To Receiver, or to Center

[noflers]

I'm interested in everyone's thoughts on whether I should be in the market for a new receiver, or new center speaker.

I have a Yamaha HTR-5280, a pair of AA's, and a JBL ES250P subwoofer. For music it's perfect, but movies are lacking some, and that's why I want a center.

My receiver works fine, but it has no remote so I can't adjust any of the built in settings, and that's why I want a new receiver. I want something with Bluetooth and HDMI, along with enough power for the AA's and whatever other speakers I go with. If also like something I adjust the LPF and HPF of the individual channels.

My budget for a receiver is about $200-$250 max, and the center would hopefully cost a little less than that $100-$200 or so...

Thoughts, suggestions, slander?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Latent]

you can replace the remote with certain universal remotes without much trouble. An entry level second hand logitech harmony remote would work fine. These remotes are loaded with remote codes based on the devices model number from an online database so you don't need the original remote. Does require a PC or Mac to program the older ones or a smartphone for the newer units.

But to get control of crossover frequencies per channel you are right you will need a newer unit. And some brands may just have one crossover frequency that applies to all 'small' speakers except on their higher end models. It can be quite hard to find which makes and models do per channel as manuals often don't tell you this.

In your budget I'd also be looking at second hand options and places selling cheaper refurbished models like:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html

 

[noflers]

you can replace the remote with certain universal remotes without much trouble. An entry level second hand logitech harmony remote would work fine. These remotes are loaded with remote codes based on the devices model number from an online database so you don't need the original remote. Does require a PC or Mac to program the older ones or a smartphone for the newer units.

But to get control of crossover frequencies per channel you are right you will need a newer unit. And some brands may just have one crossover frequency that applies to all 'small' speakers except on their higher end models. It can be quite hard to find which makes and models do per channel as manuals often don't tell you this.

In your budget I'd also be looking at second hand options and places selling cheaper refurbished models like:

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html

I considered a universal remote, but when I called to confirm the oem remote model number they also told me a universal wouldn't be able to access the ave menus.

I did, however, find this from the link you posted: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxv477bl/yamaha-rx-v477-5.1-ch-x-80-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

Seems to be right up my alley.

 

[Latent]

normal universal remotes don't handle it as they only do the basic functions like channel up and down etc.
Harmony remote programing is different and you get every single original button most of the time and sometimes extra buttons that were missing. I just added your model to my harmony remote setup and i have 6 pages of buttons i can push. SetMenu, Test, Level, Effect and many more.

That RX-V477 is the 2014 one setup up from entry level model. has some great features but I can't work out from the manual if it supports per speaker crossover settings.

Was just looking into Denon manual and found that the current entry level AVR-S510BT model does not have per speaker crossover but the AVR-S710W and higher do.

http://manuals.denon.com/avrs710w/na/en/GFNFSYitmloggd.php

 

[noflers]

normal universal remotes don't handle it as they only do the basic functions like channel up and down etc.
Harmony remote programing is different and you get every single original button most of the time and sometimes extra buttons that were missing. I just added your model to my harmony remote setup and i have 6 pages of buttons i can push. SetMenu, Test, Level, Effect and many more.

That RX-V477 is the 2014 one setup up from entry level model. has some great features but I can't work out from the manual if it supports per speaker crossover settings.

Was just looking into Denon manual and found that the current entry level AVR-S510BT model does not have per speaker crossover but the AVR-S710W and higher do.

http://manuals.denon.com/avrs710w/na/en/GFNFSYitmloggd.php

Hmmm, interesting. What remote do you have?

Do you think I could go with something like the 650, or will something a little newer be needed?

 

[herbu]

I want something with Bluetooth and HDMI

Then go for a new receiver. HDMI makes things so much easier. You already have good speakers in the AAs. I would get the AVR and save for a center speaker.

