r)- $279 new

that's quite a bit more than what i was wanting to spend just for my surround sound.  would i be better off getting the diva 4.1 & c2 bc center & then spending less on my sub & rear?  any cheaper options for my sub & rears that  would sound similar to the swans?

[jpschust]

ive not heard the best things about the swans subs, i dont have a good rec at the moment, but just sharing what ive heard.

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are there any forums similar to this one for audio playback?  hoping maybe there was a site similar to this that has a yard sale section.  

thanks,
justin

[Brian Skalinder]

are there any forums similar to this one for audio playback?

For starters:

audioasylum.com
audiogon.com
audiocircle.com