My work in progress.. Please help/Advice

[Stonewall7]

Hello everyone. This is my first post on here and I would love some feedback on some upgrades that you guys would think could be done. I'm only 18 and still living at home considering its my senor year in High school but as you can see I love my home theater. I have a good job and don't really mind putting more money into it. So just let me know. Thanks

[O'Shag]

Great Job Stonewall. Given that you have the center channel speaker positioned on a lower shelf, you would see a benefit in bring it outwards (you can use a wider board or glass shelf on the original shelf) so that the drivers are free from any possible unwanted reflections. You could also use some supports under the front of the center channel to tilt it upwards at the listening position. Absolutely excellent first attempt mate. Love the Fender too!

[Stonewall7]

Thats Shag, i'll defiantly try that. Guess it does make a whole lot of sense. Just another thing i overlooked.

[f0rge]

wow that's pretty sweet for a first setup, sure beat mine when i was 18 lol...

[Stonewall7]

wow that's pretty sweet for a first setup, sure beat mine when i was 18 lol...

Haha ya well I tend to spend about 80 percent of what my part time jobs worth of money on it. But honestly there's nothing better than coming home to a kick butt system and just kickin back.

[s dog]

Hello everyone. This is my first post on here and I would love some feedback on some upgrades that you guys would think could be done. I'm only 18 and still living at home considering its my senor year in High school but as you can see I love my home theater. I have a good job and don't really mind putting more money into it. So just let me know. Thanks

Looks good, do you have a sub ? I didnot see one in your pics, that would help alot with movies.

[Stonewall7]

Yes I Currently have a Polk psw12 its not bad but I notice some bleeding with the higher lows in my speakers, anything I can do to help, like adjust my crossover? I don't even know what I should set it at with my speakers I have, also if I could get some ideas for a power amp for my evergy 5 plus 2 towers

[Stonewall7]

Oh by the way, I am getting the energy e xl 12 I beleve is the model number to replace my Polk audio.

[bobsticks]

That is a hella good first system for someone of any age. Nice work.

I agree with Shaggy and it seems as if you already have plans for the sub...hhhmmm... okay, here's one that'll cost you and one on the house....

Ultimately, you're gonna want to connect that PS3 via HDMI which means a new gen receiver. We've got threads all over the place to which you can refer for recommendations. As your system gets better you'll want to take advantage of the most modern codecs and formats. I'd wait a few months, electronics companies often introduce new models mid-year, maybe you can get a good deal on a Yammie or Onkyo or Denon.

My experience is that the farther from the wall you get rear ported speakers the cleaner the sound. I'd move those bad boys out another six inches or so. BTW, inkeeping with Shaggy's advice, if you could find a tilting center stand and move everything forward just a bit you would improve the width of the soundstage.

Great job and welcome to the forum.

[Stonewall7]

That is a hella good first system for someone of any age. Nic
Ultimately, you're gonna want to connect that PS3 via HDMI which means a new gen receiver. We've got threads all over the place to which you can refer for recommendations. As your system gets better you'll want to take advantage of the most modern codecs and formats. I'd wait a few months, electronics companies often introduce new models mid-year, maybe you can get a good deal on a Yammie or Onkyo or Denon.

My experience is that the farther from the wall you get rear ported speakers the cleaner the sound. I'd move those bad boys out another six inches or so. BTW, inkeeping with Shaggy's advice, if you could find a tilting center stand and move everything forward just a bit you would improve the width of the soundstage.

Great job and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the advice, I guess the person I bought the speakers from is a firm believer that the video source should go straight to the TV. What formats would we be talking about as far as getting better?

I love my Denon and if I could I was hoping to stick with them. Any ideas?

How do you guys feel about bi-amping. Especially because i'm only running 5 speakers. Do you think I could gain anything out of the fronts by doing so? Also if I do end up doing this should I keep the 4tc for the highs or the lows? And what should I get for the second set of speaker wire. Thanks again.

[SlumpBuster]

I love my Denon and if I could I was hoping to stick with them. Any ideas?

Yeah, I have an idea, but not what your thinking. Start looking at dedicated power amps. Most modern AVRs are nothing more than a computer strapped to an amplifier. Just like computers, modern AVRs seem to need replacing every couple of years. But there are some lower priced AVRs that have processors every bit as good as their more expensive big brothers. Good amplification will carry you from receiver to receiver. A good two channel will free up the receiver's amp to power center and surrounds. It will also allow you to take advantage of cheaper AVRs that have the processing you want, but not any of the bells and whistles you don't need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Denon-POA-2800-S...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/DENON-POA-5200-2...QQcmdZViewItem

[Stonewall7]

Yes ill defiantly look into an amp. I kind of have for a while. I guess I heard rotel makes some good equipment.

[basite]

yay, another teenager in this hobby!! I'm not alone

nice starter system!

a good poweramp would make a big difference indeed, you could use your denon as a pre (if it has pre outs), and later get a dedicated surround processor/preamp to replace the denon.

biamping with a receiver is possible, but you'll get more out a better amp. Keep the cables, the 4TC is exellent cable, beating cables costing much more.

