"Novice" needs urgent advice, please!!

[Geoff]

You lot seem to know what you're talking about (compared to some of the other forums!) so I wonder if you can help?

I recently bought a brand new Onkyo TX-DS989 to upgrade my HT system. I know it's old kit, but it was in a stock clearnce sale (and the reviews were great). But, I'm running it with an Infinity BU80 + Infinity universal satellites, and I'm sure it could sound better. So, I found a Mirage Omnisat 6 set (again, stock clearance, 66% off!) which the salesman said would sound perfect with the Onkyo.

Does anyone here have any experience of the system? Am I making a big mistake... I still have tomorrow to cancel!

Thanks for your help.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Geoff.....you just have to hear for yourself...everyone has different expectations on their HT setup.....do they have a return policy if you don't like them?

Im hesitate to buy from places that don't....restocking fee?

 

[Geoff]

Daz

Thanks for the reply. They're a "family" outfit, so I think they'll let me swap (but won't give money back because it's stock clearance sale).

They arrive tomorrow.

I think the real question was are they good enough to get the best from the amp, or do I have to go even higher end (B&W for example).

Whatever, I'm sure they will be a step up from the Infinity's, as they were part of an "entry level" package.

I'll let you know how I get on, if you're interested.

Cheers

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Yes please do...we're always interested in how guys are making out and value their feedback on various setups and speaker/receiver combos.

 

[Geoff]

Daz

I may drop something into the "write a review" a bit later. For now, it wouldn't be fair on Mirage to write much after only two days with the speakers and no "fiddling about". Anyway, I will say that after I'd put it all together and watched "Gladiator" and "Hero", then listened to some Joy Division, Leftfield and the radio, I was .... er..... a little disappointed (so was my wife, who really thinks the speakers that came with the plasma sound just as good....)

I'm really glad I didn't pay full whack.

 

[Daz3d&Confus3d]

Yeah...I think any of the purest's here don't really care for any HTIB type of setups, not unless you're really really strapped.

 

[WorldLeader]

I'm a poor student and my current setup (don't laugh!) is the Logitech z5500 5.1 system. For a HTIB type of speaker system, it isn't that bad at all.

I would like to upgrade, but for those people without a HT receiver they aren't a bad choice...

I got mine for $299, with free shipping.

 

[Geoff]

I think expectations affect hearing!!

Anyway, all is not lost. When her indoors has got over the money spent so far, I can get a couple of good (tried and tested) floorstanders, reconfigure the amp's speaker configuration and move two of the sats to Back Surround, and have a true 7.1 sytem!

The articles on the newcomers board about setting up systems is really, really helpful and the author seems to think the above is better all round.

WorldLeader, you are happy with your system, therefore it was much better value!!

 

[HTHOLIC]

Suggestion

I suggest you browse the various audioholics forums for speaker-setup and room acoustics advice.

It would be helpful to state your system and don't rush when saying you are getting a complete 7.1 system- ie, you are running dolbypl2?

I am a little confused as to your setup, you say you want a 7.1 with floorstands, have you set your speakers to "Large" or "Small". It is not wise to mix bookshelfs and floorstanding speakers with an old receiver as I doubt it could set the crossover without leaving a hole(ie, the bass may or may not go to the towers- and if they do-the bass that goes to it may not be going to the subwoofer).

 

[AMG_Roadster]

I'm a poor student and my current setup (don't laugh!) is the Logitech z5500 5.1 system. For a HTIB type of speaker system, it isn't that bad at all.

I would like to upgrade, but for those people without a HT receiver they aren't a bad choice...

I got mine for $299, with free shipping.

I have a friend that is running a similar setup. Running a computer speaker 5.1 system is not a bad choice if you want to setup a HT on the cheap.

 

[HTHOLIC]

The Gigaworks S750

I'm a poor student and my current setup (don't laugh!) is the Logitech z5500 5.1 system. For a HTIB type of speaker system, it isn't that bad at all.

I would like to upgrade, but for those people without a HT receiver they aren't a bad choice...

I got mine for $299, with free shipping.

Maybe the Gigaworks S750 would be better, I've seen rebates that make it hover for a little over $300.

 

[Geoff]

Htholic,

Thanks for the post.

The receiver is an Onkyo 989, a 7.1 system. Speakers are all presently set to "small", sub on. I can change any pair of speakers, or centre, to "large", and the amp should send the full frequency to them, rather than divert 80 and below to the sub.

I read this on the forum:

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/bass_management_TRS1.php

A brilliant piece that clears up a lot of techie type questions.

Any way, it will be a while before I can afford two decent floorstanders, so I'll have to "fiddle". But, the anticipation is great!!