PA speakers in Home Theatre

[Awarrick]

Hello All!

Alright so here's what I've been stumped with for some time now. I know audio systems relatively well and I hope someone here can help me with this predicament.

So I have a pretty nice receiver which plays a 5.1 surround, but more recently I have purchased some Mackie Th-15a loudspeakers which i REALLY want to run as my mains! I've done hours and hours of research and from what I've read and researched, I am aware that there are nice receivers out there that already have xlr inputs.. but mine do not.

Currently, I have my Mackie speakers running into a mixer and then looped into my receiver ... But it is not surround sound obviously.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I know that xlr to raw cable wires do not exist, but realistically I feel like that would just make everything a bajillion times easier in this task..

Anyone have any clear cut answers?? THANKS!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello All!

Alright so here's what I've been stumped with for some time now. I know audio systems relatively well and I hope someone here can help me with this predicament.

So I have a pretty nice receiver which plays a 5.1 surround, but more recently I have purchased some Mackie Th-15a loudspeakers which i REALLY want to run as my mains! I've done hours and hours of research and from what I've read and researched, I am aware that there are nice receivers out there that already have xlr inputs.. but mine do not.

Currently, I have my Mackie speakers running into a mixer and then looped into my receiver ... But it is not surround sound obviously.

Anyone have any suggestions?

I know that xlr to raw cable wires do not exist, but realistically I feel like that would just make everything a bajillion times easier in this task..

Anyone have any clear cut answers?? THANKS!

Does your receiver have RCA preouts? If so you can go from receiver RCA preouts, to xlr in on your speakers, as a floating line.

If you have no preouts you are stuck, and need to get a receiver that has.

 

[Awarrick]

Okay I have one Harmon Kardon HK3390 (http://www.harmanaudio.com/images/products/rear_large/HK3390.jpg) and one Sony STR DE835 (Sony STR DE835 5.1 Surround Sound Receiver + Bose 100 Speakers **MINT)

The Harmon Kardon (HK) receiver seems to have one RCA section labeled "preout" but this is where my novice intellect steps in. The HK receiver is a 2 way receiver while the crappy Sony one is the 5.1 surround and doesn't seem to have a section labeled "preout".. can I loop the HK preout into the Sony receiver?

I'm planning on spending some more money into this project if need be, but I'm just crossing my fingers that these two receivers plus the use of a Podium Pro Audio MX1204 12-channel Mixer should get this job done, haha

Key words.. "Crossing my fingers"

 

[markw]

Like Radio Shack used to say, "You've got questions? We've got answers." ...and they mostly did.

But, there never was a guarantee the answers were what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, there's no way to "marry" those two receivvers to do what you want.

You could get some RCA to XLR adapters and run your PA speakers off the H/K, but that's about it. There's no integration to the Sony.

You really need a HT receiver with preamp outs.

 

[TLS Guy]

Like Radio Shack used to say, "You've got questions? We've got answers." ...and they mostly did.

But, there never was a guarantee the answers were what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, there's no way to "marry" those two receivvers to do what you want.

You could get some RCA to XLR adapters and run your PA speakers off the H/K, but that's about it. There's no integration to the Sony.

You really need a HT receiver with preamp outs.

And that's the God's honest truth, straight up!

 

[lsiberian]

For a Pro audio setup you could use a MOTU, but they do cost around the same as a receiver.

 

[slipperybidness]

It would not work for everyone, and OP hasn't supplied enough info to see if it would work for him.

However, if I were really wanting to use amplified speakers as my mains, I would highly consider an Oppo player and cut the separate pre-amp out of the setup entirely.

 

[lsiberian]

It would not work for everyone, and OP hasn't supplied enough info to see if it would work for him.

However, if I were really wanting to use amplified speakers as my mains, I would highly consider an Oppo player and cut the separate pre-amp out of the setup entirely.

You'd still need volume control. Honestly a receiver is the best device for home audio. You can use the pre-amp outs and still control the levels plus you get the modern DSP technology. Honestly those speakers aren't great sounding either. They'll get loud, but you don't need that kind of level in a home theater either. These are bottom of the line PA speakers not LSRs or theater grade stuff.

 

[slipperybidness]

You'd still need volume control. Honestly a receiver is the best device for home audio. You can use the pre-amp outs and still control the levels plus you get the modern DSP technology. Honestly those speakers aren't great sounding either. They'll get loud, but you don't need that kind of level in a home theater either. These are bottom of the line PA speakers not LSRs or theater grade stuff.

My understanding is that the Oppo "can" offer volume control. I can't comment on whether using it is or is not a good idea.

Otherwise, I absolutely agree with your comments in general terms.

However, check out the setup from AH member DJ reef. Oppo player, Emo Airmotivs and SVS subs. Nice and simple and gives all the functions u must have.

 

[markw]

I would think that if OP could afford an Oppo, he could afford a receiver with pre-outs to begin with and this thread would been over after post # 2.

And besides, with only that Oppo, what would OP do for amplification for the center and surround channels of his AV system?

