FIrst Stereo Setup- Acoustic Profiles/Athena/JVC

[N.Cotman]

Hey everyone!

I just set up my first 'true' stereo system and am looking for some advice. I had a set of Bose Companion 3 computer speakers which I was satisfied with, but chose to go a more traditional route. I use the stereo almost solely for music

I first picked up a JVC RX-309 receiver (here is the link to the one I got: jvc RX-309 Stereo Receiver - Ottawa Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.).

I next picked up a pair of Acoustic Profile PSL 7.5 floor standing speakers.

I was content with the sound quality, but desired some more low end (I was missing my subwoofer!) and thus added in an Athena AS-P300 subwoofer into my 2 channel setup (my speakers are running out of the sub).

I have found that there are a lot of strong mids coming through, but that the system is lacking some high end, mostly in vocals output.

I have been looking into equalizers and was wondering if this could help my situation. I am looking at a Realistic 31-1989 (REALISTIC 31-1989 7 BAND STEREO COMPONENT GRAPHIC EQUALIZER - Gatineau Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Gatineau Canada.) as well as this ADC (ADC 10 Band Graphic Equalizer Sound Shaper Five - Ottawa Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.).

Any advice at all is appreciated! Thank you very much guys.

-Nick

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

a) how did you connected speakers and sub?
b) Before wasting ANY money on external EQ, did you tried to adjust tone controls?
c) I never heard of Acoustic Profile brand, but they are supposed to small canadian brand, popular in 90's - I can't say how good or bad they are....

 

[markw]

I don't know those speakers either but, from your description, I strongly suspect that they are the cause of your problems. I wouldn't expect an equalizer will fix them. I'd just bite the bullet and replace them rather than throwing good money after bad.

But, since you say you were generaly satisfied with the speakers before you got the sub, you might also have the sub turned up too high.

 

[N.Cotman]

A) I have the left/right speaker wire going as an input into the sub, and the the speaker wire coming from the sub left/right output to the speakers. Could this affect sound quality?
B) I have been tinkering around with the bass/treble controls on my receiver and the bass/crossover controls on the sub. Honestly though, I do not know much about the crossover controls.
C) I have heard generally good stuff on the internet.

I was looking at these- are these generally good stereo speakers? I haven't had the chance to hear them yet. Kind of a long bus trip.
TECHNICS SB-T200 TOWER SPEAKERS - Ottawa Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

A) I have the left/right speaker wire going as an input into the sub, and the the speaker wire coming from the sub left/right output to the speakers. Could this affect sound quality?

Yes, but for you it's probably best way which is not ideal as it's preferable to do crossover before amplification - aka with proper surround receiver with bass management.

B) I have been tinkering around with the bass/treble controls on my receiver and the bass/crossover controls on the sub. Honestly though, I do not know much about the crossover controls.

It'd start by setting sub crossover at around 80hz (+/- 10hz ) and bass boost at 0 for now. Add bass later as needed.

I was looking at these- are these generally good stereo speakers? I haven't had the chance to hear them yet. Kind of a long bus trip.
TECHNICS SB-T200 TOWER SPEAKERS - Ottawa Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.

Ok vintage speakers, but nothing to write home about. Since you already have some sub, you should spend money toward better bookshelves like these:
Paradigm Titan Speakers ( Made in Canada ) - Ottawa Electronics For Sale - Kijiji Ottawa Canada.

you might also have the sub turned up too high.

My thought exactly.

Also see you could get for cheap RadioShack SPL meter (analog) - it could a great tool for you to calibrate your system. like this one: Radio Shack Sound Level Meter 33 2050 | eBay

 

[N.Cotman]

Honestly, I found it to be lacking vocals before I picked up the sub. My rationale was that by putting the sub in, I would be taking pressure of my left/right speakers so they could concentrate more on the highs.

Thanks a lot guys. I'll keep you updated with what I decide to do.

 

[N.Cotman]

Its vastly improved, maybe not %100 but its much better. What I did was increase the bass output from the receiver and turn it down about %50 on the sub's own volume. I also raised the speakers about 1 foot. This seems to have helped a lot! Also, will my sub potentially sound better if I hook it up via the tape loop with some RCA cables rather than through the left/right connection? Thanks!