Can my setup benefit from anything? Advise, suggestions?

strife1013

Hey all

It's been awhile since I have been on here. I have upgraded my home audio system a little bit since my last visit. I bought a new receiver (YAMAHA RX-V867 7.2-Channel Digital Network Home Theater Receiver @ $429 from NewEgg http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V867BL-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0044779FE) and another set of speakers (Polk Audio Monitor 70s Speakers @ $299 for both) also bought banana plugs from mono price and 14AWG speaker wire from the same site (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2748&seq=1&format=2 & http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2)

My updated system is in my signature and all audio and video is running through HDMI cables. I was wondering what can my setup benefit from besides a new TV which I am looking at getting this year and some type of Monster Power PowerCenter Surge Protector, for example (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Monster+Power+-+8-Outlet+High-Definition+PowerCenter+Surge+Protector/8812083.p?id=1206749374164&skuId=8812083&st=8812083&cp=1&lp=1 or way cheaper on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monster-MP-HDP-1800-8-Outlet-High-Definition-PowerCenter-Surge-Protector-/260928211386?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc08889ba)

Is the receiver I have powerful enough to run all these speakers? I would assume it is. I am open to any and all suggestions. Just want to make sure I am not undercutting anywhere or not getting the most out of my system because I am missing something simple and over looked. :rolleyes:

Thanks for reading.

EndersShadow

You've got a pretty darn good setup for what your running. Couple things you could do to make it sound better though. I have these in order of importance IMHO.

1. Room Treatments. You can change your gear all you want, add subtract, but you cannot change the dimensions of your room and how it reflects sound unless you treat it. Do this first and then all your other upgrades will benefit from it. Look at GIK Accoustics or DIY some yourself (there are lots of threads about this lately). Its easy to do and makes one of the biggest differences in your room IMHO. Some things can be as simple as adding a really thick throw rug if you have a wooden floor, isolating your sub with a subdude, etc. I would treat your front's, and your 1st reflection points at a min. If you can do more go for it. GIK makes room packages that take care of most of the work for you if you want.

2. Dedicated amp for your front 3 if not 5. You have pre-outs and might as well use them. This is #2 because your Monitors are pretty easy to drive so I dont see you super lacking in wattage. With that said, amping all your front 5 will make a noticeable difference, but even more so if you have already treated your room. I see no need to amp your rear surrounds as your AVR can handle 2 speakers with no problem, and probably even 4 (both sets of surrounds)

3. Better sub/multiple subs. The 505 is a good sub, but there are many out there better.

4. Surge Protector/Voltage Regulation: get something along the lines of the H10 or H15 rather than that Monster.

strife1013

Well the room treatment will be taken into consideration when I buy myself a house lol. Right now I am set to move within the next few months so that seems like a long term plan. What sub do you suggest is better than the 505? My receiver can run two subs :razz:
As for the dedicated amp that sounds like something I could do right now. What brand do you have in mind? A link would be awesome! Also as for the surge protector which brand makes these H10 and H15's so that I can look them up....

Thanks

EndersShadow

strife1013 wrote: »

Well the room treatment will be taken into consideration when I buy myself a house lol. Right now I am set to move within the next few months so that seems like a long term plan.

Regardless you still need the same type and number of treatments. GIK 244 bass traps in the corners and GIK 242's at reflection points. I do understand though as someone who is moving myself in a month or two

strife1013 wrote: »

What sub do you suggest is better than the 505? My receiver can run two subs

I would suggest something in the 500-600 dollar price range minimum of which there are many options. I would then sell your PSW505 or use it in another system as EQ'ing 2 subs of different types is a PITA. I would suggest going with a ported sub from someone like HSU, Outlaw Audio, SVS, Elemental Designs to name a few. This is where you create a new thread for sub suggestions since its dependent upon how big of a room you have.

strife1013 wrote: »

As for the dedicated amp that sounds like something I could do right now. What brand do you have in mind?

Too many options to list. I would suggest something used so you get more bang for your buck. Adcom, Parasound, Carver, there are too many to list. Once again I would start a thread and also look through the For Sale section here to see if someone has a decent amp already listed.

I would look for something with like 125 watts a channel x however many channels you need. You would be surprised the difference between the sound from an AVR rated at 125x7 and a dedicated amp rated at 125x7. It is a big difference. As suggested though go with a 3 or 5 channel amp to save some bucks.

strife1013 wrote: »

Also as for the surge protector which brand makes these H10 and H15's so that I can look them up....

APC makes both: APC H15 and APC H10. Panamax and Furman also make good surge protectors. Keep in mind your probably looking at 300 bucks for one of these which is why I put it last on my list. Its like the icing on the cake.

djperez81

strife1013 wrote: »

Hey all

It's been awhile since I have been on here. I have upgraded my home audio system a little bit since my last visit. I bought a new receiver (YAMAHA RX-V867 7.2-Channel Digital Network Home Theater Receiver @ $429 from NewEgg http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V867BL-7-2-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0044779FE) and another set of speakers (Polk Audio Monitor 70s Speakers @ $299 for both) also bought banana plugs from mono price and 14AWG speaker wire from the same site (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2748&seq=1&format=2 & http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10401&cs_id=1040115&p_id=2801&seq=1&format=2)

My updated system is in my signature and all audio and video is running through HDMI cables. I was wondering what can my setup benefit from besides a new TV which I am looking at getting this year and some type of Monster Power PowerCenter Surge Protector, for example (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Monster+Power+-+8-Outlet+High-Definition+PowerCenter+Surge+Protector/8812083.p?id=1206749374164&skuId=8812083&st=8812083&cp=1&lp=1 or way cheaper on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Monster-MP-HDP-1800-8-Outlet-High-Definition-PowerCenter-Surge-Protector-/260928211386?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc08889ba)

Is the receiver I have powerful enough to run all these speakers? I would assume it is. I am open to any and all suggestions. Just want to make sure I am not undercutting anywhere or not getting the most out of my system because I am missing something simple and over looked. :rolleyes:

Thanks for reading.

Check out the belkin pf60 at buy.com I just bought mine for 125. Its better than the monster. I'm not sure if your receiver has preouts but your 70's will really come alive with some external amplification.

EndersShadow

djperez81 wrote: »

Check out the belkin pf60 at buy.com I just bought mine for 125. Its better than the monster. I'm not sure if your receiver has preouts but your 70's will really come alive with some external amplification.

The AVR does have pre-outs so he is set there.

The ONLY thing to mention is that the PF60 is on par with the H15, except for voltage regulation. That may or may not be a big deal to folks. Personally its a nice feature to have to make sure your not sending your components more or less voltage than they can handle.

tonyb

Lol !!
Can your system benefit from anything ? Asking that question around here usually winds up with an answer of.....

........How much money you got ?

A budget may help in your responses.

strife1013

tonyb wrote: »

Lol !!
Can your system benefit from anything ? Asking that question around here usually winds up with an answer of.....

........How much money you got ?

A budget may help in your responses.

Good point good point, I'm on a budget. Only looking to add a few things here and there. Not looking to throw down thousands of dollars.

cnh

tonyb wrote: »

Lol !!
Can your system benefit from anything ? Asking that question around here usually winds up with an answer of.....

........How much money you got ?

A budget may help in your responses.

Yes. Your system can benefit from something: more money! A lot more! Just adding to what Tony is hinting at. Nothing really intended, but you can "upgrade" your system "forever' or at least until your wife "divorces" you!

Have fun!

cnh