Ghetto Sound

[abefroeman]

First post here,

I would like to say first off, that I am a total noob at this, but I have done about 5-6 hours of research on the setup that I am buying and I just want to check on what this community thinks about my purchase.

Preface:
I bought an Olevia 342 LCD tv on sale on black friday. It is 42" and "HD ready".
It came with these crappy speakers that I got rid of right away. For a sound system, I will *someday* get a HD-DVD player and receiver in one (i know they are not out yet). But for now, I am running a regular DVD player and cable tv.

My Ghetto Setup:
***flame suit*** I have an old sony bookshelf stereo system (the kind with the 5-disk changer and matching speakers) that I hooked up to the TV, but the speakers are big and ugly, so I ordered on ebay a set of Klipsch KG.5 speakers for $90 including shipping. These were made in the 90's but they are small and fit in my bookshelf. I have read that they are decent speakers.

My question:
Does the receiver really matter? the stereo I have is basically a low power 2-channel receiver. I just need something to limp along until I get HD powered (receiver and HD-DVD together).

My other option was to buy a better receiver (still used and on ebay) to run the speakers, but I wanted to spend as little as possible and get full and clear sound.

What are your thoughts on ghetto cheap sound?

 

[abefroeman]

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/HSUResearchSTF1p1.php

I just read about powered subs with outputs to speakers. Would I need a reciever if I had a powered sub like the one in the link? (HSU STF1) The way I see it, I would run cable from the TV to the Sub and then to the speakers.

Basicly, do all powered subs with speaker outputs have built in amps for those outputs?

 

[agarwalro]

For a sound system, I will *someday* get a HD-DVD player and receiver in one (i know they are not out yet).

I dont think they will ever make something like this. Even the ones out today for DVD-Receiver combo are the types made by RCA, JVC...have horrible sound quality. Denon has a couple 2.1 options but are not worth the money...

My question:
Does the receiver really matter? the stereo I have is basically a low power 2-channel receiver. I just need something to limp along until I get HD powered (receiver and HD-DVD together).

A receiver will have many options for audio video processing and switching that may not be available on your Sony stereo. That said, if your needs are met and you are happy with the sound (for now), dont bother wasting money on a temporary fix.

My other option was to buy a better receiver (still used and on ebay) to run the speakers, but I wanted to spend as little as possible and get full and clear sound.

Now this will be the way to go. To get full effect of the surround sound you will need at least a 5.1 setup. Prices range from $500 to $2500 for a well performing speaker set and a decent receiver will set you back $350 to $1000. It is possible to put together a well performing rig for $1000 all told.

What are your thoughts on ghetto cheap sound?

If it works for you, it works for me

 

[agarwalro]

The way I see it, I would run cable from the TV to the Sub and then to the speakers.

Yes, that will work.

Basicly, do all powered subs with speaker outputs have built in amps for those outputs?

Yes. If that was not the case, they will not be able to drive the speaker connected to that output. But, I suspect that the power is coming from one amp only and distributed depending on the cross over setting. This works for relatively quiet sequences since the subwoofer sucks power only in bass heavy scenes. What happens in bass heavy scenes... depending on the speaker impedance, amp quality, power rating, etc. the signal might be clipped, causing damage to the speakers.

 

[majorloser]

Welcome To The Forum

I don't know if I'm reading your subwoofer question right. Most "stand-alone" powered subwoofer (not part of a HTIB system) do not supply power for the speaker outputs. They offer low level (line level) inputs/outputs via RCA connectors and high level inputs/outputs via speaker connections. The purpose of having both input and output connections is to allow the crossover in the subwoofer amp to filter the lower frequencies out of the signal for the subwoofer's use and send the remaining higher frequencies to the speakers.

This comes in handy when you use the sub along with a 2-channel receiver or a receiver that does not have LFE output. In most multi-channel home theater receiver, the LFE channel (the .1 of a 5.1 or 7.1 signal) is only low frequency material. There is no need for additional crossover filtering.

You've got a good idea about buying used or refurb items. You can build a good system "piece by piece" when you can spare the funds. There is no hurry to jump on the bandwagon with the latest and greatest stuff. Consumer audio/video electronics changes almost as fast as computers.

Welcome to Audioholics and the addiction

 

[abefroeman]

Most "stand-alone" powered subwoofer (not part of a HTIB system) do not supply power for the speaker outputs. They offer low level (line level) inputs/outputs via RCA connectors and high level inputs/outputs via speaker connections.

Yes. If that was not the case, they will not be able to drive the speaker connected to that output

So, which is it?


Here is an old school sub on ebay that would match my old school speakers:
Link

I could run this with my stereo amp and it would be fine, but if the sub has an amp that powers the speaker outputs, I would like to run it alone so that I can have less crap in the room.

 

[no. 5]

So, which is it?

majorloser is right; the speaker level connections are just a passthrough, the subwoofers amp does not send any power to them.

 

[abefroeman]

the subwoofers amp does not send any power to them.

booo...that means I have to keep my big ugly stereo. I think I will buy that sub or one like it anyway, it seems like the best way to get good 2 channel sound for cheap.

total cost of the system is $230 (not including my stereo from the basement)

 

[abefroeman]

For my other question, how much does the reciever matter? when I choose to upgrade to a good reciever, will I notice a big difference in sound quality?

would a cheap, used, ebay 5.1 reciever sound almost as good as a $500-$1000 one?

 

[no. 5]

For my other question, how much does the reciever matter?

quite a bit. the speakers and reciever work as a team, and should both be of the same quality (i.e. both garbge, or both god like, not one garbge and one god like).

when I choose to upgrade to a good reciever, will I notice a big difference in sound quality?

personly, I would say yes, the defrence between my first reciver ($150 Pioneer VSX-D411) and my current reciver ($500 Yamaha HTR-5660) was huge.

would a cheap, used, ebay 5.1 reciever sound almost as good as a $500-$1000 one?

maby, it seem unlikely, but it would depend on what you can find on ebay, and what in the $500 - $1000 catagory you would be comparing it to.

 

[agarwalro]

majorloser is right; the speaker level connections are just a passthrough, the subwoofers amp does not send any power to them.

Yikes. Logically thinking this should be the correct scenario. I brain-farted. sorry to be the source of additional confusion in an already confusing area.

 

[no. 5]

it happens

 

[majorloser]

it happens

Unfortunately, as I get older it happens more often

 

[abefroeman]

*update*

The Klipsch KG .5's came in the mail today. They sound a ton better than the old bookshelf speakers, but are a little flat. they definatly need a sub. They do make more sound with the volume turned up less than before. I guess they are more effecient.

I will get the matching sub off of ebay (Klipsch SWV), I know that this sub is not the best, but it is $100 after shipping and matches my speakers.

I need to do a little pawn shopping for a $100 reciever. Add another set of KG .5's, and a center channel to round out a 5.1 system totaling ~$450 including reciever and cables.

hey...it beats a bose setup

...barely

 

[no. 5]

I guess they are more effecient.

oh-ya, Klipsch is famous for making effecient speakers, but not for making good sub's, but at $100, so what!