Initial setup of my HT - Questions

[ducker]

So I picked up a receiver today.
Yamaha RX-V550

Before I picked it up I brought in my speakers (athena AS-F2) to the shop to listen to them with their V550 setup. Sounded really nice!!

I then setup them up as home, and I'm finding that the sound isn't nearly as loud as it was in the store... I figure this has to be due to how I have it setup. Both situations we were listening to them in only 2-channel Stereo mode, with out a sub. In the Shop they sounded great... filled most of the room with strong, full sound. In my smaller room at home. the sound seemed a lot weaker. Now I haven't played much music at home to test them out.. only DVDs again in 2 channel stereo; I figured the sound should be as full as 2 channel stereo from an CD.

I don't have any banaclips yet, so I simply twisted the wire around the contacts. Also I'm using simple Video,L,R inputs from the DVD player. Not optical and component video yet.

What I'm nervous about is where/how high is it ok to turn up the volume? I'm not used to the whole negitive db system... I threw in a couple of DVDs and found that I needed to bring the volume up to -25db to start getting so good levels of sound. -30 was ok, anything lower and I felt it was FAR too soft.

Again, this is only with L and R channels connected.

One other thing I'm a little concerned about, is the placement of one of my loudspeakers. It is near a vent. I have forced hot air heat, and warm, dry air will be blowing up near the speaker. Is this a potential problem for the speaker?

So, should I move the speaker?
What's causing what I perceve as a loss of power from the receiver to my speakers? or is it just me?

Using #14 speaker wire from Home Depot.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Nomo]

At -25db the reciever is just begining to breathe. No doubt the addition of a sub would help. -25 to -30db on my RX-V1500 is what I consider moderate listening levels for music and movies. I've gone is far as -5db, so far no louder.
Don't be afraid to crank it up.
The negative db scale takes some getting used to. I'm honestly not sure I'm sold on the concept yet.

 

[tbewick]

According to What Hi-Fi? (UK) generally the best stereo sound is achieved using a dedicated stereo amp. In saying that, newer AV amps are meant to be fairly strong across the board.

If you're trying out DVD audio, then the sound should be quite good - certainly as good as CD. If you're using a 5.1 DVD video, then the sound probably won't be as good as a CD, because it's being downmmixed to 2.1. This is what I've found with my set up.

One possible reason for the sound not sounding so forceful is the positioning of the sub, or perhaps the demonstration in the shop had the sub volume set too high. According to THX, most people like having their low-bass and treble set too high anyway (hence the THX equaliser).

The best way of checking if you're speakers/amp are being overdriven is by simply listening to the quality of the sound. If the sound is harsh or grainy, or if the positioning in the sound-field is unclear (ie. centre channel stability), then it is likely the speakers or amp are being driven too hard.

 

[ducker]

Still worried a bit about the hot/warm air vent and the speaker. Since spring has finally decided to show up around here, it isn't blowing really hot air as often.

Right now, I need to think on how exactly I'm going to setup my rears... as I haven't even tested them out yet... too much difficulty with their positioning/mounting/etc. I should snap a picture of the location they are going to go.

The sound is a bit better... I think I was over-reacting... perhaps in the shop we had it turned up to around -15db and higher... until I mentioned how the speakers were new and the guy then said we shouldn't have it that high... Also I think a lot has to do with my poor job in connecting the speaker cable.

Now I just need to pick up banana clips, another optical cable, some S-video cable, and component video... I'm guessing that the qualtiy vs. price is about on par with all the studies of speaker cable... you "might" get a bit better performance, but the cost will put you in to the poor house?

 

[Shinerman]

Now I just need to pick up banana clips, another optical cable, some S-video cable, and component video... I'm guessing that the qualtiy vs. price is about on par with all the studies of speaker cable... you "might" get a bit better performance, but the cost will put you in to the poor house?

The best connection possible is Bare Wire. Banana plugs are more about convenience for connecting and disconnecting cables. I doubt anyone could ever hear an audible difference between connectors of any sort, assuming there is a good solid connection among all. That being said, I use Bananas on all my cables.

Also, as far as the sound in your room not being as good as it was at the store, are you sure your speakers are in phase? Meaning, both positive wires from the back of the receiver are to the poistive posts on the speakers? Same for negative. Having one wire crossed can really supress the sound. You would be amazed how ofter this happens.

Shinerman

 

[ducker]

Heh... you know I got a funny feeling when connecting them I checked a couple of times but I could of goofed it up.

I'll double check tonight.. Although I am getting a nice sound at around -20db, nice and full to the point the wife said... "I know you like the new system and all, but I hope you understand this doesn't mean we listen to your music through out the whole house 24/7"
(classical is fine.... though)

No thoughts on the warm/hot air vent? perhaps I'm just being overly concerned... something about the material of the speaker drying out/becoming brittle or something over the years.

 

[Audioholics]

Make sure your speakers aren't getting moist air on the drivers. Other than that monitor any areas where the air is hitting the speaker to check for any visible problems.

Or move them.

 

[ducker]

Ok, well I don't expect it to blow high humidity air. I might redirect it a little bit to make sure it isn't blowing directly on the speaker. So warm/dry air is ok for a speaker. warm/damp... not so good.

Thanks Clint.

 

[ducker]

hmhm hm..... you know after looking at the receiver, and then reading another one of clints replies in a different thread:

Whatever you use you'll need impedance matching circuitry and you'll also need to realize that you will never be able to drive all those speakers at high levels off of the Zone 2 amps.

I noticed on my amp it shows Zone 2 always... my amp is a RX-V550. I looked at the manual last night trying to figure out why that was displaying Zone 2... maybe I'm running my 2 speakers via Zone 2? I'm not sure, although I don't believe I am.

Ok, after looking at the back picture of the receiver, I'm defently not running my 2 front speakers out of the 2 RCA jacks listed under Zone 2 output...

So why does my receiver show "Zone 2" on the display...

 

[Shinerman]

hmhm hm..... you know after looking at the receiver, and then reading another one of clints replies in a different thread:


I noticed on my amp it shows Zone 2 always... my amp is a RX-V550. I looked at the manual last night trying to figure out why that was displaying Zone 2... maybe I'm running my 2 speakers via Zone 2? I'm not sure, although I don't believe I am.

Ok, after looking at the back picture of the receiver, I'm defently not running my 2 front speakers out of the 2 RCA jacks listed under Zone 2 output...

So why does my receiver show "Zone 2" on the display...

Zone 2 can be turned off and on. Yours appears to be on. You should be able to go into the setup menu and turn it off. I don't think Zone 2 being on would have any adverse effect on your main speakers though.

Shinerman

 

[Dumar]

Hey ducker,

If you're worried about the hot air blowing on the speakers, why don't you try redirecting the air coming from the vent? Just make sure you don't direct it towards your new receiver.

Dumar

 

[ducker]

actually the majority of air coming up isn't actually hitting the speaker directly, maybe indirectly a bit... I might put a metal sheet covering 1/2 the vent so that even less air will be able to hit the speaker.. I have the summer to figure hat one out

thanks!