what kind of receiver do i need ?

[anarchoi]

i'm probably going to buy this:

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/energy-connoisseur-tower-speaker-cf-50-single/10111880.aspx?path=c6d0b55f6e92b279b12de7d50b372911en02

or that:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-7000-Floor-Standing-Speaker-Woofer/dp/B000OG4E2U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

or maybe this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290208

Apparently i will need a receiver to get it working... I have absolutly zero experience or knowledge with receivers so i need help to find a cheap receiver to work with those speakers

I'm planning to make a 5.1 home cinema. Right now i am using Logitech Z-5500 system and i am going to keep logitech's subwoofer for now. I may also keep the center and rear speakers until i buy Energy ones

So what receiver should i get, considering my budget is limited ? Thanks!

 

[markw]

"considering my budget is limited"

I'm planning to make a 5.1 home cinema. Right now i am using Logitech Z-5500 system and i am going to keep logitech's subwoofer for now. I may also keep the center and rear speakers until i buy Energy ones

the logitech "system" is designed to operate everything through the subwoofer module. You can't really use that subwoofer as a standalone unit with a real receiver. You can, however, take off the individual speakers and use them with the receiver although they will probably l sound terrible, if you can hear them at all with those big speakers.

Plus, with those other speakers you won't need that subwoofer anyway.

So what receiver should i get, considering my budget is limited ? Thanks!

How limited?

 

[Nakattk]

I think I was those energy speakers on sale through newegg for 199 each in my email. I would check on it before I paid 300. Might have just been a weekend sale though.

Yep, it is a shell shoker only good from 1-4 today at 199 each. dont know if this link will work on your end, but this is the link to the shell shocker. it shows earrings when it comes up but you have to select the speakers in the pic window.

http://www.newegg.com/Special/ShellShocker.aspx?nm_mc=EMC-SD072011&cm_mmc=EMC-SD072011-_-SD073011-_-item-_-singleitem

 

[avnetguy]

Since you're looking at Futureshop deals keep an eye on this receiver, HTR6063

It's price has already fallen and should go on final clearance sometime soon as more of the new models come out.

Steve

 

[anarchoi]

the logitech "system" is designed to operate everything through the subwoofer module. You can't really use that subwoofer as a standalone unit with a real receiver. You can, however, take off the individual speakers and use them with the receiver although they will probably l sound terrible, if you can hear them at all with those big speakers.

Are you sure ?

The Z-5500 have some kind of receiver with the system...

How limited?

Around $250 maximum for the receiver would be maximum i'm willing to spend

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/yamaha-yamaha-500-watts-5-1-channel-home-theatre-receiver-rxv371-rxv371-b/10169555.aspx?path=95dabea65309684012cc32f977aba169en02

i was thinking of maybe buying this one.... But i'm not sure if it works.... The polk speakers i want to buy are 200 watts, and this receiver says 100 watts per channel

I think I was those energy speakers on sale through newegg for 199 each in my email. I would check on it before I paid 300. Might have just been a weekend sale though.

Yep, it is a shell shoker only good from 1-4 today at 199 each. dont know if this link will work on your end, but this is the link to the shell shocker. it shows earrings when it comes up but you have to select the speakers in the pic window.

WOW thanks !!! and this is the energy CF-70.... i was going to buy the CF-50 for $300 since CF-70 model is usually $500

edit: NOOOOOOOOOO i was going to buy it right now but they only ship to USA i live in canada and this item isnt available on newegg.ca

 

[markw]

the logitech "system" is designed to operate everything through the subwoofer module. You can't really use that subwoofer as a standalone unit with a real receiver. You can, however, take off the individual speakers and use them with the receiver although they will probably l sound terrible, if you can hear them at all with those big speakers.

Are you sure ?

The Z-5500 have some kind of receiver with the system...

To where do the satellite speakers connect?

Around $250 maximum for the receiver would be maximum i'm willing to spend

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/yamaha-yamaha-500-watts-5-1-channel-home-theatre-receiver-rxv371-rxv371-b/10169555.aspx?path=95dabea65309684012cc32f977aba169en02

i was thinking of maybe buying this one.... But i'm not sure if it works.... The polk speakers i want to buy are 200 watts, and this receiver says 100 watts per channel

Not being familiar with the Canadian market, I'll not be able to help too much on the receiver selection/availabilty/pricing themtselves.

But, just because the speakers are rated for 200 watts doesn't mean you have to pump 200 watts through them. Just because a car tire is rated for 180 mph doesn't mean you have to drive 180 to get the best performance from it.

Most of the time your speakers are only using a watt or two, except for the occasional peak.

As usual in this hobby, if it starts to sound funny/ratty/distorted or just plain bad, turn it down NOW!

