New here, is this receiver good for occasional home use?

Jezbel

Jezbel

Audiophyte
Hello,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a nice holiday.

I recently purchased a home, at which, the previous owners left behind 4 speakers in the wall, and a bunch of wires protruding from one wall.





I know the speakers work, because the previous owners had music chiming when I visited for the showing :laugh:

I am under the impression that a receiver is needed to connect the speakers, to the wires, in order to output sound through the television or whatever input I connect to the receiver.

I came across this receiver on sale for about $325 including taxes, Onkyo TX-NR646 - 1190W 7.2-Ch. Network-Ready 4K Ultra HD and 3D Pass-Through A/V Home Theater Receiver

I understand this is a discontinued model, but is it good enough for home use?

Do I need any other components?

I presume I can plug in the wires that are shown above into the back of the receiver? directly or through some modification?

I do not have a big budget right now, so if this can suffice for the next 5 years, and is generally a good product, I will go for it.

It will just be used for leisure listening.

Any thoughts please?

Tks,

XX
Jez
 
vsound5150

vsound5150

Audioholic
I had an Onkyo TX-NR646 and it's more than fine and has lots of features for future growth pretty much all the latest. $350 is about the range for good condition one.

The speaker bare wires will easily connect to the speaker posts on the Onkyo or you could get banana plugs for the end of the wires but you said you're on a budget so they're not necessary.

Btw, the previous owner took the speakers and left the grills and wires behind....just messing with you.
 
Jezbel

Jezbel

Audiophyte
Thank you,

Well that got sold out...

Yes, there are 4 speakers in the wall, and we would like to add some additional speakers over time...

We want to use it just to listen to some music e.g. YouTube, Pandora, and even connect it to our television.

Are there any other good brands/models in the $300 range or so that is a good product?

Tks
 
slipperybidness

slipperybidness

Audioholic Warlord
Thank you,

Well that got sold out...

Yes, there are 4 speakers in the wall, and we would like to add some additional speakers over time...

We want to use it just to listen to some music e.g. YouTube, Pandora, and even connect it to our television.

Are there any other good brands/models in the $300 range or so that is a good product?

Tks
Just realize that an AVR is set up for either 2 channel stereo, or 5 channel surround sound. 1 output per speaker.

So, if you are going to try to play 4 channels at the same time, you need to figure out how that will work for you.

The easy way may be to hook up speakers to L/R and SL/SR, then use some type of "all channel stereo" setting on the AVR.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi

Where are the four speakers now? All in the same room? That one pic seems to be a ceiling rather than wall (at least the lighting fixture appears to be). Do you want more speakers in this room or other rooms? What kind of control over volume and content for each room do you want?

Depending where/how many speakers a receiver may not be the best solution.
 
Jezbel

Jezbel

Audiophyte
All 4 speakers are currently in the ceiling, they are almost on the 4 corners.

We may want a couple more speakers in this room, not sure. For now we dont have speakers in other rooms, but if the receiver can manage multiple rooms, it is great, but not needed for now.

I hope this helps...
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Ceiling speakers aren't my cup of tea acoustically but I'd think an avr running mono or multi-ch stereo mode would be acceptable. The receiver you linked might be good for two rooms...

AVRs with zones can manage other rooms, sometimes you have restrictions of digital content, sometimes the receiver needs an external amp. Here's the blurb for the zone 2 of the Yamaha 679 you linked:
Zone 2 audio allows the receiver to send 2-channel stereo to a second zone. The main zone will play a 5-channel output while others can enjoy a different source in stereo in a second room. Watch the big game in the living room and listen to network streaming sources in the back yard. Make sure to use the AV Controller App for two-way control.
 
Jezbel

Jezbel

Audiophyte
The Onkyo receiver is sold out at the deal price. Do you have any other models that come to mind?

Thanks
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Willing to check out refurb units? Try accessories4less.com
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
All 4 speakers are currently in the ceiling, they are almost on the 4 corners.

We may want a couple more speakers in this room, not sure. For now we dont have speakers in other rooms, but if the receiver can manage multiple rooms, it is great, but not needed for now.

I hope this helps...
Welcome.

You indicated occasional music listening. Why do you think you need more speakers in that room?
For casual listening those four will be fine.
Not at all good for 5. 1 movie sound even with a 5th speaker up there.

May need to think about what you are really after.
 
Jezbel

Jezbel

Audiophyte
How do I power those speakers on the ceiling?

I thought I needed an amp?

Sorry I am new

Tks,
xx

Jez
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
How do I power those speakers on the ceiling?

I thought I needed an amp?

Sorry I am new

Tks,
xx

Jez
An avr's amp is best suited generally to surround sound in a primary room; they sometimes can handle, with their own built-in amps, a zone or two but sometimes you need to add an amp (i.e. a power amp) to an avr for extended zone use or to have a more extensive surround setup in the main room. A bit of terminology....an receiver is more than "an amp"; it combines a tuner/internet source, pre-amp/switching and power amp all in one box. A multi-channel amp like this sometimes is more suited to extended whole home setups (and maybe not an avr as a pre-amp/switcher).

I wouldn't add to the in-ceiling speakers; personally I'd remove them. In-walls are better acoustically if you don't like speaker boxes and can accommodate them. Four speakers in a ceiling are suited to background music only IMO and not even suitable to normal stereo sound.
 
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