help with a receiver decision and general info to go with some infinity sm152's

[maxwel9]

First of all on monday I won an auction for a pair of Infinity SM152's in great condition for $140 and couldn't be happier. I am driving 3 hours this friday to pick them up.
Infinity SM152 Floor Speakers (Pair)
Frequency Response: 44Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB)
Crossover Frequency(ies): 500Hz, 5.5kHz
Sensitivity: 102dB (1 watt/1 meter)
Power Rating: 10 - 300 watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Woofer: 15" (381mm) polypropylene coated
Midrange Driver: TWO - 4.5" (114mm)polypropylene coated
Tweeter: 1" (25mm) high-output polycell

This is my first year of college and i enjoy music and thought I needed some quality stereo equipment to keep for probably the rest of my life(the equipment I have now will probably be in the garage someday). The only thing I really know about audio and speakers has come from my father who's Advent loudspeakers that he bought in the 70's are still pumping in our living room in pristine condition. So i have a pretty good pair of speakers, I think, and now i need a receiver to push them, and some general knowledge about audio equipment.

I was given a pair of pretty large yamaha 3-way bookshelf speakers which are hooked up to a sherwood receiver that I just bought at circuit city in order to use the speakers. I also have a cheap klh center speaker that was given to me. I am now thinking that this receiver was not a good choice, and an impulse buy in order to get some sound coming out of the yamahas.

USE:
- 80% of the time I will just have the 2 floor speakers on, listening to music that is coming from my laptop
- 10% of the time I will be watching TV with the surround on
- 10% of the time I will be watching dvd's with the surround on

My main concern is pumping loud clean music through the infinitys. Every now and then I will put a dvd in, and it would be nice to have surround sound. Which receiver would be better?
-Pioneer VSX-516-K
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Click-and-learn-about-Pioneer-A-V-Receiver-VSX-516-K/sem/rpsm/oid/148426/rpem/ccd/productDetailKnowledge.do#tabs
-Sherwood RD-6500
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sherwood-Surround-Sound-Receiver-RD-6500/sem/rpsm/oid/108452/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Will the big infinitys sound any good with only under 100watts getting to them, or should I pick up an old amplifier to push more watts through them, if this is even possible? It doesn't bother me at all to have old equipment hooked up because i don't have enough money for the brand new stuff, and I think there is something really cool/nostalgic about pumping some Ted Nugent through some big old speakers and a quality receiver.

Thanks for any help.
There is a lot of information on the web about all the new surround sound gear, but not a lot about "old school stereo" setups, which I think, is what I'm looking at.

 

[mtrycrafts]

First of all on monday I won an auction for a pair of Infinity SM152's in great condition for $140 and couldn't be happier. I am driving 3 hours this friday to pick them up.
Infinity SM152 Floor Speakers (Pair)
Frequency Response: 44Hz - 25kHz (+/-3dB)
Crossover Frequency(ies): 500Hz, 5.5kHz
Sensitivity: 102dB (1 watt/1 meter)
Power Rating: 10 - 300 watts
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Woofer: 15" (381mm) polypropylene coated
Midrange Driver: TWO - 4.5" (114mm)polypropylene coated
Tweeter: 1" (25mm) high-output polycell

This is my first year of college and i enjoy music and thought I needed some quality stereo equipment to keep for probably the rest of my life(the equipment I have now will probably be in the garage someday). The only thing I really know about audio and speakers has come from my father who's Advent loudspeakers that he bought in the 70's are still pumping in our living room in pristine condition. So i have a pretty good pair of speakers, I think, and now i need a receiver to push them, and some general knowledge about audio equipment.

I was given a pair of pretty large yamaha 3-way bookshelf speakers which are hooked up to a sherwood receiver that I just bought at circuit city in order to use the speakers. I also have a cheap klh center speaker that was given to me. I am now thinking that this receiver was not a good choice, and an impulse buy in order to get some sound coming out of the yamahas.

USE:
- 80% of the time I will just have the 2 floor speakers on, listening to music that is coming from my laptop
- 10% of the time I will be watching TV with the surround on
- 10% of the time I will be watching dvd's with the surround on

My main concern is pumping loud clean music through the infinitys. Every now and then I will put a dvd in, and it would be nice to have surround sound. Which receiver would be better?
-Pioneer VSX-516-K
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Click-and-learn-about-Pioneer-A-V-Receiver-VSX-516-K/sem/rpsm/oid/148426/rpem/ccd/productDetailKnowledge.do#tabs
-Sherwood RD-6500
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sherwood-Surround-Sound-Receiver-RD-6500/sem/rpsm/oid/108452/catOid/-12949/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Will the big infinitys sound any good with only under 100watts getting to them, or should I pick up an old amplifier to push more watts through them, if this is even possible? It doesn't bother me at all to have old equipment hooked up because i don't have enough money for the brand new stuff, and I think there is something really cool/nostalgic about pumping some Ted Nugent through some big old speakers and a quality receiver.

Thanks for any help.
There is a lot of information on the web about all the new surround sound gear, but not a lot about "old school stereo" setups, which I think, is what I'm looking at.

If that is the speaker with 102dB sensitivity, that is really sensitive and that power you questioned will be fine. However, your needs will change over time, I can about guarantee it, so whatever you buy today most likely will not last all your life

 

[Rob Babcock]

I agree. Electronics in particular change rapidly. For music-only rigs you might get many years out of a receiver, but for HT you'll probably feel the desire to upgrade every two or three years.

Way back in the day I had some Infinity SM-150's, virtually identical to the ones you're buying. I can say nearly any amp will achieve deafening volumes- they're extremely sensitive. That said, going from a 100 WPC receiver to a Carver CM-1090 integrated amp gave them even more slam (again, bear in mind we're talkin' 1989 or so).

The SMs will probably make you very happy if you listen to rock, pop, rap, etc. They have a lot of slam & will play very loudly. But they're not what you'd call "nuanced," and they leave a bit to be desired with complex acoustic stuff like jazz trio or orchestral classical music. The cabinets are essentially unbraced, underdamped empty boxes. However, this leaves plenty of room for some DIY mods that will really make them sing. I believe WmAX has posted some good instructions for speaker mods that will improve most any speaker in that catagory.

As to your question: the Sherwood would be perfectly adequate for music, but I think the added flexibility of the surround receiver is nice. It's great to be able to hook up & switch your video sources, too. And you'll be blown away by how your Playstation or Xbox will sound thru your hifi rig! That's where surround really comes in handy.

 

[maxwel9]

Thanks a lot Rob you told me just what I wanted to hear. It's nice to hear from someone who has actually had similar speakers. Ya I probably won't be listening to too much jazz or classical music, so I think I made a good buy. I think i am going to pay an extra 10 bucks to get the pioneer receiver just becuase I am more familiar with the name and it sounds like a little better receiver.

If you could, clarify what WmAX is. I haven't come accross that one yet. I have, however, read some things about needing to brace the speakers, and it sounds like a fun project. If you could point me towards some more information about it I would appreciate it.

To clarify, I will certainly upgrade the equipment after college when I get a place of my own, but I don't think I will ever actually get rid of the system I have now.

I also have to mention that I read the entire topic of Greatest Rock Album of All Time and thought it was pretty cool. I now have a long list of cd's to check out.

Thanks again, and any other info is appreciated.
Max

 

[jcPanny]

Stereo Receiver

Based on your usage, you might be better off with a HK stereo receiver to power your new speakers. It will have more power than your average entry level HT receiver.