Any opinions on good cheap av receivers?

[sizzam]

That doesn't mean much. A true sub should do 20 hz at reasonable spl....the Polk may do mid-30s, the Logitech maybe in the 40s....the JBL is rated 6dB down at 35hz....and doubtful your woofers in the speakers are even as good as the Polk.

the polk is the workhorse it seems i have the polk in the center behind the listening position and the 2 8" in opposite corners for some extra enforcement so as to get that "room filling bass"

 

[Pogre]

like several crown amps chained together and a dsp or 2.

You would really only "need" a single 2 channel amp for the main speakers. You could look for a 3 channel amp to include your center if you watch a lot of movies. The rest can run off your avr with no problem whatsoever. Main speakers (and center for movies) see the bulk of the action. The rest are just there for effects.

I use a single DSP for my subs and that's plenty. This isn't as bulky and complicated as you think. In my opinion, simpler is better. You don't need a ton of gear to make your speakers sound great.

 

[sizzam]

Chained together like with a bike lock? You can actually stack the Crown XLS amps on top of each other, tho since they don't require ventilation above or below the amp due to their fans. I do ziptie two together on the bottom shelf in one system, keeps them lined up What dsp options are you considering?

i have no idea what dps i was gonna get the one gene recommended in a vid a while back seems to do what i was looking for.

 

[sizzam]

You would really only "need" a single 2 channel amp for the main speakers. You could look for a 3 channel amp to include your center if you watch a lot of movies. The rest can run off your avr with no problem whatsoever. Main speakers (and center for movies) see the bulk of the action. The rest are just there for effects.

I use a single DSP for my subs and that's plenty. This isn't as bulky and complicated as you think. In my opinion, simpler is better. You don't need a ton of gear to make your speakers sound great.

good point i thought if i was gonna do a rack system id NEED to get a seperate amp per pair of speakers but if the avr can handle the center and surrounds then sure id rock that for a setup.

 

[lovinthehd]

the polk is the workhorse it seems i have the polk in the center behind the listening position and the 2 8" in opposite corners for some extra enforcement so as to get that "room filling bass"

I'd just use those as-is until you get a good sub.

You would really only "need" a single 2 channel amp for the main speakers. You could look for a 3 channel amp to include your center if you watch a lot of movies. The rest can run off your avr with no problem whatsoever. Main speakers (and center for movies) see the bulk of the action. The rest are just there for effects.

I use a single DSP for my subs and that's plenty. This isn't as bulky and complicated as you think. In my opinion, simpler is better. You don't need a ton of gear to make your speakers sound great.

Altho without pre-outs on the Sony avr not really an option.

Or are you still shopping?

 

[Pogre]

good point i thought if i was gonna do a rack system id NEED to get a seperate amp per pair of speakers but if the avr can handle the center and surrounds then sure id rock that for a setup.

Sure. Or like I said, if you're watching a lot of movies then it might not hurt to amp your center as well. There are a few options for that too. Outlaw was running a 3-fer sale for their 200w monoblocks, but I think Corona Chan put a temporary end to that for a while...

Now, this is all assuming that you'd even need it. I think you should get set up with what you have, dial everything in as best you can, listen and go from there. Your amp money might do much more for you in a decent sub instead, for instance.

 

[sizzam]

I'd just use those as-is until you get a good sub.



Altho without pre-outs on the Sony avr not really an option.

Or are you still shopping?

You would really only "need" a single 2 channel amp for the main speakers. You could look for a 3 channel amp to include your center if you watch a lot of movies. The rest can run off your avr with no problem whatsoever. Main speakers (and center for movies) see the bulk of the action. The rest are just there for effects.

I use a single DSP for my subs and that's plenty. This isn't as bulky and complicated as you think. In my opinion, simpler is better. You don't need a ton of gear to make your speakers sound great.

well on the topic are there any amps that can accept a line level input that i could use instead of having a preout or is there a piece of tech i could use to convert a line level input to a preout level to then bung into a dedicated amp

 

[sizzam]

Sure. Or like I said, if you're watching a lot of movies then it might not hurt to amp your center as well. There are a few options for that too. Outlaw was running a 3-fer sale for their 200w monoblocks, but I think Corona Chan put a temporary end to that for a while...

Now, this is all assuming that you'd even need it. I think you should get set up with what you have, dial everything in as best you can, listen and go from there. Your amp money might do much more for you in a decent sub instead, for instance.

the plan so far for me is replace my mains as they are the dreaded "white van" brand of speakers that sound surprisingly alright but replacing is a must eventually, then working on a good dual sub setup with maybe a pair of sealed 15" just for the intimidation factor alone of having 2 15" subs staring you down in a room that really wont need them, and lastly to purchase a pair of floorstanders to make my 5.2 into a 7.2 ( you know for extra style points in a room that can barely house my bed and my avr )

 

[Pogre]

well on the topic are there any amps that can accept a line level input that i could use instead of having a preout or is there a piece of tech i could use to convert a line level input to a preout level to then bung into a dedicated amp

Yeah, no, not really. We'll have to consider my suggestions as hypothetical and food for thought. Part of the process of learning how it all works!

