Feeling lied to and mislead what do I actually need for my set up.

M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
Hi my current set up is 7.1 surround complete cerwin vega VE series speakers the biggest ones are the floor standing 3 way 12 inch the rest are 8 inch or less 2 ways except for the center channel. My receiver is just bought is a denon s910w which does seem nice and a upgrade over my pioneer vsx 817 which isn't broken just was frustrating me power/settings wise. I thought I was getting an almost 2 times the power over then pioneer but as one of your videos points out they have been changing how they rate them. My main frustration is my floor standing 3 way 12ich speakers are rated at 300 peak they say 8ohmm or less on back but each speaker inside is 4/6/4 ohms the whole 3 way being 93 sensitivity. What do I need to do to get the most out of my 2 fronts without spending thousands of dollars. Thanks
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
Do you have a particular complaint right now? What is lacking that you want to improve?

You did not mention, what subwoofer do you have?

This isn't what you want to hear, but the speakers are going to be the biggest determinate on the quality of your system. A lot of people like CV for many reasons, but accurate sound reproduction isn't on that list.
 
Cosmic Char

Cosmic Char

Audioholic
Sounds like you don't have enough volume/power, from your complaint. At least, that is what I infer. Did you expect more volume from your new AVR? Wattage ratings can be VERY misleading. I would suggest an amp, or perhaps trading your AVR in for a more powerful model.
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
My main complaint is the 2 floor standing being under utilized it's a 12 that is rated down to 28hz stupid crossover stops at 40 and yes I feel lied 2 because bestbuy sticker has it advertised (also on denon faceplate sticker) as 185 watts and now that I see they are miss leading me I can't tell what I need. Expecially because I can't tell what I need to fully power the speakers. The sub is a 150wrms dual 8 inch VE series from cerwin. It's awesome and adequate for movies but I want for for my music. Turning it up just distorts the sound as if belive it's reached maxoxo excursion
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
Do you have a particular complaint right now? What is lacking that you want to improve?

You did not mention, what subwoofer do you have?

This isn't what you want to hear, but the speakers are going to be the biggest determinate on the quality of your system. A lot of people like CV for many reasons, but accurate sound reproduction isn't on that list.
What is the main complaints with them? Are they to colorful sounding? I've had then for over 6 years but they were under powered they have never sounded bad personally. Are CW supposed to be trash or its it just a case of them not being reference enough?
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Hi my current set up is 7.1 surround complete cerwin vega VE series speakers the biggest ones are the floor standing 3 way 12 inch the rest are 8 inch or less 2 ways except for the center channel. My receiver is just bought is a denon s910w which does seem nice and a upgrade over my pioneer vsx 817 which isn't broken just was frustrating me power/settings wise. I thought I was getting an almost 2 times the power over then pioneer but as one of your videos points out they have been changing how they rate them. My main frustration is my floor standing 3 way 12ich speakers are rated at 300 peak they say 8ohmm or less on back but each speaker inside is 4/6/4 ohms the whole 3 way being 93 sensitivity. What do I need to do to get the most out of my 2 fronts without spending thousands of dollars. Thanks
The relationship between power output and sound level isn't as easy to understand as "double the power and it will be twice as loud", so a slightly more powerful amplifier won't be much louder than a lower powered receiver. It may be able to handle more difficult speaker loads, though.

Worry less about the numbers and more about the sound quality- if you like it, great. If not, find out why. You don't need to worry about speaker power handling unless you'll be running the system hard for long time periods and your amplifier can actually produce high power. The only time you really need to consider the amplifier's output power is when the volume control needs to be set to the mid-point between all the way down and all the way up with normal signal level from the sources (tuner, CD/DVD/BD player, cable box, etc).

The speakers will do what they can as long as you don't exceed their physical capabilities and the receiver will do the same- using speakers with extremely low impedance will cause the amplifier to overheat and that's what damages electronics- heat. If you need to boost the tone controls, something may be wrong with the equipment or the setup (wires to the speakers may be reversed).
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
The relationship between power output and sound level isn't as easy to understand as "double the power and it will be twice as loud", so a slightly more powerful amplifier won't be much louder than a lower powered receiver. It may be able to handle more difficult speaker loads, though.

Worry less about the numbers and more about the sound quality- if you like it, great. If not, find out why. You don't need to worry about speaker power handling unless you'll be running the system hard for long time periods and your amplifier can actually produce high power. The only time you really need to consider the amplifier's output power is when the volume control needs to be set to the mid-point between all the way down and all the way up with normal signal level from the sources (tuner, CD/DVD/BD player, cable box, etc).

