Used System Set-up

David Finateri

I recently purchased a used system. It consists of(2)M2,(1)RMCC,(2)RMII satellites and a PSW50 sub powered by an Onkyo TX-DS575. My qusetions are: How old do you think it is? Where should I mount the speakers? (I am guessing the fronts should be at the ceiling corners directed at the center and the rears near the back of the room facing each other, as opposed to all speakers at head level). What type or size speaker wire is recommended. I have a minor problem with the sub, I turns off for apparently no reason, but will go back on if left alone or if I turn up the volume. It seems to reset as I can hear the "click" just before it starts up. I notice this more if watching the Direct TV than CD or radio, maybe because I listen to music louder than TV. All in all this thing has alot of Sonic Bombast left in it, really sounds great. Really great forum. Thanks in advance.

Dave

stubby

Hey Dave,
You probably don't want your fronts in the ceiling corners. Try to get them at ear level and about 8-10' apart. You'll have to experiment with toe-in for the best sound stage. The rears can go a bit higher than the fronts. Just remember to experiment as all rooms have different acoustics and "sound".
Stubby

joelll

Originally posted by David Finateri
I recently purchased a used system. It consists of(2)M2,(1)RMCC,(2)RMII satellites and a PSW50 sub powered by an Onkyo TX-DS575. My qusetions are: How old do you think it is? Where should I mount the speakers? (I am guessing the fronts should be at the ceiling corners directed at the center and the rears near the back of the room facing each other, as opposed to all speakers at head level).

The M2's sound like they should be the front speakers. They should be at ear level, 8' to 10' apart or so, but not if that means up against the wall (in which case you should put the set halfway between the walls and start out with the speakers halfway between the set and the wall).

The RMCC speaker should, of course, be at front and center, just above or below your TV set.

The RMII satellites should be above and to the side or slightly behind where you sit and watch. I prefer my surrounds at the side, and my tweeters end up about a foot below my TV room's eight-foot ceiling.

The subwoofer should be put wherever it sounds good... try starting out with it behind the set, or move it to one side or the other. It might sound good elsewhere... move it around and see...


What type or size speaker wire is recommended.

I'm a "regular wire" kind of guy, not into spending money for "exotic" cables that have unmeasurable and undetectable (in double-blind testing) claims of improving sound. And even exotic-wire-buyers would claim that it's not money worth spending on this class of speakers

So, my idea of exotic speaker wire perfect for these speakers is picking up a spool of 14AWG ("14 gauge") speaker wire at Home Depot for $30 or so. I've set up somewhere around twelve stereo and home theater systems with the spool I've got, and I've still got plenty left. This way, you'll have plenty left for mistakes...


I have a minor problem with the sub, I turns off for apparently no reason, but will go back on if left alone or if I turn up the volume. It seems to reset as I can hear the "click" just before it starts up.


Does it have a "threshold" control? If so, that's the threshold of signal required from your receiver to turn on the powered subwoofer's amplifier. Otherwise, on the receiver, increase the subwoofer channel volume (instead of the receiver's master volume) and see if that helps.


joel

David Finateri

Large windows on either side of TV, made it impossible to locate there. Everything sounds great though. 250' of 14 speaker wire $54.00, saved $40. Sub is still acting up, even though I've got the signal from reciever maxed. It'll be in the shop next week. Thanks again.

Dave