Need some help picking out speakers while learning the basics

skuhl1986
skuhl1986 Posts: 6
edited November 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I want to surprise my father this Christmas with two new floor speakers and a receiver. I guess I'm look to spend around 600-1000 on speakers and a receiver to give it a really good quality sound. Is there anything else I should get? An amp? pre-amp? what is a pre-amp? lol I know currently my father has two floor speakers about 15-20 yrs old. (he tells me he has to warm them up and new speakers dont have too?) I dont remember the receiver he has, but he also has another piece of equipment; I know its Macintosh and I'm gonna guess its the amp? He doesn't have a sub-woofer cause the floor speakers still give out bass that goes right through you. He loves his speakers but he has been talking about getting new ones for a couple years now and like I said I want to surprise him. I spent hrs today researching and really like the reviews and descriptions given of the TSi500 but I've also been going through a couple different threads when I joined today and a lot of people seem to think the M70's are comparable to the TSi500's for a lot less price. I need help here cause the only thing thats happening to this newbie is confusion lol. To keep it simple I need something within budget that gives maximum performance for the buck. btw the speakers are in a room with that is approx. 20x15 in a rectangular shape with the two speakers against one of the short walls. oh, and the ceiling is your regular 7-8 ft high. Seems like people like to know how big the room is. Thanks for anyone that helps out.
Post edited by skuhl1986 on
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  • skuhl1986
    skuhl1986 Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    also, i heard someone say the type of wires used is a big deal when it comes to sound quality, true?
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited November 2010
    skuhl1986 wrote: »
    also, i heard someone say the type of wires used is a big deal when it comes to sound quality, true?

    Yes, if you have good electronics, good speakers, and good ears, the wire can have an obvious affect on the sound. Of course, this also applies to the cables used to interconnect all the gear.

    Personally, I would concentrate on getting the electronics and speakers first. Good wire can come later. Some people just want music for the background, and are not interested in getting every last bit of music from the system. When they are ready then they can be pleasantly surprised to find out their equipment can sound even better with various tweaks.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited November 2010
    Are you buying your dad a ....

    2 Channel stereo system? or a surround sound system because you mention receivers ?

    I can only think of one decent stereo receiver and thats a rotel 1052 and they sell for $450 used and that would leave you $550 so you could buy a set of polk lsi9's used

    To me that combo would perform well above its price range rivaling high end systems
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  • skuhl1986
    skuhl1986 Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    not surround sound. so i guess 2 channel. not really sure what 2 channel means.
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  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited November 2010
    L/R music listening generally the native format of a cd or mp3 etc....
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  • skuhl1986
    skuhl1986 Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    ok cool. so basically the receiver is a better designed CD player? and i havent received an answer on my initial question: M7 or TSi500? and what receiver should i get to compliment them. and do i need to get an updated amp? also, should i get a center channel to go with it? and if so what would you recommend to go with it? sorry im a pain in the ****.
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited November 2010
    If he's running Mcintosh amplification, I'd imagine that the speakers he has are probably better than entry level Polk towers (monitor series and Tsi series). Find out what speakers he has, what receiver he has, and get back to us.

    Oh and no, a receiver is not a "better designed cd player". It doesn't play cd's at all.

    Your heart is in the right place, but I'm guessing you'll have to add another zero if you want to upgrade his system (6000-10000).
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
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  • skuhl1986
    skuhl1986 Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    Thanks guys. I'll be back when i have more info.
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited November 2010
    If you want to get something for your Father,do yourself a favor and talk to him about it.Better yet,if possible, go on a Father/Son shopping trip and check out what's available.See what he has in mind.If he already owns Mac equipment he probably has an idea of what he wants.No offense but, buying equipment with no experience is a bad idea(especially if it's for someone else).Good luck.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • skuhl1986
    skuhl1986 Posts: 6
    edited November 2010
    Your right, I just want to surprise him.
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  • ecod123
    ecod123 Posts: 379
    edited November 2010
    Nice gesture and your dad is a very lucky man.

    Given his McIntosh and how he likes his speakers, you should definitely spend a little time to find out more about his audio taste. Take him on a trip to a local audio store perhaps and see what gears light up his face and bring a smile. Then you can make your gift choice. That way, the surprise will be pleasant, instead of otherwise.:wink:

    Kudos to you and best wishes on finding the right gift for you dad.
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited November 2010
    polkfarmboy wrote: »
    Are you buying your dad a ....

    2 Channel stereo system? or a surround sound system because you mention receivers ?

    I can only think of one decent stereo receiver and thats a rotel 1052 and they sell for $450 used and that would leave you $550 so you could buy a set of polk lsi9's used

    To me that combo would perform well above its price range rivaling high end systems

    Where are said LSI9's? :)
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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