Need help matching speakers with Sony receiver

[Miguel]

Hi...Newbie, here. I recently bought a Sony HT-DDW670 receiver w/speakers and sub from circuit city. I'm not at all happy with the sound and the speakers are just wimpy. The receiver is rated at 600W and is 5.1 surround system. I want to upgrade the speakers since I don't have the money to start all over and buy a new receiver. So what speakers would be a good match for this receiver? I was looking at the Athena Micra 6, Klipsch Quintet II or II, or JBL SCS145.5. I watch alot of movies and play music and I like my bass. I'm not looking for anything too "bright". Thanks alot for any advice!

 

[southeastnavy]

You have up to 30 days to return equip!

Why can't you return them?! I believe they have a 30 day return policy. I know we do and I belive BB and CC do as well. The difference is service... If you aren't happy with a system, you should find the best sound and video you can for your money.

So, how long have you had it? What is your budget?

All audio/video decisions are made under the umbrella of your budget. After all, if money were no object we'd all have dedicated home theaters with Grand Utopia's front and back, Velodyne DD-18 twin subs, powered by 7 monoblock Sim Audio Rocks.

 

[bigbassdave]

If you bought them recently CC will give you until Jan 15th to return them for any reason with no restocking fee. If for some reason that is not an option can you give us a little more input? What is your budget? Floor standing fronts or bookshelves? Thanks

 

[Miguel]

Hey fellas, thanks for responding so quickly. I bought the receiver and speakers a little over a month ago online from Circuit City and then picked them up at the store. I can't find the receipt, but I'm thinking since they were purchased online they might have it on file. I know I haven't had them more than 2 months yet. If I keep the the receiver only b/c I can longer return it then I have a $300 budget for speakers/sub and if I can still return it then I would say I would have a budget of $600-700 for a new receiver/speakers/sub. This will be in my room which is no larger than 12' x 14'. I have a TV stand large enough to hold 2 front bookshelfs and I would need stands for the rears. I suppose I could do floor standing, but I'm sure they would be more expensive and I'm limited on room. I hope I provided enough input. Thanks for your help!

Edit: I just found my online receipt in my saved emails and I purchased it on 10/11 so I've had it for 2 months now. Do you think I can still return it if I present the receipt to them?

 

[southeastnavy]

You've just learned a valuable lesson...

I hate to say it, but starting over may be your only alternative. The receiver you purchased in the HTIB (Home Theater in a Box) is rated at 10% THD. It isn't just your speakers, although you're right to want to replace them. Your rcvr is delivering quite a bit of noise to them. At this point, purchasing new speakers will only exasterbate your problem, leaving you with even less money to solve it. If I were you, I'd deal with it until you can put together more money to get a new system entirely.

Some budget solutions...

Good ($1,150) - Yam RXV457 Rcvr, Yam DVDS550 DVD Player, Polk Rti4 (F/R), Polk CSi3 Center, Polk PSW10 Sub

Better ($2,070) - Yam RXV657 Rcvr, Yam DVDS550 DVD Player, Polk Rti6 (F/R), Polk CSi5 Center, Polk PSW303 Sub

Much Better ($2,300) - Yam RXV1500 Rcvr, Yam DVDS1500 DVD Player, Focal-JMLabs Sib Speakers

Also, you might take a look at the classifieds here and at audiogon.com to see if you pick up some used equipment and lower your cost. Either way, in Audio/Video, you get what you pay for and a $200 HTIB is going to sound like a $200 HTIB...

**CC return policy is 30 days, just like us...

 

[j_garcia]

I would definitely try to return it if you aren't happy with it. To be honest, HTiBs just usually don't cut it and Sony is the king of average in the low cost HT ring (in other words, their cheap stuff sucks).

While I don't agree with the choices (definitely not the Polk subs), I do agree that starting over might be the right way to go. Then you can look at a decent receiver and maybe throw in the Micra 6 or the Point 5 system. You can get a decent sub from www.partexpress.com for $99 (300-632) with the Point 5 system that is going for $200 here and something like an Onkyo 502 or 503 or a low cost Yamaha, Denon, H/K, etc... and you would have a nice little system.