Speakers

PerfectCreature

Yeah, I know I wanted the 70s but I couldn't bring myself to pay around 450 for a set of speakers when I can just pay 185 and get ones that will really sound just as good in my opinion since I haven't heard either of them, just kind of review shopped. Plus my low end is completely covered, I have the psw505. I just needed the mids and highs. Plus I went with the towers because they had the ports in the front, the currant setup I have no kind of requires me to have them against the wall a bit...Anyway I will have them in my hands tomorrow...I know they have a long break in period I was told...how should I go about doing that without damaging any of the drivers?

F1nut

Stick around, you have a lot to learn.

comfortablycurt

The Monitor 70's definitely sound better than the Monitor 50's. Reading reviews isn't going to really give you any kind of basis for comparison to make that decision.

The Monitor 50's are great speakers too...but they can't hold a candle to the 70's. Reviews are only going to give you so much info...there's no substitute for using your own ears. All internet reviews are very subjective. They can provide a nice baseline...but that's about it.

The 50's and 505 should make for a nice combo though.



Don't worry about the break-in period. Go easy on the volume a little bit at first...but for the most part, you're best off just forgetting about it. They'll break themselves in on their own.

cstmar01

comfortablycurt wrote: »

The Monitor 70's definitely sound better than the Monitor 50's. Reading reviews isn't going to really give you any kind of basis for comparison to make that decision.

The Monitor 50's are great speakers too...but they can't hold a candle to the 70's. Reviews are only going to give you so much info...there's no substitute for using your own ears. All internet reviews are very subjective. They can provide a nice baseline...but that's about it.

The 50's and 505 should make for a nice combo though.



Don't worry about the break-in period. Go easy on the volume a little bit at first...but for the most part, you're best off just forgetting about it. They'll break themselves in on their own.

well said.

the 70's are better than 50's oh but wait (taking advice from another great thread) they are in the small "class" as speakers so probably the price being 2 times as much wasn't great seeing you won't hear 2 times the improvment!
jk

PerfectCreature

Well, I listened to the 60s, I guess a guy at my work has had them for a few years. They sounded amazing...just one less woofer. He said that he had listened to them both and there wasn't much of a difference other than bass. I am sure there will be a difference from what I am used to given; I have been listening to 20 year old Teac speakers that have 10 inch woofer, 4 inch mid and 2 inch tweeter. I am sure I will be fine though. I mean, you can't miss what you haven't had right? For now; the 50's will suite me just fine. When I learn more and figure out pre-amps and whatever those tube amps are I am sure I am sure I will be ready for some newer better ones...like the LSi Stage.
I mean. I haven't been in the audiophile stage of sound yet so, you gotta learn to walk before you can run i figure.
Anyway. Get em tomorrow will post how they sound to me.
Thanks much people.

PerfectCreature

So they were shipped but UPS gave me only one speaker. They said that they never received the second one when it clearly says one of two...
Very upset.
I guess I will test with one speaker...

PerfectCreature

Update on test.
Very impressed. Pretty close to the 60s... I am surprised at the bass. I wasn't expecting much but it can rumble the floor. It is definatly more accurate and very very clear. I do hear some stuff I never noticed before. Im definatly exited about getting two of them ha!

wutadumsn23

Congrats on the one speaker, lol. You will be even more impressed when you have two!!

-Jeff

virtualdean

PerfectCreatrue;

Do what Squeeb said..

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

Its a polk run ebay store.

compare to newegg.

you will get the best price between the too.

PerfectCreature

Yeah. I was impressed with one of them....wish I didn't have to wait. At least I know that I have one of them haha.
04/22/2010 17:07:00 THE PACKAGE WAS MISSED AT THE UPS FACILITY, UPS WILL DELIVER ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY[X]

Yeah that was lovly to see. Im going to ripp him a new one. After I get my speaker though.
I will update after I have two of them a little later tonight.
Next is the amp

TECHNOKID

PerfectCreature wrote: »

So they were shipped but UPS gave me only one speaker. They said that they never received the second one when it clearly says one of two...
Very upset.
I guess I will test with one speaker...

Sad to hear but patience, you'll get the second one soon and you'll be in business and a happy camper :cool:

PerfectCreature

It seems on some songs that the tweeter crackles....on others it doesn't is it just a bad quality song or? Could it be my amp as well?
Any opinions? It was from you tube...so...


How do I Bi-wire those...just curious..the manual shows a picture of an amp...and two sets of wires from the same output terminals on the same amp going to the top and bottom?

As for the speakers they look so gorgeous....I got the cherry finish...a matching pair looks and sounds so much better I am pleased.

TECHNOKID

PerfectCreature wrote: »

It seems on some songs that the tweeter crackles....on others it doesn't is it just a bad quality song or? Could it be my amp as well?
Any opinions? It was from you tube...so...


How do I Bi-wire those...just curious..the manual shows a picture of an amp...and two sets of wires from the same output terminals on the same amp going to the top and bottom?

