Starting Them Young?

[Midwesthonky]

Wanted your opinions. Yeah, I admit I like quality sounding music. So good speakers, nice receiver, and a good player (CD, phono). The genetic offspring are using just inexpensive boomboxes we had around. Neither one is particularly good but when they are young, who cares? One kid broke the antennae at age 5 or something. So what.

But...now they are getting older. So when is it too early to start them down this pit of despair called hi-fi audio? A local school was auctioning off their old classroom AV receivers. So I got two for $40 each. Like one is a Pioneer VSX-516. For $40 and in good shape? Threw on a pair of Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $50 and an old Creative Audio Zen MP3 player and the kid has a way better sounding system than I had at that age. And way better than that old JVX boombox...

Talking pre-teen here by not an adolescent. Too early? Never too early?

 

[slipperybidness]

Wanted your opinions. Yeah, I admit I like quality sounding music. So good speakers, nice receiver, and a good player (CD, phono). The genetic offspring are using just inexpensive boomboxes we had around. Neither one is particularly good but when they are young, who cares? One kid broke the antennae at age 5 or something. So what.

But...now they are getting older. So when is it too early to start them down this pit of despair called hi-fi audio? A local school was auctioning off their old classroom AV receivers. So I got two for $40 each. Like one is a Pioneer VSX-516. For $40 and in good shape? Threw on a pair of Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $50 and an old Creative Audio Zen MP3 player and the kid has a way better sounding system than I had at that age. And way better than that old JVX boombox...

Talking pre-teen here by not an adolescent. Too early? Never too early?

Never too early!

Throw it out there and see if it sticks. You may spark a lifelong passion or a career in the field.

Or, they just may not "get it". But it doesn't hurt to expose them to quality audio.

 

[shadyJ]

That is not too young. I remember craving a decent sound system before I was even 10. If he likes music, he likes music.

If you are interested in the Polk T15s, read my review regarding their positioning requirements for best sound. Without a subwoofer, I would aim for something a bit deeper digging though. I would look at the Dayton MK442s. They are more expensive, but they dig deeper and have a flatter response overall. There is also the MK402s, but they don't handle as much power and have some seriously hot treble, so make sure the AVR has easily usable tone controls if you think about getting those.

 

[Midwesthonky]

That is not too young. I remember craving a decent sound system before I was even 10. If he likes music, he likes music.

If you are interested in the Polk T15s, read my review regarding their positioning requirements for best sound. Without a subwoofer, I would aim for something a bit deeper digging though. I would look at the Dayton MK442s. They are more expensive, but they dig deeper and have a flatter response overall. There is also the MK402s, but they don't handle as much power and have some seriously hot treble, so make sure the AVR has easily usable tone controls if you think about getting those.

Thanks. I did pick up a pair of Polk subs from another auction for $25 each. Nothing fancy, but for a decent sounding starter system, I figured heck yeah! I don't have the sub hooked up yet as the kid needs to clean the crap out of where the sub will go. So just a simple 2 speaker system for now. But it does sound nice in the small room. I'll read your review to help me set up up well. But I couldn't pass up the T15's for the price. Anything more expensive would have gotten me in trouble with the boss.

 

[killdozzer]

Wanted your opinions. Yeah, I admit I like quality sounding music. So good speakers, nice receiver, and a good player (CD, phono). The genetic offspring are using just inexpensive boomboxes we had around. Neither one is particularly good but when they are young, who cares? One kid broke the antennae at age 5 or something. So what.

But...now they are getting older. So when is it too early to start them down this pit of despair called hi-fi audio? A local school was auctioning off their old classroom AV receivers. So I got two for $40 each. Like one is a Pioneer VSX-516. For $40 and in good shape? Threw on a pair of Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $50 and an old Creative Audio Zen MP3 player and the kid has a way better sounding system than I had at that age. And way better than that old JVX boombox...

Talking pre-teen here by not an adolescent. Too early? Never too early?

Exactly what I've been doing for the past month. I was in luck, though. When my nephew visited me, he was impressed by the sound. It is important to let them hear what they are usually listening to on their single, bluetooth wireless speaker. If it's their favourite song they already care about and then it comes like a tsunami in the room, it mesmerises them. But you can't do it with Straits or Mike Oldfield!!

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Unless your kids are different from their peers, the key feature young people today and almost certainly in the future will look for is compact dimensions. Even if you choose somewhat full-sized (rack sized, near 17" wide) AV receivers, something like Marantz's half-height units would probably be preferred, and if you can pull it off, something the size of a PS Audio Sprout II might go over even better. The big box / big floorstanding era is coming to a close except amongst the most dedicated audiophiles. Also keep in mind that moving will be part of any youth's future, so try to think of what they will view big speakers as when it's time to pack. Note as well that software is out and streaming is in.

Luckily that doesn't mean you need to compromise (much) on sound quality, if you choose carefully.

And no, it's never too early. If your kids get the music bug early, they probably will have it for a lifetime. Each year they grow older they will be more likely to choose pop music over "good" music, as it requires less investment in time and money, something young people are short of.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Absolutely never too early. I have a rule in my house. NO cell phone speakers, NO laptop speakers. (Minor exceptions obviously)
I set my teen up with a nice pair of older speakers and built a little diy sub and he loves it. Loves to show his friends too who appreciate it and a group of them make music in “garage band” so they really appreciate the fidelity.
We have one BT speaker and it only gets used outside, and it was free bose unit that is very bloated sounding. I hate it...except for it’s convenience.
If the laptop gets used for YouTube/music/movies, sound is handled by a pair of Cambridge or jbl desktop computer speakers. We also have 7.3(.4) in the living room, 5.1 in the bedroom, and a small 5.1 in the kids/toy/media room. The point of all that is, I’m trying to teach my kids(3) that even though it’s more work than a BT speaker, or soundbar, the juice is SOOOOO worth the squeeze. That’s hard these days as “convenience is king” with younger people and I find too many of them to be just plain lazy. In any case, it’s a daily battle and all I can do is give them the tools, for which to make good choices. Play the long game so to speak.
Good luck.

