To amp or not ... that is the question.

[Willee]

Wow you guys are awesome ... a lot to digest here today.
Just to clear ... the sound bar is for the TV only ... All the equipment on the table is separate from the TV.
The sub woofer on the floor is part of the TV sound bar and is bluetooth connected so I can not use that with the Onkyo AVR. There is a fella here in Corpus Christi that has a pair of Bose 501 speakers he will sell for $400.
Do you think that would be a worthy investment I should do (I do have it in my budget)?

 

[Pogre]

Wow you guys are awesome ... a lot to digest here today.
Just to clear ... the sound bar is for the TV only ... All the equipment on the table is separate from the TV.
The sub woofer on the floor is part of the TV sound bar and is bluetooth connected so I can not use that with the Onkyo AVR. There is a fella here in Corpus Christi that has a pair of Bose 501 speakers he will sell for $400.
Do you think that would be a worthy investment I should do (I do have it in my budget)?

NO! No Bose! You may have just induced a couple of heart attacks... lol. I'd just pull the sound bar out altogether and use your main speakers for tv also.

You're in Corpus? I lived there for about a year. I loved going to Padre island and hanging out on the beach. I have some great memories of Corpus Christi.

Right now I think I'd look at a good sub first in your shoes. It's the glaring weak link imo. And stay away from Bose! They're much better at marketing than making speakers.

 

[Pogre]

And a budget. We need to know what you can spend to better advise you.

 

[nathan_h]

The soundbar and the sub should go!

Connect the output from the TV (ideally a cheap optical cable from the TV to the Onkyo) and use the speakers (and new sub one day) for the TV sound. Will be great!

 

[Willee]

I Dont understand ... I like the TV sound bar.
It is separate and has nothing to do with the Stereo System.
They are not connected and I really dont want that.
Why are you telling me to get rid of it?

I will look into a SubWoofer today and let you all know how it works out.
Thanks again for all the advice and knowledge.

 

[Pogre]

I Dont understand ... I like the TV sound bar.
It is separate and has nothing to do with the Stereo System.
They are not connected and I really dont want that.
Why are you telling me to get rid of it?

I will look into a SubWoofer today and let you all know how it works out.
Thanks again for all the advice and knowledge.

Mainly because those sound bar-minisub combos are generally garbage, and your speakers should do a better job than it even for tv watching. Plus it will simplify and de-clutter some of what you have going on.

Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it's what I'd do.

 

[Pogre]

I Dont understand ... I like the TV sound bar.
It is separate and has nothing to do with the Stereo System.
They are not connected and I really dont want that.
Why are you telling me to get rid of it?

I will look into a SubWoofer today and let you all know how it works out.
Thanks again for all the advice and knowledge.

You still haven't given us a budget or comment whether or not our suggestions have helped out! How are things sounding now?

 

[ryanosaur]

@Willee
Good job. Not many people make the changes that we suggest. You did it eagerly and willingly. *High-5! If you keep experimenting with your set up and you get an improvement in your experience, we are all happy!

I'm gonna be the blasphemer here and say: If you wanna keep your AV gear separate from your TV, go right ahead.
Pogre's heart is in the right place. And I do agree.

But I'm also comfortable stepping back and letting you decide your next steps.

Remember we are here and willing to help. Especially when it comes to other people's money!

Cheers.

 

[nathan_h]

I Dont understand ... I like the TV sound bar.
It is separate and has nothing to do with the Stereo System.
They are not connected and I really dont want that.
Why are you telling me to get rid of it?

I will look into a SubWoofer today and let you all know how it works out.
Thanks again for all the advice and knowledge.

Well, you can and should keep it if you like that setup.

My recommendation was based on what will sound best BUT that is not necessarily what will work best with your lifestyle and uses.

No offense intended!

 

[Pogre]

@Willee
Good job. Not many people make the changes that we suggest. You did it eagerly and willingly. *High-5! If you keep experimenting with your set up and you get an improvement in your experience, we are all happy!

I'm gonna be the blasphemer here and say: If you wanna keep your AV gear separate from your TV, go right ahead.
Pogre's heart is in the right place. And I do agree.

But I'm also comfortable stepping back and letting you decide your next steps.

Remember we are here and willing to help. Especially when it comes to other people's money!

Cheers.

I actually agree Ryan. There's no harm keeping the sound bar separate for tv and using the speakers for music. At first I thought he was somehow blending the 2 together, which I would then strongly object to, but as it is one is not affecting the other so no harm, no foul.

 

[Mikado463]

Willee, one other thing of note to add to all the good advice you've gotten so far. Based on the last pic you put up, your speakers are still not in their ideal location(perhaps room size will prevent this) but they should be brought out away from the wall behind them at least a couple of feet if possible. As a general rule of thumb you want NOTHING in the triangle of the L / R speakers and your ears. This will improve both left to right soundstage as well front to back (depth). Even if you can't have them there permanently at least try it so you understand and hear what I'm talking about.

one more, if possible get rid of the furniture on the right

 

[Pogre]

Willee, one other thing of note to add to all the good advice you've gotten so far. Based on the last pic you put up, your speakers are still not in their ideal location(perhaps room size will prevent this) but they should be brought out away from the wall behind them at least a couple of feet if possible. As a general rule of thumb you want NOTHING in the triangle of the L / R speakers and your ears. This will improve both left to right soundstage as well front to back (depth). Even if you can't have them there permanently at least try it so you understand and hear what I'm talking about.

one more, if possible get rid of the furniture on the right

He said that he moved them about 10" out from the wall, but it's not reflected in the image.

 

[Mikado463]

He said that he moved them about 10" out from the wall, but it's not reflected in the image.

double that IMO !

 

[Willee]

Spent most of this day on my sound system.
Thanks everyone for all the tips, knowledge, and advice offered.
I didnt take some of it as I went ahead and bought the Bose 501 series 3 speakers.
Alone they sound ok (less than 100w driving them) and the Klips sound ok to ... but just not what I wanted.
Combined and used together as A&B its magic.
The base is there, when Bill Withers starts singing its like he is in the room .... Crisp and resonant with all the bass right there. The spread of instruments is very obvious (sound stage?).
I am setting here now drinking a Bush, listening to Guardians of the Galaxy volume 1 side A, with a big simle on my face. Its there ... the presence I was looking for.
Thanks again for all the help and Ya'll have a great day ... I got two more new albums to listen to.
I am one happy cat!

 

[Mikado463]

keep drinking the Bush and it will begin to sound even better still !

 

[ryanosaur]

 

[Pogre]

Wow. Bose. I feel gutted in one post.

Okay. Have fun.

 

[Trell]

Wow. Bose. I feel gutted in one post.

Okay. Have fun.

Why do you hate Bose

 

[Pogre]

Why do you hate Bose

Because their speakers sound horrible and are way overpriced. Plus 400 for used 501s?? I wouldn't take them for free.

I'm unfollowing this thread, lol.

 

[Trell]

I'm unfollowing this thread, lol.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo