Speakers

PerfectCreature

I just bought a Polk audio PSW505. It is a beast, a monster and a half. Love it. Problem is; it generally over kills my speakers with bass. So I need some bookshelf speakers or something along that line that will cover my mids and highs and shine them through the sub woofer to make a balanced sound.
Suggestions and prices and the place to get them as well if you could please.
I want to try to stay as budget friend as I can seeing how I just bought my car stereo system and am strapped for cash.
Around 100-250 I would think would be max I could dish out at the moment.
Thanks much

F1nut

Adjust the output level until it blends better.

PerfectCreature

Problem is, I don't have a sub out and no matter how I adjust it. It's either to bright or not bright enough. Do you think it could be the receiver? I'd hate to think that, I know my dad had paid a lot for it in 96 when it came out.
I only have treble and bass boost nothing special with it. Plus one of the tweeters is gone in my tower.
Just don't know where to invest the money in I guess.

F1nut

I've never heard anyone describe a sub as bright. Do you mean loud?

Are you adjusting the output level on the sub?

Room placement can and will make a huge difference. For example, if you have the sub in a corner, try moving it out into the room more. Speaker/subs jammed in a corner will corner load.

As long as you have a bad tweeter, nothing is going to sound right, period.

PerfectCreature

No way the sub is perfect for what I wanted. I was talking about the towers I have. They are rather old so they could just be wearing out. I do know that the sub bottoms out at about 35ish hrz down. No big, Human ear can't hear much past 40 anyway. Problem is Even if I put the sub down low to where you get just enough it is still kind of over powering for the towers mids and highs to keep in check with.
I just don't know where to go to get the best combination. I have tried about everything. Nothing seems to blend perfect like you would think it should.
That why I was thinking some new bookshelf or should I stick with towers? I do have the space for towers but they run pretty expensive and since I have a quality sub woofer I'd kind of want some quality speakers for it.
Anyway, as mentioned, should I try a different receiver perhaps?
Oh, tweeter is gone. I disconnected it so I'm running only one tweeter. Sounds a little better but still doesn't mesh like I'd hoped.

F1nut

I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, but.....

As long as you have a bad tweeter, nothing is going to sound right, period.

Knucklehead

PerfectCreature wrote: »

No way the sub is perfect for what I wanted. I was talking about the towers I have. They are rather old so they could just be wearing out. I do know that the sub bottoms out at about 35ish hrz down. No big, Human ear can't hear much past 40 anyway. Problem is Even if I put the sub down low to where you get just enough it is still kind of over powering for the towers mids and highs to keep in check with.
I just don't know where to go to get the best combination. I have tried about everything. Nothing seems to blend perfect like you would think it should.
That why I was thinking some new bookshelf or should I stick with towers? I do have the space for towers but they run pretty expensive and since I have a quality sub woofer I'd kind of want some quality speakers for it.
Anyway, as mentioned, should I try a different receiver perhaps?
Oh, tweeter is gone. I disconnected it so I'm running only one tweeter. Sounds a little better but still doesn't mesh like I'd hoped.

PC, like F1 said....with a bad and now missing tweeter your system is going to sound like crap, and yes, the human ear CAN hear down to about 20hz.


edit: what are you using for mains now?

TECHNOKID

Why don't you list the equipment you are trying to use with your PSW505?

You mentioned your receiver is a 96 however, what is the brand and model number?

The towers you are using, what are their brand and model number? As pointed out, you'll never get your system to sound good with a missing tweeter. Depending on the audio quality of your present speakers that might determine if you should replace the bad tweeter or not as this might be your best option with your budget restraint.

By the way, you pointed out that you don't know if the problem was coming from the receiver or the speaker... Have you tought of swapping your speaker connection on the receiver? This will help you locate the faulty gear.

Cheers!
TK

comfortablycurt

The human ear can hear down to about 20hz...not the 40hz you specified.

Also...nothing is going to sound right with only one tweeter.

Nothing.



Your sub has a gain control on the back panel. You can use that to adjust the level and blend it better with your mains.


What speakers are you using? What AVR? You said the AVR is from 96. No matter how expensive it was then...it is still hopelessly outdated now. AVR technology has come a very long way in the last 14 years.


Depending on what front speakers you're using...you should definitely replace the missing tweeter first. Before you even consider doing anything else. Your rig is NEVER going to sound right with one missing tweeter...and that is probably the primary factor contributing to your problems.

If the speakers aren't worth fixing though, you really need to look into upgrading them.

