Basic audio help

[AZZenny]

I just had to replace my receiver after 8 years, and debating whether to get new speakers or not -- it seemed to me right off that the Center speaker and subwoofer improved, not the other 4 speakers, but those two also have better, thicker cable. (Maybe just replace the old wiring?)

My house is incredibly dusty, and I carefully wipe off the actual speaker cones at least yearly -- they look in very good shape, but I imagine there's a small sand-dune inside each speaker cabinet. I listen to some rock and roll, fairly loud, some jazz, but mainly classical, sometimes pretty loud.

I had an Onkyo TX-DS575 350 watt 5.1 channel, at 6 ohm minimum impedance speakers and replaced it with an Onkyo TX-SR505 which is 7 channel at 525 watts, 6 ohm minimum.

I have an 8 ohm Infinity 2-way center channel speaker (two four-inch low-midrange cones and a 1/2" high freq), four 8-ohm Infinity RS Bookshelf speakers (6 1/2 inch bass and 1 inch high frequency per). The subwoofer is a powered Velodyne CT-100.

Am I likely to notice a significant improvement in sound quality with either new wiring or new speakers?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

You will probably notice some difference, but not much. Onkyo is a great brand. I have been using the 504 for about a year now and it has never done me wrong yet. Velodyne makes a hell of a sub for the price.

Like I said, you should see a little bit of improvement sound wise (as it not having to turn the gain up so loud on the receiver to get an acceptable listening volume)

 

[Beaver]

Wiring is a very important aspect of high end audio/video and can make a huge difference.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Wiring is a very important aspect of high end audio/video and can make a huge difference.

His gear definitely isn't high end. It is better than average, but not high end.

 

[Linderbee]

Her gear definitely isn't high end. It is better than average, but not high end.

ftfy

 

[dreamcastrocks]

ftfy

I knew that.

 

[puckhead]

Depending on the length of the speaker cables' run, a thicker (lower gauge) cable can offer an audible improvement because of signal loss. I would suggest 12-14 gauge minimum for any run over 25 feet. This does not mean you need to break the bank either on some "high end" cable that is called Monster or anything like that. I think $30 or so could get you a 100 feet of 12 gauge wire on the Internet or a sale bin at Radio Shack or Fry's electronics.

Another often-neglected audio improvement that can be made is to level match your 5.1 (or 7.1) speakers. Most newer A/V receivers/processors have an internal set of test tones that allow you to hear "pink noise" in each individual speaker. The idea is to have all speakers sound equal at the main listening posistion. You can attempt this by ear and probably get pretty close, but a great method is using a Sound Pressure Level meter. I bought one at Radio Shack for $40 and it works wonders. I'm sure you could find a used one online for less than that. My guess is if you haven't level matched, you could really notice a big improvement in your sound.

Some other basic setup hints (very general) would be to set the "crossover frequency" of your speakers to 80-100 Hz. This allows the speakers to work on the frequencies they are suited for and your subwoofer to handle the lower freq's it is suited for. I couldn't believe the difference this small, easy adjustment made in my system.

Lastly, some DVD's have a "THX Optimizer" that helps you calibrate audio and video with easy step by step instructions. These are really good at getting you "in the ballpark" and allowing you to fine-tune from there.

Good luck!

I just had to replace my receiver after 8 years, and debating whether to get new speakers or not -- it seemed to me right off that the Center speaker and subwoofer improved, not the other 4 speakers, but those two also have better, thicker cable. (Maybe just replace the old wiring?)

My house is incredibly dusty, and I carefully wipe off the actual speaker cones at least yearly -- they look in very good shape, but I imagine there's a small sand-dune inside each speaker cabinet. I listen to some rock and roll, fairly loud, some jazz, but mainly classical, sometimes pretty loud.

I had an Onkyo TX-DS575 350 watt 5.1 channel, at 6 ohm minimum impedance speakers and replaced it with an Onkyo TX-SR505 which is 7 channel at 525 watts, 6 ohm minimum.

I have an 8 ohm Infinity 2-way center channel speaker (two four-inch low-midrange cones and a 1/2" high freq), four 8-ohm Infinity RS Bookshelf speakers (6 1/2 inch bass and 1 inch high frequency per). The subwoofer is a powered Velodyne CT-100.

Am I likely to notice a significant improvement in sound quality with either new wiring or new speakers?

 

[AZZenny]

The Onkyo comes with a special mic to do the internal sound-balance deal -- I'll get new wire for the 4 shelf speakers and then do that. I think the crossover is defaulted at 100 Hz -- I'll double check. Thanks guys.

 

[puckhead]

The Onkyo comes with a special mic to do the internal sound-balance deal -- I'll get new wire for the 4 shelf speakers and then do that. I think the crossover is defaulted at 100 Hz -- I'll double check. Thanks guys.

Those mics do a pretty good job, just try and place it as close to ear level as possible in the main listening position preferably on a tripod. Also, speaker position is important-the dolby site has the "preferred 5.1 setup". While it's probably impossible to duplicate the perfect setup in the real world, trying to approximate that setup can help the "optimizer" do its magic.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

 

[Covert Rain]

Those mics do a pretty good job, just try and place it as close to ear level as possible in the main listening position preferably on a tripod. Also, speaker position is important-the dolby site has the "preferred 5.1 setup". While it's probably impossible to duplicate the perfect setup in the real world, trying to approximate that setup can help the "optimizer" do its magic.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

I was going to suggest the same thing. Balance should help and better wiring could help. However, if you have a decent receiver and good wiring and you still are not satisfied, then getting some better quality speakers is your answer.

 

[Ryanwb]

His gear definitely isn't high end. It is better than average, but not high end.

Let's not talk about other's people's gear

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Let's not talk about other's people's gear

thats what I get.

I didn't even bring up cabling either.

 

[puckhead]

Let's not talk about other's people's gear

 

[Beaver]

His gear definitely isn't high end. It is better than average, but not high end.

LOL. I consider something you can't buy at Target or Walmart high end.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

LOL. I consider something you can't buy at Target or Walmart high end.

I hear that.

I know people that have spent $10k + on their home threatre, so my $1500 or so on stuff is nothing.