Critique my HT system please

[jnl67]

New to the forum. I am looking to upgrade and give a face lift to my HT system.
Most of my system predates the HD revolution and is a mixed bag of equipment.

Receiver - Marantz SR-7500
TV - Sony KP-53V90
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 = Cablevision
Sirius - SR-H550
DVD - Sony DVP-NS300
Playstation 2
Monster Power HTS3500

Speakers:
Left & Right - Cerwin Vega AT-10

Center - RCA HTS5000

Surround - Homebuilt w/crossover 3 speaker cabinets
Pioneer FD66AP45-13F 2-1/2" Cone Tweeter
Pioneer FB12EU14-51F 5-1/4" Poly Cone Mid Range
Goldwood GW-10PC-40-4 10" Heavy Duty Woofer

Subwoofers - Y configured Sony SS-MSP1 & Sony SA-WM250


All feedback is welcome.
Thanks,

 

[mazersteven]

Welcome to Audioholics

I would start by auditioning new speakers. But first you have to know what you will use your system for. Movies and television mostly, or music. What percentage of both, and what expectations you'll expect from this system.

 

[Midcow2]

How much is your budget ?

New to the forum. I am looking to upgrade and give a face lift to my HT system.
Most of my system predates the HD revolution and is a mixed bag of equipment.

Receiver - Marantz SR-7500
TV - Sony KP-53V90
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 = Cablevision
Sirius - SR-H550
DVD - Sony DVP-NS300
Playstation 2
Monster Power HTS3500

Speakers:
Left & Right - Cerwin Vega AT-10

Center - RCA HTS5000

Surround - Homebuilt w/crossover 3 speaker cabinets
Pioneer FD66AP45-13F 2-1/2" Cone Tweeter
Pioneer FB12EU14-51F 5-1/4" Poly Cone Mid Range
Goldwood GW-10PC-40-4 10" Heavy Duty Woofer

Subwoofers - Y configured Sony SS-MSP1 & Sony SA-WM250


All feedback is welcome.
Thanks,

First I would audution some new front speakers and center speaker.
Second I would replace cable with Satellite.
Third I would look at a new subwoofer: SVS , Hsu.

receiver is still good just doesn't have HDMI 1.3.
eventually upgrade surrounds;
eventually ugrade TV to LCD or Plasma.
DVD is good until you want to go to Blu Ray, since you already have PS2 you might want to consider a PS3.


Good Luck!!

 

[westcott]

I agree with the others. Spending most of your budget on quality speakers will provide the best bang for your buck.

Switching from cable to satellite will be a good improvement and wont cost much, if anything.

A subwoofer would also be a nice upgrade.

Nousaine Shootout from Sound and Vision

Here is a shootout list of subs you may want to consider. Some people may be surprised by this information and some names not commonly associated with quality subs are provided besides Velodyne and Genelec.

 

[jnl67]

Thanks for the replies.

I have to say i was surprised to see that speakers would be the first upgrade although i do recognize they are all not from one family.

I was a directv subscriber until i moved to an apartment with a no satellite rule.
Fios or cablevision are my only options here at the moment.

Keep the feedback coming!

 

[westcott]

Thanks for the replies.

I have to say i was surprised to see that speakers would be the first upgrade although i do recognize they are all not from one family.

I was a directv subscriber until i moved to an apartment with a no satellite rule.
Fios or cablevision are my only options here at the moment.

Keep the feedback coming!

I believe that banning satellites is against Federal Law. A quick call to DishNetwork should provide you with the documentation to support this.

 

[Davemcc]

As above, speakers and subwoofers. For the record, the Sony SS-MSP1 are not subwoofers, but small satellite speakers. http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=674043&image=130341380&images=130340910,130341380&formats=0,0&format=0

I had a Sony SA-WM250 for years. It's a hardy little trooper "for what it is" and can sound alright with music in a small bedroom. But it's not suited to modern home theater applications in a main system. It doesn't have the extension, power or SPL to reproduce movie effects the way they were intended. A good, solid sub would be a great first addition while you shop and audition some new mains and surround speakers.

 

[Halon451]

I'll ditto the suggestions of others - concentrate on the speakers first and definitely upgrade the sub. Make sure the speakers (at least the front three channels) are from the same family/brand to ensure an even front soundstage.

And the subwoofer can completely make or break your system - choose this one wisely. SVS/Hsu both get great reviews, and I can vouch for the SVS personally.

You can find decently priced receivers, but you will want to make sure they are equipped with the modern accomodations (HDMI, for example, and the ability to process the newer digital audio formats).

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Why would you replace the cable with satellite?

And I agree with everyone here. Start with the speakers, especially the front 3, they should all match.

And a subwoofer. Many here recommend SVS or Hsu, but there are several good companies out there, such as Velodyne, Sunfire, Outlaw, and Earthquake.

 

[jnl67]

As above, speakers and subwoofers. For the record, the Sony SS-MSP1 are not subwoofers, but small satellite speakers.

I believe the unit i have is the 8" subwoofer that goes with those satellite speakers. Point taken, i can see by looking at some of the subs recommended that what i have in service now is inadequate even with the WM250 in the mix.

 

[Davemcc]

Did you have a budget in mind? That will go a long way to narrowing your choices with valid options.

 

[jnl67]

I haven't determined a budget as of yet. I would have to say it would be somewhat conservative in nature, but by no means along the lines of HTIB pricing. I think i would be targeting equipment in the middle of the road.

So if that helps, i am still taking suggestions.

 

[mazersteven]

I haven't determined a budget as of yet. I would have to say it would be somewhat conservative in nature, but by no means along the lines of HTIB pricing. I think i would be targeting equipment in the middle of the road.

So if that helps, i am still taking suggestions.

MTS-01 Systems
A new family of affordable high-end audio speakers from SVS

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-mts01.cfm

 

[Midcow2]

satellite has better PQ than cable

Why would you replace the cable with satellite? ...

If you primarily listen to music, probably not.

However, if you watch a lot of TV the PQ is far superior in satellite. The standard resolution channles on Satellite are as crisp and sharp as the HD on cable.

 

[jnl67]

I am leaning towards a Velodyne sub, but by no means sold on it yet. Since all of my speakes are mix and match already, i am wondering if i should match the sub with the family of speakers i ultimately decide on.

Quick note: For those with protection devices, i lost the small transfomer on my ps2 yesterday due to a tree down on the lines in my neighborhood. Even with my MonsterPower HTS3500. Working for the utility itself gives me a great advantage of knowing the protocall, unfortunately, the automated switching, & lockout overrides damaged the little guy. I was home when it happened. 3 automated reclose on the circuit, 2 overides shortly after, then a 6th about an hour later. Ultimately the service was restored about 4 hours later, but all the off/on surge still destroyed it. Fortunately nothing else in my modest system was damaged.

I would never risk not having some form of protection even if it was not enough protection!

 

[Adam]

...i am wondering if i should match the sub with the family of speakers i ultimately decide on.

There's really no need to do that. Matching the tonal qualities of the speakers, especially the fronts and the center channel, is a very good idea. Matching the sub is unnecessary - soundwise. You may want to match them all for aesthetics, though.

 

[mazersteven]

I am leaning towards a Velodyne sub, but by no means sold on it yet. Since all of my speakes are mix and match already, i am wondering if i should match the sub with the family of speakers i ultimately decide on.

The subwoofer does "Not" need to be from the same speaker manufacturer. This is extremely important with your main left, and right speakers plus center channel. But it's not as critical with your surrounds. The ideal system has identical speakers all the way around.

www.svsound.com