New Onkyo SR507 and Energy Classics

[robodoc]

Greetings All,

This is my first post here. I just finished hooking up my first home theater system. My only past experience was installing my own car stereos.

Prob by your guys' standards, this is an "entry level" system. I tried to still buy quality components:

I started with a 55" Vizio LCD TV, and very quickly realized I wanted an audio upgrade.

Energy Take Classic 5 speaker system, wall mounted with Sanus speaker mounts, all the wires are hid behind the walls.

Energy ESW-8 subwoofer. I had a electrical outlet installed in my hardwood floor under where the sub sits, and I also ran the sub wire under the floor to the receiver, so again, no wires showing. Very clean install, the sub sits in an end table between two couches where one would sit to watch the TV. Sounds good, very omnidirectional.

Onkyo TX-SR507 AV Receiver. I knew I only wanted 5.1 channels for my relatively small living room, so I thought this model would work fine for me.

The sound is great, but I am bewildered and confused by all the choices and settings on the receiver. The sound improved greatly after I ran the "Audyssey" speaker set up microphone.

I already had a Samsung DVD/VCR combo player that has HDMI output for the DVD, and RCA connectors for the VCR. I have been collecting DVD's and VCR's for years.

I am on Comcast HiDef.

I have given up trying to figure out all the settings on the receiver and am simply going by what sounds good. For now, I have all my audio output set to Dolby Pro Logic II.

I wanted to have my TV speakers and my component speakers on at the same time, which I did by setting the 7.3 HDMI (under "Hardware Setup") AudioTVOut to "On." The audio between the TV and the component speakers were noticably out of synch. I corrected that by adjusting the receiver's 4.2 A/V Sync to the highest possible setting of 100ms.

One of the problems it took me awhile to figure out is that when the AudioTVOut is On (above), it cancelled some of the receiver's menu options, such as the 2.4 Speaker Level Calibration, and the 4.2 AV Sync. So I had to set those before turning on the TV speakers.

At any rate, the sound is good to great so far. I am "breaking in" the speakers. Some of the wiring is still roughed in. I still have to install an 8 terminal wall plate, put banana plugs on the ends of all the speaker wires, and cut a two inch hole in my component cabinet. Any thoughts or feeback appreciated. Thanks.

 

[jostenmeat]

Greetings All,

This is my first post here. I just finished hooking up my first home theater system. My only past experience was installing my own car stereos.

Prob by your guys' standards, this is an "entry level" system. I tried to still buy quality components:

I started with a 55" Vizio LCD TV, and very quickly realized I wanted an audio upgrade.

Energy Take Classic 5 speaker system, wall mounted with Sanus speaker mounts, all the wires are hid behind the walls.

You did fine, considering you had to have a complete system, on this budget. The only recommendations you would have got otherwise would be to piecemeal the system, and or pick sats with larger drivers.

Onkyo TX-SR507 AV Receiver. I knew I only wanted 5.1 channels for my relatively small living room, so I thought this model would work fine for me.

It will work perfectly fine for the system you've picked out.

The sound is great, but I am bewildered and confused by all the choices and settings on the receiver. The sound improved greatly after I ran the "Audyssey" speaker set up microphone.

There aren't too many things you can do with it anyways. You can familiarize yourself with the manual. Of more importance is where you place the speakers and the listeners in the 3d space.

I have given up trying to figure out all the settings on the receiver and am simply going by what sounds good. For now, I have all my audio output set to Dolby Pro Logic II.

And that's fine for HT. I'd personally select stereo for my cd collection, otherwise.

I wanted to have my TV speakers and my component speakers on at the same time, which I did by setting the 7.3 HDMI (under "Hardware Setup") AudioTVOut to "On." The audio between the TV and the component speakers were noticably out of synch. I corrected that by adjusting the receiver's 4.2 A/V Sync to the highest possible setting of 100ms.

One of the problems it took me awhile to figure out is that when the AudioTVOut is On (above), it cancelled some of the receiver's menu options, such as the 2.4 Speaker Level Calibration, and the 4.2 AV Sync. So I had to set those before turning on the TV speakers.

At any rate, the sound is good to great so far. I am "breaking in" the speakers. Some of the wiring is still roughed in. I still have to install an 8 terminal wall plate, put banana plugs on the ends of all the speaker wires, and cut a two inch hole in my component cabinet. Any thoughts or feeback appreciated. Thanks.

This last part is what prompted me to reply to your post to begin with.

Forget using the TV speakers simultaneously.

It will directly usurp the effects of discrete mch audio to begin with. Besides a host of other issues. If you want just only the TV speakers on at certain times, that's fine, but never both at the same time. Trust me.

 

[robodoc]

thank you for the feedback

Yeah, I should have taken the hint when I finally figured out that turning on the TV speakers at the same time deleted some of the menu choices on the receiver.

Sad to say, I have pretty much read the entire manual and I am still confused on several points. But everything seems to be working and the sound is such a vast improvement that I have decided not to worry about the details too much, for now. I hope to read and learn more here. Thanks.

 

[PENG]

Sad to say, I have pretty much read the entire manual and I am still confused on several points.

If you tell us what those points are we may be able to help.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Hi robodoc,

You are not the only one confused by a manual (nowadays there is so much to digest in the newer receivers).

* But you seem to have a good hand on what counts the most; to be please with the sound.

** And just like PENG said in the above post; if there is something you are confuse with, just try to ask a clear and precise question concerning the issue.

Cheers,
Bob