Need Receiver and SubWoofer to go with 5 speakers.

[Dunderbeck]

Hi,
I am trying to make a surround sound system for my new 3D HDTV (my first HD), and I'd also like to hook up audio components. I bought 5 speakers from a guy on craigslist. He used a Denon AVR 1910 receiver, but I want one that's 3D ready. He doesn't have a sub-woofer, because he likes the sound without one. I want to find a good, digital (with HDMIs), 3d ready receiver for less than $400, maybe $500 (it's OK if it's used or last year’s model...etc) that goes with the speakers. I list the speakers, and the things I want in a receiver bellow.

I also want to find an inexpensive sub-woofer that goes with the speakers and the possible receiver (again used, new, old model all fine). The guy selling me the speakers says the sub-woofer should be an 8-10 inch, and the Ohms should match the receiver. I want a TIGHT sub woofer:Frequency with Little resonance. What's better a floor aimed sub-woofer or normal one. I live on a first floor Apt. with nice wood floors and average plaster walls. The room is about 17' by 26'. I'm not that into base, but I want the movie sound.

The Speakers:
1 Mirage OM-C3 center channel speaker
2 Mirage M-290 bookshelf speakers on metal stands (according to him near ear level)
2Atlantic Technologies 254 SR Bi-Polar speakers. (for side/back)

What I want in a receiver:
1. 3D Ready, 1080p video up conversion, THX (though I don't totally understand what THX is), and a remote control
2. The microphone that balances the speakers
3. 7.1 with the ability to create a 5.1 set up in one room, and 2 stereo speakers in another room, so I can listen to something in two rooms with the ability to turn the 2nd room speakers on and off either from the receiver, or from the 2nd room speakers.
4. Inputs
4 or more (6 better) HDMI ports, 4 or more RCAs (could get switcher), Composite Video, 2 or more head phone jacks, mic jack, phono input (want turn table), and at least one HDMI output.
If possible:
DVI, VGA, S-Video, USB 2.0
5. I have a very loud furnace intake vent; I have to turn the TV volume up when it kicks in, and down when it goes off, I'll try to sound proof it (I'll ask about that in another post), but if a receiver can turn up and down the volume when the vent goes on and off that would be good, but it probably isn't possible.

Let me know which receivers and sub woofers you'd recommend. I want to buy one as soon as possible.
Thanks

 

[fuzz092888]

I don't know how you feel about refurb, but accessories4less has an excellent reputation. So ask and ye shall receiver......(pun intended, terrible joke I know)

Onkyo TX-NR808 7.2-Channel 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less

You're just kinda stuck with the volume/vent issue. I'm not aware of any receiver or preamp that automatically rises and lowers volume based on ambient noise. Unless you've got a car that you can steal that technology from I think you are stuck pounding the up and down volume buttons.

When he says the ohms should match the receiver he just means that if you have an 8 ohm subwoofer the amp on the receiver should be rated for 8 ohms etc etc for higher or lower impedance HOWEVER, most commercial amps have built in plate amplifiers so this isn't even an issue and all you need to do is plug an RCA cable into the sub and then into the sub preout on the receiver, set the crossover, make sure subwoofer is set to on, turn all other speakers to small, and then rock your socks off.

Theres a few different kinds of subs, sealed, ported, cylinder, down firing, passive radiator, horn......I may be leaving something out. From what you say I would think a few small sealed subs would be best, depending on budget you'll want to start with one and possibly add one or two more.

 

[fuzz092888]

THX certification more or less means that the receiver (when we're talking about receivers, as opposed to projectors or tvs) is rated for a certain room size, that you are supposed to have reference level sound guaranteed if you set the volume to 0, that the receiver will play loud and with low distortion, and a few other things depending on which THX certifications it has.

Thats the short version of what it is.

 

[Dunderbeck]

Why this receiver

Hi,
Just wondering why this receiver and not a Yamaha or a Denon? Will this one let me do the split room set up? Also, if I choose another, with the speakers I have what wattage, ohms, or other things does the receiver have to have to match the speakers I mentioned? There was a $500 Yamaha model I was attracted to at Fry's, but it seems to be sold out now. I'll check out your Onkyo suggestion, and also see if I can find it cheaper. I live in Chicago, by the way, if any one knows any helpful and cheap audio stores there, especially ones that sell both used and new.

I got these 5 nice speakers, but there are these even nicer front speakers Onix Rockets that 2 people are offering. They're so shiny part of my wants to upgrade to the nicer shinier rockets, but part of my thinks I should stay with the nice and more frugal Mirages. If I did go for the 3 front Onix would I still need the same receiver, or a different one, maybe more powerful? I'll probably stick with these, but the Onix are so colorful and shiny.

 

[Grador]

Personally I am a fan of yamaha receivers, but you have to go quite far up their line to have a phono stage, quite a bit out of your price range. If you don't mind getting an external phono amp you could do that as I have. I have also found that their microphone/autosetup causes everything to sound terrible [speaker ranging was all wrong causing phase issues, EQ was super wonky and made everything sound like it was at the bottom of a swamp]. I'm perfectly content setting everything manually, but if you really want the automatic setup people on the forums here seem to think that audyssey, which the linked onkyo has, works pretty well.

 

[Dunderbeck]

Sounds good

That sounds like a good reason for the Onkyo. I don't know if I need a phono port. I don't have the turn table yet, but will get one. If I need an adaptor that's fine. If it's newer it may not need one. If the the Onkyo has a better set up mic then that's a good reason to get it. Does it have the other stuff I mentioned, other than the impossible vent thing. Does this have a set up mic? I can't see it in the pictures. I'll probably grab it if one or two more people agree with the choice. Maybe I'll get it once I look it over in the morning.