As for the speakers they look so gorgeous....I got the cherry finish...a matching pair looks and sounds so much better I am pleased.

I don't think that small amp you are presently using allows you to bi-amp, right?

PerfectCreature

Um....I am not tooo sure.
Heres a pic?


It has a way where I could put wires in A and B and then choose A+ B 8 Ohm impedance....then I could just keep the wires from my sub there, then from the B just wire from the amp to the speaker....
Is that what Bi-Amping is?
I mean it would be pretty much 50+50 to each speaker because it would split the wattage rating correct?
Anyway...I'm not sure if my guess is right or not....

Also...what about the crackling sound? is that just natural for the speaker to do while is "waking up" per se'?

TECHNOKID

PerfectCreature wrote: »

Um....I am not tooo sure.
Heres a pic?


It has a way where I could put wires in A and B and then choose A+ B 8 Ohm impedance....then I could just keep the wires from my sub there, then from the B just wire from the amp to the speaker....
Is that what Bi-Amping is?
I mean it would be pretty much 50+50 to each speaker because it would split the wattage rating correct?
Anyway...I'm not sure if my guess is right or not....

Also...what about the crackling sound? is that just natural for the speaker to do while is "waking up" per se'?

Ok, first Bi-wire and Bi-amp are 2 different things. Bi-wire is 2 cables from the same speaker output to the tweeter and the driver and is in my humble opinion a waste of time and money.

For Bi-amping, it says it all using different amps or at least channels for each drivers and tweeters. In this case, you could use A for the tweeters for example and then B for the drivers however, no room for your sub and this amp doesn't seem to have pre-out, am I correct? Personally, this amp is not viable for bi-amping but keep that in mind for your next purchase.

As far as the crackling sound, before thinking problem with the speakers, make sure you use original known quality recording (meaning from a store bought CD and with music you know quite well, no home made recording or download). This should help you isolate if the problem is actually coming from the speaker. Check your connections to make sure there is no loose strand touching the other speaker post.

Enjoy!
TK

PerfectCreature

No the receiver has no pre-amp...It seems only on some online songs it does that...my itunes songs don't make the buzz sound. so....I'm going to have to go with its not the speaker since its brand new.

Could I do that with the harmon kardon mentioned above?

PerfectCreature

I had an idea....do you think since the receiver is so old...it could built up dust or something maybe and it could have raised its distortion rate or something along those lines?

Correction...some itunes songs make the fuzz sound but I think it may be part of the song....

cnh

Have you tried a real REDBOOK CD or is all your music MP3 or PC based! Dust is possible...if turning the volume knob makes a difference?

cnh

TECHNOKID

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I had an idea....do you think since the receiver is so old...it could built up dust or something maybe and it could have raised its distortion rate or something along those lines?

Correction...some itunes songs make the fuzz sound but I think it may be part of the song....

cnh wrote: »

Have you tried a real REDBOOK CD or is all your music MP3 or PC based! Dust is possible...if turning the volume knob makes a difference?

cnh

PC, as pointed out stay away from MP3 and computer music to test this. Use know good CD recording (as cnh says REDBOOK CDs) if problem isn't present anymore, the is not with any of the gear. Yes, it is not impossible that the aging receiver could be at fault. Dust can pack in your controls and they may require cleaning. Also, have you tought of swapping your speaker around your various speaker connections? This would help you isolate the problem down to the speaker or a single speaker output.

PerfectCreature

I couldn't imagine it could be the speakers though....they are brand new...
I know when the volume nob turns I hear the scratching.
I check all connections, they are fine. No wires at all. I am using cheap scoshe cable 14 gauge wire...was $25 for 100 feet.
I little later I may my Sony stereo receiver ( I can bi-amp with this receiver[It has a hi end and a low end area to put your speaker inputs.]...but it is 90 watts per channel so I risk blowing the speakers because they are rated for 150RMS each...and the sony gives 380 RMS total output) and see if it does the same thing...and I'll put the wires through B instead of A and see if that improves anything.
Other than that definatley noticing things I never heard before. Really nifty. Plus they go so much louder than my old Teacs...very impressed.

All my music is run from my PC or Ipod to the receiver through a audio cable to a RCA Y cable.

TECHNOKID

I know when the volume nob turns I hear the scratching.

That volume control knob might need cleaning of the POT. The way you describe the prob isn't with speakers but ratter with the amp. As I pointed out, shuffle your known good speaker to the various speaker output to isolate if the problem is not related to a specific output. Have you received your second speaker yet Do good troubleshoothing and enjoy.

