several questions about entry level recievers and reccomendations

[teh_pwnzr]

Hi all, I just purchased a new big screen TV and I am now looking to purchase an entry level 5.1 receiver. I don't want to spend upwards of about $300 or so.

I haves smaller speakers for the right, left, and center channels and 2 much larger ones for the 2 surround channels in the back. Since my largest (and most expensive) speakers are in the back, I would like to be able to send all the bass to them. I know that most receivers will send all the bass to the front speakers if there is no sub woofer, however, I would like to be able to send all my bass to the back speakers. Are there any receivers that support this? This is probably my biggest concern.

I also do lots of listening to music, and I have read that while most 5.1 receivers handle movies just fine, some of them aren't the greatest for music.

Right now, all that I will be plugging into it will be a DVD player, and maybe a gamecube. I plan on getting a blu-ray player soon though.

As far as features are concerned, the receiver absolutely must have a remote. I don't care about a second zone at all. I don't need upconverting video. I don't need HDMI switching or any of that (I think they all come with that nowadays though). I don't care about ipod connectivity or anything like that. An equalizer for each speaker would be nice though.

So far, I have looked at the Yamaha RX-V465, the Onkyo 307, 507, and even te 606 (I figure that I should be able to pick it up cheaper since the 607 just came out.) I have also looked at the 5.1 receivers that Fry's Electronics had on display, and I was not very impressed with their selection.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

 

[Lordoftherings]

The very best in your price range.

Hi, and Welcome to Audioholics Home Theater Forums, where the couch is always warm and the amps are running warm too.

First, let me ask you this: Did you read some of the other threads about the same type of question than yours, with some of the best recommendations on the business?

Because if you did not, your answer is just couple clicks away.

Just a very simple suggestion. Because we are just repeating ourselves over and over.

* About sending all the bass in the rear or surround speakers, just forget it, there is no such receiver in the $300 price range, let alone in the $3,000 price range. Your best bet is the subwoofer.

#1. Your best option is to get a sub.

#2. Your 2nd best, is to trade your back surround speakers with your two side front ones.

#3. Then you can choose the receiver. But option #1 is definitively the one that you should highly consider first. So now, I don't know anymore if you have money left for the receiver. But anyway, shall you go with option #2, a good receiver in the $300 price range with the features and the quality sound on music that you're asking for, would be something like a Marantz SR5002, that cost $349.99, only $50 more than your budget, but it's highly worth it for this small difference.
1* SR5002 -> http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR5002/Marantz/SR5002-receiver-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html
>>> Just scroll down a bit.

Also there is the Onkyo TX-SR606 for only $319.99 at the same place.
2* TX-SR606 -> http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR606/Onkyo/TX-SR606-90w-x-7ch-HDMI-Theater-Receiver-BLACK/1.html

And the Yamaha RX-V465 is only $259 at 6th avenue. You just put your price by clicking on the yellow star "Price Alert" in the appropriate box (Price Target) and your e-mail address, and then click "Submit", that's it. They will contact you to say that they accept you offer of $259.
3* RX-V465 -> http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=YAMRXV465
>>> Don't be worry about the indicated price of $329.00, just make your own price in the Price Target, click on the link just below, you'll see (if you're interested in the RX-V465 of course). But for only $259 and 4 HDMI, why not.

** RX-V465 Price target: http://www.6ave.com/shop/PriceAlert.aspx?id=YAMRXV465

So here you go, three of the very best ones for their price, between $259 and $349.99. Just check their feature's list and specs plus number of HDMI inputs and versions, then pick the one that fits your needs. You'll get all of this information in their respective web sites.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[teh_pwnzr]

Thanks for the quick response. I did not see any threads about directing the bass to the rear/surround speakers. But you're sure that even the high end receivers don't sport that feature?

As for getting a sub, I don't want to spend any more than I have to, and my rear/surround speakers will outperform any cheap $300 sub that I would buy. Also, the rear/surround speakers are big enough that they would A) look awkward and B) not fit next to the tv without getting in the way.

