Optimizing my new system

dayne

Hi all. I am new to the forums and somewhat new to the Audio/Video Scene. I wanted to get your thoughts on how to optimize the audio portion of my system.

I picked up the Polk Audio DS7200 HTIB (including the Polk DVD Player) and have on order the Samsung 43" DLP TV. I am using the supplied audio wire (16 Gauge?) for the fronts and center and I have 12 gauge that was pre run for the rears. All these speakers use binding posts, so I feel limited on what I can use to improve the system.

I measured the distances between the center fronts and the center rears to determine the delay and used the basic balance noise on the processor to try and get even sound from the 5 speakers.

Any suggestions on optimizing my system would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Frank Z

A calibration disk and an SPL meter should be in your A/V toolbox. these 2 inexpensive items can make a huge difference in the quality of the sound and tv picture.

gatemplin

Welcome to CP Dayne,

You are off to a good start. That DLP is real purdy. I suggust you get a AV calibration disc from Avia, DVE or sound and vision and an SPL meter from radio shack to start. Do a search of the above terms because you will learn a lot from previous posts like yours.

I say get some 14 or 12 gauge wire for the fronts and maybe throw some cheap banana plugs on them to keep things simple.

dayne

Yeah, I saw the Avia and SPL mentioned througout several of the previous posts and plan on picking those up.

So the banana plugs will work with the binding posts? That's good to know. I hate having to straighten out the individual wires when I strip a new section of wire

Thanks,

gatemplin

Bananas will work with the 5-way binding posts with the red and black nuts that screw down. They dont work with the spring clips.

reeltrouble1

I use banana plugs and have been satisfied with the connection, I have seen others who prefer spade termination connections, however, not all A/V receiver will accept the standard spade because it is to wide.

You said " Center fronts and Center rears" are you using two fronts and two rears or one front center and one front rear".

The meter and discs will get you set up well, you might want to listen to your system for a while before making any other upgrades to determine what you like or do not like.