PerfectCreature

Well, the receiver model number is a tech AG-V1020 http://www.auctionsplash.com/UserImages/pacificelectronics/pacificelectronics_634026608829740000-0.jpg. http://www.auctionsplash.com/UserImages/pacificelectronics/pacificelectronics_634026608856927500-0.jpg I used to use it to play car stereo equipment in my basement but brought it up after my old receiver died. The model number on the teac speakers i am using are Ls-103 http://lh3.ggpht.com/_OFzuegUaLfo/SWYN1pyaa4I/AAAAAAAAADo/k_1a-xsZwzc/Teac+LS103+Speakers.jpg
Mine are in a lot better condition than those. But maybe a picture would help. I hooked up the tweeter back. It seems to be working fine. It still is overpowering though. The subwoofer on the teac speakers seem to max out when put as half.
I don't have the money to replace both at once. I know that my receiver is way outdated. My speakers probably are out dated too considering the woofer cone is made of paper and the surrounds are of a weaved clothy type fabric. The tweeter and the mid are made of plastic as well.
I hope the information helps out a bit.
I do feel a bit dumb and kind of... out of place seeing how the only nice thing i have is the subwoofer.
As for the hearing thing, I knew it was something like that. I just wasn't sure. I was sort of close.

cnh

What you have there is an entry level 2 channel TEAC..with limited power reserves. I can't see your speaker link so I have no comment.

Get a couple of Polk M40s or TSI-200s if you want a decent bookshelf at a low price that will augment your sound. Go towers if you have more money!

Also your sub has a crossover knob you should experiment with and a volume knob and a phase switch. There are A LOT of things to play with back there. Tweak all of them until you have a smoother more mellow bass. IT IS POSSIBLE.

Oh and Curt and others above are right...the ear can hear down to 20Hz, even an OLDER ear like mine..because you don't lose low end as you age you lose high frequencies....I think I'm currently down to 20Hz-14.5kHz....My 12 year old has no problem with frequencies slightly above 20,000Hz!

cnh

TECHNOKID

cnh wrote: »

What you have there is an entry level 2 channel TEAC..with limited power reserves. I can't see your speaker link so I have no comment.

Get a couple of Polk M40s or TSI-200s if you want a decent bookshelf at a low price that will augment your sound. Go towers if you have more money!

Also your sub has a crossover knob you should experiment with and a volume knob and a phase switch. There are A LOT of things to play with back there. Tweak all of them until you have a smoother more mellow bass. IT IS POSSIBLE.

cnh

I agree with CNH. The receiver isn't bad, just make sure it works properly (test with known good speakers, 1 channel at the time (isolate each channels)). Once you prove your receiver to be up to the task go to Polk direct and shop for the M40s or TSI-200s. If you want to maximize your $$ maybe go for refurbished speakers.

By the way, I don't know what other think but personnally you shouldn't waste any time or money on the old Teac speakers.

Cheers!
TK

PerfectCreature

So some monitor 40's should be well enough to compliment the sub.
I know newegg sells a pair for about 145 shipped. Any place selling cheaper?
So, you think my amp is fine? I'd hate to have to buy a new amp and some new speakers.
If I had to buy an amp, what about the onkyo tx8555 it has a sub out and a lot of preamps so I could expand when the time comes. Any other thoughts?

cnh

If I were getting a new stereo receiver I'd go with a Harman Kardon 3490--a pretty musical and high power piece.....over the Onkyo. Even the lower power HK 3390 would be good enough. Or last year's models.

But do test both channels of your receiver to make sure it's OK first. The Polks will sound MUCH better than those old Teacs.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/specs/recent/monitor40/

http://stereos.about.com/od/stereoreceiverreviews/fr/HK3490.htm

cnh

PerfectCreature

That's quite a chunk of change. 120 watts a channel though, that's pretty impressive. A little better than the Yamaha in that price range.
SO that Harmon kardon and the monitor 40s would do me good?
What about pre amps and stuff, any kind of wire to get the best clarity and all that?

squeeb

PC,

Welcome to the Club. Here are a couple more options to confuse you a little bit more.

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct

Polk eBay has both the Rti4 ($129) and the Rti8 ($359) for either pair. I would think either would blend well with your sub.

Good luck in your quest.

PerfectCreature

I think I will go with the Harmon Kardon HK 3390. Amazon has it for 236 about 20 cheaper than the Onkyo one.
As for the speakers I am still unsure.
There seem to be a lot to choose from. Rti, or monitor or other brands?
Hmmmm. At least we have a receiver now haha.

tonyb

With your limited budget,I would say get some decent speakers first,then a decent receiver,you don't have the coin to start with pre amps,then amps,and more cables.

TECHNOKID

tonyb wrote: »

With your limited budget,I would say get some decent speakers first,then a decent receiver,you don't have the coin to start with pre amps,then amps,and more cables.