 

[sizzam]

Yeah, no, not really. We'll have to consider my suggestions as hypothetical and food for thought. Part of the process of learning how it all works!

fair enough, i suppose it wouldn't hurt for a company to make such a product to be able to make a receiver like mine a bit more customizable

 

[Pogre]

the plan so far for me is replace my mains as they are the dreaded "white van" brand of speakers that sound surprisingly alright but replacing is a must eventually, then working on a good dual sub setup with maybe a pair of sealed 15" just for the intimidation factor alone of having 2 15" subs staring you down in a room that really wont need them, and lastly to purchase a pair of floorstanders to make my 5.2 into a 7.2

If your main speakers are white van specials then that should be your first, and I mean FIRST order of business. I would not spend another penny on any piece of audio gear unless it's to replace those speakers. No matter what you do, you're not going to be able to make them sound right. In fact this is where my advice ends. You HAVE to replace those speakers ASAP if you want to get anywhere. Right now you're trying to make a delicious cake with poop as the main ingredient...

 

[lovinthehd]

fair enough, i suppose it wouldn't hurt for a company to make such a product to be able to make a receiver like mine a bit more customizable

We just get avrs with a full set of pre-outs You can get a speaker level to line level converter, but quality may be an issue. Other types of line level outputs I don't see on the Sony 1080 in any case (and if so they'd be fixed volume level, so not much use).

 

[sizzam]

If your main speakers are white van specials then that should be your first, and I mean FIRST business of order. I would not spend another penny on any piece of audio gear unless it's to replace those speakers. No matter what you do, you're not going to be able to make them sound right. In fact this is where my advice ends. You HAVE to replace those speakers ASAP if you want to get anywhere. Right now you're trying to make a delicious cake with poop as the main ingredient...

well i figure id take the BOSE approach to them and throw enough eq at them to make them borderline explode to flatten out the response curve and for me to be able to "perceive" them as good sounding

 

[sizzam]

We just get avrs with a full set of pre-outs You can get a speaker level to line level converter, but quality may be an issue. Other types of line level outputs I don't see on the Sony 1080 in any case (and if so they'd be fixed volume level, so not much use).

oh i see yea i didnt think of the issue of line level inputs having variable levels of signal, however i dont think that would pose an issue with a well designed line level converter.

 

[Pogre]

If your main speakers are white van specials then that should be your first, and I mean FIRST order of business. I would not spend another penny on any piece of audio gear unless it's to replace those speakers. No matter what you do, you're not going to be able to make them sound right. In fact this is where my advice ends. You HAVE to replace those speakers ASAP if you want to get anywhere. Right now you're trying to make a delicious cake with poop as the main ingredient...

So I don't just leave you hanging...

DCM TP160CH Main / Stereo Speakers for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DCM TP160CH Main / Stereo Speakers at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Those are exceptional speakers for the price. I own the books and am very, very impressed. I do not think you will find a better speaker at that price. They're very good.

If you can bump it a little..

6.5" 3-Way Tower Floor Standing Speaker Home Theater Audio DCM TP260-CH Single | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 6.5" 3-Way Tower Floor Standing Speaker Home Theater Audio DCM TP260-CH Single at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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Even better. A 3 way instead of a 2 way for not much more.

 

[sizzam]

So I don't just leave you hanging...

DCM TP160CH Main / Stereo Speakers for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DCM TP160CH Main / Stereo Speakers at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Those are exceptional speakers for the price. I own the books and am very, very impressed. I do not think you will find a better speaker at that price. They're very good.

If you can bump it a little..

6.5" 3-Way Tower Floor Standing Speaker Home Theater Audio DCM TP260-CH Single | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 6.5" 3-Way Tower Floor Standing Speaker Home Theater Audio DCM TP260-CH Single at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Even better. A 3 way instead of a 2 way for not much more.

according to the description of them they are "mtx" brand and i may not know much of HT audio but car audio im pretty familiar with and mtx are the walmart brand of subs, are they the same manufacturer?

but i do love the way they look

 

[Pogre]

well i figure id take the BOSE approach to them and throw enough eq at them to make them borderline explode to flatten out the response curve and for me to be able to "perceive" them as good sounding
View attachment 36055

A MiniDSP 2x4 HD is $200. The 3 way tower speakers I linked above are $220.

 

[lovinthehd]

oh i see yea i didnt think of the issue of line level inputs having variable levels of signal, however i dont think that would pose an issue with a well designed line level converter.

What are you using now for receiver?

 

[sizzam]

A MiniDSP 2x4 HD is $200. The 3 way tower speakers I linked above are $220.

fair enough point taken however i think the AVR's eq should suffice to flatten them out fairly well

 

[Pogre]

according to the description of them they are "mtx" brand and i may not know much of HT audio but car audio im pretty familiar with and mtx are the walmart brand of subs, are they the same manufacturer?

but i do love the way they look

DCM and MTX are 2 different divisions of the same company. MTX is the "budget" brand. The DCM Time Piece (TP) series and Time Frame Evolution (TFE) series are legit good speakers.