Help with deciding which speakers/receiver to buy

[liverpool1208]

Hi there everyone, i'm new to this forum and also a beginner when it comes to sound system. I'm planning of upgrading my sound system but i have no idea what i should be going for or looking at.. All those ohms, impedence, rms, watts, power out put etc makes it very hard for me to understand ..

I have read around the forum but i still do not get it unless it's stated in layman terms. So this is my current setup:

Receiver : Pioneer vsx-520
Audio

• Amplifier Output Details
  110 Watt - 8 Ohm - at 1 kHz - THD 0.05% - 5 channels ( surround )
  80 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.08% - 5 channels ( surround )
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  98 dB

Audio System

• Type
  AV receiver
• Subcategory
  AV components
• Functions
  AV receiver
• Sound Output Mode
  Surround Sound
• Built-in Decoders
  DTS 96/24, DTS Express, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic IIx
• Surround Sound Effects
  Front Stage Surround
• Surround System Class
  5.1 channel
• Digital Sound Processor (DSP)
  Yes

Power Device

• Power Consumption Operational
  240 Watt

Amplifier

• Input Impedance
  47 Ohm
• Input Sensitivity
  200 mV

Amplifier Output Details

• Output Power / Channel
  110 Watt, 80 Watt
• Output Impedance / Channel
  8 Ohm
• Frequency Response
  20 - 20000 Hz, at 1 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
  0.05 %, 0.08 %
• Channel Type
  surround
• Channel Qty
  5

Audio Specifications

• Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  98 dB

Power

• Form Factor
  internal
• Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep
  0.4 Watt

SPEAKERS:

ls-v520-w (front speakers at 150w 8 ohms)
cs-v720-w (center speaker at 100w 6 ohms)
rs-620-w (rear speakers at 100w 8 ohms)


So can someone advice me what i could do to improve my sound quality? What can i upgrade to make my sound better.. speakers or amplifers? I noticed that some speakers are 4 ohms which don't think my current setup supports as it's only 8 ohms.. And i'm confused if i should upgrade my amplifer or speakers.

I am also looking at this model: onkyo TX-SR604

Front L/R 110 W/Ch
Center 110 W
Surround L/R 110 W/Ch
Surround Back 110 W/Ch
3 ohm 225 W
4 ohm 170 W
8 ohm 105 W
THD (Rated Power) 0.08 % (all channels)
Damping Factor (1 kHz, 8 ohm) 60
Input Sensitivity and Impedance 200 mV/47 k-ohms
Output Level and Impedance 200 mV/47 k-ohms
Frequency Response 10 Hz-100 kHz (+ 1 dB, - 3 dB)
S/N Ratio 106 dB (Line in, IHF-A)
BASS +/- 10 dB at 50 Hz
TREBLE +/- 10 dB at 20 kHz

Can this work with my speakers? Will it make any difference is sound quality and make noticeable difference? i need to make a decision soon as the seller is letting the onkyo set go for a low price and would like to grab it before someone else does... Really would appreciate any help given...

Or at least if someone could tell me what i should be looking for when purchasing a speaker or amplifier would help me alot

Kevin

 

[everettT]

Speakers are the only way to upgrade your sound.

 

[liverpool1208]

Speakers are the only way to upgrade your sound.

Hi, so what should i look for in a speaker before getting them? Mine is now the kenwood (specs as above) speakers...but it's 15 years old i think. Only stated on them is the watts and ohms.

Also there won't be any benefit by upgrading the amplifier? Meaning all amplifier/receiver will give the same sound and only the speakers will give out better sounds depending on the speakers?

 

[liverpool1208]

And also is there any difference is sound quality between a 8 ohms and 4 ohm speaker? As in sound quality? I tried searching and too many posts with different opinions and i am really too confused. I know the 4 ohm speakers will have less resistance and allow more sound/current flow and i will need a receiver/amp with also supports same ohms.. but will there be a difference?

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Specs on a speaker are nearly useless. Some receivers/amps may have trouble with 4 ohm speakers, but the impedance (measured in ohms) has nothing to do with the sound quality of any speaker. Only YOU can know what speakers you will like. You must hear speakers in person to know what you will like. There is no getting around that. Peace and goodwill.

 

[liverpool1208]

so bottom line is to try them out and see if i like the sound and go with it?

 

[herbu]

so bottom line is to try them out and see if i like the sound and go with it?

Right... kind of. Try them out, see what sounds good to you in the store. Then ask how your AVR pairs with those speakers. It will depend on several things but the biggest variable will be max volume and maintaining quality at high volume in your room. Talk to the guy/store with the speakers and see if they'll let you try them in your home w/ your AVR.

With your AVR/amp, I don't think you need to worry about damaging the speakers.

 

[rojo]

@liverpool1208 Or if you prefer, we can suggest some speakers we like. We're pretty good at that. Just let us know your location and the budget you're working with. Some of the best price / quality ratio offerings aren't offered in brick-and-mortar stores, but are sold Internet direct.