Please help a Audio noob out

absolut3

I just bought a RTiA7, CSiA6, RTiA3. I just jumped in without much thought and now am clueless on what else is needed. I've never had good or even decent speakers before and have always used either a computer speaker or the speaker on the TV.

Could someone on what type of cables are needed and where I could get them?

Also suggestions on receiver and amplifier and sub? My budget is around $1500 for the three with some wiggle room.

Currently I have a 65 panny plasma in a living area that is around 400sqft

snake1

Newegg has some receivers on sale right now. Pioneer sc63 maybe? Theres a thread about it thats pretty recent and would power your stuff easily. As for subs with what you would have left, you could easily get an SVS or Powersound sub.

drummer86

Start doing some research on receivers in the $600-900 range to leave you room for a nice sub. Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, and Pioneer all make good, easy to find models in that range. The features you would want and what components you want to connect will help make up your mind.

In addition to the SVS and PSA recommendations for subs I'll add HSU into the mix. Any of the 3 would likely make you grin ear to ear.

drummer86

As far as cables, you'll need cables for connecting your components to the receiver (HDMI, Optical, Stereo RCA) which depend on the source and speaker wire. Monoprice cables will fit the bill for now. You can always upgrade later and won't be out much.

absolut3

Do I need a separate amplifier or will a receiver be enough to adequately power the speakers?

tonyb

absolut3 wrote: »

Do I need a separate amplifier or will a receiver be enough to adequately power the speakers?

A receiver should be enough but not any receiver, a good one. Look at Pioneer SC lines, Yamaha Advantage lives, or upper level Harmon Kardon and Denon lines. You also want to make sure you have pre-outs to be able to add an amp down the road should you upgrade the speakers in the future.

absolut3

I looked through some subs and have interest in the HSU VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer ( http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2mk4.html ). Would this be a good choice?

Also looked on amazon some and saw this sub: BIC PL-200 Acoustech Platinum Series Subwoofer ( http://www.amazon.com/BIC-PL-200-Acoustech-Platinum-Series/dp/B001W3FXAQ/ )
Is this sub comparable?

I'm not really looking for a sub that'll shake the whole house. I currently live in a townhome so I want to keep it on the low side for now.

Mystery

That BIC has very good reviews but HSU, SVS etc... will be much better.
However, it doesn't matter as I live in a townhome as well for few more weeks (Finally moving out )
Even an 8" small subwoofer will be enough for a townhome.
If you get HSU, SVS etc., it'll be like buying a Ferrari and always driving under 35mph.
In fact, you may not even need one.
Try the speakers first and see if you need more bass.

absolut3

Does better sub mean more shake? Will a good quality sub be better even when the bass is set to low? Is that even possible? Sorry if i use weird terminologies.. as I said im pretty new at this.

cfrizz

Welcome to Club Polk!

As been said get a receiver that has all the bells and whistles that you want it to have, but make sure it has preouts for separate amplification. No receiver can power all those speakers to their full potential. A separate amp of 200wpc @ 8ohms will do so with ease.

You get more bang for the buck if you buy used. Look at Sunfire, Rotel, Parasound, Nad, B&K, Adcom. For good bang for the buck new with warranty look at Outlaw and Emotiva.

For cables look at Mono Price, Blue Jeans, and Signal cables online.

As for subs, also look at Polks DSW line of subs, they are terrific.

Have fun putting together the rest of your system. It will keep you entertained for many years to come.

absolut3

Thank you all for your responses. How much of a difference will an amplifier make? Most of them seem really pricey even used. Is there any amplifiers that are 200 wpc @ 8ohms that are in the $400-$500 range?

Maybe it'll be a better idea to get a amp down the line later on? Coming from a person who is used to tv speakers/computer speakers, will I hear a world of difference with just the speakers itself and a receiver (no sub,no amp)?

chiptouz

Definitely check out accessoriesforless.com for your receiver purchase. Buy a refub and get something better than you could already afford. I would stay $900 for the receiver and $600 for the sub. You can raise each one by $100 or lower by $100 and be ok. Go with Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer Elite or Onkyo. I prefer the first three in that order.

