Help! Need some GOOD speaker advice.

[silentScope]

Hey guys,

Here's my situation. A couple of weeks ago my dad purchased a Sony Receiver for 350$ cdn from BestBuy. It's this model:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...81883&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031

The problem is that its such a waste because our speakers are so old school. And plus we only have 2 speakers on a 6-channel receiver. I need some good advice for speakers that are capable of 600 W, and 6-channel.. even 5-channel isnt so bad... I wanna use this receiver to its full potential. As well i want THX!

I've considered getting the Logitech Z-680s but since it comes with its own receiver I'm not too sure if you can hook up a receiver to a receiver.

Please give me some advice and your best thoughts on this predicament of mine.

Thanks very much in advance for your time!

 

[DaveSimmons]

Since you're a Canuck I'll suggest a set of Paradigm small speakers ("Atom" last I checked) plus sub, though it will cost more than the little plastic PC speakers. A step below that would be an Energy "Take" setup. The next step down from that is probably a Kenwood sat/sub HT-in-a-box.

For a home theater setup, there's just no contest between PC speakers and real speakers. For a den or small family room a set of PC speakers is probably OK and would attach directly to the PC.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silentScope
Hey guys,

Here's my situation. A couple of weeks ago my dad purchased a Sony Receiver for 350$ cdn from BestBuy. It's this model:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051826209197&skuId=5381883&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031

The problem is that its such a waste because our speakers are so old school. And plus we only have 2 speakers on a 6-channel receiver. I need some good advice for speakers that are capable of 600 W, and 6-channel.. even 5-channel isnt so bad... I wanna use this receiver to its full potential. As well i want THX!

I've considered getting the Logitech Z-680s but since it comes with its own receiver I'm not too sure if you can hook up a receiver to a receiver.

Please give me some advice and your best thoughts on this predicament of mine.

Thanks very much in advance for your time!

No, don't get self-powered speakers. I've never heard the Paradigms mentioned in the above post, but Energy makes some truly great speakers.

BTW, you can't get THX, you can get THX approved, but that doesn't really mean much other than a company sent their speakers in and payed a fee for THX approval.

What kinda money are you willing to pay?

 

[silentScope]

Thanks guys,

I'm willing to spend like $300-400 canadian.

I've never heard of Energy speakers? nor Paradigm?

So what exactly is THX? I hear about it alot but never had it clarified..

 

[Kutter]

Your budget is really going to dictate what you can get. Speakers can get very expensive very quickly.

The Logitech Z-680's should work fine with your system because they have both a digital and analogue inputs. NCIX.com in Canada has them on for $379 Canadian. Here is the link for the special price:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=8765&promoid=1043

I just ordered a set of the Logitech's for my new gaming Desktop. I however won't be using them as my primary home theatre speakers as I have a set of Definitive Speakers that were around $2500 that I use for that.

The Z-680's will put out quality sound though and will be great for gaming and movies. They are not going to be the best speakers to listen to music, especially acoustic, vocal, classical etc. But I think for the money they will be hard to beat.

The Klipsch ProMedia speakers are also very good and supposed to be a little more natural sounding. However in Canada they seem to be a fair bit more expensive as compared to the Z-680's and that's why I didn't get them.

If you want to step up and get a higher quality system, then its going to cost you some $$$. Energy speakers are great. Paradigm's sound fantatic as well. However if you are looking for a 5.1 system and want to spend a little more, I can't say enough about Definitive Tech's Pro Cinema series. A friend of my set up the Pro Cinema 80's in his home and they sound fantastic. I'm not sure what they are going for now but its likely around $1000 Canadian.

Here is a link to the Definitive's: http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/procinema/procinema.html

Hope this helps.

 

[Gunbuster]

As well i want THX!

Computer speaker THX is BS, and home theatre THX will cost you $$,$$$

 

[silentScope]

Hey Kutter, I wanted to get those Logitech Z-680's. But like i said, it comes with its own receiver/decoder right? So does it make sense to hook up the logitech receiver/decoder with the receiver that my dad got? Or can i just not use the logitech receiver and straight up just hook the speakers to the original receiver.

Thanks!

 

[Kutter]

Originally posted by: silentScope
Hey Kutter, I wanted to get those Logitech Z-680's. But like i said, it comes with its own receiver/decoder right? So does it make sense to hook up the logitech receiver/decoder with the receiver that my dad got? Or can i just not use the logitech receiver and straight up just hook the speakers to the original receiver.

I am awaiting the arrival of the Z-680's I ordered and hopefully will have them by next week and then I'll know for sure how they hook up.

However, they are supposed to have both digital and analogue inputs which means you should be able to hook the analogue out from your receiver right into the Logitechs. The catch is that the Logitechs are "self-powered" so they will actually amplify the signal that they receive from the receiver. You really don't need that feature but that's the way the speaker system works since most computers do not contain an amplifier. My guess is that you will not be able to hook the speakers themselves up directly to your receive to bypass the Logitech amplifier.

If you have a DVD player, you would have the option of connecting the digital audio output from your DVD player to the Logitech unit. The Logitech unit will then decode the digital signal for you.

HTH.

 

[sandorski]

I think due to your budgetary constraints, you are better off with a self-powered setup. The problem(if it can be called that) is the Receiver, it is no longer needed or quite possibly wanted. 2 sources of Amplification on 1 line can be a disaster, especially if you have goofy friends or family who like touching buttons and stuff.