Cheers!
TK

PerfectCreature

Yeah. I have. It looks so sharp. I got em on each side of my computer desk...about 3 feet from the sides. You walk in and you see them, then I have the sub in the closet (it's like a cubby hole that I put a rob up to hang clothes. It seems to resonate the bass throughout the room quite well, probably because I have a slanted ceiling) which I found gives me the best bass.
Luckly UPS didn't get any scratches on them. They go way louder than the Teac ones.
I only have to turn it up 1/4to get the sound I used to have to turn it to 1/2.
I'm hoping to get the time to see if it is the amp. I trying to take extra shifts to get enough money for the Harmon Kardon amp that gives me 120 per channel. So far I got about 65 towards it. I'm hoping by the end of May I can have it.
Unless of course anyone has a better amp for the speakers?

How would I clean the knob by the way? Just like some rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip?

TECHNOKID

Some reading for you (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85559&highlight=volume+control+cleaning) and if you care to search the site, you'll find more discussions and advices.

Cheers!
TK

cstmar01

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I couldn't imagine it could be the speakers though....they are brand new...
I know when the volume nob turns I hear the scratching.
I check all connections, they are fine. No wires at all. I am using cheap scoshe cable 14 gauge wire...was $25 for 100 feet.
I little later I may my Sony stereo receiver ( I can bi-amp with this receiver[It has a hi end and a low end area to put your speaker inputs.]...but it is 90 watts per channel so I risk blowing the speakers because they are rated for 150RMS each...and the sony gives 380 RMS total output) and see if it does the same thing...and I'll put the wires through B instead of A and see if that improves anything.
Other than that definatley noticing things I never heard before. Really nifty. Plus they go so much louder than my old Teacs...very impressed.

All my music is run from my PC or Ipod to the receiver through a audio cable to a RCA Y cable.

your not really going to damage anything by giving your speakers "too many watts". It will just give you more headroom, and as long as you don't run your speakers to the point of imploding you'll be fine. Clean watts is what you need to look for, its not really about the # of them.

PerfectCreature

Hmm. I may have to go to my radio shack and pick up some of that cleaner...
And...I didn't know that about the watts...I always thought that if you gave the speakers more watts then they could handle they could blow....I guess if they got "dirty" watts they could blow...maybe why my older pioneers rated 65 were blown by an older 50 watt receiver....makes sense I guess.

I'm guessing the Dioxy stuff you spray on your terminals for a better connection? WOuld it make your music sound better perhaps?

TECHNOKID

I'm guessing the Dioxy stuff you spray on your terminals for a better connection? WOuld it make your music sound better perhaps?

De-oxit is recommended for any contacts including your volume POTS. It seems to be the best product on the market right now. Very well rated on this site.

PerfectCreature

So I should pick up some for the new receiver that I plan on getting as like a preventative.
I would spray it in the pot, on the terminals and connectors...even the the wire tips to maybe?
Anyone know a better place to pick up the Harman Kardon HK 3490 for cheaper...ebay doesn't have it I know amazon has them for like 340....

yepimonfire

PerfectCreature wrote: »

I couldn't imagine it could be the speakers though....they are brand new...
I know when the volume nob turns I hear the scratching.
I check all connections, they are fine. No wires at all. I am using cheap scoshe cable 14 gauge wire...was $25 for 100 feet.
I little later I may my Sony stereo receiver ( I can bi-amp with this receiver[It has a hi end and a low end area to put your speaker inputs.]...but it is 90 watts per channel so I risk blowing the speakers because they are rated for 150RMS each...and the sony gives 380 RMS total output) and see if it does the same thing...and I'll put the wires through B instead of A and see if that improves anything.
Other than that definatley noticing things I never heard before. Really nifty. Plus they go so much louder than my old Teacs...very impressed.

All my music is run from my PC or Ipod to the receiver through a audio cable to a RCA Y cable.

chances are you never going to use that kind of power, in order for you to use up 380w of power (if the amps can actually put that much out) the volume would be loud enough to cause instant and permanent deafness.

PerfectCreature

Hmm. Probabaly true. Seeing how the polk speakers I have know are 89db sensitive...and I have a subwoofer now... I know that with my old speakers I could turn it up 3/4 and it would be to loud to bear...but with the polk ones...about 1/3 almost to half does it overboard and you hear the music throughout the whole house surprisingly clear.
So, if I read you right. If i were to get a 50 watt amp vs an 80 vs 120 (Providing they are clean watts)...I would be wasting money going higher because i would never use those watts?
Like between the Yamaha 50 watt one they have out right its like the rx373 or something like that compared to the Harmon Kardon ones (which I am serious debating between the 80 watt one and the 120 watt one[which are talked about earlier in this thread])

cnh

It's not quite that 'simple'. A lot depends on the amp's configuration--High current design, large transformers and huge capacitance, and so on.

Let's take an example, a NAD 45 watt integrated amp will blow away most surround AVRs rated 100 watts/channel by a wide margin. The NAD has tremendous headroom much more than the AVR.

Some 30 watt tube amps will embarrass some SS amps rated 150+ watts/channel!

And so on. You need to decide what kind of amp you're going to use. Or if you'll stay with a receiver!

Then do a search here and see what people run and what they think is 'clean'. Then 'listen' for yourself...?

cnh