You can go with separates such as a preamp and an amplifier. I would look at emotive for that. Even if you purchase am 150 x 5amplifier and a preamp that would be better than most of the receivers listed above.

I prefer the HSU sub's they are amazing! Buy the best one that you can afford. It will be better than most lower priced out there and some higher priced too.

Something else to consider. If you want to put most of your money into a sub make sure the receiver you buy has pre-outs. That will allow you to add more powerful amplifiers in the future. Also if you can swing something with Audyssey MultEQ XT as a minimum is speaker calibration. Yamaha has a proprietary brand that I hear is good too.

my $0.02. Have fun with your decisions you have some big ones to make.

MindlessCorpse

Finally, a forum I could maybe have found my answer before even asking it !!!
Hello All,
I joined today, and so this is my first post...
I have ordered 4 Polk Audio speakers for a Home Theater idea...
This all centers around a Panasonic GT50 - 60" Plasma tv
I ordered .....
1 Polk Audio CS2 for the center
2 of the Polk Audio Monitor 70 AM7025-B 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker's
1 PSW505 Sub
will most likely add 2 of the Polk Audio RM8 satellite speakers for the rear.
The sub was delivered today, and I have been checking it out in the basement. To be honest, I found it a bit lacking, so I ran a split RCA cable and added the 12" sony sub I already have. The two together make nice bass
and have been giving myself fits over how to power the set-up.
I have looked at Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha and Sony 5.2 receivers, but do not really find the wattage I want.
So... after reading this thread, ???? find a lower powered control center and run separate amp's ??? I am not opposed to that idea, thought it myself in fact.
Any helpful thoughts or ideas ? before I place another order ?
Until then, my old JVC will be pushing things.
Thanks Much for any help.
Mindless....

F1nut

Your choice of speakers are an easy load to drive and no offense, but are pretty much entry level, so why do you think you need high wattage amplification?

You shouldn't judge your new sub until you have the entire system setup and dialed in.

Look at the Pioneer Elite SC series AVR's as they are one of a few that put out close to their 2 channel rated power with all channels driven.

MindlessCorpse

F1nut wrote: »

Your choice of speakers are an easy load to drive and no offense, but are pretty much entry level, so why do you think you need high wattage amplification?
.
...thanks for your valuable input, but it was not a request for your judgement on the equipment I chose to start with, also, the center channel will need a top of 200 watts, Recommended Amplifier Power 20-150 watts per channel and the 70's Recommended Amplifier Power 20-275 watts per channel ...check the ratings/specs... using an amp with more power will insure the speakers get clean signals without power clipping or distortion, and as long as the system is not ran up over 75% all should be safe, without any overheating problems...

You shouldn't judge your new sub until you have the entire system setup and dialed in.
.
..again, Thank you much for your guidance on my procedure, however, I found the PSW505 a bit weak from 90Hz up but decent below that range, where the sony sub has strength at 90 - 120Hz. I would guess that which ever receiver I choose will have a Sub output crossover frequency control, which I can choose to set a bit high ( 120Hz ) again, less heat in the receiver as the 120 - 90HZ signals wont be amplified in the receiver ...

Look at the Pioneer Elite SC series AVR's as they are one of a few that put out close to their 2 channel rated power with all channels driven.

.
..why would you suggest such low power rated amps ? the receivers you suggest are rated a bit low, Rated at 135 Watts x 7 channels (8 Ohms, 1kHz, 0.08% at 2Ch driven)... also, the receivers you directed me to are 7 and 9 channel, but the set-up I describe above indicates a 5.1 or 5.2 system, why the extra coin on 2 or 4 extra, unused channels ?
Going by Polk's spec's on the items, 275 watts per channel with the center dialed down a bit
... a 5.1 or 5.2 with total around 1300 watts is not easy to find (so far)
.
.
and, btw... Political Correctness would be to pick the **** up with a plastic baggy ;-)

tonyb

Most receivers these days are 7.1 or 9.1, you don't have to use the extra channels if you don't want to. Receiver power usually decreases with the more speakers you have hooked up to it due to a shared power supply. That said, do not go by manufacturers recommended power....say 20-300 watts. Your speakers are easy to drive with most any midline receiver available. Would an additional amp make them better ? Sure, but then that's typical of any speaker hooked up to better power. Up to you if you want to spend the coin, but it's really not needed. Get a receiver with pre outs and try it out, if you still think you need more power you can always add an amp down the road. It's current that drives speakers, not watts.

