R

Ransac

Audiophyte
Am looking for unbiased opinions on my set up below. Open to any and all critiquing as a new hobbiest.
Am particularly interested in anyone who may have similar set up, who could suggest other components (looking to match a decent amp with my onkyo to maximize outputs, to my zone 2 and or 3) Finally after many years have the flexibility to expand (or start to concentrate fully) on this hobby. I believe I have a lot to learn after reading a great deal, and am anxious for opinions from those who have "been there and done that", even if it means I should start from scratch.

Onkyo TX-SR805 THX ultra2- Kenwood KM-x100 Thx Amp -Onkyo DV-SP 404 -Sonicview 8000 HD- Panasonic TH-42PX60U-Klipsch KG 3.5 (fronts)-Klipsch Tangent 100s (rears)-Klipsch RW-12 reference series (sub)-Kef ref series Model 90 (center)-Kef C-15 (zone 2)-Mordaunt Short MS-10 (zone 3)-Logitech Harmony 550 remote Sennheiser HD480II (for the noggin)
Edit/Delete Message
 
J

jamie2112

Banned
Welcome to Audioholics. The only thing that matters is that you are happy with your system. Lots of people have opinions and suggestions but the most important thing is you being happy with your system. It sounds like you have a great setup there. The fun part of this hobby is upgrading your system as you become more comfortable with all the different systems and components out there. Best of luck to you and your audioquest.:D
 
R

Ransac

Audiophyte
ty

thanks for the quick reply, and comment on my system. I am happy with the sound, however am thinking of an amp to add as I previously stated, and really don't know anything about which would be a good match for the system I presently have.
 
J

jamie2112

Banned
You could look at the Beringer a500 or 1500 amps. They are priced really well and are highly rated in the audio world.
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Unless you room is big, say >3000 cu.ft, your Onkyo 805 should do fine. Based on lab measurements, the 805 is one of the most powerful receiver currently available. It seems that when people think of upgrade they tend to look at their receivers/amps instead of looking at the most important link, the speakers, that actually reproduce the sound. If you look at the specifications of each components you will see that speakers are typically the weakest link in terms of distortions and frequency response etc. It is true that in most cases it costs less to just add an amplifier or replace the receiver but what if it does not get you the improved sound that you are after?

If you spend a little more and upgrade your speakers instead, for sure you will get a different sound, hopefully better.
 
R

Ransac

Audiophyte
ty

Unless you room is big, say >3000 cu.ft, your Onkyo 805 should do fine. Based on lab measurements, the 805 is one of the most powerful receiver currently available. It seems that when people think of upgrade they tend to look at their receivers/amps instead of looking at the most important link, the speakers, that actually reproduce the sound. If you look at the specifications of each components you will see that speakers are typically the weakest link in terms of distortions and frequency response etc. It is true that in most cases it costs less to just add an amplifier or replace the receiver but what if it does not get you the improved sound that you are after?

If you spend a little more and upgrade your speakers instead, for sure you will get a different sound, hopefully better.
Thanks for the response, my thinking at the moment, or what has prompted this, was the additional zone capability, which I would really like to pipe through to the rest of my rooms on ground level, and or patio. The Kenwood amp was an old addition, and has only two speakers out. I was always satisfied with my klipsch in the main listening area, but am sure they could be improved on as well. Was thinking that I could swing them out of that room into the others from a decent amp, or vice versa with the 805, and amp my main room with somthing new. (not sure if I am making sense here to you, but if the right thing to do is to upgrade my speakers, fine, but still would like to expand overall, and really really dont know anything about amps.
My present kenwood is thx cert, but I have it presently feeding my zone 2 on rather insignificant speakers.
I am more than happy with the 805, aside from some issues with the audyssy set up.........which is a whole other thread
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
So either way you need another pair of speakers right? In that case, you could get a new pair of speakers and then decide on which pair to move to the other room. The KG 3.5 may be old but it has some nice specs so be sure to get a replacement pair in the $1,000 to $3,000 range. Obviously you can spend less if you go for used ones.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
Open to any and all critiquing as a new hobbiest.
Klipsch KG 3.5 (fronts)Kef ref series Model 90 (center)
IMO you should have matching mains L/R speakers, and center channel.
 
F

fmw

Audioholic Ninja
unbiased opinions
That would certainly be an oxymoron. If the system performs well for you then that's what matters. If there is something you feel is lacking in its performance then it would be useful to bring that up in specific terms.
 
R

Ransac

Audiophyte
oxymoron

That would certainly be an oxymoron. If the system performs well for you then that's what matters. If there is something you feel is lacking in its performance then it would be useful to bring that up in specific terms.
jeesh..........ok I regret not reviewing my questions more specifically. Appreciate the input regarding the front speaker, and will probably change it. As for the over all sound, I am happy but tend to think there is always room for improvement, and was hoping someone had "been where I am at" and would make some suggestions, but thats ok.

Specifically; I would like to expand on my system by adding speakers to other areas utilizing my zone 2 and 3. The only way I can do that (to the best of my knowledge) is to get an amp. I know nothing about amps.
Is there one which would match up better than another with the onkyo that I have?
I will be utilizing zone 2 for a kitchen area, and possibly a living room, if I can.

I guess what i was thinking is that someone may read what my set up is, and possibly suggest somthing along the lines of; "hey ransac, if that were my set up and I wanted to expand my zone 2, I would sell the kenwood amp and get ------ amp with outputs to 3 sets of speakers, take your present kipsch fronts and put them in another zone, and upgrade to ------ klipsch speaker cuz they are more efficient with the onkyo, and while your at it get rid of the mismatched kef front!"
Am thinking perhaps I should go back to lurk mode and just read, instead of posting..........
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Specifically; I would like to expand on my system by adding speakers to other areas utilizing my zone 2 and 3. The only way I can do that (to the best of my knowledge) is to get an amp.
Klipsch, Mordaunt Short, and KEF all make nice speakers, but you seem to have either their older or smaller models. Given that you have the Onkyo 805, there is plenty of room for improvement if you upgrade at least some of your speakers. There are many options, for examples:

1. If you are happy with 5.1, you only have to add one amp. For example, you can upgrade the KG3.5 to one of the Klipsch reference models, use zone 2 to power the KG3.5, and then use the Kenwood to power your zone 3 Mordaunt Short or the KEF whichever one you like better. I am assuming your Kenwood is an integrated amplifier, and therefore has its own volume control. If not, then you have to use the Onkyo to control the volume.

2. If you plan on listening to 7.1 in you main zone, then you may need two amps, one for zone 2 and one for zone 3. Or if you don't listen to zone 2 and 3 at the same time then you have the option to use a speaker selector and save one amp.

Unless you are planning on doing critical listening in zone 2 and/or 3, I would just get one or two cheap integrated amps or receivers, and feed them off the 805.

Again, the 805 has enough power for your highly efficient Klipsch speakers. Adding an amp for the front speakers surely can't hurt, but you will most likely do better by upgrading the speakers. If you really want to add an amp to your capable 805, then you should not consider anything rated for less than 300 WPC, otherwise there is no point. As for matching, I don't think you have to worry about it. The preouts on the 805 can be used to drive any standard power amps on the market.
 
R

Ransac

Audiophyte
tyvm

Klipsch, Mordaunt Short, and KEF all make nice speakers, but you seem to have either their older or smaller models. Given that you have the Onkyo 805, there is plenty of room for improvement if you upgrade at least some of your speakers. There are many options, for examples:

1. If you are happy with 5.1, you only have to add one amp. For example, you can upgrade the KG3.5 to one of the Klipsch reference models, use zone 2 to power the KG3.5, and then use the Kenwood to power your zone 3 Mordaunt Short or the KEF whichever one you like better. I am assuming your Kenwood is an integrated amplifier, and therefore has its own volume control. If not, then you have to use the Onkyo to control the volume.

2. If you plan on listening to 7.1 in you main zone, then you may need two amps, one for zone 2 and one for zone 3. Or if you don't listen to zone 2 and 3 at the same time then you have the option to use a speaker selector and save one amp.

Unless you are planning on doing critical listening in zone 2 and/or 3, I would just get one or two cheap integrated amps or receivers, and feed them off the 805.

Again, the 805 has enough power for your highly efficient Klipsch speakers. Adding an amp for the front speakers surely can't hurt, but you will most likely do better by upgrading the speakers. If you really want to add an amp to your capable 805, then you should not consider anything rated for less than 300 WPC, otherwise there is no point. As for matching, I don't think you have to worry about it. The preouts on the 805 can be used to drive any standard power amps on the market.
ahhhh thankyou.........that is what I have been looking for, the kenwood unfortunetly is not integrated, I do plan on 7.1 but won't need it at the same time as listening to other zones at the same time so am thinking I could get by with one amp. (will still have the kenwood available after I pick up another) I have been looking to upgrade my klipsch fronts, and will continue to do so, as per your suggestion and my original thinking. My main listening room I am happy with, and don't really think I need an amp to add there. Thankyou again for your patience and insight here.
 
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