will put my 2 cents in,
You can have it both ways Joe! HT and 2 ch audio.
Take my case:
1)using an affordable receiver (harmon kardon $300 used)
2)connected to my front speakers(von schweikerts VR4,nice)
3)for rear speakers I use a pair of used speakers(ohms,$100 used)
4)a cheap center channel speaker will do the job.
For 2 channel I use an unison research S8 integrated(most of my $$ invested here along with my front end).
only requires to switch cables at speaker ends(takes a few seconds)and you can enjoy both without going broke.
Love my 2 channel indeed 80% of the time but I do appreciate the 20% time I watch those movies too.
Like Tom said the VR4 are great and for both use,very open,huge soundstage/bass.
The vr4.5 are silver wired and have a reputation to be too bright by most,the vr4 use copper and still feel very open/transparent,use your amp wisely with them(tube will do them best or SS with on the warm side of sonics)
triangle are nice speakers too for HT/2ch but I think the VR4 gives the extra weight delivery due to their big bass.
hope this helped a little to give alternative route to choose.
thierry.
You can have it both ways Joe! HT and 2 ch audio.
Take my case:
1)using an affordable receiver (harmon kardon $300 used)
2)connected to my front speakers(von schweikerts VR4,nice)
3)for rear speakers I use a pair of used speakers(ohms,$100 used)
4)a cheap center channel speaker will do the job.
For 2 channel I use an unison research S8 integrated(most of my $$ invested here along with my front end).
only requires to switch cables at speaker ends(takes a few seconds)and you can enjoy both without going broke.
Love my 2 channel indeed 80% of the time but I do appreciate the 20% time I watch those movies too.
Like Tom said the VR4 are great and for both use,very open,huge soundstage/bass.
The vr4.5 are silver wired and have a reputation to be too bright by most,the vr4 use copper and still feel very open/transparent,use your amp wisely with them(tube will do them best or SS with on the warm side of sonics)
triangle are nice speakers too for HT/2ch but I think the VR4 gives the extra weight delivery due to their big bass.
hope this helped a little to give alternative route to choose.
thierry.