Advise on powering fronts (L,C,R)

jemrey81

Hey Guys,
I currently have an older (pre hdmi at least) Pioneer receiver (closer to entry level) that has been pulling HT/ Stereo duty for a few years now... it's been running a pair of TSi100's (L&R front) and a CS10 (obviously the C) and I also have a PSW505 sub (no rears).... it hasn't been too bad, but I just changed things up speaker-wise :eek: I sold my TSi100's and bought a pair of Monitor 70's.... with very little out of pocket I know the M70's are probably going to overtake the CS10, but that will most likely get switched over before too long.

So I have started looking around at other options that "could" be available for power and am starting to get a little lost :frown:



What are the best options for a 3.1 setup? I do listen to A LOT of music (it's on most of the time I am home), and I usually have the receiver and speakers going if the TV is on (whether its a movie or cable). Are there any 3 channel amps for the fronts like this or is it mainly 2 or 1 channel? Are there any budget friendly receivers that you could recommend for powering these decently? I don't plan on going 5.1 or 7.1 anytime soon (I would have to move first, and that's not happening for a while).

Thanks for any help or tips you can provide!


Oh, and while I am here.... Should I get a CS2 or is there something better I should look for (more fitting to the M70's)?

hochpt21

See how you like the 70's with the CS10, but yes the CS2 is the correct match. IMO don't even think about the CS1 to pair with them.

DarkHorror

You might enjoy just going with a 2.1 system for now. Then you have good 2 channel preamp/amp, or integrated amp options that are much cheaper for great quality than you were to find on full featured 5.1 receiver. What features and inputs do you need the new receiver to have?

jemrey81

Hmm, I haven't tried it in 2.1 - that might be a good option. Is there a way to test that with my current receiver before I jump into that?

I would like to have hdmi in and out.... not sure about anything else. I know I won't ever need 3D...

What other options are there to consider?

DarkHorror

Yeah just go into the receiver settings and turn the center to off. If there is no option for that see if there is a stereo setting on your receiver that should mean the center isn't working. It might be the default for music anyway, when you are listening just go up to the center speaker and see if any sound is coming out of it.

jbooker82

Turn your listening mode on the pioneer to stereo. That will turn off the center. I would still keep it 3 channel. That way you have some sort of audio for tv and movies.

jemrey81

DarkHorror wrote: »

Yeah just go into the receiver settings and turn the center to off. If there is no option for that see if there is a stereo setting on your receiver that should mean the center isn't working. It might be the default for music anyway, when you are listening just go up to the center speaker and see if any sound is coming out of it.

Got it... It has both options. I listen to music in the stereo mode. I know that I don't like that for TV and movies though.... does it sound different if I turn the center to "off" then mess around with all of the sound settings? I have seen people mention the phantom center or ghost center... something like that

hochpt21

I use my two channel for watching tv occasionally, and I don't really like it either, but since it's primary function is music, I get by. DarkHorror had a good suggestion, but IMO if you watch a fair amount of movies/tv I would get the center.

I would look for a good quality 5.1 receiver on the used market. I see a fair amount of them on CL. Pioneer/Onkyo/Harman Kardon is a good place to start for budget used that should pair well with the Monitors. I've only heard the HK, but see good reviews on the Pio and Onk.

jemrey81

Thanks guys... is there anything I should be looking for in the different brands (HK, Onk, Denon, Pio) - like wattage / power ratings? I don't trust what they say on the boxes.

I wonder if I could find a local audio / video nut to trade a nice receiver for some MIT cables....

jbooker82

I would just get something good enough to come with amplifier pre outs. That way later on you have the option to add an external amp. For onkyo you would need a TX-NR7xx or higher. The last number is for the year. The current models end in 9's. The 9's have a better / newer Audyssey MultiEq XT automatic calibration where last years 8's just have MultiEq 2.

You can save a pretty good chunk of change by going with a refurbished one from accessories 4 less. You can also add on a 5 year warrenty for $50.