Cheap but nice shelf system

[Matt34]

I'm with you on investing in a sub. I think maybe Christmas. I really don't know what a crossover does or how to start looking for one. But, I'm interested.

You have a crossover built in to the receiver under the bass management settings(or whatever Onkyo calls it). You may want to check to see if you're receiver is in stereo/direct mode so that it is disabled for the time being until you get a sub.

 

[KEW]

You have a crossover built in to the receiver under the bass management settings(or whatever Onkyo calls it). You may want to check to see if you're receiver is in stereo/direct mode so that it is disabled for the time being until you get a sub.

Matt,
Are you sure this stereo receiver has true bass management?
I was thinking the sub output on this unit was essentially full-range mono line-level output.

 

[manther]

I remember reading in the directions something about direct mode.

Pressing the [PURE AUDIO] button on
the receiver repeatedly until the
DIRECT indicator lights up or pressing
the [DIRECT] button on the remote
controller activates the DIRECT function. To turn the
function off, press the [PURE AUDIO] button on the
receiver repeatedly until no indicator lights up or press
the [STEREO] button on the remote controller.
When the DIRECT function is off, the tone controls can
be used to adjust the sound.
When the DIRECT function is on, the tone controls are
bypassed, so you can enjoy a pure sound.
You can configure whether the DIRECT function is
applied or not for input sources individually.
Pressing the [PURE AUDIO] button on
the receiver repeatedly until the PURE
AUDIO indicator lights up or pressing
the [PURE A] button on the remote
controller activates the Pure Audio listening mode. To
turn the mode off, press the [PURE AUDIO] button on
the receiver repeatedly until no indicator lights up or
press the [STEREO] button on the remote controller.
The Pure Audio listening mode allows you to enjoy
purer sound by disabling the video signal output and
turning off the indication in the display.
During the Pure Audio listening mode, the tone controls
are bypassed and adjustments using the Bass and Treble
controls are ignored.
You can configure whether the Pure Audio listening
mode is applied or not for input sources individually.

 

[manther]

Also Matt, you were saying the speakers are getting the full amount of power they can. Is that full amount 50 or 100 watts?

 

[KEW]

Also Matt, you were saying the speakers are getting the full amount of power they can. Is that full amount 50 or 100 watts?

You are getting the full 100Watts when you drive them using the "A" speaker terminals. If you hook a second set into the "B" terminals and play them at the same time, you are splitting your power output between the two pairs (and can cause problems, depending on your speakers).

Note the note on the back by the speaker terminals which says you can power two pairs of speakers as long as they are 8-16 ohms, however you can power 4-16 ohm speakers as long as it is one pair at a time.

 

[manther]

You are getting the full 100Watts when you drive them using the "A" speaker terminals. If you hook a second set into the "B" terminals and play them at the same time, you are splitting your power output between the two pairs (and can cause problems, depending on your speakers).

Note the note on the back by the speaker terminals which says you can power two pairs of speakers as long as they are 8-16 ohms, however you can power 4-16 ohm speakers as long as it is one pair at a time.

Yep saw that. OK cool. Sounds like the speaker power is all set then.

As far as bass management goes. It sounds like Matt and the Onkyo manual are saying pres the Pure Audio button until Direct appears on the receiver. Use the receiver this way until I get a bass speaker, and then I can turn "direct" off.

 

[Matt34]

Matt,
Are you sure this stereo receiver has true bass management?
I was thinking the sub output on this unit was essentially full-range mono line-level output.

You might be right, didn't realize it was a stereo AVR so I'm not sure what, if any, bass management it has.

 

[Matt34]

Yep saw that. OK cool. Sounds like the speaker power is all set then.

As far as bass management goes. It sounds like Matt and the Onkyo manual are saying pres the Pure Audio button until Direct appears on the receiver. Use the receiver this way until I get a bass speaker, and then I can turn "direct" off.

You may want to read up in the manual some more. What you posted doesn't mention the use of a sub or bass management. Just that it bypasses video and tone control settings. If I remember tonight I'll look it up myself.

 

[manther]

Yeah your right I don't think it has any kind of bass management. Kew broke it down for me in a pm.

