Thanks to all the Audioholics...

[AudioSidds]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum. I enjoyed having a very modest 5.1 surround system for about 20 years now, initially based around a Yamaha AV RX-V496 that had optical audio hook ups, upgrading to a Yamaha AV RX-377 that had HDMI. Then, during this crappy pandemic, after spending what would have been vacation money on a new big screen 4K Smart TV, started something...beginning with my rapid re-education! What ever the system I have always tried to get the best out of what I owned (it is a bit of an obsession really isn't it). And so now there was some new tech (to me at least) confronting me on the new TV... what is all this stuff about ARC anyway? I had it on my RX 377 but never used (or even thought about it much) since as my old Samsung Plasma didn't have it. But the Smart TV had 'eARC', so what's that about? Wasn't HMDI was just another way to connect to your TV with both audio and video?
Well yes, but not exactly....anyway, after watching tons of Youtube videos on Audioholics website, messing about with HDMI switches so I could get best picture and best sound out of my PS3, in mid December I realised I needed some upgrades to my sound system starting with better bass, adding an SVS PB1000 sub (yes, I was probably one of the last people to buy one). Still not satisfied (my wife and I love watching movies and music videos), l looked into what it would take to get Atmos/DTSX, thought it was time to replace the aging Yamaha RX-377 and after yet more video time, chose a Denon AVR-X3700H. Shortly after that, by adding four used Paradigm Cinema's as height speakers to my existing Paradgim Monitor 7 fronts and Atom surrounds, I now have a pretty nice 5.2.4 set up. Phew this stuff is addictive!
I'm learning a lot from this website, like how not all HDMI cables are the same...which I discovered after getting clicks, pops and drop outs when trying to use Atmos sound streaming from the TV. Fixed that after watching the Phil Jones Sound United video on the subject.
I'm still discovering what the receiver will do, but all I can say is what a great resource this website has been and thanks to Gene and everyone else who's information I shamelessly devoured. And if you haven't watched the recent Youtube sessions with Anthony Grimani on room acoustics and treatment yet, you should as soon as you can.
BTW, if i could share something with you all- I came across this site few weeks ago when trying to figure out subwoofer placement... https://www.hunecke.de/en/calculators/loudspeakers.html
I found it a really great tool to help visualise the relationship between room dimensions and speaker placement. Enjoy!
All the best guys, thanks again for all the advice and keep up the great work!

 

[Pogre]

So how big is your room? Room size is one of the biggest factors when choosing a subwoofer. The PB1000 is a great little sub, but might be undersized for medium to large rooms. Going dual can help with room modes too. I bring it up because the way you talk about it in your post it seems like your experience was a bit underwhelming. Getting the right subs for my space and learning to dial them in made a pretty big difference for me. In fact after my speakers upgrading my subs had the most positive impact on my overall sound quality. Placement is key with single subs so you're on the right track there. Have you heard of the sub crawl?

It might seem a little goofy but it's very effective. Physics works in your favor with this method.

Oh, and welcome to audioholics!

 

[Eppie]

Here's a good simple explanation of ARC:
https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-audio-return-channel-and-earc-for-beginners/
Normally you plug sources into your AVR and then feed the desired signal from the AVR to the TV. ARC allows you to plug a source into the TV and feed the audio back to the AVR. It can simplify cabling in some situations, or if you have a Roku or built in app on the TV and need to use the TV as a source.

You won't be the last to buy an SVS PB1000. I'm thinking of picking one up this spring to upgrade from a cheaper Klipsch. Still using my Panasonic plasma, but we want a big screen upstairs so I'll likely move the plasma and get a larger TV for the home theatre.

How are you liking the Monitor 7s? The danger here is in the temptation to always recommend something better but it looks like you have things matched up nicely for your budget.

 

[AudioSidds]

So how big is your room? Room size is one of the biggest factors when choosing a subwoofer. The PB1000 is a great little sub, but might be undersized for medium to large rooms. Going dual can help with room modes too. I bring it up because the way you talk about it in your post it seems like your experience was a bit underwhelming. Getting the right subs for my space and learning to dial them in made a pretty big difference for me. In fact after my speakers upgrading my subs had the most positive impact on my overall sound quality. Placement is key with single subs so you're on the right track there. Have you heard of the sub crawl?

It might seem a little goofy but it's very effective. Physics works in your favor with this method.

Oh, and welcome to audioholics!