Please cruise the forum, many threads on power, receivers, amps, and how it all works. Search button is near the top on the right.

MindlessCorpse

tonyb,
Thanks for the word's. I have and will look around through the forums a bit more

F1nut

...thanks for your valuable input, but it was not a request for your judgement on the equipment I chose to start with,

That wasn't a judgement, just the truth.

Recommended Amplifier Power 20-150 watts per channel and the 70's Recommended Amplifier Power 20-275 watts per channel ...check the ratings/specs... using an amp with more power will insure the speakers get clean signals without power clipping or distortion, and as long as the system is not ran up over 75% all should be safe, without any overheating problems...

I'm quite aware of the specs, but see below. Actually 50% is the general rule of thumb.

..why would you suggest such low power rated amps ? the receivers you suggest are rated a bit low, Rated at 135 Watts x 7 channels (8 Ohms, 1kHz, 0.08% at 2Ch driven)...

Because I'm using a PIoneer Elite SC series AVR to drive speakers a bit more demanding than yours in a dedicated HT setup and the AVR is more than capable of handing the job.

F1nut

MindlessCorpse, just to be clear I was in no way criticizing or putting down your chioce of speakers.

MindlessCorpse

the treachery of it all.......
I looked and looked at AVR's. Learned a few things, and then it seems I ignored those things ( Mindless....)
It has probably been 10 years since I needed to purchase a receiver. Used to be that if you purchased a 200 watt per channel unit, you could hook a power meter in line, and see it read near 200 watts per channel..... not today. Today, 200 watts per channel on a 7.1 channel unit means... 200 watts / maybe, but only if you are running only one channel and a specific Hz sine wave generated signal. And to dress up the pile a bit, the manufracturer (sic) will label it like 200 Watts 7.1 channels... misleading the consumer ( insert / me ) to asses it as being a total of 1400 watts output... hahahaha.
.... whatever...
anyhow... I choose the Denon AVR-E400 to start wiring things to. Have to start somewhere, right ? This is a 7.2 channel rig. so new question... the floorstanding monitor 70's are bi-amp

tonyb

No, what you did is buy an entry level receiver with no pre outs to add an additional amplifier, totally opposite of the advice given Sir. Will it power what you have ? Sure....but bi-amping with a receiver is useless, and a waste. Plus you just limited yourself on future speaker purchases by not having pre-outs to add more power.

Hook them up normal, leave the jumpers in place, and don't worry about the inside of the speaker. Worry more about the quality of the gear hooked up to them and the source.

Sorry if that sounds "old and cranky"......but my AARP card says I have a right to be so. LOL

leftwinger57

You really should listen to these guys. Your 1st big mistake was getting a receiver w/o preouts to add an amp down the line. I've told my tale of woe so many times people get tired of it. but here goes. My 1st foray into what I thought was a legitimate H/T system besides my old HTIB piece of crap was a Yamaha Rx-v665 rated 90 wpc.Me like you thinking hey 90w that's way more than I need I always wanted an avr that can do more then less.Well I tried them out w/ the volume knob lets say a tad cranked and the thing just clipped and went into protection mode.Thankfully it came back reset and all was well w/ the world except for my extreme disappointment. Long of it was my avr does have pre/outs which before coming here knew nothing of and added an Adcom w/ 200 wpc aside that can push pretty much speaker system.Before you jump ask and listen.I certainly learned my lesson thankfully not terminally but hard and shelling out another $300 for the Adcom but well worth it.Don't get involved w/ bi amping or even bi wiring for now concentrate on decent spkr cables your choice but should be at least 14/12 gauge brand of your choice. Lower the gauge thicker the wire less resistance.

MindlessCorpse

does any one here actually answer a question, or give advice instead of trying to pick a system apart ? The above ? where did any one mention anything about looking for a audio control center with pre-outs? instead, it is mentioned after ??? then I am told to listen to something that wasnt said ?

