Another request for opinion and help

[dssmith999]

I am looking to add more depth to movies and such but very little music. Here is my setup.
14x14 room
Pioneer VSX-815 receiver
JBL SUB-12
JBL Northridge E25 center
6 JBL Balconey for the other channels
Hatachi 65inch 1080i monitor
Dish Network HD
HD capable HTPC
HDDVD player Toshiba HD-A2
Did I miss anything?

I was looking to add an Emotiva LPA1 to my system and let it power everything but the back surrounds. I have looked at several threads but could not find any info with this particular combination. I feel my greatet room for improvement is in the receiver amp area but all recomnedatiuons are welcome but I dont want new speakers unless nessasary. I do like bang for the buck items as my budget is limited but at this point I have ability to add some decent componets to my system.

 

[Adam]

I like your plan. I have a Pioneer VSX-1015, and after feeling that something was lacking when playing surround sound at louder volumes, I added an amp for the front speakers. Big improvement. It was a good choice for me. I then added another amp for the center and rears, but while their was an improvement, it wasn't as large (because after the first amp purchase the receiver was only being tasked with powering the center and two rears).

 

[zumbo]

Speakers and sub.

If you add an amp, it's gonna sound exactly the same for movies. There will be an improvement during high level music listening, or concert dvd's. At low to mid level listening, it will sound exactly the same as it does now.

 

[cbraver]

I agree:Speakers

I'd start with upgrading the speakers, then, as finances permit, buy amplifier(s). Those Balcony's are fine for the sides and rears, but you'll surely benefit from upgrading the L, C and R's. You'll notice the difference from that, but you'll soon want more power to get that movie theater experience.

For movie theater sound especially, I'd recommend looking at pro-amps in addition to home-audio amplifiers. Some other members on here have similiar feelings on the matter. Home audio products have bigger margins. Go to bhphotovideo.com and surf around the pro-audio amplifier section.

 

[mazersteven]

If you don't want to change your speakers like you stated then I say at least change that subwoofer.

 

[dssmith999]

Wow

I am looking to add more depth to movies and such but very little music. Here is my setup.
14x14 room
Pioneer VSX-815 receiver
JBL SUB-12
JBL Northridge E25 center
6 JBL Balconey for the other channels
Hatachi 65inch 1080i monitor
Dish Network HD
HD capable HTPC
HDDVD player Toshiba HD-A2
Did I miss anything?

I was looking to add an Emotiva LPA1 to my system and let it power everything but the back surrounds. I have looked at several threads but could not find any info with this particular combination. I feel my greatet room for improvement is in the receiver amp area but all recomnedatiuons are welcome but I dont want new speakers unless nessasary. I do like bang for the buck items as my budget is limited but at this point I have ability to add some decent componets to my system.

Nice points so far let me hit them
1. So the Emotiva LPA1 is out. So is there someting in the low to mid range woth buying now to replace the vsx-815 or add to?
2. JBL SUB-12 needs to go on flee-bay? What would be a worthy low to mid range replacement?
3. Recomendation for L, R and center replacement that would match sound wise with the JBL balconey for surrounds.

I was willing to spend $500 for the LPA1 so where should I place that instead or wait?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Nice points so far let me hit them
1. So the Emotiva LPA1 is out. So is there someting in the low to mid range woth buying now to replace the vsx-815 or add to?
2. JBL SUB-12 needs to go on flee-bay? What would be a worthy low to mid range replacement?
3. Recomendation for L, R and center replacement that would match sound wise with the JBL balconey for surrounds.

I was willing to spend $500 for the LPA1 so where should I place that instead or wait?

I say buy the LPA-1 NOW! It's on sale, and is perfect for an upgrade path, like getting an Emotiva Prepro later

But I also agree that your sub and speakers might need an upgrade. But get that amp on sale.

 

[dssmith999]

I say buy the LPA-1 NOW! It's on sale, and is perfect for an upgrade path, like getting an Emotiva Prepro later

But I also agree that your sub and speakers might need an upgrade. But get that amp on sale.

Did you notice a difference in the sound quality with the LPA-1. I have heard other say it is warmer and more accurate but does this only apply to music? Seems you have the LMC-1 also what do you feel about me keeping the VSX-815 for the pre-pro?

 

[zumbo]

I have the older model of this sub, and I love it. The color may not be what you want, but what-a-deal.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31737

 

[Seth=L]

Upgrading the subwoofer is the first logical step. Using the x-over in the receiver and setting the speakers to small should improve the receiver's ability to drive your speakers to higher levels easier and the subwoofer will do what it does best, fill out the bottom end. (never mind how large your speakers are, you should set them to small and set the receiver's x-over to 80 or maybe 100 hz).

Chosing between upgrading the amplifier or speakers is a toss-up in this case IMO. The JBLs are great bang for buck speakers and are relatively easy to drive. I have nothing bad to say about JBL really I think that for the money they sound great and they can shine with more power. The problem with upgrading speakers would be that your receiver isn't the best equipped to handle low impedance and many speakers aren't as even loaded or as efficient as the JBLs. The Pioneer is likely holding your speakers back and would do so with an upgraded set of speakers as well IMO.

In this situation you would be looking for speakers to match your receiver's abiltities, which I would never do. Chosing speakers then amplification is the wisest route. You selection may be limited just because of the receiver. If I were in your position, I would upgrade at least to a two channel amplifier before changing out speakers.

