Any opinions on good cheap av receivers?

[sizzam]

What are you using now for receiver?

a pioneer vsx1130k with a 550w power draw and a 165w single channel at 1%thd peak output (aka about 50-60 watts per channel all speakers working)

 

[sizzam]

DCM and MTX are 2 different divisions of the same company. MTX is the "budget" brand. The DCM Time Piece (TP) series and Time Frame Evolution (TFE) series are legit good speakers.

good to know, ive got a pair of mtx 10" that came with my pickup and i have a decent 500W amp powering them way past what they are rated and they tank it like champs so mtx arent too bad in my book. (the only issue is the response curve of these im pretty sure is horrid)

 

[Pogre]

a pioneer vsx1130k with a 550w power draw and a 165w single channel at 1%thd peak output

See, those specs are pretty meaningless. What's the 2 channel driven/8 ohm spec?

 

[sizzam]

See, those specs are pretty meaningless. What's the 2 channel driven/8 ohm spec?

i think in the neighborhood of around 70-90w for 6-8 ohm loads ( not bad but the sony will smoke it)

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd stick with the 1130 and work on speakers/sub. Or is there some feature the 1130 doesn't have that you need? Here's the bench test for the 1130 fwiw https://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-vsx-1130-av-receiver-review-test-bench

The power consumption spec without a definition is pretty much meaningless (i.e. it's likely not a max figure), I'd think it has a larger power supply in any case.

 

[Pogre]

i think in the neighborhood of around 70-90w for 6-8 ohm loads ( not bad but the sony will smoke it)

To me, the 2 channel driven at 8 ohm rating is the only power spec that holds any meaning when compared to real world use. All the other power specs are just different ways to manipulate the same power in a way to make it look like there's more there than what really is.

 

[sizzam]

I'd stick with the 1130 and work on speakers/sub. Or is there some feature the 1130 doesn't have that you need? Here's the bench test for the 1130 fwiw https://www.soundandvision.com/content/pioneer-vsx-1130-av-receiver-review-test-bench

The power consumption spec without a definition is pretty much meaningless, I'd think it has a larger power supply in any case.

side by side they are pretty comparible but i was gonna use the sony since it has a better auto calibration system so i can squeeze all the possible nuance and detail from these speakers as i can manage.

 

[Pogre]

side by side they are pretty comparible but i was gonna use the sony since it has a better auto calibration system so i can squeeze all the possible nuance and detail from these speakers as i can manage.

I feel like you're still trying to make cake with poop here...

I think you need to shift your focus and work on replacing those speakers. I remember your other thread now. I can't believe you just spent $400 on a receiver and did not replace those speakers... that was a complete waste.

 

[lovinthehd]

side by side they are pretty comparible but i was gonna use the sony since it has a better auto calibration system so i can squeeze all the possible nuance and detail from these speakers as i can manage.

I'd rank MCACC in your Pioneer above DCAC in the Sony. Audyssey XT32 and some others would be much better in any case. They're not going to do much with your current white van speakers, you can't put lipstick on a pig as they say

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Only made it to post 79 so I’m probably speaking out of turn. But holy balls, throw those subs away...
The amp will be a waste(but no preouts anyway), so do something legit and get at least one good sub.

Ok. I will edit and apologize later after I read the rest of this. Maybe...[emoji12]

 

[sizzam]

I feel like you're still trying to make cake with poop here...

I think you need to shift your focus and work on replacing those speakers. I remember your other thread now. I can't believe you just spent $400 on a receiver and did not replace those speakers...

well after looking over the comparisons my current receiver was better in some respects so i cancelled the order, now then on to the topic id like to discuss what speakers would you recommend for a max price of 400$ that look like these
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694476899816177685/708755462060769351/20200509_140045.jpg

 

[sizzam]

Only made it to post 79 so I’m probably speaking out of turn. But holy balls, throw those subs away...
The amp will be a waste(but no preouts anyway), so do something legit and get at least one good sub.

Ok. I will edit and apologize later after I read the rest of this. Maybe...[emoji12]

meh the subs are fine they make a low note without sounding too boomy and have a nice response curve (although if budget were no issue id replace them with a nice pair of 15"s)

 

[Pogre]

well after looking over the comparisons my current receiver was better in some respects so i cancelled the order, now then on to the topic id like to discuss what speakers would you recommend for a max price of 400$ that look like these
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/694476899816177685/708755462060769351/20200509_140045.jpg

What is it? Polk? Are those powered bass sections? I avoid speakers with powered bass sections. It's a reliability issue with me. Amp breaks and you could be screwed.

I'm all for shopping used speakers. I recently found a pretty incredible deal I couldn't resist and it changed my perspective, lol. What area are you in? Nearby city or zip? I don't mind looking through stuff like that. I do it all the time.

 

[sizzam]

What is it? Polk? Are those powered bass sections? I avoid speakers with powered bass sections. It's a reliability issue with me. Amp breaks and you could be screwed.