 

[anarchoi]

To where do the satellite speakers connect?

To the receiver with the LCD screen (the one in the center of the picture)

Not being familiar with the Canadian market, I'll not be able to help too much on the receiver selection/availabilty/pricing themtselves.

Damnnn i would have really wanted to buy the speakers from newegg I emailed them to see if they can ship it to me in canada but i dont think it will work

But, just because the speakers are rated for 200 watts doesn't mean you have to pump 200 watts through them. Just because a car tire is rated for 180 mph doesn't mean you have to drive 180 to get the best performance from it.

Most of the time your speakers are only using a watt or two, except for the occasional peak.

As usual in this hobby, if it starts to sound funny/ratty/distorted or just plain bad, turn it down NOW!

I see.... So i would be fine with the Yamaha 500 watts from futureshop ? Or should i get something different ?

 

[markw]

To where do the satellite speakers connect?[

To the receiver with the LCD screen (the one in the center of the picture)

I guess I was wrong. I guess this setup guide is wrong too.

OK, I'm done here.

 

[anarchoi]

Sorry i misunderstood your question, you are right the 4 speakers are connected to the logitech subwoofer... sorry for the confusion... so this means i will be unable to use it with the energy speakers i wanted to buy ??

 

[markw]

I wrote as simply as I could and avoided any fancy words.

I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.

Re-read this thread from the beginning.

 

[anarchoi]

Hey sorry.... First i speak french and english is not my native language... And i'm not an electronic expert neither... I understand now, so don't be so aggressive.

Ok so i will just forget my idea to link my logitech sub with my new home theater.

 

[Adam]

Okay, maybe I'm the one missing something, but I'm pretty sure that you CAN use that sub with a new receiver and new speakers.

You could connect the the subwoofer output on the receiver to the Logitech control box (using a cable like this one where you only connect one of the RCA jacks to the receiver). You would then use the control box to set the volume of the subwoofer, just like you would any other powered subwoofer.

I'm happy to expand on the details, but that's a summary.

 

[slipperybidness]

dont get sony

the only sony products that I would trust are the ps and maybe a tv. otherwise, dont bother

 

[GranteedEV]

i'm probably going to buy this:

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/energy-connoisseur-tower-speaker-cf-50-single/10111880.aspx?path=c6d0b55f6e92b279b12de7d50b372911en02

or that:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SSF-7000-Floor-Standing-Speaker-Woofer/dp/B000OG4E2U/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

or maybe this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290208

I would steer clear of the sony and polks!

Apparently i will need a receiver to get it working... I have absolutly zero experience or knowledge with receivers so i need help to find a cheap receiver to work with those speakers

http://www.electronicsforless.ca/audio-3/amplifiers-receivers-13/yamaha-rx-a710-aventage-rxa-series-audio-video-receiver-2554.html

I know you think a 200 dollar receiver will cut it, but it won't, You just want to think it will, but it won't drive most speakers half well, and won't give you any future flexibility because it won't have decent pre-amp outs. This Yamaha Aventage should, on the other hand, be nice and stable.

Watts are easy to sell, but with entry level units, it's usually purely voltage that you're getting, with no capacity for high current.

It's tempting to get a cheap unit, but there's a reason you're paying so little.

If you must save money, you need to be looking at used, open box, or refurbished receivers.

Otherwise your only choice is a 2 channel unit, which of course will not leave you future-ready.

I'm planning to make a 5.1 home cinema. Right now i am using Logitech Z-5500 system and i am going to keep logitech's subwoofer for now. I may also keep the center and rear speakers until i buy Energy ones

The logitech """subwoofer""" is a joke and I would steer well clear of it. Good tower speakers should have better bass, which is sad.

On that note, I also don't know if your speaker budget is going to get you anywhere. I'd be looking at something like these

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/KEFIQ70BLKA/KEF-Iq70-6-1/2in-Tower-2-way-Speakers-Black-pair/1.html

at least.

All of the above seems too expensive, you say?

Then take my advice and do the following:

Get two active monitor speakers, and run them in stereo right from your TV. Forget a receiver, and don't be zealous for towers.

A pair of these should work well, and be a huge improvement over the logitechs and anything else you think you could squeeze out of that budget:

http://www.axemusic.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=2&P_ID=20916&PT_ID=295
or
http://www.axemusic.com/product.asp?numRecordPosition=3&P_ID=26281&PT_ID=295

 

[anarchoi]

I would steer clear of the sony and polks!

After a lot of thinking, i think i will invest in an Energy system. I would prefer the CF-70 but it is impossible to find in canada, grrrrr!! I can't believe those speakers are made in canada but sold only in USA. So i think my only choice is to go with the CF-50 sold at futureshop.

