My BIC Acoustechs just came today

[ventwood0]

That is correct, I placed my order for the BIC Acoustechs (http://www.acousticsounddesign.com/core/view_BigProduct.cfm?pid=1061&sc=32&t=226)
and they came today in the mail.

I need a little help setting them up though.
First of all, I am using the Onkyo TX-SR504 which I paid at Circuit City while it was on sale....... im not sure if I overpaid though.

Second, I have not adjusted the receiver yet, I set the crossover frequency to 100Hz. Im not sure if that was correct setting for the BIC Acoustechs though.

Third, I REALLY need some suggestions on how to hook up the rear speaks onto my wall. I was told by a Best Buy worker that I should drill holes on the ceiling right above the speakers and run it thru my attic and drop is down behind the TV.

This doesnt seem like a bad idea as long as i dont get thick speaker wire. So what AWG do you think I should get for my BIC's but is still reasonably manuverable and attractive?

Thanks a bunch

 

[ventwood0]

After reading what they have to say about the Pioneer VSX-816 over at cnet, I really think that I should go and swap my Onkyo witht he Pioneer. That autosetup feature really gets me. Everything else is the same except that the Pioneer has a little more features than the Onkyo. People say that adjusting and tweaking a receiver by hand is a little more acurate than the autosetup...... but that is if you know what you are actually doing.....

 

[jaxvon]

The surrounds should go to the right and left of the seating position, perhaps a little behind. The cable run that the BB guy suggested sounds like a winner to me. Crossover for those speakers would be best around 80Hz. For speaker wire, you should use an inwall type to make sure that it's code. Belden 5000UP is high quality, flexible 12ga in-wall speaker wire. It will be plenty thick.

http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&item_no=BEL-5000UP-C

Figure out how much you need for your cable runs, then order an extra 20 (or more) feet to be safe. It doesn't take very long to use 100 feet in an HT.

As for tuning your system, it's not too hard with a Radio Shack SPL meter, a tripod, and some patience. Look through the setup articles on the main website to get some tips on setup.

 

[ventwood0]

Hi, thanks for all your help. I think i might just go with running the speaker wire along side the bottom of my walls instead of drilling holes thru my celing. I have not yet decided.

so should 12 awg be good enough for the bic acoustechs? I am quite confused. is the 13 awg more expensive than 12 awg? or is it the other way around. sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but im just trying to clear a few basics up.

Also, I have noticed that many people here are labeling me as a "troll"? What is that all about. Just because im not up to your level on the in's and outs of speakers, it does not mean you have the right to discriminate and label me as a troll. I would appreciate it if you would just help and not call me a troll just because I ask beginner questions.

But thanks to all those who help

 

[Nuglets]

Correct me if I'm wrong...But, didn't you go over the question about cables and what guage you should use in another thread. The answer is, whatever you wish to use/purchase. The difference between 12 gauge and 13 gauge wire will not be noticable unless you are running it very long distances. As far as you're concerned in one room, get the cheaper stuff if you want.

They call you a troll because you ask the same question numerous times and don't accept an answer.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Speaker wire gets thicker as the gauge drops. 12awg is thicker than 14awg. 14awg is about as thin as I would recommend, and can be purchased at Walmart back in car audio in spools of 50' for around $10. It's fine for running along baseboards. In wall, you may want a thicker jacket or something approved for local building code.

Experiment with your crossover settings and use what you think sounds best. The Acoustech towers aren't known for their bass, so a 100Hz crossover setting may be fine. isn't bad for a surround AVR, but I've seen it go for much less as B stock at Ubid.com. It's a decent entry level receiver that really doesn't need much setup out of the box. I don't think there's a lot you can tweak on that unit, but I may be mistaken.

Here's your receiver (last years model - B stock) with full warranty for $139.

http://www.ubid.com/Onkyo_TX-SR503_525W._7.1Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a10842617.html

Here's the much better 603 at a great price - $16 more than you paid locally with full warranty:

http://www.ubid.com/Onkyo_TX-SR603_7.1_Channel_Receiver_-_Brand_New!/a801126269.html

 

[ventwood0]

Ok, I think i'll go with around 13 AWG or something close. Concerning my AVR, I may perhaps swap it for the Pinoneer since it has the autosetup feature.

My bigggest problem now, I do not know how I am suppose to mount my rear sepakers onto the wall. There are 2 holes on the back of my speaker where I asume I mount it with that. But with what? Nails?

 

[Tomorrow]

Tom....

You're just encouraging more chumming, and the fish won't notice your little insert.

But nice try.

 

[Tom Andry]

Tom....

You're just encouraging more chumming, and the fish won't notice your little insert.

But nice try.

Actually, I didn't add, I subtracted. Vent-Floosh uses so many prices it feels like and advertisement. Just took them out.

 

[brendy]

First, I would stick with the 504. It is a fine entry level receiver. Most of the Auto -Setup programs require tweaking anyway. As for speaker wire 14ga is more than enough.The two holes in the rear speakers are for mounting brackets.

 

[ventwood0]

First, I would stick with the 504. It is a fine entry level receiver. Most of the Auto -Setup programs require tweaking anyway. As for speaker wire 14ga is more than enough.The two holes in the rear speakers are for mounting brackets.

