Need advice please

[mfontmt]

Hi,

I currently have an Onkyo home theater system which includes the HT-R390 Receiver. I was looking to maybe get the Yamaha RX-V671 Receiver. Would this be a big upgrade? I'm a beginner and not too fluent in the terms. The speakers that came with the Onkyo system have a max power of 120Watts and Impedence of 6 ohms (I read this off the back of one of the front speakers) and the subwoofer is 130 watts and 6 ohms. If I do go with the Yamaha Receiver, should I get new speakers?
I guess another question would be what should I look for in a relationship between receiver and speakers, as far as compatibility and durability?

Sorry if the questions seem worded silly. I'm not sure what to ask I guess.

 

[ImcLoud]

Welcome --- Whats your budget, honestly I would upgrade the speakers first..
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=300-696

 

[mfontmt]

Around 200 for speakers. I guess it would depend on if I need a new receiver or not, I might go higher.
The reason I'm looking to upgrade my receiver is because it seems when I watch something, it just doesn't seem crisp. It gets loud enough,just not crisp and clear enough,especially when an actor/character speaks. Not sure what to replace to make this better.

 

[ImcLoud]

Sounds like a room eq issue.. Try adjusting your speaekr levels, and make sure they are not crossed over at the wrong level too..

If you are looking for new stuff, let us know a hard budget and what you want to accomplish with your room size... There are some very good sales this weekend..

The energy 5.1 with a 1010i sub, and a decent avr can cost you a little over $600, where after monday just that sub is going to cost you $500 {I bought one today}... And you will have a very noticeable difference.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269004&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-NA-_-NA
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR1612/DENON-AVR-1612-5.1-Channel-A/V-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html
http://www.emptek.com/es1010i_bf12.php

I would start with the sub and the energy 5.0, than if your avr doesnt have the punch you want, I would upgrade to something with more power..

But first, make sure your front speaekrs are crossed at 80hz, and make sure your system is balanced correctly... {your avr should have came with a mic, but sometime you can do it manually and get good results...

 

[mfontmt]

When you say "crossed over at the wrong level", what does that mean?

 

[ImcLoud]

When you say "crossed over at the wrong level", what does that mean?

In your avr's programming menu, there should be some sort of balancing and equalizing options, may say set front speakers to large or small, then there should be some sort of menu to adjust the speaker levels...

When you cross over your fronts, you are making it so the bass isnt sent to them, and its sent to just your subwoofer, this frees up power for your mids and highs, letting your subs amp handle the lows..

 

[mfontmt]

Thanks so much for your time. You mentioned new speakers. Does that mean you are saying my receiver is probably adequate? I saw the Energy Classic and the Energy Micro. Any recommendations on which of those speaker sets?
Also, I found the crossover freguency. Any idea what frequency to set it at? my current setting was 120 Hz

 

[ImcLoud]

I cross my fronts at 80hz high pass....

I like the sound of the energy classics... for there price, and they are easy to drive, so may be louder with the same power than your htiab speakers...

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks so much for your time. You mentioned new speakers. Does that mean you are saying my receiver is probably adequate? I saw the Energy Classic and the Energy Micro. Any recommendations on which of those speaker sets?
Also, I found the crossover freguency. Any idea what frequency to set it at? my current setting was 120 Hz

If you really want small speakers, then buy small. The main problem
with your current system is, the cheapy Onkyo speakers. If you have
a critical ear, then you desire better speakers.

As far as speaker crossover, if they do not have any decent frequency
response below 120 or 100 hz, then do not cross below that frequency.
Crossing lower than what the front speakers can really handle >> will
leave a gap/hole in the frequency response.

 

[mfontmt]

I was looking at the Energy 5.1 Take Classic Speakers. I am almost sold, just wanted to get your advice again. My receiver manual states 110 watts per channel x5 channels plus the 130 Watt sub
The energy speakers says I should have a receiver that provides 20-100 watt RMS
(continuous)
Also the Energy speakers are 8 ohms impedence. The Onkyo speakers were 6 ohms

So, having that info, will the Energy speakers be compatible or work well with my Onkyo Receiver?

 

[zieglj01]

So, having that info, will the Energy speakers be compatible or work well with my Onkyo Receiver?

That receiver can work for you.
The Energy sub, will have its own built-in amp for the subwoofer.

 

[ImcLoud]

I was looking at the Energy 5.1 Take Classic Speakers. I am almost sold, just wanted to get your advice again. My receiver manual states 110 watts per channel x5 channels plus the 130 Watt sub
The energy speakers says I should have a receiver that provides 20-100 watt RMS
(continuous)
Also the Energy speakers are 8 ohms impedence. The Onkyo speakers were 6 ohms

So, having that info, will the Energy speakers be compatible or work well with my Onkyo Receiver?

I wouldnt get the 5.1 I would jump on the 5.0 on sale and pick a different sub, your new sub should have its own amplifier, thus freeing up power from your avr's amp section. Also the energy speakers are pretty efficient so that will also help the situation... If you can swing the emp tec 1010i sub $299 and the energy 5.0 I think you would be very happy, sice the sale prices save you about 50%.... and as of monday they will be gone...

 

[mfontmt]

I couldn't find the emp tek 1010i sub for less than $499. I did however find the Energy ESW-M8 NA 1,200-Watt Subwoofer for $299. Not sure if it is powered, because it doesn't say. The Energy 5.0 is going for $169 or so.
So, the Energy 5.1 subwoofer isn't all that great, or are you just saying there are better for the same price( I'm guessing the Energy one in the 5.1 doesn't have it's own amp?) There is also the Klipsch Sub-12HG Synergy Series 12-Inch 300-Watt Subwoofer for $299

 

[zieglj01]

I couldn't find the emp tek 1010i sub for less than $499. I did however find the Energy ESW-M8 NA 1,200-Watt Subwoofer for $299. Not sure if it is powered, because it doesn't say. The Energy 5.0 is going for $169 or so.
So, the Energy 5.1 subwoofer isn't all that great, There is also the Klipsch Sub-12HG Synergy Series 12-Inch 300-Watt Subwoofer for $299

The EMP sub is here
EMP Tek ES1010i Subwoofer (2012 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale

There are only a couple of 8" subwoofers that I would buy,
and it is not Energy.

With the Energy small speakers - I would take the EMP sub over
that Klipsch sub.