[Wingsfan]

Just wondering if anyone was into home audio, i'm looking into setting up a system. I'm not talking about the book shelf systems either I want something big. Just wanted to know if anyone had a system or one they would recommend.

 

[jonas1022]

Nothing of the new equipment.

If you want an older peice, ya. I can give you some pointers.

Main thing is to remember: You hear 20 to 20,000 Hz. No more, and often less. Anyone selling you on something more is full of smoke and blowing it your way. :bill:

 

[Wingsfan]

Well I would want a receiver with hdmi inputs for the tv and ps3. just don't know about the speakers big and bulky or slim and appealing to the eye. right now i just want something loud.

 

[Ajax]

A couple years ago I paid about $500 for a Sony system, it came with a Dolby 6.1 surround sound receiver, a separate 5 disc platter-style DVD changer (very similar to my 1990-era CD changer), a center speaker, 5 satellites and a powered subwoofer. Obviously at that price point the speakers are going to be the weak link but it sounds great for movies. I don't like the integrated receiver/ DVD changers, waaaaay too weak. This is my second Sony receiver and I've always liked them, you could always buy a receiver then get a matched set of speakers from a better manufacturer like Polk. My two cents.....

 

[jonas1022]

What is sold on the American market is totally weak compared to the offerings in other markets. The opinion of the manufacturers is that Americans wouldn't know a quality stereo system if it deafened them! I think that is unfortunately true. What I bought back in the 70's can still blow away anything on display in the stereo stores now with quality performance.

 

[Nodnerb]

The biggest consideration is your budget. Do you want surround sound, or just stereo?

I agree with what others have said. The old recievers will blow away the new stuff. I know that first hand. You can tell that just from the weight of the new recievers. They keep making the power supplies smaller and smaller. My new yamaha, while sounding GREAT, doesn't even touch the 10+ year old JVC it replaced in sheer power. The old JVC would drive my cerwin vega speakers to ear blistering levels cleanly. The Yammy, cuts out at probably 70% of the volume of the JVC. However, I really really really like to crank my tunes LOUD. So, the yammy is for the home theater and sounds amazing. The JVC is the power house for parties(which I never have) and cranking tunes.

And if you are more concerned with LOUD speakers that you can really crank, go for cerwin vegas. They aren't audiophile quality at all, but for sheer crankability, they pound like crazy. I'm constantly picking stuff up off the floor that have rattled off shelves.

 

[Squishy]

All I know is that Bose is overrated and overpriced.

You might want to find an audio enthusiasts' forum. Give them your room specs, the type of movies you want to watch, your seating position, and they can probably tell you everything else.

 

[Wingsfan]

yup I hate Bose way to overpriced, I'm more looking into a stereo then surround sound, but i still want to be able to hook it up to my tv. Looked at the vega's and MTX has some that look similar. I could kick myself my bro just got rid of his vega speakers 3x5 monsters, probably about 20 years old but man they were loud.

 

[Wingsfan]

well I think I finally decided on a pair of these vegas, all of the reviews look good. Found them cheaper too
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...470938631&pf_rd_i=507846#moreAboutThisProduct

 

[Blood Junkie]

Here's my stuff again.

My Sony 40" Bravia TV, (Getting on a bit now, not even 1080p oe 24fps), Ikea 'Tobo' TV unit and my B&W DM602 S3s on Partington stands.

Arcam A85 Hi-Fi amp, Arcam CD192 CD player and Wii Fit Balance board

Onkyo TX-SR875 A/V amp

PS2 & Wii, Sony BDP-S350 Blu-Ray and BT Vision PVR (like Sky+)

B&W PV1 Subwoofer

You're soooo lucky you're not my neighbour. :rockon:

 

[Blood Junkie]

I agree with what others have said. The old recievers will blow away the new stuff. I know that first hand. You can tell that just from the weight of the new recievers. They keep making the power supplies smaller and smaller.