Thanks. Do you think bestbuy would be able to provide me with the correct mounting brackts for my speakers? Also, do I need to get a mounting bracket that is the correct size for my speakers? Or is it a "fits all"

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Vent - nice moniker. Did you pick that?

Put some screws in the studs (studs are also known as 2x4's that are magically behind the drywall that support your house). Hang your speakers on the screws like you would a picture frame. Make sure there is a direct line from the speakers to your ears at seated position. That's it.

There's no such thing as 13awg speaker wire.

 

[ventwood0]

Vent - nice moniker. Did you pick that?

Put some screws in the studs (studs are also known as 2x4's that are magically behind the drywall that support your house). Hang your speakers on the screws like you would a picture frame. Make sure there is a direct line from the speakers to your ears at seated position. That's it.

There's no such thing as 13awg speaker wire.

Thats what I thought to. But I was told to buy mounting brackets for the speakers. Hanging off of screws just seems kind of a crude job.

 

[mnnc]

Hi, thanks for all your help. I think i might just go with running the speaker wire along side the bottom of my walls instead of drilling holes thru my celing. I have not yet decided.

so should 12 awg be good enough for the bic acoustechs? I am quite confused. is the 13 awg more expensive than 12 awg? or is it the other way around. sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but im just trying to clear a few basics up.

Also, I have noticed that many people here are labeling me as a "troll"? What is that all about. Just because im not up to your level on the in's and outs of speakers, it does not mean you have the right to discriminate and label me as a troll. I would appreciate it if you would just help and not call me a troll just because I ask beginner questions.

But thanks to all those who help

First off forget what others think of you. Second, the BB guy is vague in his description as to where the spkrs are to be mounted and how the wires get to them. You should either run spkr lines through ceiling/walls or along baseboard to rears. If your house is on a foundation with crawl space you can run wires under house and drill small holes at baseboard/floor junction. Place the surrounds on a stand or wall mount them. The only place I see wires in my system is to the mains and center and with that said I have them running through corragated tubing to conceal. Smaller guage number the fatter the wire. 12awg is great even for relatively long runs (35-50ft). I would not go any larger than 10g. Not neccessary. Give me layout of house/type of construction and I will guide ya' in the right direction. I've done a few nice ht projects that really turned out neat/clean install.

 

[ventwood0]

First off forget what others think of you. Second, the BB guy is vague in his description as to where the spkrs are to be mounted and how the wires get to them. You should either run spkr lines through ceiling/walls or along baseboard to rears. If your house is on a foundation with crawl space you can run wires under house and drill small holes at baseboard/floor junction. Place the surrounds on a stand or wall mount them. The only place I see wires in my system is to the mains and center and with that said I have them running through corragated tubing to conceal. Smaller guage number the fatter the wire. 12awg is great even for relatively long runs (35-50ft). I would not go any larger than 10g. Not neccessary. Give me layout of house/type of construction and I will guide ya' in the right direction. I've done a few nice ht projects that really turned out neat/clean install.

Thanks alot. Im sure i can wire the speaker wire through the attic but I think i'll play it safe and just guide it along the walls.

I just have a question on the mounting the speaker on the walls. I've been hearing many thing from people. Some people say I can just mount them on the wall like a picture frame (i gues they ment hanging them off of 2 nails) and some say to use a mounting bracket.
How do you think I should do it?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Thanks alot. Im sure i can wire the speaker wire through the attic but I think i'll play it safe and just guide it along the walls.

I just have a question on the mounting the speaker on the walls. I've been hearing many thing from people. Some people say I can just mount them on the wall like a picture frame (i gues they ment hanging them off of 2 nails) and some say to use a mounting bracket.
How do you think I should do it?

The name is Buckeyefan, not "they." I told you to put a screw into the drywall, and not nails. 1 well secured screw will hold both a bracket, or a speaker with a hole on the back which I'm sure your speakers have in case you want to use brackets. Are you hard of reading today?

Why not take it upon yourself and use a stud finder to find a stud in your wall, get out your handy cordless 18v drill and put a nice heavy screw into the wall. See if the speaker magically hangs on this ONE screw if the back of your speaker has a mounting hole. If it doesn't, take the ENTIRE SPEAKER you plan on hanging on the wall to an audio or hardware store, and let the professionals sell you mounting brackets. Once you do that, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Do you see now why your moniker is "Hi, I am a troll - want to play with me?"

 

[ventwood0]

The name is Buckeyefan, not "they." I told you to put a screw into the drywall, and not nails. 1 well secured screw will hold both a bracket, or a speaker with a hole on the back which I'm sure your speakers have in case you want to use brackets. Are you hard of reading today?

Why not take it upon yourself and use a stud finder to find a stud in your wall, get out your handy cordless 18v drill and put a nice heavy screw into the wall. See if the speaker magically hangs on this ONE screw if the back of your speaker has a mounting hole. If it doesn't, take the ENTIRE SPEAKER you plan on hanging on the wall to an audio or hardware store, and let the professionals sell you mounting brackets. Once you do that, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.

Do you see now why your moniker is "Hi, I am a troll - want to play with me?"

Ok ok ok, im sorry.
I've also heard from other people to put a nail in my wall and other strange suggestions appart from this forum.
I heard from some people that the vibrations from the speakers will knock the screw/nail off eventually or something...... not sure how entirely try this is, btw.