New to speaker systems...need some advice

[swraman]

My parents got a new TV, and the speakers on it are horrible, to the point that you cant really understand what people are saying sometimes.

I want to buy a set of speakers, but I have no idea what I need...Im guessing I need some sort of reciever before I actually get the speakers? Or is this unnecessary?

Not really looking for 5.1, just a decent set of floor standing speakers.

What exactly do I need?

Thanks

 

[3db]

My parents got a new TV, and the speakers on it are horrible, to the point that you cant really understand what people are saying sometimes.

I want to buy a set of speakers, but I have no idea what I need...Im guessing I need some sort of reciever before I actually get the speakers? Or is this unnecessary?

Not really looking for 5.1, just a decent set of floor standing speakers.

What exactly do I need?

Thanks

You will need a 2 channel (stereo) receiver or an integrated amp if you don't need/want the tuner sectin of the receiver to drive the speakers.

Whats your budget? Would you consider going used for the amp/receiver and or speakers? How deep do you want your bass to go?

 

[m_vanmeter]

something to try with the TV prior to getting external speakers.....go into the setup menu and in the audio section, set the bass and treble setting down to zero and slowly move them up, experimenting with the sound you hear. Several brands of TV's have a factory default setting which literally overdrive the little built in speakers.

 

[Exit]

If your tv has a headphone jack, see what the sound is like through headphones. If it sounds ok, you may be able to get a pair of computer speakers with an amplifier/subwoofer for under $100 that would work through the headphone jack. (Altec Lansing, Cambridge Soundworks, Logitech, etc.)

If you want to go more conventional, I would suggest the HTP-351T 5.1 Tower system $689 or the HTP-351 5.1 Bookshelf system $489 speaker systems which are on sale through the audioholics store. (link below).

http://www.audioholics.com/news/industry-news/emp-speaker-package-blowout-sale/?searchterm=EMP

An Onkyo 606 receiver to go with them can be purchased at a discount from Amazon.com for $339. You might need $20- $30 in cables from monopirce.com. You would be getting a good 5.1 tower system for $1058 or a good 5.1 bookshelf system for $858. EMP speakers are basically RBH distributed over the internet at a discount (which means they are pretty good, especially at the sale prices through December.) This discount pricing is low enough to be in HTIB territory, yet they are enthuiast quality. You can read up on the referenced RBH speaker articles and search EMP on the Audioholics website to see what you make of the speakers. They have a 14 day return policy if you find you don't like them for any reason.

If you are willing to accept Gene's assessment, then you can see what he says in posts 5 and 16 of the thread below.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50541&page=2

Its nice when you can get a relative or friend into a real audio system for $1k or less. In perspective, thats less than most people spend on flat screen TVs so it shouldn't seem like it is way above a non-enthuiasts resources to buy one of these systems.

Happy Holidays and best wishes!

 

[markw]

Does your TV have, on the back, terminals that are made for connecting external speakers? Some older TV's had these and they made many people's lives much simpler.

If not, then the rest of da boys seem to have your plight well under control.

 

[jostenmeat]

My parents got a new TV, and the speakers on it are horrible, to the point that you cant really understand what people are saying sometimes.

I want to buy a set of speakers, but I have no idea what I need...Im guessing I need some sort of reciever before I actually get the speakers? Or is this unnecessary?

what markw^ said. Perhaps the cheapest way with fewest components is a pair of self powered monitors hooked up to TV's preouts. However, volume control might be annoying.

OTOH, you can try to find that Sherwood stereo receiver that mark has linked. It was recently at $60, but I think back up to msrp of $100 perhaps. That plus a pair of studio monitors will be from as low as $190 total, to about $400 max.

If dialogue intelligibility is of supreme importance, I recommend that you only consider vertically arrayed bookshelves at your budget, and that includes the center speaker if you ever add that as well.

 

[swraman]

Thanks for all the replies.

First think first, I guess I shouldve mentioned this before: I am not looking to spend that much, probably around $400...

I already have a decent sub that I bought a year or so ago (as per recommendation from this forum, thanks ), a Dayton S100ETH 12".

My TV does have a L/R audio out on the back, but if I bought powered speakers and hooked it up to that I dont think I would be able to control the volume with the remote.

There is no headphone jack.

Im liking jostenmeat's suggestion, as it is in my price range...can you link me to some stereo recievers for ~100?
And do you guys have any recommendations on brands/models for the actual speakers?

Also, if I bought a stereo reciever like suggested, would I be able to hook up my powered sub to it as well?

Thanks again

 

[no. 5]

My TV does have a L/R audio out on the back, but if I bought powered speakers and hooked it up to that I dont think I would be able to control the volume with the remote.

For what it's worth, on some TV's those outputs can be set to 'variable', so that volume is controllable from the remote.

 

[jostenmeat]

I already have a decent sub that I bought a year or so ago (as per recommendation from this forum, thanks ), a Dayton S100ETH 12".

Does it have high level speaker ins/outs with bass mgmt?

My TV does have a L/R audio out on the back, but if I bought powered speakers and hooked it up to that I dont think I would be able to control the volume with the remote.

see no. 5's response. Then contact/ask the mftr if your TV falls into that category.

Im liking jostenmeat's suggestion, as it is in my price range...can you link me to some stereo recievers for ~100?

Here's the one I was talking about. It WAS at $60 just recently.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2407171

And do you guys have any recommendations on brands/models for the actual speakers?

At the price point, most likely studio monitors. like behringer 2030p or krk st6.

Also, if I bought a stereo reciever like suggested, would I be able to hook up my powered sub to it as well?

Thanks again

the only STEREO receivers I know of with its own BM will be too expensive. And that won't get you LFE in full glory, AFAIK. Stuff like Outlaw, Arcam, etc. If HT effects become as important as the simple dialogue you seek, you may reconsider and opt for an HT receiver. Then you can have LFE + stereo. Budget becomes an issue, especially if you wanted support for lossless codecs.