 

[ImcLoud]

Ive done it, line level converter and 12v wall power supply... then a couple rca to xlr adapters, done....
this one doesnt even need a power supply so no transformer needed that is sweet..
Xantech SLLC1 Speaker Level to Line Level Converter - Smarthome
It says 35w max, but if you turn down your front and left right and make it up you shouldnt go over 70 watts and you can make it up with your speakers amps by raising their gain...

I used this one with a power supply when I did it.. because I did it for the front 3 speakers...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA15Y0C64686&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleMKP&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleMKP-_-pla-_-Car+Electronics+Accessories-_-9SIA15Y0C64686

 

[Awarrick]

Thank you guys for all the information!

Do you have any suggestions for a good value receiver that would help me accomplish this home theatre setup with 5.1 surround and xlr inputs?

 

[Awarrick]

ImcLoud -- can you go into a bit of detail to explain what the audio process looks like specifically?
I find this stuff fascinating, and really want to learn what is doing what in trying to make this project work. Like the power from my speakers run into the xlr to rca converter then into the line out converter then into the receiver itself?

 

[markw]

I doubt you'll find any XLR line outs in any receiver you would consider but since you seem to want to go another way, it's a moot point.

 

[ImcLoud]

ImcLoud -- can you go into a bit of detail to explain what the audio process looks like specifically?
I find this stuff fascinating, and really want to learn what is doing what in trying to make this project work. Like the power from my speakers run into the xlr to rca converter then into the line out converter then into the receiver itself?

Pretty simple, just wire your front left and right speaker level outputs to the converter, then plug the outputs of the converter into your powered speakers inputs with some xlr / rca adapters.... Amazon.com: Pyle PPRC-X05 Dual 5ft. Professional Audio Link Cable XLR Female to RCA Male: Musical Instruments

nothing is impossible, but IMO a new receiver if your budget allows would be a good way to go...

You can wait for this preamp it has xlr outputs XMC-1 Processor | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers

 

[slipperybidness]

Pretty simple, just wire your front left and right speaker level outputs to the converter, then plug the outputs of the converter into your powered speakers inputs with some xlr / rca adapters.... Amazon.com: Pyle PPRC-X05 Dual 5ft. Professional Audio Link Cable XLR Female to RCA Male: Musical Instruments

nothing is impossible, but IMO a new receiver if your budget allows would be a good way to go...

You can wait for this preamp it has xlr outputs XMC-1 Processor | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifiers

The thing is, we don't know what his other speakers are. It seems like maybe the others are passive speakers, so he needs some type of amp for those.

 

[TLS Guy]

The thing is, we don't know what his other speakers are. It seems like maybe the others are passive speakers, so he needs some type of amp for those.

That's the issue. Those units use resistors to resist the voltage, so you have to keep the output low as the resistors get hot. Only his right and left mains are active and he will have a very difficult time level matching his system.

That type of solution is very crude and that's the best you can say about it.

 

[lsiberian]

Thank you guys for all the information!

Do you have any suggestions for a good value receiver that would help me accomplish this home theatre setup with 5.1 surround and xlr inputs?

You need rca to xlr cables not xlr outputs and I don't suggest you play games with electric like one of our previous posters.

If you're willing to go used you can get a HK AVR 254 for pretty cheap.

If you want a new receiver check out this one MARANTZ SR5005 100w X 7ch 3-D Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

For cable check out monoprice.com.

 

[Awarrick]

You need rca to xlr cables not xlr outputs and I don't suggest you play games with electric like one of our previous posters.

If you're willing to go used you can get a HK AVR 254 for pretty cheap.

If you want a new receiver check out this one MARANTZ SR5005 100w X 7ch 3-D Home Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less

For cable check out monoprice.com.

This helps me out Tremendously! Thank you Sir, Ill probably go the HK route to match the other receiver that I own.

In closing, Is there a way you can let me know where the RCA to XLR cable actually attaches to the receiver? Do I just disregard wiring the raw cable wires to the Front left and right speaker terminals and use the rca connector to attach... somewhere to actually make it surround sound? That is what I am most confused with. If I attach my xlr cable to a rca adapter, will I not have 2 pairs of rca cables to attach to the receiver since I have two speakers that are being connected?

This is my last question pertaining wiring. -- How do I do it --

Reference: http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/harmon_kardon_avr_347_1.jpg

 

[Awarrick]

Thank you guys so much!

So if I do end up going the HK AVR 254 route because it'd match best.. what exactly does the wiring look like?
My biggest question is how exactly one goes about using the xlr to rca cables to wire it into the receiver... Since there are two powered speakers using xlr would there then also be a need to purchase two of these rca adapters and plug both of them into the unit? What exactly would be wired where to make it surround sound?

Referring to this unit's back (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81MrNhPPI2S._SL1500_.jpg) would I simply neglect raw wiring in the spot for the front left and right speakers, being as they are going to be inputted somewhere via rca inputs, and raw speaker wire the rest of my system?

Sorry for all the questions.. But hey, this is the beginner place to post, right? haha