Replace speakers or receiver?

[jg291446]

Hi! I have a home theater I want to use to watch TV, and movies as well as listening to music.

I currently use a Denom 391 receiver with the speakers that came with the kit. The sound is awful. My 10 years old LG TV built-in speakers sound better than the home theater. The sound isn't good no matter what sound mode I use. It's good when listening music, but not when watching a TV show. Good for action scenes but not for "regular talking" scenes.

I wanted to buy a soundbar (something like Bose 500 or sonos playbar) but I may have more success replacing only the receiver, or the speaker. Which should be replaced? Or both?

Thanks!

 

[Old Onkyo]

JG, what’s your budget, long term goals?

 

[mazersteven]

Everything needs to be changed so you have to figure out a budget to work with

 

[jg291446]

My budget is $1,000. I was hoping I could replace either the receiver or the speakers.

I started shopping for a soundbar but maybe a new receiver/speakers bundle could be better. My living room is already wired for a 5.1 but I have been VERY disappointed with my actual kit.

I know the Denon 391 is cheap but can't believe it's worse than the TV speakers! ... better for music or action scenes but 90% of the time, the TV speakers would sound better!

Thanks!

 

[mazersteven]

I would order 5 of these. Soundbars aren't going to give you that Home Theater experience.

CBM-170SE BOOKSHELF MONITOR PAIR

The Benchmark Bookshelf Loudspeaker Black Friday Sale! "The State Of The Art Of Budget Loudspeakers" -Jeff Van Dyne, GoodSound Setting new performance standards for affordable accurate sound reproduction for two channel stereo reproduction and multi-channel home theater. Signature Edition...

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Home

Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferAdd thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

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DENON AVR-S750H 7.2-Ch x 75 Watts A/V Receiver w/HEOS

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com

I know its a little over $1000. But this little system will give you a nice H/T. Better then a Soundbar. And the Receiver has the current connectivity and features plus 2 extra channels if you want to upgrade with 2 more surrounds.

 

[mazersteven]

SVS Prime Bookshelf Surround Sound System | Home Theater Speakers

Room-friendly 5.0 home theater speaker system that sets all performance benchmarks for a $1,000 bookshelf speaker surround sound system with crisp, detailed sound and room-filling bass.

www.svsound.com

 

[highfigh]

My budget is $1,000. I was hoping I could replace either the receiver or the speakers.

I started shopping for a soundbar but maybe a new receiver/speakers bundle could be better. My living room is already wired for a 5.1 but I have been VERY disappointed with my actual kit.

I know the Denon 391 is cheap but can't believe it's worse than the TV speakers! ... better for music or action scenes but 90% of the time, the TV speakers would sound better!

Thanks!

Start by making sure the speakers are connected correctly. If you hear no bass or the bass improves when you move your head to the left or right, something is wired wrong or sound reflections are causing cancellation of some frequencies.

What speakers are in the system and have you re-checked the AV receiver's adjustments in the menu? Maybe it's time to defeat the adjustments and find out if the sound is better that way.

Are any of the speakers damaged?

Room dimensions? Small speakers in a large room don't sound good.

 

[Ponzio]

My budget is $1,000. I was hoping I could replace either the receiver or the speakers.

I started shopping for a soundbar but maybe a new receiver/speakers bundle could be better. My living room is already wired for a 5.1 but I have been VERY disappointed with my actual kit.

I know the Denon 391 is cheap but can't believe it's worse than the TV speakers! ... better for music or action scenes but 90% of the time, the TV speakers would sound better!

Thanks!

With that budget I'd start with your 2 main front speakers for now and start saving up for a matching center and AVR.

Patience Grasshopper.

 

[jg291446]

Thanks for the replies!!!

The living room is opened with the dining room, so it's large (18'x20' for the living room only).

It's not a cinema room and we never listen to TV, Movies or music too loud)... but I just want a decent sound!

I bought this home theater new a few years ago but was in the basement and we never really used it. Now I realize it is a poor quality.

The speakers are Denon (SC-R391 in back, SC-F391 in front, SC-C391 center and DSW-391 for the sub).

All wires are good and I tried different sound settings. The sound is great for an action scene... but the following scene where actors talk (or listening to a talk show) will have poor sound, like if there was echo or people talking in a can!

Thanks again for your answers, I appreciate it!

 

[mazersteven]

The living room is opened with the dining room, so it's large (18'x20' for the living room only).

The Ascend Acoustics I posted will be a major improvement over your current speakers with Movies or Music.

 

[lovinthehd]

The receiver is likely worth keeping around for now, doubt it is the source of the poor audio (it could be broken somehow but if functioning generally that's not too likely). I'd generally stay away from another HTIB set of speakers like you have now, altho there are a few outfits that sell good subs and speakers (like Hsu Research and RSL off the top of my head). Even if you start with just a pair of speakers and a sub....