Need help with home audio setup

[TheOne4Eva]

Im just entering the home audio scene and I recently purchased a Yamaha RX-V683 and two Pioneer SP-FS52 towers. I ran the YPAO and the system works fine for tv and movies but listening to music does not get loud enough for my tastes. It gets loud enough for my wife but I like my music EXTREMELY loud. I downloaded a db meter app and I know it probably isn't accurate but it only read like 80 db before distortion occurred and then the receiver actually shut itself down.

Questions: what do I need to replace and or add to my system to get it much much louder without distortion? do I need a separate amp to power towers? better receiver? better towers? both?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Pedro Alvarado]

turn off eco mode.

 

[TheOne4Eva]

turn off eco mode.

it was off

 

[2channel lover]

Im just entering the home audio scene and I recently purchased a Yamaha RX-V683 and two Pioneer SP-FS52 towers. I ran the YPAO and the system works fine for tv and movies but listening to music does not get loud enough for my tastes. It gets loud enough for my wife but I like my music EXTREMELY loud. I downloaded a db meter app and I know it probably isn't accurate but it only read like 80 db before distortion occurred and then the receiver actually shut itself down.

Questions: what do I need to replace and or add to my system to get it much much louder without distortion? do I need a separate amp to power towers? better receiver? better towers? both?

Thanks in advance.

First off...you do like it extremely loud...registering 80dB a ft from the speaker is one thing, but when I'm peaking at 80 dB from my listening position (some 12' away from the speakers)...that's pretty loud.

So...if you're measuring 80dB from your listening position and that's not near loud enough...this gear is not meant for how you want to use it...your speakers have a sensitivity rating of 87 db (not super efficient) so maybe the speakers could use more juice, but 90wpc should be enough power. If you do change the AVR...shoot for double the power...180 to 200 wpc.

I've always felt the speakers are the link between the audio system and our ears so I would lean towards upgrading the speakers 1st.

 

[TheOne4Eva]

First off...you do like it extremely loud...registering 80dB a ft from the speaker is one thing, but when I'm peaking at 80 dB from my listening position (some 12' away from the speakers)...that's pretty loud.

So...if you're measuring 80dB from your listening position and that's not near loud enough...this gear is not meant for how you want to use it...your speakers have a sensitivity rating of 87 db (not super efficient) so maybe the speakers could use more juice, but 90wpc should be enough power. If you do change the AVR...shoot for double the power...180 to 200 wpc.

I've always felt the speakers are the link between the audio system and our ears so I would lean towards upgrading the speakers 1st.

ok ill try the speakers first, do you have any recommendations in the 500-600 a pair range? what about the Polk Signature Series S55?

 

[2channel lover]

I'm not that well versed in the Polk floor models, but it's a respected brand. My fear or concern with speakers in this price point... they probably will sound a little better than your Pioneers, but I don't know if they will ultimately check all your boxes.

For you, I would be looking at the Klipsch RF7-iii....very sensitive, they play loud and reasonably accurate given how loud you might be playing them. Yes, they are more than double your budget, but I would wait and save up a bit more if I liked them.

Most of my advice or suggestions on this forum stem from my personal experience. and this one is no different. Two years ago I was ready to upgrade my 20+ year old audio system...my speakers (B&W 804m) were great 20 yrs ago, but I was ready for a more neutral speaker...long story short, the 1st month or so of demoing speakers in the $1500 to $2500 a pair range...there was very little if any appreciable difference in sound quality...it wasn't until I started demoing speakers that were in the $3k to $6k range that I started to hear more transparent, neutral sounding speakers.

I'm not saying you need to buy the Klipsch I mentioned, but make yourself a demo thumb drive and play the same songs on every speaker you demo. Some speakers that right now might not be in your price range, but time is on your side I think, it won't hurt to listen to a few of them.

Good luck with it.

 

[TheOne4Eva]

I'm not that well versed in the Polk floor models, but it's a respected brand. My fear or concern with speakers in this price point... they probably will sound a little better than your Pioneers, but I don't know if they will ultimately check all your boxes.

For you, I would be looking at the Klipsch RF7-iii....very sensitive, they play loud and reasonably accurate given how loud you might be playing them. Yes, they are more than double your budget, but I would wait and save up a bit more if I liked them.

Most of my advice or suggestions on this forum stem from my personal experience. and this one is no different. Two years ago I was ready to upgrade my 20+ year old audio system...my speakers (B&W 804m) were great 20 yrs ago, but I was ready for a more neutral speaker...long story short, the 1st month or so of demoing speakers in the $1500 to $2500 a pair range...there was very little if any appreciable difference in sound quality...it wasn't until I started demoing speakers that were in the $3k to $6k range that I started to hear more transparent, neutral sounding speakers.

I'm not saying you need to buy the Klipsch I mentioned, but make yourself a demo thumb drive and play the same songs on every speaker you demo. Some speakers that right now might not be in your price range, but time is on your side I think, it won't hurt to listen to a few of them.

Good luck with it.

id like to be around the $600 a pair price point, currently looking at the Klipsch R-26F. what do you think about those?

 

[markw]

If you don't have one already, a decent sub-woofer can maximize the output your other speakers.

 

[2channel lover]

id like to be around the $600 a pair price point, currently looking at the Klipsch R-26F. what do you think about those?

I'll preface this by saying I think it's best that you give them a listen.

My thoughts are based on a desire to hear the music as it was recorded, in other words, transparency. I want the speakers to deliver what's on the recording without coloring it.

One of my golf buddies has 4 of these in his family room, I've heard them maybe 4 or 5 times. I think these speakers are bright (coloring) as are most in the Klipsch line (his hardwood floors didn't help in that matter). They rock his space with good volume.

Klipsch come down to this most of the time and usually there's no in the middle imo, either you like the horn loaded tweeter or you don't.

For me...I'm not a fan of the horn tweeter. They sound good for certain genres but for others they don't blow me away.

 

[TheOne4Eva]

ya I think I need more efficient speakers....ordered a pair of Klipsch RP-260F. a BIC Acoustic PL-200ii sub and the Denon AVR-X3400H

 

[markw]

Efficiency is not an indicator of sound quality, just loudness. My $$ is that the sub will make more of a difference on overall SQ than the receiver/speakers switch.

Generally, when evaluating system changes, one changes one component at a time.

 

[-Jim-]

If you don't have one already, a decent sub-woofer can maximize the output your other speakers.

I agree about the Sub. You'd be far better off going for a decent Sub to handle the bottom end which would leave the less demanding mid and upper range to be pushed by your Yamaha RX-V683.

Once you get a decent Sub, and if you still want to find some great $670 a pair Speakers which are very efficient take a look at HSU CCB-8 Speakers. I use them for the fronts in my main HT Setup and they are impressive.