New Speaker ?

[FORDRACEFAN]

I am looking for new surround sound speakers, and I have a couple of questions.

1) Is it better for all of the speakers to come from the same manufacturer?
2) What frequency should I look for in a speaker, and do the frequencies for the front, center, and rears have to match.
3) What is the difference between peak power rating and continuous?
4) What should I look for if my receiver outputs 130 W per channel.


Thanks.

 

[rnatalli]

1. Generally yes as the speakers will be timbre matched and you won't have to fine tune so much.
2. This is a matter of opinion. Some people like using floorstanders that go low (say 35Hz) enough without the need for a sub and some prefer to have speakers handle the mids and highs and send all the lows to a sub. And others have both floorstanders and a sub. Most bookshelf speakers will be around 80-100Hz so a sub is needed for HT use.
3. Peak is how much the speaker can handle for a very short period of time. You know those scenes when something explodes? It's unlikely the speaker can maintain that level for a long period of time. Continuous is how much the speaker can take even if you played it for hours.
4. 130W per channel is very optimistic especially for a receiver and it's more likely that the rating is fudged as it's very common. Very few if any receivers are able to deliver that much wattage continuosly. What brand and model is it?

 

[rnatalli]

Sorry... Double posting.

 

[avaserfi]

I am looking for new surround sound speakers, and I have a couple of questions.

1) Is it better for all of the speakers to come from the same manufacturer?
2) What frequency should I look for in a speaker, and do the frequencies for the front, center, and rears have to match.
3) What is the difference between peak power rating and continuous?
4) What should I look for if my receiver outputs 130 W per channel.


Thanks.

1. With surrounds I wouldn't say it is deathly important to match your fronts, but keeping both (or all four) surrounds the same is a good choice. Most people won't notice timbre differences between fronts and rears.
2. I wouldn't get caught up in frequency response of the surrounds, most well built speakers will do the job well. They do not need to match your fronts.
3/4. This was previously explained, but don't get caught up in wattage. The receivers you are looking at will be able to push any 6-8 ohm speaker with ease .

 

[rnatalli]

When it comes to speakers, audition, audition, audition... These are the most important component to your system as they influence the sound enormously. There are general observations of how certain manufacturers' speakers sound. What kind of sound do you generally like? Do you like detailed sound, laid back sound, up-front, etc...

 

[FORDRACEFAN]

I am currently looking at a Pioneer 94TXH and the Denon 3808. I plan on testing out a few speakers. I am looking at get floorstanding units for the front, and bookshelf speakers for the rear with a subwoofer.

I'm not sure how I would describe what sound I like. If I had to choose, I would probably look for more detailed sound.

Thanks for the info.

 

[avaserfi]

If you are looking for fronts and surrounds (I was under the impression that you just wanted surrounds from the OP) then if you are getting them from a dealer you will be able to get a discounted price by buying a "set" from them.

What does your speaker budget look like and how big is your room? Also, what are your listening habits (amount of music/movies/games etc...)? Knowing this will help us make speaker suggestions.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm not sure how I would describe what sound I like. If I had to choose, I would probably look for more detailed sound.

Detailed is not a sound.

Detailed is how well a speaker can reproduce the original recording.

 

[FORDRACEFAN]

I am looking to spend about $2-3k on speakers. I probably watch about 50% TV, 20% movies, 5% music, and 25% xbox Games.

 

[avaserfi]

I am looking to spend about $2-3k on speakers. I probably watch about 50% TV, 20% movies, 5% music, and 25% xbox Games.

Here is a list of some speakers I would look audition with that budget:

B&W 600 Series
Paradigm Studio 20/40 Series
Jamo Concert 800 Series

There are others out there, but these are just the speakers I have heard in the range as I try not to recommend anything I haven't heard and enjoyed. Also, the Jamo's might be a little hard to find and actually get a listen too, but if a dealer near you has them I would check it out, they make a great speaker IMO.

When it comes to subwoofers I would look into SVSound as they make a great subwoofer.

 

[jinjuku]

I am looking to spend about $2-3k on speakers. I probably watch about 50% TV, 20% movies, 5% music, and 25% xbox Games.

Check out PSB. The Image series is really good bang for the buck. There seems to be some aversion to mentioning PSB along side of Paradigm. They are very competitive.

 

[rnatalli]

In addition to those already mentioned, I would add Mordaunt-Short and Axiom to the list. They both make great and detailed speakers. Definitely go and audition as many brands as possible at some local shops. Between the two receivers you're looking at, I'd probably lean Denon. For the price of the 3808, have you considered separates from Emotiva, Outlaw, or NAD?

 

[3db]

Have no problem mentioning PSB

Check out PSB. The Image series is really good bang for the buck. There seems to be some aversion to mentioning PSB along side of Paradigm. They are very competitive.

I prefer the PSB sound over Paradigm. Thats why my entire HT speaker system is PSB. I have the Image seriies, T45 mains, 1B surrounds, 8C center channel and a subsonic5 for my sub woofer. Yep, I'm a real die hard PSB fan. There are a few of us in here

 

[Diamond_Sound]

I have to agree with the Jamo selection. I have a pair of the E680's and they are great.

 

[KC23]

I am looking for new surround sound speakers, and I have a couple of questions.

1) Is it better for all of the speakers to come from the same manufacturer?
2) What frequency should I look for in a speaker, and do the frequencies for the front, center, and rears have to match.
3) What is the difference between peak power rating and continuous?
4) What should I look for if my receiver outputs 130 W per channel.


Thanks.

Axioms fit your budget well and are very good. That is what I went with and I'm not disapppointed. http://axiomaudio.com

Check the reviews, the critics agree.