sub suggestion

[cyberpac9]

i have a HTIB (i know, no comments needed on that decision - i'm not an audiophile, or home theater expert by any means), here (http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=SCS160SI&cat=SCS&ser=SCS) is the set...

now, i hear it is better to have the speakers match, etc...but i'm not looking to upgrade all the speakers just yet...my sub has gone kaput...so i'm looking to replace this sub...i saw someone mentioned the Energy ESW-8 (here (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8))...would this work with the other speakers i have? don't know if receiver info is necessary for your suggestions, but if it is i have the yamaha htr-5740 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200026&CTID=5000400).

thanks for any tips you can provide...

[Mr Peabody]

You don't have a HTIB, you just have a HT speaker package. A HTIB is one of those systems where the receiver and speakers are sold together and the receiver usually has a built in DVD player. HTIB was given to these systems because it all literally comes in one box. You actually have a separate HT receiver and just chose to get a matched set of HT speakers which nothing is wrong with that and probably smart as your speakers should match for best HT sound any way. See you are smarter than you thought :)

Sorry, no experience with Energy. I'm not sure either what would be good in the entry level field of subs.

[pixelthis]

i have a HTIB (i know, no comments needed on that decision - i'm not an audiophile, or home theater expert by any means), here (http://www.jbl.com/home/products/product_detail.aspx?prod=SCS160SI&cat=SCS&ser=SCS) is the set...

now, i hear it is better to have the speakers match, etc...but i'm not looking to upgrade all the speakers just yet...my sub has gone kaput...so i'm looking to replace this sub...i saw someone mentioned the Energy ESW-8 (here (http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENESW8))...would this work with the other speakers i have? don't know if receiver info is necessary for your suggestions, but if it is i have the yamaha htr-5740 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200026&CTID=5000400).

thanks for any tips you can provide...


Its important to match speakers because of something called timbre.
Matching subs are not as important.
Mr p is right, you dont have a HTIB, and jbl used to be a decent speaker manufacturer,
dont know how good these are.
I just bought a Velodyne (used) and love it.
Klipsch has a decent economy sub.
But the biggest secret in HT is Yamahas line of subs, I have had two.
Thye are actually quite nice and inexpensive.
Might want to give one a listen.
Another option is something called a plate amp
This is whats screwed into the back of your sub, and probabaly whats wrong with it.
You can get a new one here
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=505&CFID=2716123&CFTOKEN=38874410

And they are not that hard to install, that would be your cheapest option:1:

[RoadRunner6]

Yes, the Energy ESW-8 is a great sub choice for those speakers. It is a fine sub for small satellite speakers.

If you get it, hook it up like this. Run one only RCA cable from the receiver sub pre-out jack to the Energy left input (LFE/left input) jack. Set the Energy crossover knob all the way clockwise to the 150Hz setting. Set the volume dial to about 10-12 o'clock and then control the volume on the sub from the sub volume control on the receiver.

On the receiver in the setup menu on page 50, set all 5 speakers to small. Set the bass out setting to "SWFR". Start by setting the crossover to 120Hz and see if that sounds like a smooth transition from the main 5 speakers to the sub. You can later try 110Hz or 100Hz or even 160 Hz to see which sounds the smoothest transition from the main speakers to the sub. You must have the energy sub postioned up front near the left, center and right speakers. Somewhere between the left and right or near the center is best. A couple inches away from the wall should be fine.

If you have trouble finding the right volume setting for the sub try this. Put on music with lots of bass. Turn the sub volume down then back up until you are now just slightly aware of bass coming from the sub. Then turn the sub volume back down ever so slightly and try that setting. For movies you might want a little higher volume setting.

Let us know if you need further help. Good luck.

RR6

[cyberpac9]

@Mr Peabody - thanks! I is smarter than I thought. :-)

@pixelthis - I might have to give the yamaha a listen...I'm not looking to spend a lot as I will prolly be doing a bigger upgrade in a year or so (that's when we'd like to move and I'll look for a different setup then)...as for the plate, I have a local repair guy looking at the sub...he fixed a blown capacitor (or was it a tube, don't recall) pretty cheap...came with a warranty on repair...twice now it has "broken down" under the warrabtied repair...he has it right now and said it might be best/cheaper to get a new sub rather than sink money in this one...

@RR6 - thanks for the setup tips...if/when I get this, I'll keep this in mind...sub is near where you suggest...I also used an spl meter when setting up my current system to get the proper sound...I'll use what you've posted as a guide and maybe use the meter to assist tuning...

[Mr Peabody]

Look at this cyberpac guy sand bagging us, now he has the SPL meter, and pretends to be a noob :)

[cyberpac9]

:blush2: i learn a little each time i try new things, or buy new pieces...i might not know much, or have the best equipment, but i have the best sounding entry-level pieces... :lol: