I did not like the sound of my new infinity primus 162?

[soundright]

thanks for all the insightful comments

Hi
I am back. So from what I get from these replies, would I be better-off to get a new receiver with a sub-out so that I don't have to connect it to my A/B speaker channel and that would make a big difference in the loudness and quality of the bass? Now I am also looking at a pair of Polk rti A3, which I can get for a really good deal. Infinity 162, i think is a very accurate, neutral speaker but lacks warmth and depth, and probably I made a mistake by not buying warmer speakers for my listening purpose. So you guys think polk speakers would be warmer? (PS, my onkyo receiver is TX-8255 which I got from Amazon. It is very new but does not a sub-out. And my sub is an energy model ESW-8). Thanks again.

 

[mike c]

polk warmer? no.

before you do anything ... what exactly is your subwoofer? what crossover do you have it set at?

 

[markw]

For heavens sake, just play the speakers without the sub for now!

Find out if you even like 'em before going through all these contortions. Then worry about a subwoofer.

While you're at it, use a real source like the analog output of a CD/DVD player.

All a subwoofer will do is extend the lower register of your mains. It won't affect the rest of the speakers sound. ...at least if it's adjusted properly.

If anything, you might want to get hold of a subwoofer with a built-in high-pass function, which the Energy lacks. The receiver is fine, with the right subwoofer.

 

[lsiberian]

Hi
I am back. So from what I get from these replies, would I be better-off to get a new receiver with a sub-out so that I don't have to connect it to my A/B speaker channel and that would make a big difference in the loudness and quality of the bass? Now I am also looking at a pair of Polk rti A3, which I can get for a really good deal. Infinity 162, i think is a very accurate, neutral speaker but lacks warmth and depth, and probably I made a mistake by not buying warmer speakers for my listening purpose. So you guys think polk speakers would be warmer? (PS, my onkyo receiver is TX-8255 which I got from Amazon. It is very new but does not a sub-out. And my sub is an energy model ESW-8). Thanks again.

That would help, but all you really need is a highpass filter for you mains. The rca connectors linked would accomplish the job of blocking bass below 100hz. Which is well within the recommended range of the Primuses. I know it seems complex, but the solution I proposed is rather simple.

Another option is to get a receiver with a sub out. Can you return the 8255 by chance?

I think KEFs have more depth and detail than infinitys, but Infinitys are a very good home theater front. I don't know about Primuses in stereo use.

 

[krzywica]

I think KEFs have more depth and detail than infinitys, but Infinitys are a very good home theater front. I don't know about Primuses in stereo use.

Yes hence my little mini review.

They are not good at all for 2 channel, but great for H/T usage.

 

[lsiberian]

Yes hence my little mini review.

They are not good at all for 2 channel, but great for H/T usage.

That isn't always the case. Paired with a sub they would do great.

And with non bass heavy music they would be fine.

Just depends on the use. Beta's 20 would be a superior standalone and can be run Full Band

 

[Matt34]

Hi
I am back. So from what I get from these replies, would I be better-off to get a new receiver with a sub-out so that I don't have to connect it to my A/B speaker channel and that would make a big difference in the loudness and quality of the bass? Now I am also looking at a pair of Polk rti A3, which I can get for a really good deal. Infinity 162, i think is a very accurate, neutral speaker but lacks warmth and depth, and probably I made a mistake by not buying warmer speakers for my listening purpose. So you guys think polk speakers would be warmer? (PS, my onkyo receiver is TX-8255 which I got from Amazon. It is very new but does not a sub-out. And my sub is an energy model ESW-8). Thanks again.

I think the Polks are anything but "warm" sounding as many owner have described the top end of the Rti as a bit harsh or bright. I believe they have fixed this some with the newer RTI A-series but before making any rash decisions, it's best to setup up your existing system properly before introducing new equipment into the fray. Then if it's not to your liking you can try out some other speakers knowing that the Infinities weren't to your liking.

 

[krzywica]

That isn't always the case. Paired with a sub they would do great.

And with non bass heavy music they would be fine.

Just depends on the use. Beta's 20 would be a superior standalone and can be run Full Band

I was running them both with and without my HSU VTF2 MK3, which most people know integrates extremely well with just about any system due to its musical nature. With the sub I was running the towers crossed over at 80Hz for
both H/T and music.

They were excellent for H/T as I said but I found them lacking for music even with the sub. However I have heard many speakers and know what I like and don't like. It could just be that the OP does not like these speakers but doesn't know it yet.

 

[steve6]

polks

I have the Polk RTI A3's. Be careful of speaker-rating terminology. What's "warm" to one guy is going to be "dull" to another. That being said, I would not call the Polks "warm," "polite," or any of those things. I like to think of them as "lively." If you want detail, you're gonna have to put up with harshness in bad recordings, and bad recordings on the Polks sound ... bad.

At the same time, a *good* recording can be quite amazing on the Polks. I like the sound of fingers on guitars, bows on cellos, a cymbal that sounds like a metal object being struck. I was listening to a live classical radio broadcast (!) just the other night, and heard chairs moving and feet shuffling. I love that. Don't ask me why, I just do.

Speaking of Infinity, I alternate the Polks with old Infinity Kappa 7.1's. They look like the monolith thing in "2001," and they have a big, lush sound with terrific bass from a 10-inch woofer. But they don't "move" me somehow. So it's really a matter of taste in the end, your musical and sonic preferences, and, let's face it, your hearing. I know I am of the age where high frequencies are fading, and I crave them. So out come the Polks.

And I absolutely agree with the others about judging speakers with bad MP3's.
There is a huge, very noticeable difference depending on how much the MP3's
are compressed. It's almost like you're making the poor Infinities serve as giant ear buds..........gaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

If I were you, before giving up on the Primuses, I would do a speaker-level connection setup to the sub. See instructions here toward the bottom:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7tGJAUNyy05/app/learn/article/default.aspx?pp=T&page=All&aid=548&articlegroupid=89

Then, turn your sub's crossover point to 80 hz for starters. And leave your tone controls flat. If you have a "loudness" button, don't use it.

Hi
I am back. So from what I get from these replies, would I be better-off to get a new receiver with a sub-out so that I don't have to connect it to my A/B speaker channel and that would make a big difference in the loudness and quality of the bass? Now I am also looking at a pair of Polk rti A3, which I can get for a really good deal. Infinity 162, i think is a very accurate, neutral speaker but lacks warmth and depth, and probably I made a mistake by not buying warmer speakers for my listening purpose. So you guys think polk speakers would be warmer? (PS, my onkyo receiver is TX-8255 which I got from Amazon. It is very new but does not a sub-out. And my sub is an energy model ESW-8). Thanks again.

 

[markw]

Two separate issues here.

1) You don't like those speakers. That's fine. Embark on your journey to fine sonic nirvana. Listen to other speakers personaly or be prepared to spend mucho $$ in shipping/restocking fees. Keep in mind how well taking what you've read as truth on the web treated you with your current speakers.

But don't confuse that with your subwoofer probems. That's a separate issue entirely.

2) You simpy bought the wrong subwoofer for this application. You need one that will allow you to high-pass your mains. That's where I find this sub lacking. Virtually every other sub on the market offers this.

You can access your manual from this link : http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/support/downloads/

As I said before, your receiver is fine for your purposes, with the right subwoofer.

Whie we're at it, you can find your owner's manual here : http://www.onkyousa.com/download/own_manuals.cfm?cat=Receiver

Also, your expectations may be out of line with reality. That's a good sub when used within it's design specs, but it's not a big sub to begin with.

If anything, I'd be looking at other subwoofers first. Dayton comes to mind.

 

[lsiberian]

1) You don't like those speakers. That's fine. Embark on your journey to fine sonic nirvana. Listen to other speakers personaly or be prepared to spend mucho $$ in shipping/restocking fees. Keep in mind how well taking what you've read as truth on the web treated you with your current speakers.

But don't confuse that with your subwoofer probems. That's a separate issue entirely.

2) You simpy bought the wrong subwoofer for this application. You need one that will allow you to high-pass your mains. That's where I find this sub lacking. Virtually every other sub on the market offers this.

You can access your manual from this link : http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/support/downloads/

As I said before, your receiver is fine for your purposes, with the right subwoofer.

Whie we're at it, you can find your owner's manual here : http://www.onkyousa.com/download/own_manuals.cfm?cat=Receiver

Also, your expectations may be out of line with reality. That's a good sub when used within it's design specs, but it's not a big sub to begin with.

If anything, I'd be looking at other subwoofers first. Dayton comes to mind.

Agreed online reviews are almost always positive. That's because people that buy the speakers usually have listened to them before buying them. Or they know their brand preferences already. I mean bad subs get good reviews. Listening is important for all speakers. If you want musical speakers I suggest at the very least you get an tmm or mtm type speaker. Preferably a pair of towers. The towers should have 2 6.5 or bigger woofers 1 mid range and 1 tweeter.

Save your money for that type of speaker. The Speaker Company has good budget options, but I think saving up 500 dollars can get you to some decent choices. Be prepared to wait and be patient. Even if it takes a year to get the sound you want it is well worth it.

And don't buy junk. Reviews can be good for pointing out weaknesses, but listen to everything with your favorite cds. Or do the online in house auctions. The first speakers to try out

The Speaker Company.
SVS
Aperion
Axiom
KEF

 

[soundright]

following the suggestion

Hi
Thanks again for all the great comments. I tried one person's suggestion and hooked both my sub and speakers to the terminal A, the result is a much cleaner bass. Of course I am still not satisfied with the sound of the speakers, I find them too neutral to be my liking. So now i am ready to switch to Polk.

 

[lsiberian]

Hi
Thanks again for all the great comments. I tried one person's suggestion and hooked both my sub and speakers to the terminal A, the result is a much cleaner bass. Of course I am still not satisfied with the sound of the speakers, I find them too neutral to be my liking. So now i am ready to switch to Polk.

I suggest you listen to more speakers than just Polk and Infinity.

Would you just try out Chevy and Ford in cars?

Figure out your budget and then start listing your options.

Definitely give the The speaker Company a try. Free shipping both ways can't be beat.

SVS is another pair to try. Don't limit yourself. Speakers are a great investment if you shop around and find the ones that best fit you.

Seriously just buying polks is not wise. What if you are missing a speaker you prefer even more?

Give everything you can a go.

 

[anamorphic96]

I would bet money it's your MP3's and sound card causing the problem.

Hi
Thanks again for all the great comments. I tried one person's suggestion and hooked both my sub and speakers to the terminal A, the result is a much cleaner bass. Of course I am still not satisfied with the sound of the speakers, I find them too neutral to be my liking. So now i am ready to switch to Polk.

You still have not offered any information regarding your MP3 files. Which is probably the biggest problem you have right now. What bit rate are your MP3's encoded at. Are you using some sort of external sound card or are you just using the headphone output on your computer ? Headphone outputs and low bitrate MP3's can make music sound awful.

I would be willing to bet money that if you used a decent CD or DVD player with the original CD or something encoded in a lossless format your sound would improve dramatically.

 

[lsiberian]

You still have not offered any information regarding your MP3 files. Which is probably the biggest problem you have right now. What bit rate are your MP3's encoded at. Are you using some sort of external sound card or are you just using the headphone output on your computer ? Headphone outputs and low bitrate MP3's can make music sound awful.

I would be willing to bet money that if you used a decent CD or DVD player with the original CD or something encoded in a lossless format your sound would improve dramatically.

We've already determined the real problems.

1. He bought speakers without listening to them with music he likes. Something he appears to be repeating with the Polks.

2. He expected too much out of a 200 dollar pair of speakers largely designed for a home theater. Also he lack Proper bass management. A Proper Hip Hop sub. And has many other problems. This is an example of a audiophile disaster.

Things to learn

1. Always listen to speakers before you buy or are forced to keep them.

2. Have realistic expectations and know what setup suits your listening.

3. Listen to better bitrate music.

 

[anamorphic96]

We've already determined the real problems.

1. He bought speakers without listening to them with music he likes. Something he appears to be repeating with the Polks.

2. He expected too much out of a 200 dollar pair of speakers largely designed for a home theater. Also he lack Proper bass management. A Proper Hip Hop sub. And has many other problems. This is an example of a audiophile disaster.

Things to learn

1. Always listen to speakers before you buy or are forced to keep them.

2. Have realistic expectations and know what setup suits your listening.

3. Listen to better bitrate music.

I would tend to disagree. In my experience and reviews the P162 are very much a music speaker and compete with speakers well beyond there price point.

Considering the garbage of a source and most likely a poor sound card he is using I still put my money on his MP3 collection. Especially if there from a p2p site like Limewire.

I guess we can agree to disagree.

 

[mike c]

i want to see pics of soundright's setup.

 

[soundright]

My mp3 bitrate

I did a research on some of my mp3 files i am playing. Most of them are above 300 bit rate, which you guys say are pretty good quality. Yes, i am playing it from the headphone output of my laptop. Does sound card make a huge difference in sound quality? And I downloaded them by using rapidshare. So the source might not be a problem? Too bad I could not find a cd player around my college dorm. It seems pretty outdated.

 

[anamorphic96]

I did a research on some of my mp3 files i am playing. Most of them are above 300 bit rate, which you guys say are pretty good quality. Yes, i am playing it from the headphone output of my laptop. Does sound card make a huge difference in sound quality? And I downloaded them by using rapidshare. So the source might not be a problem? Too bad I could not find a cd player around my college dorm. It seems pretty outdated.

Well at least your bitrate is high but P2P's are still questionable for sound quality. You never really know what the original source was. Besides considering how cheap hard drive space is you should really be using a lossless format to maintain CD quality sound.

Try using a DVD player with regular CD's. I would think you could find one.

Yes. The sound card can have considerable impact on sound quality. But you don't need to spend alot to get a big improvement in sound quality. Laptops tend to flatten dynamics and introduce noise. Something like the Fubar USB DAC will do wonders. It really helped out my music collection.

http://www.miniatureaudio.com/fubar2.html

But the least you should do is find a decent DVD player and just play back some regular CD's and I think you will hear what the speakers are really capable of.

It would also help if we could post a picture of how the speakers are placed and your set up. Placement can play a BIG part in how a speaker sounds.

 

[Alex2507]

i want to see pics of soundright's setup.

Why Mike?