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Stonewall7]

yay, another teenager in this hobby!! I'm not alone

nice starter system!

a good poweramp would make a big difference indeed, you could use your denon as a pre (if it has pre outs), and later get a dedicated surround processor/preamp to replace the denon.

biamping with a receiver is possible, but you'll get more out a better amp. Keep the cables, the 4TC is exellent cable, beating cables costing much more.

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Hey man thanks for the idea. I REALLY need in invest in a power amp. My denon does indeed have the Pre outs needed. That McIntosh you have looks nothing short of beautiful. They may be just a bit out of my price range. Allthough I did go with the 4tc which I believe was totally worth it. How much does that amp of yours run?

[basite]

Hey man thanks for the idea. I REALLY need in invest in a power amp. My denon does indeed have the Pre outs needed. That McIntosh you have looks nothing short of beautiful. They may be just a bit out of my price range. Allthough I did go with the 4tc which I believe was totally worth it. How much does that amp of yours run?

it's a stereo integrated, pushing a 100 Mcwatts/channel...
I made a thread about it here
(still with the previous speakers...)

it's no longer in production though, in 2005 the new models appeared. back then it went for €4.5k here in Europe...
luckily I got it second hand


Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Stonewall7]

it's a stereo integrated, pushing a 100 Mcwatts/channel...
I made a thread about it here
(still with the previous speakers...)

it's no longer in production though, in 2005 the new models appeared. back then it went for €4.5k here in Europe...
luckily I got it second hand


Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Ya i'm just going to have to look. I was also looking at a new rotel that might be in my price range. Here is the specs on my fronts there the 5+2 but not the APS just the regular. Basite if you want to loong along with anyone else and let me know what you guys think I should shoot for as far as a power amp.

http://www.energy-speakers.com/sourc...y_Brochure.pdf

[Stonewall7]

Great Job Stonewall. Given that you have the center channel speaker positioned on a lower shelf, you would see a benefit in bring it outwards (you can use a wider board or glass shelf on the original shelf) so that the drivers are free from any possible unwanted reflections. You could also use some supports under the front of the center channel to tilt it upwards at the listening position. Absolutely excellent first attempt mate. Love the Fender too!

Shaq finally got around to moving the center channel out and tilting it up today. Tilting it up I noticed more of a direct sound but it was the pulling it out that made the huge difference. Before where it sounded a bit mudded it sound but now it sounds so much more crisp. Thanks for the great advice, who knew things things would make such a big difference.

Still looking for a power amp. I'm checking out the the Rotel RB-1080. If anyone knows anything please let me know

[f0rge]

why not go with a 5 channel amp? that way you can use your receiver for processing only and when you're ready to upgrade you can look at dedicated pre-amps, or a mid-level receiver with all the inputs you're looking for that would otherwise be lacking in power.

the rotel rmb-1075 puts out 125wpc into 5 channels, which is more than enough power for most speakers and can be had gently used on audiogon in the $700-800 range. it's a really sweet amp, i was looking into one before scrapping that whole idea in favor of a simpler receiver setup.

that amp would be a wicked center piece for a sweet setup.

[Stonewall7]

Thanks forge, I guess that really isn't a bad idea I just figured if I took the stress off the amp of the 2 fronts that the rest would sound better because I think my my reciver puts out like 85 or 90 watts, and I tend to listen to stereo music 50 percent of the time I use my set up, let me know if you still feel the same with the 5 channel

[basite]

for the money, I guess you should also be looking at Parasound, there are also several on Audiogon...

I think you'd be better of with a 5 channel poweramp, so the volume is matched. With a stereo amp, your mains will get more power, while the center and rears will be stuck with the receiver, so there will be a volume/sensetivity difference. So your center will play quieter than your mains, so will your surrounds. a 5 channel poweramp, will be able to put out more and more stable power, there won't be much difference between using 2 channels or 5 channels. The preamp will make more difference here...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[f0rge]

^^ for those reasons i still say go with the 5 channel, i had a 2 channel already and was going to move to a 5 channel.

you'll also know that all your speakers are getting the same quality of amplification

2 channel amps you're looking at probably around 200wpc, you wont notice much if any extra headroom/volume/soundstage moving from a quality 125wpc amp to a quality 200wpc amp, at least in my opinion, or unless you have a HUGE room.

[Stonewall7]

^^ for those reasons i still say go with the 5 channel, i had a 2 channel already and was going to move to a 5 channel.

you'll also know that all your speakers are getting the same quality of amplification

2 channel amps you're looking at probably around 200wpc, you wont notice much if any extra headroom/volume/soundstage moving from a quality 125wpc amp to a quality 200wpc amp, at least in my opinion, or unless you have a HUGE room.

The room I am in now is far from huge. But that will change shorty. A 200x5 would I think be right around what I need. It is possible to turn down the amplification on each channel of the amp isnt it?

[f0rge]

The room I am in now is far from huge. But that will change shorty. A 200x5 would I think be right around what I need. It is possible to turn down the amplification on each channel of the amp isnt it?

it's all done via your pre-amp/receiver exactly as you do it now, there are no controls on the amp itself.

personally i think you'd be fine with 125wpc, but if you can afford 200 then you might as well go for it.