Thanks for the help everyone. Probably check back when I'm ready for a subwoofer.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

I got a closer picture on me, but its not too clear. It was low light and the iphone has no flash. Check the attachment.

Let me check that and get back to you...

When the 8555 wouldn't fit in our little table my wife started thinking about a low small entertainment center.

Gotcha...

I hooked the tuner up to the TV, and watched the San Diego / Kansas game. Obviously didn't have a surround sound quality to it. But it had a deeper register than my Aquios. And had an overall bigger sound.

I understand; but do you mean you hooked the receiver to the TV's audio outputs? Also -- these stereo receivers are made primarily for two-channel music listening (as a good integrated amp would) so when you get a chance, give some tunes a good cranking on this beast...

Do you have a source component to play discs (CD/DVD)?

 

[PearlcorderS701]

A couple of things regarding what Matt and Manter were discussing...

From what I have been told, the TX-8555 automatically crosses over at an 80Hz frequency when a sub is connected to its sub pre out. As for the wattage thing, KEW is right in that if two speakers are connected to the "A" terminals, you're getting 100 watts X 2 from this amp...

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Manter:

Please check your inbox for Private Messages -- I sent you one that I'd like you to read when you get a chance. Thanks!

 

[manther]

Let me check that and get back to you...



Gotcha...



I understand; but do you mean you hooked the receiver to the TV's audio outputs? Also -- these stereo receivers are made primarily for two-channel music listening (as a good integrated amp would) so when you get a chance, give some tunes a good cranking on this beast...

Do you have a source component to play discs (CD/DVD)?

Yes your right I used the tv's outputs. When listening to the TV for Music, or Games. I thought about plugging it into the satellites receiver.

 

[KEW]

From what I have been told, the TX-8555 automatically crosses over at an 80Hz frequency when a sub is connected to its sub pre out.

Most stereo receivers send a mono full-range line level output to the sub.
I downloaded a copy of the manual from the Onkyo site and did a search for "crossover" (not found in document) and "80hz" (not found in document).
I don't have this receiver so can't be certain.

 

[manther]

Yeah I searched, "cross" "bass" "manage" "direct". Got a few hits but nothing related to the subject at hand.

As a side note I think I will try out the direct feature (Pure Audio). I'm interested in hearing the music the way it was originally intended. Instead of how I think it should sound.

 

[KEW]

As a side note I think I will try out the direct feature (Pure Audio). I'm interested in hearing the music the way it was originally intended. Instead of how I think it should sound.

You are making the assumption that the recording engineer mixed the recording in your room on your speakers!

However, if you like the sound in Pure Direct, keep it there - it never hurts to by-pass unneeded circuitry.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Yes your right I used the tv's outputs. When listening to the TV for Music, or Games. I thought about plugging it into the satellites receiver.

What kind of music do you listen to on TV? You should get yourself a nice dedicated separate CD player or changer...

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Most stereo receivers send a mono full-range line level output to the sub.
I downloaded a copy of the manual from the Onkyo site and did a search for "crossover" (not found in document) and "80hz" (not found in document).
I don't have this receiver so can't be certain.

I believe I read on AVS that an owner of the 8555 got confirmation from an e-mail from Onkyo that this particular unit uses an 80Hz crossover; not sure about other units.

 

[riker1384]

An "80 hz crossover" could just mean a lowpass filter for the sub.

I was wondering the same thing about my mini receiver R805X from the MC35TECH system. I emailed them asking if it had a highpass filter for the main channels. The answer was something like:

"No it does not. All the bass is handled by the subwoofer when it is connected."

Which doesn't make sense and contradicts itself. I don't think the first tier of support people understand the question. Maybe a phone call would be better.

 

[manther]

What kind of music do you listen to on TV? You should get yourself a nice dedicated separate CD player or changer...

Wheeeeen I listen to music from the TV it's via UVers's music channels. (Urge). However, I rarely listen to music on Urge due to the anemic selection Uverse brodcasts. I really just wanted to see how the quality was. It wasn't bad.

I do have a dedicated cd player. However 100% of my music listening is through some other means besides CD's. I have a CD collection of zero.

I use mp3's internet streaming, Pandora off my IPhone, etc...

Currently looking for suggestions on internet tuners. Anything that gives 256k quality or better.