Relatively New...Looking to Improve My System

[texstereo]

Hi Everyone:

I'm trying to figure out what to buy next in order to improve my existing system. I listen to a lot of vinyl and would not be using any of this equipment for TV/movies--strictly music.

My current setup:

Receiver: Marantz SR4021
Speakers: Paradigm Monitors (2)
Turntable: Rega P1

I know that I can go with a sub next to perhaps improve my sound. And I don't want to spend too much more than $500 or $600 on it if possible.

Also...does it make sense to purchase an EQ? Do people still use these for home systems?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[highfigh]

Hi Everyone:

I'm trying to figure out what to buy next in order to improve my existing system. I listen to a lot of vinyl and would not be using any of this equipment for TV/movies--strictly music.

My current setup:

Receiver: Marantz SR4021
Speakers: Paradigm Monitors (2)
Turntable: Rega P1

I know that I can go with a sub next to perhaps improve my sound. And I don't want to spend too much more than $500 or $600 on it if possible.

Also...does it make sense to purchase an EQ? Do people still use these for home systems?

Thanks,
Ed

Does the sound become stronger in the mid-range and upper mids when you crank it? If it sounds better a low levels than high, I would work with the acoustics a bit. IMO, less equipment in an audio/video path is better and this can be a fairly inexpensove way to make a huge difference in the sound quality.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Hi Everyone:

I'm trying to figure out what to buy next in order to improve my existing system. I listen to a lot of vinyl and would not be using any of this equipment for TV/movies--strictly music.

My current setup:

Receiver: Marantz SR4021
Speakers: Paradigm Monitors (2)
Turntable: Rega P1

I know that I can go with a sub next to perhaps improve my sound. And I don't want to spend too much more than $500 or $600 on it if possible.

Also...does it make sense to purchase an EQ? Do people still use these for home systems?

Thanks,
Ed

I would start with a sub if you listen to music with any real bass. With most music you don't need a huge home theater room shaker. A smaller sub can work very well if your room isn't to large and it doesn't have to cost $600. The room treatment/acoustics suggestion is a great one also. EQ's are alive and well. Most new receivers have an on board EQ. If you use a cd/dvd player buy or download a test tone disc and see what your rooms frequency response is. Then room treatments and and EQ might be your biggest improvement.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi Everyone:

I'm trying to figure out what to buy next in order to improve my existing system. I listen to a lot of vinyl and would not be using any of this equipment for TV/movies--strictly music.

My current setup:

Receiver: Marantz SR4021
Speakers: Paradigm Monitors (2)
Turntable: Rega P1

I know that I can go with a sub next to perhaps improve my sound. And I don't want to spend too much more than $500 or $600 on it if possible.

Also...does it make sense to purchase an EQ? Do people still use these for home systems?

Thanks,
Ed

I would suggest you spend some time on the home page reading the A/V university tab, learn as much as possible on acoustics and what you can do or should do with your room. This is where most of the sound improvements come from, along with speakers.
Since you seem to be to involved with vinyl, not sure a sub would benefit you, unless those speakers you have just doesn't have much below 80Hz.
Most vinyls limits the bass intensity or your needle will depart

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I would suggest you spend some time on the home page reading the A/V university tab, learn as much as possible on acoustics and what you can do or should do with your room. This is where most of the sound improvements come from, along with speakers.
Since you seem to be to involved with vinyl, not sure a sub would benefit you, unless those speakers you have just doesn't have much below 80Hz.
Most vinyls limits the bass intensity or your needle will depart

Yep, Isolation would be needed.

 

[texstereo]

Relatively New...Sub?

I would start with a sub if you listen to music with any real bass. With most music you don't need a huge home theater room shaker. A smaller sub can work very well if your room isn't to large and it doesn't have to cost $600. The room treatment/acoustics suggestion is a great one also. EQ's are alive and well. Most new receivers have an on board EQ. If you use a cd/dvd player buy or download a test tone disc and see what your rooms frequency response is. Then room treatments and and EQ might be your biggest improvement.

Hey Everyone:

Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely examine my acoustics.

As for a sub in that price range, any recommendations on particular brands? I was told that the Paradigm PDR-10 is pretty good.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Hey Everyone:

Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely examine my acoustics.

As for a sub in that price range, any recommendations on particular brands? I was told that the Paradigm PDR-10 is pretty good.

Thanks,
Ed

What kind of music do you like and how big is your listen area?


Hsu & SVS are some favorites around here that have products in your range. I cant speak to the paradigm sub as I haven't heard one.

For music only check out Hsu first. Most members here will say that the Hsu offerings are slightly better for music and SVS are slightly better for movies YMMV.

If you want real bang for your buck and have some carpentry skills there are some very helpful members here that are very good at designing subs.

 

[dalumberjack]

Just my .02 cents.

I just recently got teh HSU VTF3-MK3 and I am in love. Just wait till they go on sale for $639 and you will be set.

I have had other velodyne subs which were good but for the price I am very impressed with the 3.3 from HSU

 

[texstereo]

That's some very helpful advice, guys.

As far as what I listen to...pretty eclectic. Jazz, pop, some classical, some hip-hop. This would be for music (not video). Not sure yet about the listening environment, as I am moving soon.

 

[texstereo]

Dalumberjack, I probably don't need a ton of volume, and I see that that particular sub is for large rooms. Maybe the VTF-1 would be fine too?

 

[texstereo]

Strongbad...as far as EQ, my Marantz only has treble and bass controls. Would it be worthwhile to purchase a separate EQ unit? And if so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[dalumberjack]

totally. It really just depends on size of the room and how much thump you want (and how cool your neighbors are )

 

[lsiberian]

If you are good with wood then a DIY option is something to consider on the sub.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Strongbad...as far as EQ, my Marantz only has treble and bass controls. Would it be worthwhile to purchase a separate EQ unit? And if so, do you have any recommendations?

Thanks

I don't have a recommendation as far as which EQ for your system. Maybe someone else can chime in. I have parametric EQ on board my receiver and don't use it currently. My sub has a one band parametric EQ that I'm also not using...yet. I need to measure my current configuration and have been too busy or the house has been too noisy.

I would wait until you're in your new room and then have at it. (unless you want to do it in your current room for the learning experience) Remember that speaker and listening position placement play a big part in the overall sound so experiment. Read the articles Audioholics provides on set-up and acoustics and do the best you can before buying anything other than a test disk and a SPL meter. Then post on what you have found and every one can put their two cents in and you can decide from there what's best for you.

 

[lsiberian]

Suggested Stereo EQ system.

The Behringer Feedback Destroyer is the best deal on a 2 channel parametric EQ.

If your interested in setting up a Parametric EQ system let me know and I'll give you links to details and any help you might want.

 

[texstereo]

Thanks for the advice, again. I will consider all my options and wait till I'm in the new room.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The biggest upgrade (and I have had many) I have done to date was acoustic panels. It made a big difference.

I was less than impressed with all of Paradigm's subs until I got to the Servo15. That's the one I bought and it was awesome. I sold it about 7 months ago and went DIY which is even better.