My room is irregular shaped (like two 'L' back-to-back like a 'Z' if you follow) 3,500cuft in total volume and i have a second sub (Polk PSW10). I know it's a pretty basic sub and i know you are not supposed to mix different types, but i have it nearest to the listening position, turned down a bit, so the heavy lifting is done by the PB1000...it seems to work (against the odds) and you can really feel the base now. Thanks, i learned about the sub crawl on this website but i couldn't get a clear 'best spot' for subs but did find places NOT to put them-as the bass got too boomy (so I guess it did work ) Thanks for the comments.

 

[AudioSidds]

Here's a good simple explanation of ARC:
https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-audio-return-channel-and-earc-for-beginners/
Normally you plug sources into your AVR and then feed the desired signal from the AVR to the TV. ARC allows you to plug a source into the TV and feed the audio back to the AVR. It can simplify cabling in some situations, or if you have a Roku or built in app on the TV and need to use the TV as a source.

You won't be the last to buy an SVS PB1000. I'm thinking of picking one up this spring to upgrade from a cheaper Klipsch. Still using my Panasonic plasma, but we want a big screen upstairs so I'll likely move the plasma and get a larger TV for the home theatre.

How are you liking the Monitor 7s? The danger here is in the temptation to always recommend something better but it looks like you have things matched up nicely for your budget.

Thanks, that's a pretty good article. I solved my problem with a newer HDMI cable. I'm very happy with the PB1000 but the new PB1000Pro has an APP that can be used for more EQ-you should look into that, it is not that much more money. As for the Monitor 7's, I like them. I have been a Paradigm user after being introduced to the make back in 2000 by my local dealer. Started with Atoms all around, till the kids blew one up about 8 yrs ago, which gave me an excuse to replace my fronts. I am a happy camper now. But you are right, there is always something better.....

 

[Eppie]

Thanks, that's a pretty good article. I solved my problem with a newer HDMI cable. I'm very happy with the PB1000 but the new PB1000Pro has an APP that can be used for more EQ-you should look into that, it is not that much more money. As for the Monitor 7's, I like them. I have been a Paradigm user after being introduced to the make back in 2000 by my local dealer. Started with Atoms all around, till the kids blew one up about 8 yrs ago, which gave me an excuse to replace my fronts. I am a happy camper now. But you are right, there is always something better.....

I have a much smaller space so I'm leaning towards the sealed SB1000 Pro. Found a distributor near Toronto with pretty good prices. The app is interesting but I tend to set and forget my gear. Parametric eq might be handy to fill in those old LPs that are thin on the bottom end.

I first auditioned the Titans and Monitors, but my HT system is also my main music system and was wishing for a little more. The owner was a former co-worker and suggested the Studio 20 V5 bookshelves. The difference was striking. He gave me a good price and sold a Denon AVR someone decided not to take at an open box price. I couldn't afford the matching centre or surrounds at the time but have no regrets. I repurposed some rear speakers and eventually found the matching centre used after having used a V2 centre for a while. Happy camper now too, although I'm looking forward to upgrading the sub. The V7 Monitors you have are a big improvement over the V5 that were out when I was shopping. Nice bang for the buck.

 

[AudioSidds]

I have a much smaller space so I'm leaning towards the sealed SB1000 Pro. Found a distributor near Toronto with pretty good prices. The app is interesting but I tend to set and forget my gear. Parametric eq might be handy to fill in those old LPs that are thin on the bottom end.

I first auditioned the Titans and Monitors, but my HT system is also my main music system and was wishing for a little more. The owner was a former co-worker and suggested the Studio 20 V5 bookshelves. The difference was striking. He gave me a good price and sold a Denon AVR someone decided not to take at an open box price. I couldn't afford the matching centre or surrounds at the time but have no regrets. I repurposed some rear speakers and eventually found the matching centre used after having used a V2 centre for a while. Happy camper now too, although I'm looking forward to upgrading the sub. The V7 Monitors you have are a big improvement over the V5 that were out when I was shopping. Nice bang for the buck.

Yes, and i think the SB1000 Pro would complement those Studio 20's really nicely... I assume you are talking about Summit HIFI?

 

[Eppie]

Yes, and i think the SB1000 Pro would complement those Studio 20's really nicely... I assume you are talking about Summit HIFI?

I was looking on electronicsforless.ca based in Richmond Hill but both they and Summit have the SB1000 Pro for $700. The former includes free shipping.