I need help to get out of the 70's

[marcb]

I currently have the following:
Onkyo DS 747 HT receiver
Cerwin Vega D-5 speakers w/12"woofers
PSB 300IB Bookshelf speakers I use as the surrounds
Center- not yet

I live the stereo sound I get from my CV's; well I used to, but they are shot. The sound those 12' woofers used to deliver was fantastic!

While we mostly listen to music, I also use this for a HT system. I realize it's not the best, but it does work somewhat.

I need to upgrade and my wife wants smaller speakers, so I have been looking at the Definitive technology 450's, plok lsi7's, and the Klispch 35's/75's.

From what I reading here, It looks like most of you guys have a sub woofer, even with towers? Is a sub a must to get good bass? And how does 1 sub compare to the sound of two 12" woofers in the older stlye floor speakers.

Do I have to buy speakers from the same manufacturer to have a matched sound?

Sorry for these elementary questions, but my wife says I'm stuck in a time warp.

Best regards,....marc

 

[majorloser]

I like Def Techs but they use a "sock" type of grill cloth that may not be pet or child friendly. Also, polar mains require a little more consideration with room placement.

Just food for thought

 

[Eric Apple]

A sub is almost a must

I haven't heard the speakers your asked about. But, a sub is required for good bass for home theater. A good sub will really shake the room. The old floor speakers really do pretty well, but still can't keep up with a sub unless you have a lot of power. It's also less expensive to buy a sub with an integrated amp then to power the floor speakers with the same power from your main amp. You will also have more headroom on the main speakers with the lows crossed over to the sub.

By the way (not recommending this), JR Music is selling CV's floor speakers online - http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=14912 . I don't know if they still sound like they used to, but a 15" woofer is huge. Here's a dual 15" model - http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3964182 . I think these and 250W you could skip the sub. geeze they are really huge!

 

[sfguy2006]

Appropriate sub?

I currently have a marantz 5600 with b&w cm2s for fronts and r/l surround are b&w fm2s. the sub is a as2 which only pumps sound out when all speakers are set to, "small". I.e. when set to, "large" not sound would come out of the sub. Why is that? My old definitive super cube 3 could shake you out of the room even when speakers were set to, "large". With the old woofer I had a different receiver, denon 1905.

One sub is 150 watts and the old one was 650, so I guess that has a lot to do with it.

I have to say, I kind of miss the dev tech products which were bi-polar and did accustically well in my room. And I know the audioholic police would not agree ( in a million years)!

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Whatever you do, hang on to your polyester leisure suit!

I think a sub is probably a must for HT (explosions, dinosaur footsteps etc.) but not for music if you have truly full range towers. If budget is an issue skip the sub temporarily if you're getting full-range mains.

When/if you get a sub definately get a powered sub.

In addition to the speaker brands mentioned, look into the Canadians: PSB, Paradigm, Axiom.

In the past few years Infinity seems to have roused itself from mediocrity so check them out too.

Then, seek out (or await, or lobby for) 5.1 or 7.1 remixes of Donna Summer, Average White Band, War, Ohio Players, BeeGees, Steve Miller Band...

 

[sfguy2006]

the as2s are small b&w bookshelf speakers. these are currently with the marantz 5600 and fpm2s (small low-profile) for surround. A sub is surly needed. I'm just not sure why the current sub, as2 is not getting any sound when speaker setting is set at, "small". Polyester leisure suits are nice even in the summer provided the A/c is on! ;-0

 

[AVRat]

sfguy2006,
If you're looking for advice, you should start your own thread. However, your crossover settings should probably be set at 80 Hz to start. The gain on your sub should also be set to about half for starters. Then adjust the volume trim in the receiver for the sub to an appropriate level, preferrably on the plus side.

Marcb,
A properly set up bookshelf/sub system can sound awesome. And in some ways can out perform a full range tower only setup. I like bookshelf/monitors that can handle 60 Hz or lower and stay away from 4 Ohm impedance loads (Polk LSis) when powering with a receiver only. I too still use my early '80s vintage towers mated with DefTechs for great HT.

You might check with a local hifi shop about getting those CVs reconed.

 

[deftech]

My Main l/r speakers (definitive technology bp2002tl) have built in powered subs but I still have a svs 25-31 pci for movie soundtracks. The def tech subs do a nice job but the svs adds a whole new dimension. Welcome to the new milenium.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I need to upgrade and my wife wants smaller speakers, so I have been looking at the Definitive technology 450's, plok lsi7's, and the Klispch 35's/75's.

From what I reading here, It looks like most of you guys have a sub woofer, even with towers? Is a sub a must to get good bass? And how does 1 sub compare to the sound of two 12" woofers in the older stlye floor speakers.

Do I have to buy speakers from the same manufacturer to have a matched sound?

If you like the old CV's Klipsch are a good bet. They have similar characteristics, but take a good listen to them all and let your ears tell you whats best for you.

Get a sub! Movies come alive when the room shakes! My 12" JBL sub out thumps my (2) CV AT-12's but it has it's own amp (250watts) and I have a cheap sony receiver so...

I would match all but the sub and not just by the same manufacturer. Make sure you buy speakers from the same line that are made for use with each other. In my mind it's the only way to make sure.

Good luck and most of all have fun and keep us posted!