+!, with your limited budget you should presently focus on replacing your old damaged speakers and once you get more $$$ available you can then think of replacing your receiver. Keep in mind that replacing your receiver will not provide you with decent audio since the speakers are faulty.

Cheers!
TK

nguyendot

agreed - replace the speakers first since they are currently your weak spot.

cnh

tonyb is right....go listen to some speakers...the M-40s are a good choice but you could go with some Rti-6s if those sound better to you...or something else entirely. You have to decide what you want to pay.

As for the AVR....the Harman Kardon is an 'excellent' entry Stereo receiver capable of driving most bookshelves to decent volumes. It's warm, musical, and reasonably powerful--either model that is. The 3390 would handle most bookshelves....and if I'm not mistaken HKs have pre-outs so they can be used as a cheap pre-amp later on?

Good Luck!

cnh

BizmanJoe

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Problem is, I don't have a sub out and no matter how I adjust it. It's either to bright or not bright enough. Do you think it could be the receiver? I'd hate to think that, I know my dad had paid a lot for it in 96 when it came out.
I only have treble and bass boost nothing special with it. Plus one of the tweeters is gone in my tower.
Just don't know where to invest the money in I guess.

Buy yourself a used equalizer/spectrum analyzer with calibrated microphone (adc ss-315x to ss-425x should be in your price range) and calibrate for an overall flat response, then adjust to your taste.

wutadumsn23

Hey Perfect, welcome to Club Polk. The consensus is to get some new speakers and go from there, and I agree. The Monitor 40's that have been suggested are a good place to start, I had a pair as my surrounds (now retired) and they are a very capable bookshelf speaker. They can be had for cheap, Newegg has them for $139.99 w/ $2.99 shipping, and you will be hard pressed to find them cheaper or a speaker that will do as well as they will for the same price, IMHO. Once you get those, them save up some coin and get yourself a decent AVR, just make sure whatever one you get has pre outs for adding an external amp down the road, without them you won't be able to do it. Good luck.

-Jeff

PerfectCreature

Ok. So speakers first then amp. So monitor 40s should be ok. I can only go by other opinions due to the fact I have no store or place where I can actually listen to them one by one or whatnot.

wutadumsn23

Depending on what you are looking for, either floorstanders or bookshelves, the 40's will make a very good investment. I loved mine when the were in my rig, bith as surrounds and occasionally up front. For the prices they can be had for these days, they are hard to beat. That goes for the entire Monitor lineup, IMHO.

-Jeff

JimKellyfan

I believe New egg has a sale on the Monitor 30's and 50's right now.
I agree with the Monitor 40 selection and being sufficient, but if you want to go huge ( you have towers now and will probably want to stay with towers ), get at least the 60's.
I love all my Monitors, they sound superfantastic !
( Newegg, had emailed a sale ongoing right now, but I deleted the link for the codes - someone else may have it, or you can sign up for email notifications and they may send it out to you - they all go on sale frequently enough though )
( But too, Polk has an Ebay store you can buy from saving money there as well - Just make sure wherever you buy them are Polk authorized )

Good luck, let us know what you do !

JimKellyfan

Also, make sure to read all the reviews on Polk's site, as well as Newegg's site. That helped me decide what to get. ( Of course I had set out to get the TSi's, as that was what I listened to in person at Best Buy, but budget concerns made me get the Monitor's, and I must say, I am not disappointed in the least. Not only were my Monitors bought by reviewing reviews only, they turned out to be the best speakers I have ever owned. You will love your new Monitors.
Make sure to fully look at also the exact sizes of the speaker too, so you are not surprised by size.
Hope this helps.

PerfectCreature

Yeah. I am thinking of getting the monitor 50s. 89 a peice. if anyone wanted the codes i have them.
So the 50s will be fine?
Difference between the 60s?
What about the monitor 30s? Those are 89 a pair... Is there a huge difference between the 50s and the 60s?

PerfectCreature

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Yeah. I am thinking of getting the monitor 50s. 89 a peice. if anyone wanted the codes i have them.
So the 50s will be fine?
Difference between the 60s?
What about the monitor 30s? Those are 89 a pair... Is there a huge difference between the 50s and the 60s?

Im thinking heavily on buying the monitor 50s... at 185 a pair...I dunno. Thats veryy tempting.

PerfectCreature

Picked up the monitor 50s 186 for the pair. Sweet deal. I'm super exited.

wutadumsn23

Good choice, the 50's will not dissapoint, and you got the for not much more than a set of 40's. They will make good surround speakers in the future if you decide to step up to the 70's, which IMHO, are the jewel of the Monitor line. Are you using it for music or HT? If you are using it for HT at all, you may want to look into a center channel. The CS2 would be a perfect match for those 50's, and if you ever did step up to the 70's, it would work veryt well with those too. Congrats.

-Jeff