The speakers will do what they can as long as you don't exceed their physical capabilities and the receiver will do the same- using speakers with extremely low impedance will cause the amplifier to overheat and that's what damages electronics- heat. If you need to boost the tone controls, something may be wrong with the equipment or the setup (wires to the speakers may be reversed).
I just feel like I can't get the sound out of the speakers in get clear highs and mids (as far I can tell) but know I'm not getting the low range because I can to turn off all other channels to get any lows out of the 12s
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
Is there a way to boost just the fronts? I like the features of the denon but it does not have preouts. Also I'm afraid even in stereo the system is in clipping territory and I don't want to damage my system.
 
Cosmic Char

Cosmic Char

Audioholic
It sounds like you did not demo the system you bought, and you are now unhappy with it. Am I correct? My advice would be to return the merch, and go to a studio to audition equipment. That would be a more judicious use of your money, and it would save you this incredible angst you are experiencing now.
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
I can still return the denon s910w I can't return cerwin they are 6 years old. Best buy does not have receiver's demo able at locations near me.
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
cerwin vega 900 watt powered amplifier from amazon would it be possible to make something like that work?
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
Ignorance about amplifiers is your enemy. Education is your solution. I want you to not make anymore audio purchases until you've understood how the product your buying works and what those specs really mean.

I suggest you read the articles at the following link to get your knowledge up so you can make informed purchases rather than ones based on advice from complete strangers on an internet forum. In the future avoid buying anything you don't understand.
http://sound.westhost.com/articles.htm
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
Have you tried any of the room correction on the AVR?

Are your front speakers set as large in the setup menus? What is your crossover point?

Have you tried positioning speakers differently? Any toe-in?
 
Last edited:
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
I came here for help and calling out the I'd think rather obvious ignorance of some aspects is unhelpful, kinda rude and pointless the only reason I'm here is try and find out what I need to know/buy. the only purchase I've made is a Avr replacement. I'm still within the return window for the avr. It's obvious the main speakers are being under powered just based on sound. The mains are set as large and have the crossovers set to lowest denon allows for main that is 40 doesn't that mean when when I stereo and not surround it's still limiting the band. I want the fronts to preform while surround is on as it stands they sound Lil different then the 2 way 8 inch floorstanding surrounds
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
I came here for help and calling out the I'd think rather obvious ignorance of some aspects is unhelpful, kinda rude and pointless the only reason I'm here is try and find out what I need to know/buy. the only purchase I've made is a Avr replacement. I'm still within the return window for the avr. It's obvious the main speakers are being under powered just based on sound. The mains are set as large and have the crossovers set to lowest denon allows for main that is 40 doesn't that mean when when I stereo and not surround it's still limiting the band. I want the fronts to preform while surround is on as it stands they sound Lil different then the 2 way 8 inch floorstanding surrounds
It's obvious the main speakers are being under powered just based on sound

You claim that it is obvious, but the people on this forum are trying to tell you that this may not be the problem at all. Most of us have been there, done that, learned our lesson.

You might be right, but you haven't provided information that convinces the majority of our members that you are right.

If you are 100% convinced that you need more power, then buy a Crown XLS
http://www.parts-express.com/crown-xls-2502-drivecore-2-power-amplifier-2-x-775w-at-4-ohms--245-510

If that doesn't solve the problem, then come back for more advice.
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
Have you tried running the speakers full range? No crossover, no room correction? Just as a test to see if that gets you the sound that you desire?
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
I provided the hardware info the exact speaker specs and the model of the avr if you are missing info why not ask a specific question. I like the link you posed but is it the best choice seeing as it seems like it has a bit more power then I need for a 300peakwatt 3 way speaker
 
M

Manvillerc

Enthusiast
Have you tried running the speakers full range? No crossover, no room correction? Just as a test to see if that gets you the sound that you desire?
I don't know how to accomplish this on a receiver that appears to not give that option
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
I provided the hardware info the exact speaker specs and the model of the avr if you are missing info why not ask a specific question. I like the link you posed but is it the best choice seeing as it seems like it has a bit more power then I need for a 300peakwatt 3 way speaker
The whole point here is that you haven't convinced anyone but yourself that you need more power.

If you think you need more power, then buy a beast of an amp. If you still have the same problem, then you know 100% for certain that power is NOT the problem. (I doubt you can add an external amp to a low end AVR though)

You need DOUBLE the power to get 3dB sound pressure level increase!

If those CV are REALLY 93dB, then lack of power is almost certainly NOT the problem.

If a speaker gives a "power handling spec", I completely ignore that pretty much useless spec! As do pretty much all the other experienced forum users.

Try to run the speakers full range, no crossover, no room correction, stereo mode only. Does that get the sound you want? If it does then you know that it is a setup or configuration or RC problem. If it does not, then you can proceed down the list of troubleshooting options.

At the very least, you owe it to yourself to try the FREE options BEFORE you drop more $.

I hate to tell you this, but my gut says "buy better speakers". But, you may be able to get them to a sound that you like. Mind you, I'm not bashing CV, I like them for what they are---a "party speaker" may be a good description--and that is one reason that we are not convinced that power is the problem.
 

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