Advice on Replacing Favorite Shelf Unit

[sbunten]

So, my JVC HX-GD8 has recently developed an issue that I haven't been able to fix. It suddenly stopped playing while blasting music yesterday. The stereo turns on and visualizer shows input is playing, but all speakers are silent. Tested the speakers with 9 volt battery and theyre good, and the main unit's fuses are intact so I am lost. I am not opposed to getting a new system, but my budget is very limited and I know NOTHING about electronics or audio, though I have been doing a lot of research.

My question is, what is the most affordable way I could get the sound I had with my JVC, working with limited space? I only use it for music (metal variants, mostly) and almost always with volume maxed. The tone was really perfect for me, despite the subs dying on me years ago (affectively making it a 160 watt system I suppose?). I have added some more info from the user manual:


Speaker section—SP-HXGD8
Type: 3-Way 4-Speaker Bass-Reflex Type
Speakers:
Subwoofer 20 cm cone x 1
Woofer: 13.5 cm cone x 2
Tweeter: 5 cm cone x 1
Power handling capacity:
Subwoofer: 195 W
Main speaker: 80 W
Impedance:
Subwoofer: 6 Ω
Main speaker: 6 Ω
Frequency range:
Subwoofer: 30 Hz – 970 Hz
Main speaker: 75 Hz – 25 000 Hz
Sound pressure level:
Subwoofer: 83 dB/W•m
Main speaker: 88 dB/W•m
Dimensions (approx.): 240 mm x 457 mm x 407 mm
(W/H/D)
Mass (approx.):
10 kg each
also, it is rated "up to" 10% TDH which I have learned is a bad thing haha

 

[lovinthehd]

Had to see what you meant by shelf unit .... if anyone else is curious http://resources.jvc.com/Resources/00/00/95/GVT0125-001A.pdf

You should be able to use the speakers with a variety of receivers/integrated amps. What's the budget?

The way you refer to wattage is already somewhat useless, let alone trying to separate the sub or normalize exaggerated "ratings" like this one's in general (most of us prefer to see a rating not at 10% THD but more like .01% THD. Running something at full volume is generally not a good plan to begin with, altho some systems will do some automatic limiting to protect things. Maybe start with this article https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/truth-about-matching-amplifier-power

Welcome to the forum!

 

[MrBoat]

So, my JVC HX-GD8 has recently developed an issue that I haven't been able to fix. It suddenly stopped playing while blasting music yesterday. The stereo turns on and visualizer shows input is playing, but all speakers are silent. Tested the speakers with 9 volt battery and theyre good, and the main unit's fuses are intact so I am lost. I am not opposed to getting a new system, but my budget is very limited and I know NOTHING about electronics or audio, though I have been doing a lot of research.

My question is, what is the most affordable way I could get the sound I had with my JVC, working with limited space? I only use it for music (metal variants, mostly) and almost always with volume maxed. The tone was really perfect for me, despite the subs dying on me years ago (affectively making it a 160 watt system I suppose?). I have added some more info from the user manual:


Speaker section—SP-HXGD8
Type: 3-Way 4-Speaker Bass-Reflex Type
Speakers:
Subwoofer 20 cm cone x 1
Woofer: 13.5 cm cone x 2
Tweeter: 5 cm cone x 1
Power handling capacity:
Subwoofer: 195 W
Main speaker: 80 W
Impedance:
Subwoofer: 6 Ω
Main speaker: 6 Ω
Frequency range:
Subwoofer: 30 Hz – 970 Hz
Main speaker: 75 Hz – 25 000 Hz
Sound pressure level:
Subwoofer: 83 dB/W•m
Main speaker: 88 dB/W•m
Dimensions (approx.): 240 mm x 457 mm x 407 mm
(W/H/D)
Mass (approx.):
10 kg each
also, it is rated "up to" 10% TDH which I have learned is a bad thing haha

I would just replace it with a similar setup from an everything store if that's what you like. Some places may even have them hooked up on the shelf for a test drive where the TVs and everything else electronic is. Right or wrong, those systems work for fun music. I had one and it got me by for a few years at work. No shame with using consumer audio. It's all about the music anyway. The one I had sounded better than it should have for what I paid for it new.