PSOVLSK

MindlessCorpse wrote: »

does any one here actually answer a question, or give advice instead of trying to pick a system apart ? The above ? where did any one mention anything about looking for a audio control center with pre-outs? instead, it is mentioned after ??? then I am told to listen to something that wasnt said ?

F1nut wrote: »

Look at the Pioneer Elite SC series AVR's as they are one of a few that put out close to their 2 channel rated power with all channels driven.

Didn't mention pre-outs, but he did mention an AVR that will drive most speakers very well...and I'm sure most (if not all) Elite models have pre-outs.

MindlessCorpse

nbrowser wrote: »

...going downhill, with a backwind, and extra voltage !

I am curious on that, could you be a bit more specific on it ? The Denon ARV has discreet individual amplifiers, and the Monitor 70's have bi-amp inputs. I am just guessing here, but I would imagine once the bridges are removed, the speakers are divided into two sets in the same cabinet ?
just trying to understand.
Thanks

BlueFox

MindlessCorpse wrote: »

does any one here actually answer a question, or give advice instead of trying to pick a system apart ? The above ? where did any one mention anything about looking for a audio control center with pre-outs? instead, it is mentioned after ??? then I am told to listen to something that wasnt said ?

What is the question? Also, is there a bonus for using ? in sentences?

MindlessCorpse

read above to see the question. And a question mark is usual at the end of a sentence that ask's a question.

MindlessCorpse

nbrowser wrote: »

Mindless, some lesser AVR makers have wild power ratings for their AVR amplifier sections, Some are so trumped up that, well for lack of a better term, the customer got ripped right off.

I am familiar with this, as said above.
Although, I would not put Denon in the category of "Lesser AVR maker"

F1nut

I suggested the Pioneer Elite AVR's because they have everything you need, the power to drive your speakers and all the bells and whistles, which includes pre-outs. However, I doubt you'd ever use them.

What you bought isn't anywhere close to the Elire AVR's. The Denon's wpc rating is going to drop like a lead weight by the time you hook up 5 speakers and it will drop even more if you attempt to ghetto bi-amp. Talking about bi-amping, it's not possible with an AVR. Real bi-amping requires separate amps each with it's own power supply not a shared one like all AVR's have and it requires active crossovers. You'd do better by replacing the stock jumper plates with high quality speaker cable.

If I may suggest, return the Denon and buy one of the Pioneer Elites.

tonyb

MindlessCorpse wrote: »

I am familiar with this, as said above.
Although, I would not put Denon in the category of "Lesser AVR maker"

Nobody said Denon was "lesser".....what was said was that particular model was "entry level". Every brand has different lines of receivers, entry level, mid-level, top of the line. With every level comes improvements in build quality, connectivity, and sound quality.

We also aren't bashing your gear, just trying to steer you to make better choices based on what you want it to do, and future proof yourself so you won't have to go buy another receiver if you ever want to get harder to drive speakers or add more speakers.

Todays receivers are not like the old 2 channel receivers of years ago when most were built with fairly good power supplies and 40 watts could drive most any 8 ohm speaker. Plus there is so much garbage in todays marketing of receivers, one needs a good pair of boots to wade around in it to discern the information presented. We are here to help you discern that info, so to answer some questions we need to ask a few to get to the proper answers or suggestions. Make sense ? Please don't take it as bashing, we simply don't like to see people make choices we know they will likely be unhappy with.

cfrizz

Everyone has given you excellent advice, but you haven't been listening.

Unless you plan to buy a used Sunfire receiver, they are the only ones that made a 200wpc receiver, here is where you should start if you want to go with a Denon.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-3313CI-Networking-Receiver-Capacity/dp/B00829USKS/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1382276532&sr=1-7&keywords=denon+avr

If it doesn't have everything you want, keep going UP the line until you find one that has everything you want along with the preouts that you will need to add a separate amplifier.

As you can see it will cost you considerably more money, but it will be well worth it in the end. You will have a receiver that should keep you happy for many years.

You have now been given the answers to your questions, it is now up to YOU to decide if you are going to listen, and if you want to spend the money to put together a great system.

If you don't, then there is nothing more we can do to help you.