OR maybe i will buy the CF-70 on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Energy-Speakers-CF-70-5-1-Home-Theater-System-FREE-SUB-/390335531702?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae1cf8ab6

But i'm really scared to pay like $200 duty fees to UPS since it is an import from the USA.... and i would prefer to buy from a local shop in case of DOA or warranty returns

I know you think a 200 dollar receiver will cut it, but it won't, You just want to think it will, but it won't drive most speakers half well, and won't give you any future flexibility because it won't have decent pre-amp outs. This Yamaha Aventage should, on the other hand, be nice and stable.

Ouch... 600 dollars is kinda above my budget... Do you have a cheaper alternative ?

If possible i would prefer to buy from a local shop in my area like futureshop, walmart or bestbuy.... but if i can find a very good deal on internet i may buy it

 

[GranteedEV]

After a lot of thinking, i think i will invest in an Energy system. I would prefer the CF-70 but it is impossible to find in canada, grrrrr!! I can't believe those speakers are made in canada but sold only in USA. So i think my only choice is to go with the CF-50 sold at futureshop.

OR maybe i will buy the CF-70 on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Energy-Speakers-CF-70-5-1-Home-Theater-System-FREE-SUB-/390335531702?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item5ae1cf8ab6

But i'm really scared to pay like $200 duty fees to UPS since it is an import from the USA.... and i would prefer to buy from a local shop in case of DOA or warranty returns

Ouch... 600 dollars is kinda above my budget... Do you have a cheaper alternative ?

Normally I would post this:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6004/Marantz-SR6004-110w-X-7ch-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html

But it appears they've stopped shipping these to Canada. I would still order it anyways and see if they tell you they don't ship those to Canada. I ordered it last year and it came to Canada.

But really, your best bet is to go with the studio monitors I recommended earlier. Because they are powered, they don't need a receiver.

 

[avnetguy]

Ouch... 600 dollars is kinda above my budget... Do you have a cheaper alternative ?

Since you are putting together a system a little bit at a time you may want to look at other speakers for now. Don't be put off by bookshelf speakers, many sound excellent and you can always use them for rear surrounds if you upgrade your mains later.

Also on sale at futureshop is,
- CB-20 ($199)
- CF-30 ($399)

Either of those options will save you enough to get the receiver I recommended earlier, the HTR6063 (same model as the RXV667) which has a good onscreen GUI, discrete amps and pre-outs.

Steve

 

[anarchoi]

Is it really a better idea to get cheaper speakers to get a better amp ?

I'm almost about to buy the CF-70 speakers system on ebay.... can't find them in shops here...

 

[avnetguy]

Is it really a better idea to get cheaper speakers to get a better amp ?

Really depends on alot of things, some being,
> How you think the speaker models sound compared to each other.
> Size of room they are going into.
> Current budget and future plans.

I ran bookshelf speakers for mains for a number of years until a deal come along for some towers and then replaced them. Good thing about buying them in a nearby store is they normally allow you to return them (30 days or so, be sure to check) after you hear them in your place.

And as I said earlier, and if you wait a bit, that receiver will likely be $50-$100 less on final clearance. I often recommend that receiver if one can afford it as it has a number of good things going for it. As always, drop by the store and compare it for yourself to see if the difference is worth it to you.

Steve

 

[PENG]

Is it really a better idea to get cheaper speakers to get a better amp ?

No, I would spend $2 (minimum) for a pair of speakers for every $1 on amp assuming $400 is the starting point. That is just my opinion.

I'm almost about to buy the CF-70 speakers system on ebay.... can't find them in shops here...

I tried to find out where you are located because when I checked the Future Shop stock for the RC-70 I found one available in a Markham store for $1299. That is the lowest advertized price I have seen in Canada for that speaker. If there is in fact one left there I am quite sure you can offer them $999 or less if it is a floor demo. Many Paradigm supporters may not agree but I can tell you the RC-70 is in the same class as the more popular Studio 100. At one time, it was listed for $2,499 that is equal or higher (timing dependent) than that listed for the Studio 100 of the same vintage. It also sounds very close to that of the Energy flag ship Veritas speakers. Energy is now owned by Klipsch and they may not be too keen to continue R&D along the original Energy path. I think the RC-70 could be last of the original reference blood line so if you like their speakers this is probably your chance to acquire a pair of their near flag ship speakers for cheap (relatively speaking).

The RC-70 may not sound the best with a cheap AVR but for two channel listening, it should sound reasonably well. For 5.1, it should be quite decent when aided by a sub. Again, if you can pick a pair up for under 1K it is money well spent and probably future proof if you are not a never satified and crazy audiophile like some of us here are.