I'm all for shopping used speakers. I recently found a pretty incredible deal I couldn't resist and it changed my perspective, lol. What area are you in? Nearby city or zip? I don't mind looking through stuff like that. I do it all the time.

no those are the white van specials and also the bottom drivers are 10" with the vertical passive bi-amp

P.S. im in the brainerd area of minnesota

 

[Pogre]

no those are the white van specials and also the bottom drivers are 10" with the vertical passive bi-amp

P.S. im in the brainerd area of minnesota

Okay, I'll check out your local CL. Depending on the area some are pretty good. Smaller areas pickings can be slim tho.

Now, while I do that you could add these to your short list also...

DCM 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System TP160 2 Towers 2 Bookshelf 1 Center Channel | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DCM 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System TP160 2 Towers 2 Bookshelf 1 Center Channel at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Or...

DCM 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System Bundle 2 Towers 2 Bookshelf 1 Center Channel | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DCM 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System Bundle 2 Towers 2 Bookshelf 1 Center Channel at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

A full set of good quality, matching speakers within your budget. Dude, I can't do much better than that. It'd give you a fresh start and a new perspective I think. When you start with good speakers you find out that all of the power ratings and dsp's aren't nearly as important for good sound.

The only thing I don't like about those packages are the dipole surround speakers, but that doesn't make it a deal-breaker for me. I don't think you have to wire them like dipoles... You'll just have to use them for surrounds only as I wouldn't wanna try to repurpose them for stereo or something down the road.

 

[KEW]

I'm not sure why you discounted the Denon. It seemed like you thought the power was inferior!
The exact opposite is true!
These are the same measurements made by Sound&Vision for both AVR's
This may help you understand why I recommended the Denon AVR-X3300H:

The Sony doesn't do anything horrible and while distortion below 0.1% is not something you will hear (virtually every speaker made has over 1% distortion), it does reflect sloppy design for a modern amplifier.
However, I do think it reflects the quality of design that the Denon amp maintains a steady distortion level below 0.006% all of the way up to above 95 Watts while the Sony's distortion climbs rapidly and is over 0.07 (12 times higher) at 95 watts.
Also, you say you put a premium on EQ system, but somehow do not recognize that Audyssey XT32 (especially with the app) is one of the most advanced EQ systems available. Maybe the Sony EQ system is pretty good, I have not seen anyone actually review and evaluate it! But I am one to always choose a known good performer over a unknown (especially having seen/experienced the Pioneer and Onkyo attempts at EQ systems).

If you care, you'll get it sorted out eventually!
However, I am not sure why you came here to seek advice from those with more experience!

Nonetheless, best of luck!

 

[Pogre]

I'm not sure why you discounted the Denon. It seemed like you thought the power was inferior!
The exact opposite is true!
These are the same measurements made by Sound&Vision for both AVR's
This may help you understand why I recommended the Denon AVR-X3300H:

The Sony doesn't do anything horrible and while distortion below 0.1% is not something you will hear (virtually every speaker made has over 1% distortion), it does reflect sloppy design for a modern amplifier.
However, I do think it reflects the quality of design that the Denon amp maintains a steady distortion level below 0.005% all of the way up to above 95 Watts while the Sony's distortion climbs rapidly and is over 0.07 (14 times higher) at 95 watts.
Also, you say you put a premium on EQ system, but somehow do not recognize that Audyssey XT32 is one of the most advanced EQ systems available. Maybe the Sony EQ system is pretty good, I have not seen anyone actually review and evaluate it! But I am one to always choose a know good performer over a unknown (especially having seen/experienced the Pioneer and Onkyo attempts at EQ systems.

If you care, you'll get it sorted out eventually!
However, I am not sure why you came here to seek advice from those with more experience!

Nonetheless, best of luck!

I think he canceled the order and we managed to get him refocused on speakers. He has a $400 budget, so far I suggested 2 of the DCM 5.0 packages to replace his white van speakers with my last post.

 

[sizzam]

I think he canceled the order and we managed to get him refocused on speakers. He has a $400 budget, so far I suggested 2 of the DCM 5.0 packages to replace his white van speakers with my last post.

Speaking of which the CL ads for my area are lacking to say the least so i might swing into a pawn store and see whats on offer

 

[KEW]

I think he canceled the order and we managed to get him refocused on speakers. He has a $400 budget, so far I suggested 2 of the DCM 5.0 packages to replace his white van speakers with my last post.

Thanks, I scanned through it and did not see that!
...and Kudos to you and Lovin for your patience!
Yeah!
New speakers should be a bigger prioriety and if he can get the DCM's that would be the way to go. I love that the DCM's had such a crap-load of inventory. Usually by the time word gets out on a deal like that, they are out of stock, but DCM must have really pumped up production on these speakers!

 

[Pogre]

Speaking of which the CL ads for my area are lacking to say the least so i might swing into a pawn store and see whats on offer

Yeah, uh... everything fit on the first page, lol. That didn't take long!

If you find something, before you buy it, I think you should research first and it wouldn't hurt to ask one of us and be patient for a reply. Outside of that, I think the DCM speakers are your best bet. Even if you just start with the 3 way towers for $220 first. They're worth a lot more than they're selling for right now. I suspect you're letting looks and price tags have too much affect your decision. Sound quality and looks don't always go together.

Several members here have bought those speakers in one form or another and so far it's unanimous across the board, they're good, high quality speakers that sound great. Fantastic value.