 

[Dan Madden]

You're in a bit of a pickle there because your budget is extremely limited. Dolby digital and DTS feeds do NOT like the absence of a center channel speaker (Even if you tell your AVR that there is none). You could live without surrounds but 70-80% of movie and concert video in surround formats depend on center channel existence for proper operation. I would suggest as above that you find some kind of universal remote that will operate your Yamaha. After that, I would find a good second hand center channel speaker. The bigger the center channel speaker, the better. It would be preferable to get a center channel speaker of the same make and model as your mains but with your limited budget, that would be unlikely. Just get one......it's important!!

 

[noflers]

You're in a bit of a pickle there because your budget is extremely limited. Dolby digital and DTS feeds do NOT like the absence of a center channel speaker (Even if you tell your AVR that there is none). You could live without surrounds but 70-80% of movie and concert video in surround formats depend on center channel existence for proper operation. I would suggest as above that you find some kind of universal remote that will operate your Yamaha. After that, I would find a good second hand center channel speaker. The bigger the center channel speaker, the better. It would be preferable to get a center channel speaker of the same make and model as your mains but with your limited budget, that would be unlikely. Just get one......it's important!!

Thanks, I think the budget isn't really the limiting factor for a center. It's the lack of selection. Dennis has the pioneer center with his mods and it's pretty inexpensive.

I could get a center and a receiver now, but I have a hard time spending all that at once. I'd rather buy in separate pieces at different times, even if the cost is that same as getting them both together.

And you're right, putting the receiver in dts mode cancels out almost all the dialogue.

 

[Latent]

Hmmm, interesting. What remote do you have?

Do you think I could go with something like the 650, or will something a little newer be needed?

Any of the Harmony remotes will work. The 650 is the cheapest new option right now that has a screen which makes it easier to access the extended functions but you can use ones like the 350 which has no screen if you assign the buttons manually in the PC based setup process. You can also find a second hand unit online much cheaper if you only needed it for this one function. If you are going to sell this older unit after upgrading then finding a real cheap older generation harmony remote and programming it up to one function could only cost a few $ and allow you to sell a complete unit with remote.

the 650 is a great remote if you want to simplify all your remotes and all your devices are all together with their front panel (where the IR receiver is) exposed and not covered up. When using such a remote it is important that when issuing commands and changing activities you point the remote at near the devices just like you would a normal remote.

The higher end more expensive units have a hub and blasters that you put in and around your cabinet/gear and then the remote can be pointed anywhere or in another room even and it still works. Plus you can use your smartphone as a remote as well. Pay a lot more for this though.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

But to get control of crossover frequencies per channel you are right you will need a newer unit.

Technically, this vintage yammi does have a basic bass management - and can be set at 90hz crossover with Speakers "Large" or "small" equivalent.
http://download.yamaha.com/api/asset/file/?language=en&site=usa.yamaha.com&asset_id=877
See manual page 39

Logitech Remotes are relatively easy to program and should work with your yamaha indeed but I'll never touch one again due to bad relation of high prices vs bad build quality.

However adding matching to AA center would a an interesting... If you can't place another AA at the center VERTICALLY, I'd try this horizonal center
http://www.nhthifi.com/products/11134-supercenter?category_id=1964848-center-speakers#specs


As for your original question: Center you're going to need to matter what for movies
So getting remote now will allow you to postpone AVR upgrade a bit longer.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OVECUA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687762&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001NLZ17W&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=01MV9RMGJ4WS556DC67V

 

[noflers]

Any of the Harmony remotes will work. The 650 is the cheapest new option right now that has a screen which makes it easier to access the extended functions but you can use ones like the 350 which has no screen if you assign the buttons manually in the PC based setup process. You can also find a second hand unit online much cheaper if you only needed it for this one function. If you are going to sell this older unit after upgrading then finding a real cheap older generation harmony remote and programming it up to one function could only cost a few $ and allow you to sell a complete unit with remote.

the 650 is a great remote if you want to simplify all your remotes and all your devices are all together with their front panel (where the IR receiver is) exposed and not covered up. When using such a remote it is important that when issuing commands and changing activities you point the remote at near the devices just like you would a normal remote.

The higher end more expensive units have a hub and blasters that you put in and around your cabinet/gear and then the remote can be pointed anywhere or in another room even and it still works. Plus you can use your smartphone as a remote as well. Pay a lot more for this though.

I'm looking into getting the harmony 700 for $30 right now. I'm still holding off on the receiver upgrade until this Amazon Denon sale I keep hearing about.

I find it interesting that many say a matching center is important, and others that say it doesn't matter. I would consider another AA, but I still find it a bit overkill (in the bass extension department) for a center channel.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I find it interesting that many say a matching center is important, and others that say it doesn't matter.

So far, only person who's a bit vague on the subject in this thread said this "The bigger the center channel speaker, the better." - it's simply not true. Center ideally should be same as L/R or at least well matches to them to have same imperfections - so that sound travel across fronts would not sound different on one speaker.

I would consider another AA, but I still find it a bit overkill (in the bass extension department) for a center channel.

If Dennis sells you one AA for near half price and you could actually use it in VERTICAL orientation - this is important, then run for this option and don't overthink bass response - you could always adjust bass management and redirect it to sub if you so prefer.
I already linked to NHT horizontal center above, which you can and should confirm with Dennis, but will likely work.

 

[noflers]

So far, only person who's a bit vague on the subject in this thread said this "The bigger the center channel speaker, the better." - it's simply not true. Center ideally should be same as L/R or at least well matches to them to have same imperfections - so that sound travel across fronts would not sound different on one speaker.

If Dennis sells you one AA for near half price and you could actually use it in VERTICAL orientation - this is important, then run for this option and don't overthink bass response - you could always adjust bass management and redirect it to sub if you so prefer.
I already linked to NHT horizontal center above, which you can and should confirm with Dennis, but will likely work.

I wasn't referring to anyone in this thread, I actually missed the "bigger is better" guy here, lol. I was thinking more in general.

I'm also concerned about whether the ohms, and power consumption match up with the AA.

And what I meant about the bass extension of the center speaker is, if almost now low frequencies are sent to the center, then why use a speaker designed, in part, for its bass extension?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Any decent modern receiver should be able to auto adjust power levels, but in your case you would probably need to get an SPL meter to do same.
Luckily for this purpose you don't require very high performance model, and cheap RadioShack spl meter should do

 

[Dan Madden]

To clarify, when I said 'the bigger the center channel, the better' I wasn't kidding! The center channel speaker is THE BIGGEST and most important part of a 5.1 or 7.1 surround system. Don't cheap out on it. Ideally, the center should house the same size drivers as your main speakers and ideally be of the same series and utilize the same drivers. This way, the soundscape will be seamless while playing DD and DTS soundtracks.

 

[herbu]

I would consider another AA, but I still find it a bit overkill (in the bass extension department) for a center channel.

This sounds more like a testimonial than a concern. Not sure I have anything constructive to add.

 

[noflers]

This sounds more like a testimonial than a concern. Not sure I have anything constructive to add.

Fair enough... I went with a center channel speaker. The AA center. Looking forward to it, should be here tomorrow.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Fair enough... I went with a center channel speaker. The AA center. Looking forward to it, should be here tomorrow.

Good to hear you picked a matching center, that is important, should make a nice front sound stage with that combo.

 

[noflers]

I'm more than satisfied. Very glad I made that purchase. Last night my girlfriend and I watched J. Edgar and there was an explosion near the beginning of the movie that just about lifted my girlfriend off the bed. Her heart was pounding and everything. After the dust had settled I asked if she liked the sound setup yet and she just responded, "Yeah, oh my god, I can totally empathize with the characters in the movie!"

Now all I can think about are surrounds, hahaha.

 

[markw]

Heck, I can get that reaction from my woman without an HT.