Do you guys think the speakers I got are good for a 17' by 26' room, or do you think I should check out the more powerful speakers I mentioned? I will play music, but mainly want surround for movies and tv. Even when i listen to music I don't rock out, or crank the music.

If I can buy a receiver in a store in Chicago with good prices that'd be great.

 

[Grador]

Just looking at the specs on the site linked, that receiver meets all your requirements. Since you already bought the speakers, getting the sub and trying them out is the best way to determine if they're sufficient. The receiver will work just fine with any other speakers you'd be interested in, so getting it without knowing for sure on the speakers you already have would be fine.

 

[Dunderbeck]

Just to make sure

This has the same calibrating mic right? Also, Is this as good as a Devon. The guy I got them from was pretty sure I should get a Devon similar to his with 3d ready. I don't know much about Onkyo. Is it a quality brand?

One big Question: if this has internet features I'll need does it have a wifi in it to hook up to my router remotely like the TV and most Blu Rays do? It will be too far from the phone jack to plug in. If not can I get a wifi device to hook it up. Also it's got radio right? I don't listen much, but I should probably have it.

If the answer to all these questions is good I guess I'll get it.

Is this a good store, they deliver quick, have a 30 day return, and if the delivery goes wrong they won't tell me to get lost right? It's hard to find the good ones among the electronic stores, like those ones that offer no return policies.

I'll look it over let me know about my fears. You know how it is when you're a Beginner.
Thanks

 

[Dunderbeck]

separate rooms

And it's got the separate room thing right? Never had a receiver before only stereo in a box.

Also, does it have a Warranty, and the extra one you can get?

 

[Dunderbeck]

looking it over

I'm looking it over. It seems good. A lot of people who review it say it breaks down and stuff, but that seems pretty common, and it's not on every site. Does anyone know if the same model is available with Wifi, so I can use the internet cababilities. I won't be able to plug it into the phone jack from it's possition. Maybe the next model up or something.

I'm still giving it the once over.

 

[Dunderbeck]

Made Order

Hi,
I made the Onkyo Receiver order from the linked site, but it may not be finished for some technical reasons. Also, I read reviews, and although this place has great customer service if there is a problem, most of the review talk of broken or incomplete refurbished merchandise, so I might need a different Receiver if this one doesn't work out. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll tell you if it works out. It may take a week or two.
Thanks

 

[Dunderbeck]

Subwoofer

If we assume I get the receiver in the middle of the week, later in the week I'll need help with where I should place the sub woofer. I understand the speaker placement, but I really don't understand where the sub woofer should go.

Before I buy one is all I need to match the 8 Ohms of the receiver, or do I need to match something else? What's best toward the the floor or the wall or away from the TV toward the side wall? How do these 3 placements feel or sound different in a "tight" set up? Also you said a small sub, how small is small 8"? Also, what is a passive sub?

I only thanked one of you officially, but I'd like to thank both of you. I hope the receiver both works for me, and works at all.

 

[fuzz092888]

Hopefully the receiver works out, if not, come back we'll find you something else. There are plenty of receives out there and I'm sure we can find you another that will fit (most) of your needs in your price range.

Right now I have a Marantz SR-5006 and I really like it, but I'm thinking about upgrading to an onkyo 3009. Onkyo is a company that kinda came out of nowhere and within a a short time period became a brand name in the receiver market. They did this by going sticker happy and getting every "high quality" add on that they could find and putting them together with sometimes substandard parts to undercut the competition (think get more for less). However, their higher end models have always been decent and Onkyo themselves have realized what a bad rap they were getting with their lower end models so nowadays things are much improved. Besides, with any company's lower end models you have to be careful. If you end up with the onkyo just make sure it gets plenty of ventilation (maybe buy a cheap laser thermometer) and check the temp regularly, maybe once a week after it has been running for awhile. Also just so you don't start freaking out, the model I recommended is not one of their low end models. I did notice that when I sent you the link it said they only had one left, that could be your technical difficulties, if so, oops

Yamaha I have no experience with, Denons are solid, Marantz is owned by Denon and they share a little bit with each other. I just couldn't find a Denon in your price range with all this features in the 15 minutes I browsed. Possibly could if I spent more time looking.

As for the sub, sub placement can be a big pain in the butt. There is no one spot someone on here can say yes put it there and you will always have great bass. If you can afford it always go with a bigger better sub, you can always tame a bigger sub down but cannot make a small weaker sub sound bigger and more powerful.

8-10" should be fine, if you can afford a good 12" even better. A simple (albeit) time consuming way to figure out the best place for the sub is to put it at ear level in the listening position and turn on something bass heavy then crawl around on the floor to find where the bass sounds best. Then you put the subwoofer in that spot. The best spot for the sub and how many you need all depends on your room and listening positions. Well at least in the simplified version. SO if your sub is mainly for tv HT use than odds are you'll probably want more than one because it almost always takes more than one sub to get great bass to all listening positions.

Its a passive radiator not a passive sub, it just means there is an active driver with one or two non powered radiating subwoofers.

Tightness has as much to do with which sub you get and where you plop it in your room. Even mediocre subs can sound night and day with proper room placement and great subs can sound boomy and muddled if placed in a terrible spot.

I don't think you listed a budget for a sub(s), correct me if I'm wrong. Need budget then suggestions

 

[Dunderbeck]

Will 2 Mirage M5si speakers work with my Onkyo tx-nr808

Hi,
I'm buying 2 Mirage M5si speakers tomorrow, because I was told they'd match my other speakers tonally, and I wanted to make sure my Onkyo tx-nr808 has enough power for them and the other speakers I own plus a subwoofer.

Atlantic Technologies 254 SR Surround Speakers
Mirage OM-C3 center channel speaker
I'll be buying a PSB 5I
and I may still use the Mirage M-290s

Please let me know before I buy if you can.