Mmmmm........... Not sure about that. My 2 y.o Onkyo is almost a 2 person lift, also newer receivers can decode the latest HD audio codecs (DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby True HD, and even uncompressed PCM). Older receivers cannot decode on board, and if your receiver doesn't have multi channel inputs, it can't even receive pre-decoded info from your source. (which would also require a source with multi channel outputs)

Don't forget that many older receivers only have amplification for 5 channels. New ones have the 'full fat' 7 channels required for many of the latest movies (3:10 to Yuma, The Bank Job and a couple of others on BD all have dedicated 7.1 HD soundtracks).

 

[Blood Junkie]

yup I hate Bose way to overpriced, I'm more looking into a stereo then surround sound, but i still want to be able to hook it up to my tv. Looked at the vega's and MTX has some that look similar. I could kick myself my bro just got rid of his vega speakers 3x5 monsters, probably about 20 years old but man they were loud.

Speakers (besides active speakers with built-in amplification) will only go as loud as any amplifier that is driving them. However you can choose speakers with a higher sensitivity (measured by putting 1 watt of power into a speaker and taking the db reading from 1 metre in front of the speaker, or w/db/m for short) to gain more volume from an amp. The watts figure on the back of a speaker (usually something like 20W to 120W power handling) is usually just a range which the manufacturer recommends for that speaker, not actually what the speaker will produce.

This is why low powered valve amps (typically 25 wpc) tend to be used with very efficient speakers (90 w/db/m or above). If your amp is a bruiser, you can get away with much less efficient speakers.

The other variable is the manufacturers idea of what their amps are putting out. Many of the mainstream manufacturers use very flattering THD (total harmonic distortion) figures, which is why their massive stack systems say "500 Watts!!!" yet you can go home and max out the volume no problem (despite sounding distorted and rubbish).

You will blow a speaker easier and quicker by using a low powered amo and maxing it out than using a high powered amp. Low powered amos will reach a point where they start 'clipping' (throwing out spikes of distortion), this can often be heard when turning the volume control very, slowly usually as a decrease in volume. Clipping will kill your speakers regardless of their power handling figures.

 

[stone]

Hello Blood Junkie.
An impressive, sound system you have there. :thumb:

Also ,thank you for the photos.

 

[andjayik]

Love the B&W speakers!! That's what i have and they are awsome. Speakers are the heart and soul of a system. :beer:

 

[Wingsfan]

Welcome back Chris, What kind of receiver would you recommend for the cerwin vegas I posted. not really looking for surround sound right now, but i'd still like to be able to hook it up to the tv.

 

[Blood Junkie]

Welcome back Chris, What kind of receiver would you recommend for the cerwin vegas I posted. not really looking for surround sound right now, but i'd still like to be able to hook it up to the tv.

If surround sound isn't a concern, any decent 2 channel stereo amp. Depends on your budget, I can fully recommend Arcam stuff, which I love. :drool:

Do you know the sensitivity of the C.Vs?

 

[Wingsfan]

here are some specs:

• Frequency Response: 32 Hz - 20 kHz
• Peak Power Handling: 300 watts
• Sensitivity (1w/1m): 92 dB
• 6 1/2" Midrange with Fiber Impregnated Cone
• 1" Soft Dome Tweeter with Ferro Fluid
• 12" Cast Frame High Excursion Woofer
• Proprietary Mid and High Frequency Waveguide
• Fuse Protection
• Elegant Black-Ash Enclosure

I was thinking of an onkyo or harmon kardon if you could help me out with a model #
looking for something with ipod dock hook up too.

 

[Wingsfan]

well I ended up getting the 2 cls-12 vegas and a Harman Kardon 3490 receiver w/ ipod dock. If the receiver dosnt have the power im looking for, an extra amp can be added to it. Can't wait to get everything.

 

[rehctelf]

There's still time to warn the neighbours! :calvin: :calvin: :calvin:
arty:

 

[Wingsfan]

Nope, it's a suprise They deserve it :calvin: