Newie needs help

[crazyman]

I have just purchased a Onkyo TX-SR502, a pair of Bose 301's and a Bose center channel speaker. I already had a 12" pre-sub and a pair of older Bose speakers that I am using for the surround speakers in the rear. My question is all this is new to me and I would like to know the best way to setup the onkyoto give the speakers the best sound that I can get. Some of the things I am concerned about are 1. I have to cut the Onkyo up to about 55 or so before I really start getting the full sounds of the speakers. 2. I am not getting a stereo effect from the speakers etc. instruments don't seem to be coming from certain speakers they sound like there coming from all. (I do not have it set to stereo mode. I am running it in DTS, or with my "Eagles" DVD I am using the DTS. 3. The speakers dont seem to be crystal clear, I have spent around 1,000,00 in this system and was expecting more from Bose speakers. Another words I had two Bose speakers hooked up and now with everything hooked up I can't tell a big difference. 4. When listening to concerts etc, like matcjbox 20 or eagles etc. I am getting alot of noise from the audience at the concert. Is there anyway to cut back on there noise so the singers vioce and instruments are clearer. I know this is alot of questions but I am sure being a newbie to home theatre systems I am just doing something wrong or expecting to much from what I have. Thanks for anyhelp.

 

[JoeE SP9]

You should be aware that B(l)ose speakers are not very well thought of on this or most audiophile sites. There are many other speakers that sound a lot better and cost a lot less.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Too much audience noise may mean that your rears are too loud. Many people set the rears too loud. Most newbies that I visit always set the rears to loud. I find my self always asking for less volume on the rears.

 

[crazyman]

newbie

Thanks for your advise....can you tell me if not B(!)se then what is a great speaker to get? I want to use these speakers for home stero listening also. I paid about 700.00 for the B(!)se speakers and would be will ing to take them back for something that sounds better and is cheaper at the same time. I do most of my shopping at Circuit City if this would help in making a decision on what speakers to go with. Thanks again.

 

[Beegowl]

Take some time and read

Newbie,

sounds like you may have your speakers wired out of phase, which means you need to check all your speaker wire to ensure positive to positive and negative to negative hookups.

When you read through the posts in this forum and the articles in the audioholics website, you will find a wealth of information about speakers, recommendations for equipment, and lots of personal preferences. This is one of the best places for information on audio equipment that I've found. It takes time to wade through the information, but that's part of the fun of this hobby.

 

[Unregistered]

There's no way to tell what your idea of "full sounds from the speakers" is compared to me or anyone else, but I can tell you that after calibration, 59 on the volume scale of my 502 is reference level (85db) and that is extremely loud. I am using JBL speakers bought around 1996.

The Bose speakers are likely the weak link in the system, but you need to calibrate the system as well; preferably using a SPL meter. Check the polarity of your speaker wires too as suggested above. Make sure your speaker set up is correct in the menu of the 502; ie correct number of speakers and distance settings (do that before you calibrate).

The Polk RTi series is probably the best CC has to offer. Check out JBL (my preference) and Athena at Best Buy as well. Any of those will be more efficient and likely better sounding than anything from Bose.

 

[crazyman]

tahnks for the input

Thanks for the info. I will look and the speakers suggested and let you know. Is there somewhere online that offers great speakers for Home audio/home theatre? Thanks again.

 

[Karp]

Thanks for the info. I will look and the speakers suggested and let you know. Is there somewhere online that offers great speakers for Home audio/home theatre? Thanks again.

There are quite a few well-respected manufacturers who sell only online. Any one of them will far surpass the quality of Bose speakers at a significant price difference. Here are two of them:

Axiom Audio

Rocket

 

[JoeE SP9]

There's no way to tell what your idea of "full sounds from the speakers" is compared to me or anyone else, but I can tell you that after calibration, 59 on the volume scale of my 502 is reference level (85db) and that is extremely loud. /QUOTE]

85db extremely loud? Last night Sylvia told me she wanted it louder. I pulled out the old rat shack SLM and showed her that we were listening at levels averaging about 96db. She thought it wasn't loud enough. I then showed here a chart of relative SPL's along with the recommended exposure times to loud sounds. She still wanted more volume. I for one hadn't realized just how loud it was. Maybe Cerwin Vega is right. Maybe I should buy some Cerwin Vega's? NOT!

 

[Unregistered]

Sounds like Sylvia already has some hearing loss if 96dB wasn't loud enough. Listening at levels above 85dB for long periods of time is just asking for trouble.

 

[Bicster]

That is so Sylvia

 

[JoeE SP9]

OK! I was having a party. I don't always listen at that level. I was showing of for some of my guests. I'm sure all of us have done so at least once or twice. I think the main reason for the extreme levels she and others were requesting was simply because most had never heard such good sound at any volume level. After all, having a killer rig is not like having a Ferrari. You have to get people into your listening room to show off. You can just park your Modena outside and make everyone jealous. Yes, I know there is a replacement for the Modena.

 

[Bicster]

What does your system consist of?

 

[JoeE SP9]

What does your system consist of?

My system is listed in member systems, how much is it worth.