 

[Drunkpenguin]

I made my kids wait! I wasn't prepared to listen to their competing music in the house. I'm selfish. They have always had quality head phones tho. Well, my son anyway. My daughter (11) doesn't have much of a desire to listen to music. My son (now 19) always has, since day 1 really. When he turned 16 and started driving I put a killer sound system in his car for him. He left home to join the military but came home after getting hurt. He's now living in the guest room which is not detached to the main house so we bought em a pretty good quality sound bar with a sub that he can rock out to. As soon as he gets his own place some day I do have some tower speakers and nice receiver that I plan to give him. I'll probably throw in a nice sub too.

 

[lovinthehd]

No kids so just my perspective from when I was one. I was fascinated by the freedom/power of choice packed into a tiny transistor radio. Had just a portable style record player with built in speakers I got somewhere around 10 years old from my parents and started collecting records to play. Dad upgraded me to a little Panasonic 8-track/record player/receiver with speakers thing when I was 12 or so. That kept me going until I had a job at 16 and saved up for a decent turntable and speakers to go with the receiver he handed down to me and never looked back, became much pickier than my dad about audio equipment If I had a decent set of speakers and receiver that could work with modern portable devices I think I'd be stoked! You guys are good dads!

 

[Midwesthonky]

Thanks for the input. My kids do love music and we try to have music playing even if we are just reading books. I have been working hard to introduce them to music beyond today's "music". They don't care for hip hop or rap. Oldest kid's music teacher went so far as to thank me for introducing them to music from multiple eras. Came about because my kid mentioned me playing Carl Douglas "Kung Fu Fighting" for them. We play them 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, etc. Trying to give them a music history. Played them some Ella Fitzgerald and some jazz from when I saw the legends in concert in '88-'91. I've done some rock guitar history with Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani, latin influence with Carlos Santana. Specifically pointing out how there are great guitar players and then there are guitar players that can just make it sing. Introduced them to some great percussion with Phil Collins early solo work, Led Zepplin 'Rock and Roll', etc.

Their first official non-school concert was a Beattles tribute band from their early bars days to the end. Followed that up with Bon Jovi (WTF - kid with micro bladder had to go pee during the show), and will see Ringo Star's All Star Band this fall. I also take them to mixed genre like "Piano Guys" as well as musicals like Les Miserable and Wicked. I also throw in some classical that is more likely to draw them in like "Night on Witch Mountain," "Bolero," etc. Also throw in some classics like Sir Mix Alot's "Baby Got Back."

One of the coolest things for me was how fast they have picked up lyrics to Bob Seger songs. My oldest can appreciate the way he used words to convey feelings and images. They also know a lot of music by Queen and can sing along to Bohemian Rhapsody better than I can. Aretha, Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner, Poison, John Denver, Brad Paisley, Clapton, The Who, The Hollies, Beattles, Stones, etc.

They agree Disco sucks. But Disco Duck is ok.

 

[pewternhrata]

Every time my 2yr old is upstairs, he runs into my room, points to the ultras and yells "dad, on" (thankfully he cant reach the outlaw) then we kick back, well I do, he runs around in circles dancing.

 

[panteragstk]

Every time my 2yr old is upstairs, he runs into my room, points to the ultras and yells "dad, on" (thankfully he cant reach the outlaw) then we kick back, well I do, he runs around in circles dancing.

My 4yo regularly comes and asks to listen to music. My kids are going to go to other people's houses and think it's weird that they don't have an audio system in practically every room.

 

[Mikado463]

Wanted your opinions. Yeah, I admit I like quality sounding music. So good speakers, nice receiver, and a good player (CD, phono). The genetic offspring are using just inexpensive boomboxes we had around. Neither one is particularly good but when they are young, who cares? One kid broke the antennae at age 5 or something. So what.

But...now they are getting older. So when is it too early to start them down this pit of despair called hi-fi audio? A local school was auctioning off their old classroom AV receivers. So I got two for $40 each. Like one is a Pioneer VSX-516. For $40 and in good shape? Threw on a pair of Polk T15 bookshelf speakers for $50 and an old Creative Audio Zen MP3 player and the kid has a way better sounding system than I had at that age. And way better than that old JVX boombox...

Talking pre-teen here by not an adolescent. Too early? Never too early?

sounds like a nice 'garage system' , start 'em out early !

 

[pewternhrata]

My 4yo regularly comes and asks to listen to music. My kids are going to go to other people's houses and think it's weird that they don't have an audio system in practically every room.

His room was my dedicated 2 channel room, maybe he can sense that Haha. Hopefully soon I get some more of my equipment out and set back up (now that hes a little easier to tame). For now I'm stuck with just the master bedroom for now. It's not terrible but I cant wait to get back into a better room that will have better placement.

 

[panteragstk]

His room was my dedicated 2 channel room, maybe he can sense that Haha. Hopefully soon I get some more of my equipment out and set back up (now that hes a little easier to tame). For now I'm stuck with just the master bedroom for now. It's not terrible but I cant wait to get back into a better room that will have better placement.

I hear ya. My almost 2yo is always in my den/office and I'm shocked he hasn't tried to poke a tweeter yet. When he gets older I'll finally build my ER18's, but not till I can trust that the three midgets will leave them alone.