Surround speaker question

[aoh1811]

I just got a Sony HT-DDW790 basic surround sound system with small "cube" sized speakers for the front, rear and center. My privious system was a Panisonic multi disc sysemt whih cost about $400 5 years ago. Here is my question, not knowing squat aboyt speaker quality, it seems to me the Panisonic speakers are better. The sony speaker all only have one "cone" in them. The Panisonic speakers all have two or three depending on the speaker. For pure ease I just hooked up to my existing speakers, except the sub because of connection issues and the new sony sub looked bigger, and it sounds great. Do I need to use the speakers that came with the system? I've read you can upgread, also am I right in assumeing the panisonic speakers are a better quality? Thanks!

 

[Midcow2]

some upgrade ideas

I just got a Sony HT-DDW790 basic surround sound system with small "cube" sized speakers for the front, rear and center. My privious system was a Panisonic multi disc sysemt whih cost about $400 5 years ago. Here is my question, not knowing squat aboyt speaker quality, it seems to me the Panisonic speakers are better. The sony speaker all only have one "cone" in them. The Panisonic speakers all have two or three depending on the speaker. For pure ease I just hooked up to my existing speakers, except the sub because of connection issues and the new sony sub looked bigger, and it sounds great. Do I need to use the speakers that came with the system? I've read you can upgread, also am I right in assumeing the panisonic speakers are a better quality? Thanks!

You don't need to use the speakers that came with the system. A lot in the quality is audtioning and listening to what sounds good to you. If the Panasonic speakers sound better to you get them. You didn't mention the model ,so I am not sure what you budget is, but you might want to consider Cambrisge Audio S30s at about $299 per pair excellent sound for the price. Sony also makes a good 3-way speaker SB3000 for less than $100 per pair shipped which sounds very good for the price.


The receiver that came with you system has very good power 133 RMSto 5 channels. You would get your best sound improvement by upgrading your front speakers. Small cubes just can't provide a true dymainc full range of sound. You typically want 5 1/4" or 6 1/2' speakers to provide good mid-range sound.

Depending on you budget ,thaere are many options

 

[Exit]

Generally the speakers in small cubed sized speakers have a hard time producing both highs and mid-bass and end up doing neither properly. Due to this the Panasonics speakers probably sound better than the Sony cubes, but you can always try both and see what you think. The Sony may have limited power output because the speakers are so limited. I would not crank the volume up too loud using the Panasonic speakers because of limited power and distortion. If a speaker is less than or greater than 8 ohms you should probably not hook them up to the Sony. You should also check that the Sony’s amplifier is good for 8 ohms. (I had an Aiwa system that used 16 ohm speakers on the rears.)

 

[aoh1811]

Generally the speakers in small cubed sized speakers have a hard time producing both highs and mid-bass and end up doing neither properly. Due to this the Panasonics speakers probably sound better than the Sony cubes, but you can always try both and see what you think. The Sony may have limited power output because the speakers are so limited. I would not crank the volume up too loud using the Panasonic speakers because of limited power and distortion. If a speaker is less than or greater than 8 ohms you should probably not hook them up to the Sony. You should also check that the Sony’s amplifier is good for 8 ohms. (I had an Aiwa system that used 16 ohm speakers on the rears.)

The system is real basic, the Sony speakers and amp both say 6 ohms. I think the Panisonic speakers are also 6 ohms but could be 8, I'm at my office so I don't have the Panisonic specs with me but only have the Sony specs. I realy have no idea about speaker specs or quality so any help with what to look for in specs would be great!

 

[Exit]

It would be ok to hook up 8 ohm speakers on a 6 ohm amplifier output. Trying to hook up 4 ohm speakers on a 6 ohm amplifer may cause problems with the amplifier if played loud.

 

[aoh1811]

So if the Panisonic speakers are 6 ohms or greater I'm ok?

 

[Exit]

Yes, that is it in a nutshell.

 

[aoh1811]

Yes, that is it in a nutshell.

Exit, I really appreciate your time in helping me out, I have one more quick question and that should end my knowledge search...about speakers. The older Panisonic speakers all have more than one cone. The surrounds and fronts have two, one smaller than the other. The center has three, two smaller and one larger between them. In the spec it discribes differnent ranges. From what I have read, which makes me dangerous, that should mean they have a better range than the small, single cone speakers that came with the Sony system. The older speakes sound great, which I know is all that matters, but I haven't heard the Sony's but don't want to take the time and hassel just to go with the old ones anyway....

 

[astrodon]

Exit, I really appreciate your time in helping me out, I have one more quick question and that should end my knowledge search...about speakers. The older Panisonic speakers all have more than one cone. The surrounds and fronts have two, one smaller than the other. The center has three, two smaller and one larger between them. In the spec it discribes differnent ranges. From what I have read, which makes me dangerous, that should mean they have a better range than the small, single cone speakers that came with the Sony system. The older speakes sound great, which I know is all that matters, but I haven't heard the Sony's but don't want to take the time and hassel just to go with the old ones anyway....

The smaller speakers are tweeters (high frequency) and the bigger speakers are woofers (low frequency).

 

[Exit]

Yes, you have got it correct. The speakers with multiple drivers divide up the frequency range so each speaker can better do its job and they should sound better than the Sony cubes, so you can put the cubes away until some day when you want to sell off the Sony system.

 

[aoh1811]

Yes, you have got it correct. The speakers with multiple drivers divide up the frequency range so each speaker can better do its job and they should sound better than the Sony cubes, so you can put the cubes away until some day when you want to sell off the Sony system.

Thanks again Exit, you were a big help!!

 

[Exit]

Glad to help out.

 

[aoh1811]

Got home and looed at the panisonic speakers, they are only 4 ohms...should I go with the 6 ohm sonys?