Little help for the next step in my system.

RedBull

Currently, I have a Harman Kardon HK 3490. It's feeding 120 watts/channel to my MTX AAL 1240 speakers. These have 12" woofer 2 midranges and a tweeter. It says on the speaker 200 watts. I also have the DSW PRO 600 sub hooked up to it.

Now, my question is to you what would be the next step? Should I buy something to give it more power, or should I think about investing in some good speakers. Granted, this purchase wouldn't be for a few months because it takes time as a college student to save up the money Also, if it so happens to be buying an amp to give it more power, then I'd want to research all about it, because I still don't really understand it.

Thanks for the help.

concealer404

Definitely speakers.

Although.... you'll want an amp eventually anyways. Sooo... both?

NJPOLKER

Find a pair of Polk Monitor 10's or 7's local and you'll be happy. Maybe you can find a pair for $100. or so just search around.

concealer404

Redbull, where are you located?

RedBull

concealer404 wrote: »

Redbull, where are you located?

Ann Arbor Mich.


So, it looks like I'll be checking Craigslist pretty daily for some speakers. Any other recommendations on speakers? Right now I'm playing the occasional movie, an hour or two video games a day (it's in the main room of a 9 person house) and it also currently the life of the parties that happen here monthly.

marvda1

what source are you using?

RedBull

Well, for movies and video games its an xbox 360. I have the optical cord for it, and the optical cord on the back of the 360. I haven't been able to figure out how to get that to work just yet. For music, it's coming from an iPod and/or Zune.

concealer404

Should be able to plug that optical cable into your AVR....

RedBull

It is, and I've actually managed to figure out how to switch it on my AVR to optical audio in by holding a button and hitting another button. Anyways, even after switching it to Optical, I can't seem to get any sound.

thsmith

Do you have a manual? Assuming you have optical setup on the XBOX.

If you are going to use iPOD as you main music source stay with what you got, otherwise get a decent transport or take your pre MP3 music and store it on your computer uncompressed and play it over the XBOX360 media center using your optical ports.

RedBull

thsmith wrote: »

Do you have a manual? Assuming you have optical setup on the XBOX.

If you are going to use iPOD as you main music source stay with what you got, otherwise get a decent transport or take your pre MP3 music and store it on your computer uncompressed and play it over the XBOX360 media center using your optical ports.

The main use of the setup is for videogames and movies. It's just a plus to have a loud system with deep bass for parties. I keep meaning to look at the manual, but I seem to find little free time with school back in session.

concealer404

If you're just looking for a loud system, then i'd just stick with the MTXs.

RedBull

Well, I'm looking to build a system that will outlast the time I spend in college. Loud is great for parties, but once out of college, I don't want to have to go out and potentially rebuy something because I skimped. Audio is something I find fascinating, so I'm looking to improve what I have, but can only take small steps at a time.

obieone

My recommendation: Keep the speakers you've got until you graduate. You mentioned you have parties there once a month, I wouldn't want some drunk a-hole spilling abeer on anything of value.
JMO

RedBull

You know obieone, that is a pretty darn good idea. The speakers were free, so they do make good party speakers for sure. I never thought about the whole spilling thing before. But now that you say it, I do remember seeing countless beers on top of the speakers. Luckily for my other components, they're hidden away away behind the speakers like the sub is, or in another room like the harman/kardon is.

Ok, so I'm totally sold on getting something to give my speakers/future speakers a little more power. This is where it gets a little hairy for me. I feel like I know so little about all this power stuff haha. Help?

concealer404

Look for a cheap Adcom/Onkyo/Yamaha amp.

Or just search craigslist for "amplifier" and see what comes up, and post results here and see what we can tell you.

ozzy21236

concealer404 wrote: »

Look for a cheap Adcom/Onkyo/Yamaha amp.

Or just search craigslist for "amplifier" and see what comes up, and post results here and see what we can tell you.

Don't rule out Carver and Denon amps.

SmosRTiA9s

def the speakers. Get best ones you can aford!

reeltrouble1

I would get some Polk Monitor 10 and let the good times roll, your parties will only add to the vintage already on them from other parties.

RT1

woodsman10b

Here are some quality speakers at a great price, and near you.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/ele/1405670169.html

concealer404

woodsman10b wrote: »

Here are some quality speakers at a great price, and near you.

http://lansing.craigslist.org/ele/1405670169.html

Uh. I want those.

woodsman10b

I did email them to see if they are available, and if thats what they really want for them.

Conradicles

Monitor 10's would be perfect. There are also a set of Monitor 7's for sale here on the forum that would be sweet too.

concealer404

woodsman10b wrote: »

I did email them to see if they are available, and if thats what they really want for them.

Let me know what the model number is, just mainly out of curiousity if you don't mind.

concealer404

Conradicles wrote: »

Monitor 10's would be perfect. There are also a set of Monitor 7's for sale here on the forum that would be sweet too.

Here's some 10s... Might be a little too nice for party speakers, though.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/ele/1407645192.html

If OP wanted to pick up those Mirages and arrange a way that we could swap, i'd trade my 7Cs for those Mirages i think.