I've been reading about bass management on surround sound systems too. I've read from several articles that most receivers include a bass management system so that you can send the low "sub bass" effects to only the speakers that can handle it.

 

[FNG212]

That being said, you're probably not going to find a solution in your price range. You can get a decent sub for not a lot (~$250 from thespeakercompany.com). About 90% of movie sound comes from the front 3 speakers and about 75% comes from the center channel. You should really try to re-arrange things so it works.

Or for the "use a bigger hammer" philosophy students (I raise my hand), just wire the rear speakers to the front channel. It may not sound right all the time but it "works"

 

[Fenix]

If you're planning on getting a Blu-ray than you absolutely want HDMI (as 1080p can only be passed through HDMI on Blu-ray players).

 

[sholling]

Thanks for the quick response. I did not see any threads about directing the bass to the rear/surround speakers. But you're sure that even the high end receivers don't sport that feature?

As for getting a sub, I don't want to spend any more than I have to, and my rear/surround speakers will outperform any cheap $300 sub that I would buy. Also, the rear/surround speakers are big enough that they would A) look awkward and B) not fit next to the tv without getting in the way.

I've been reading about bass management on surround sound systems too. I've read from several articles that most receivers include a bass management system so that you can send the low "sub bass" effects to only the speakers that can handle it.

First up a big welcome to the site!

Getting to your question it's not the receiver directing the bass to the L/R fronts it's the source material. The receiver can either send it to the intended destination or redirect that bass material to a subwoofer, but it cannot send it to another speaker.

Second, unless those floor standers at the rear of the room are something really exceptional they aren't likely to be able to keep up with even a decent $300 sub. What are those tower speakers?

The way that bass management works is that it will redirect (crossover) bass to a subwoofer. A basic or older receiver will have one selectable crossover point for all of the speakers - usually 80, 100, 120 or 150hz. More advanced receivers like the Onkyo TX-SR606 will allow you to set different crossover points for the mains, the center, side surrounds, and back surrounds according to how low they can go. But the redirected bass always goes to the subwoofer. A bass note intended for the left front cannot be redirected to the left rear.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Just a quick short explanation just for you.

Thanks for the quick response. I did not see any threads about directing the bass to the rear/surround speakers. But you're sure that even the high end receivers don't sport that feature?

As for getting a sub, I don't want to spend any more than I have to, and my rear/surround speakers will outperform any cheap $300 sub that I would buy. Also, the rear/surround speakers are big enough that they would A) look awkward and B) not fit next to the tv without getting in the way.

I've been reading about bass management on surround sound systems too. I've read from several articles that most receivers include a bass management system so that you can send the low "sub bass" effects to only the speakers that can handle it.

You didn't, because there isn't any.
And yes, I'm sure. I thought that your budget was $300?
And some high end receivers might perhaps have that capability, but why send all the bass in the rear in the first place? The bass usually come from the front, the two front mains and the center channel, and of course from the independent LFE channel. And this is usually the job for a decent subwoofer.

I already said to you, to switch your two surround speakers with your two front mains. Or just turn your couch around, facing the rear wall.
And bring your TV also on the rear wall.
And with your receiver now on the rear also, just do the appropriate connections to your speakers. Got it?

Usually, the speakers that can handle the bass, are the two front mains. And they are the ones that you can usually redirect the bass to, if you don't have a subwoofer. You definitively want the bass coming from the front of your room, for proper integration with the film soundtrack intention.

Your case is very different than the usual normality. Do you have any relation with "Abe Normal" from the movie "Young Frankenstein"?

To help you more understand, just download the manuals from various receivers in your price range, and you'll see that the bass is usually (99% of cases) redirected in your two front main speakers, when you are not using a powered or non-powered subwoofer (no sub at all).

These are the norm, and usually applied to the vast majority of receivers.

Bob