 

[ski2xblack]

Might also weigh the costs against other options, eg a pair of powered monitors from your local guitar center and an inexpensive dac/pre to feed 'em would be a pretty inexpensive alternative and cater to crank-it-to-eleven metal habits rather nicely.

 

[ben_]

Might also weigh the costs against other options, eg a pair of powered monitors from your local guitar center and an inexpensive dac/pre to feed 'em would be a pretty inexpensive alternative and cater to crank-it-to-eleven metal habits rather nicely.

This is a really good option. Even some of the higher-end Bluetooth speaker would be an option if just playing loud is the main concern, with the added bonus of portability.

 

[TLS Guy]

So, my JVC HX-GD8 has recently developed an issue that I haven't been able to fix. It suddenly stopped playing while blasting music yesterday. The stereo turns on and visualizer shows input is playing, but all speakers are silent. Tested the speakers with 9 volt battery and theyre good, and the main unit's fuses are intact so I am lost. I am not opposed to getting a new system, but my budget is very limited and I know NOTHING about electronics or audio, though I have been doing a lot of research.

My question is, what is the most affordable way I could get the sound I had with my JVC, working with limited space? I only use it for music (metal variants, mostly) and almost always with volume maxed. The tone was really perfect for me, despite the subs dying on me years ago (affectively making it a 160 watt system I suppose?). I have added some more info from the user manual:


Speaker section—SP-HXGD8
Type: 3-Way 4-Speaker Bass-Reflex Type
Speakers:
Subwoofer 20 cm cone x 1
Woofer: 13.5 cm cone x 2
Tweeter: 5 cm cone x 1
Power handling capacity:
Subwoofer: 195 W
Main speaker: 80 W
Impedance:
Subwoofer: 6 Ω
Main speaker: 6 Ω
Frequency range:
Subwoofer: 30 Hz – 970 Hz
Main speaker: 75 Hz – 25 000 Hz
Sound pressure level:
Subwoofer: 83 dB/W•m
Main speaker: 88 dB/W•m
Dimensions (approx.): 240 mm x 457 mm x 407 mm
(W/H/D)
Mass (approx.):
10 kg each
also, it is rated "up to" 10% TDH which I have learned is a bad thing haha

The problem is that the sub is not powered, so your best bet is to replace the whole works. Otherwise you will be into a system that uses a powered sub. Those all in one systems generally have to be replaced when any problem develops.

If you want better, you will have to open your wallet somewhat.

 

[MrBoat]

"It suddenly stopped playing while blasting music yesterday."

This is usually how all these kinds of systems end, and usually after putting up with it for a good bit of time.

Still, I am reluctant to suggest more neutral audiophile solutions as replacements because these shelf systems tend to be extraordinarily forgiving to a wide range of audio recording qualities, and music that contains a lot of otherwise intentional distortion. In other words, if I was still into only heavy metal and hard rock and electric blues, I could have easily been satisfied with a powerful shelf system or even my old Fisher rack system from the '80s.

Something like the LG CM4590 XBOOM.

Would give the option of a separate subwoofer to mess with too. See if there are reviews on youtube, perhaps for this and others.

 

[Focus SE]

We like what we like, I would take the research you’ve done and shop the used market. Some people think a 1995 Magnavox is the holy grail worth stupid money because they think it’s vintage. Just research each model before you determine if the price is too high or low. There are very decent used receivers to be had at reasonable prices on Marketplace,EBay and Craig’s list. You just may end up with something way better for less money than you thought. Just don’t get a unit under powered for the speaker. While the Distortion in Metal music is part of it. Having your stereo add to it changes it in ways you may never have realized. . I’ve found with better equipment, my listing assortment has grown and so has my appreciation for many new types of music. Coming from someone that probably will get reported to an electronics abuse hotline in the future, enjoy it the way you like it. When I sit my ass down in front of my sound I don’t want the most technically perfect piece of equipment, I want what I like to hear the way I want to hear it. Enjoy the ride it’s fun and you’re right on the edge of getting hooked on the upgrade game. A 12 step program is needed for just about everyone here. Hi my name is Bob and I am an audioholic.

 

[Splicer]

DENON D-M41 CD/FM Micro Desktop Stereo System w/Bluetooth

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com