 

[Seth=L]

Did you notice a difference in the sound quality with the LPA-1. I have heard other say it is warmer and more accurate but does this only apply to music? Seems you have the LMC-1 also what do you feel about me keeping the VSX-815 for the pre-pro?

The LMC-1 would be a better pre/pro than the VSX-815 no doubt, but for now the VSX-815 should work fine for you.

SVS and HSU have good subwoofers that would really fill in the low end quite well. The subwoofer that Zumbo refered you to is quite nice as well. The finish on NHT's products is outstanding and they are typically considered to be good deals at retail with most of their products.

 

[zumbo]

In this situation you would be looking for speakers to match your receiver's abiltities, which I would never do. Chosing speakers then amplification is the wisest route. You selection may be limited just because of the receiver. If I were in your position, I would upgrade at least to a two channel amplifier before changing out speakers.

Funny. You say "Chosing speakers then amplification is the wisest route." Then you inform to "upgrade at least to a two channel amplifier before changing out speakers."

And, what about the sub? It doesn't care what receiver is used, for the most part.
EDIT: I see you covered that before this posted.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am looking to add more depth to movies and such but very little music. Here is my setup.
.

What do you really mean by this? What is lacking? Low frequency? Is your system properly set up?
A 3D movie gives depth

 

[Seth=L]

Funny. You say "Chosing speakers then amplification is the wisest route." Then you inform to "upgrade at least to a two channel amplifier before changing out speakers."

And, what about the sub? It doesn't care what receiver is used, for the most part.
EDIT: I see you covered that before this posted.

Sorry I made that confusing, I should have explained it better.

In a typical arrangement one should chose the speakers then find the right receiver/amplifier to drive them. Since he already has a receiver it would be silly to go shopping for speakers to fit the receiver's criteria. Buying a power amplifier in fact broadens the OP's speaker choosing abilities in the future when the budget allows for new speakers to be purchased.

I think that covers it.

 

[Seth=L]

What do you really mean by this? What is lacking? Low frequency? Is your system properly set up?
A 3D movie gives depth

Maybe dynamics? A friend of mine has a VSX-814 (for all intents and purposes it is essentially the same receiver as the VSX-815) and it is used in a small bedroom with fairly efficient speakers (by small I mean 12x12 maybe, it's in a double-wide trailer). I have noticed it isn't very dynamic.

 

[zumbo]

Sorry I made that confusing, I should have explained it better.

In a typical arrangement one should chose the speakers then find the right receiver/amplifier to drive them. Since he already has a receiver it would be silly to go shopping for speakers to fit the receiver's criteria. Buying a power amplifier in fact broadens the OP's speaker choosing abilities in the future when the budget allows for new speakers to be purchased.

I think that covers it.

Just having a little fun at your expense. It is shocking to see such a budget receiver with pre-outs. The OP must've done their homework.

 

[Seth=L]

Just having a little fun at your expense. It is shocking to see such a budget receiver with pre-outs. The OP must've done their homework.

The VSX 810 series has been a great hit with those on a budget. Unfortunately Pioneer dropped the Preout feature on the VSX-817 as well as the VSX-917 that supports HDMI switching (no audio/video processing). I am fairly dissapointed with Pioneer based on the cutback on features especially considering how well the VSX-810 series sold.

 

[dssmith999]

Admission of Guilt and gratitude for opinions

Maybe dynamics? A friend of mine has a VSX-814 (for all intents and purposes it is essentially the same receiver as the VSX-815) and it is used in a small bedroom with fairly efficient speakers (by small I mean 12x12 maybe, it's in a double-wide trailer). I have noticed it isn't very dynamic.

I just recently upgraded my HTIB speakers and have been a little disappointed. The receiver does not drive them as well as the smaller ones. That is why I felt more power was necessary. It will get quite loud as is but that is not what I was looking for. Too bad after the power is added the speakers will hold it back. I can tell everyone replying is passionate about audio and want to give big thanks for the info.

 

[Seth=L]

I just recently upgraded my HTIB speakers and have been a little disappointed. The receiver does not drive them as well as the smaller ones. That is why I felt more power was necessary. It will get quite loud as is but that is not what I was looking for. Too bad after the power is added the speakers will hold it back. I can tell everyone replying is passionate about audio and want to give big thanks for the info.

Well good luck.

Happy listening.

 

[dssmith999]

Want about this solution?

I am looking to add more depth to movies and such but very little music. Here is my setup.
14x14 room
Pioneer VSX-815 receiver
JBL SUB-12
JBL Northridge E25 center
6 JBL Balconey for the other channels
Hatachi 65inch 1080i monitor
Dish Network HD
HD capable HTPC
HDDVD player Toshiba HD-A2
Did I miss anything?

I was looking to add an Emotiva LPA1 to my system and let it power everything but the back surrounds. I have looked at several threads but could not find any info with this particular combination. I feel my greatet room for improvement is in the receiver amp area but all recomnedatiuons are welcome but I dont want new speakers unless nessasary. I do like bang for the buck items as my budget is limited but at this point I have ability to add some decent componets to my system.

How would this work?
LPA1 to amp the L, R and Center
Replace the center with NHT - Classic Two Center-Channel Speaker
Replace L, R with NHT - Classic Four Loudspeaker
Replace Sub with NHT - Classic Twelve Subwoofer
Nice chocolate red color all replacements also but good deal.

Then take the wife shopping.