Help me finish my first 7.1 arrangement

[resolutek]

Hello all, I'm an aspiring audio guru with a few questions as I get my first setup together.

Right now I have an Onkyo TX-SR505 reciever and and six Boston Acoustics Bravo II speakers. I've also ordered a BIC Acoustech H-100 sub.

My approach is very much "bang-for-the-buck" as I go about cutting my teeth on audio enthusiasm. I as you can see from my reciever selection, I've decided to wait to utilize hdmi sound until a later time when I will both upgrade my reciever and my current 720p HDTV. I assume the best-quality option will be to use optical connections for audio devices?

I will be using this for both music (everything from metal to classical) and my PS3 (blu ray movies and gaming) in a medium-sized room. Of these uses, sound quality with music is most important to me.

My two main questions:
1. Which center-channel speaker should I invest in? I want something as inexpensive as possible that compliments the rest of the system.

2. What option would provided the best audio quality while playing music from a mp3 player? The only method I have thought of is to use an analog Y-cable from my ipod/zune to the reciever.

Any other ideas are welcome, of course. Many thanks for any input!

 

[Exit]

Center Speaker

It is generally recommended to stay with a center channel from the same manufacturer as the mains for best soundstaging. You can always get another main speaker for the center, which I did, but most people get a larger center channel because most of the sound comes out the center channel. In retrospect I wish I would have bought a larger center channel but I was trying to get by for less money. I think you may have the option of not using a center channel at all and just using the mains. I think this would be good if you have to put the mains right next to the TV. I think the center channel fills in when the mains are spread apart and there it is most important.

 

[resolutek]

Thanks for the input.

I haven't been able to find a center speaker that matches the rest of the BA Bravo II's. I've done some research and was wondering if the Acoustech HT-65 center channel speaker would suit me well.

 

[Exit]

Sorry I can't be much help there. You might try reposting under Loudspeakers. (It doesn't matter that you are a newbe.) I don't think this section gets many readers compared to the Loudspeakers section. Usually in that section you will get several good resposes. LOL

 

[Davemcc]

Can you plug your MP3 player into the USB port of the PS3? I think it might depend of the brand of MP3 player and file type, but the PS3 could be an option.

 

[MDS]

You can plug the MP3 player into any audio input on the receiver using a 3.5 mm to 2 RCA cable. The downside is that you will be using the headphone out on the player and the signal level is very low. You'll have to turn the player volume all the way up and then turn the receiver volume up a bit too to get any appreciable volume.

An iPod dock or one of the docks made for use with the receiver will be better because it will output a line-level signal. Onkyo makes docks that work specifically with their receivers.

 

[dronezero]

Here's the matching center.

It appears to be more or less identical to the satellites.