 

[silentScope]

Originally posted by: sandorski
I think due to your budgetary constraints, you are better off with a self-powered setup. The problem(if it can be called that) is the Receiver, it is no longer needed or quite possibly wanted. 2 sources of Amplification on 1 line can be a disaster, especially if you have goofy friends or family who like touching buttons and stuff.

I completely agree, I told him that its such a waste of money. For the money he spent on that receiver i could've gotten those kick ass Z-680's man...

So is there any advice on what i should do than? Don't get the z-680's? Is there any good places that just sell speakers that are like the z-680s.

 

[Gunbuster]

sounds like the NSP1 set might work for you

 

[silentScope]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
sounds like the NSP1 set might work for you

I was browsing around for some specs for these... 100 W doenst seem much? I honestly don't know anything about speakers... also it seems like there's no subwoofer with these.. would the bass be any good?

 

[Gunbuster]

The reciever specs are 100W x 6 (real world more like 40-75)

You will not be finding a good set of speakers with a sub for $300-400 canadian.

 

[silentScope]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
The reciever specs are 100W x 6 (real world more like 40-75)

You will not be finding a good set of speakers with a sub for $300-400 canadian.

What do you mean by real world "40-75"?

I don't mind not having a subwoofer if its not really needed... do the speakers have enough bass in them? Like they sound good? I have a pair of Z-540's for my computer.. would the bass for these speakers at least match that?

 

[silentScope]

couple of quick questions for these speakers.. couldnt find any answers to them on the net..

do they support DTS, Dolby, and are they THX certified? (i'm just curious)

As well, would they work with my receiver 100% for sure without me blowing them?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...81883&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03031

Thats my receiver once again..

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silentScope

Originally posted by: Gunbuster
sounds like the NSP1 set might work for you

I was browsing around for some specs for these... 100 W doenst seem much? I honestly don't know anything about speakers... also it seems like there's no subwoofer with these.. would the bass be any good?

Don't get fixated on a Speakers Wattage, it is not nearly as important as an Amplifiers Wattage and is often ridiculously inflated. I gotta agree with Gunbuster, for the Price you will not find any non-powered speakers near as good as the Logitech 680s or Klipsch.

You do have another option though. You could choose to forego(sp/word) a Multichannel setup for now and just get a pair of Energy's or other "Higher" end speakers. This way you'll get better Audio Fidelity now. Save up some money and add another pair, center front, cente rear, and sub later, this way you'll have a complete set that can last decades( ) . Which brings up another issue, that is, Self Powered speakers have a shorter lifespan(likely < 5 years) than unpowered(decades if treated properly).

Just a monkey wrench or 2.

edit:speeling

 

[DaveSimmons]

Like Gunbuster said, your receiver is not 600 watts per channel it's 600 watts total power, and on budget receivers the "100 watts" per channel is usually much lower when measured as full range (20 Hz - 20 KHz) instead of at just one frequency like 10 KHz.

Speakers rated at 100 watts are a perfect match for your receiver. Unfortunately your budget is about half what it should be for very good speakers like the Energy and Paradigm.

edit: and sandorski has a good point about starting with 2 good fronts instead of 5 weak little speakers and a "sub" that barely woofs.

 

[Gunbuster]

are they THX certified?

Forget about THX, real THX cert. speakers will run you $1000 each easy

 

[silentScope]

I just need something temporary right now... maybe like 5 years tops... Something like these speakers that Gunbuster has mentioned seem like the perfect fit for me.

 

[silentScope]

Originally posted by: Gunbuster

are they THX certified?

Forget about THX, real THX cert. speakers will run you $1000 each easy

HEH.. so at least does it support Dolby and DTS? And is the Bass good enough compared to like my z-540's logitech speakers?

 

[silentScope]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Like Gunbuster said, your receiver is not 600 watts per channel it's 600 watts total power, and on budget receivers the "100 watts" per channel is usually much lower when measured as full range (20 Hz - 20 KHz) instead of at just one frequency like 10 KHz.

Speakers rated at 100 watts are a perfect match for your receiver. Unfortunately your budget is about half what it should be for very good speakers like the Energy and Paradigm.

edit: and sandorski has a good point about starting with 2 good fronts instead of 5 weak little speakers and a "sub" that barely woofs.

But if i just get 2 speakers i wont get 5 channels right?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silentScope

Originally posted by: Gunbuster

are they THX certified?

Forget about THX, real THX cert. speakers will run you $1000 each easy

HEH.. so at least does it support Dolby and DTS? And is the Bass good enough compared to like my z-540's logitech speakers?

Dolby and DTS is a function of the Receiver/Amp and not of the Speakers(though you would need a 5.1 setup to hear them). I believe the Receiver that comes with the 680's do both formats. The Bass on the 680's is also supposed to be superior to the 540's(I have never actually listened to any of the Logitech speakers, just my Klipsch PM 5.1s, I have read many glowing reviews of the 680's though).

 

[silentScope]

The Logitech Z-680's are 400$ (cdn), these JRL NSP-1 Set is 300$ (cdn).

Should i just put up the 100$ extra to get the 680's? But then i have the problem again of having 2 Receivers... if i just get those NSp-1 speakers i wont have a problem of 2 Receivers...

any insight? What should my decision be?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silentScope

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Like Gunbuster said, your receiver is not 600 watts per channel it's 600 watts total power, and on budget receivers the "100 watts" per channel is usually much lower when measured as full range (20 Hz - 20 KHz) instead of at just one frequency like 10 KHz.

Speakers rated at 100 watts are a perfect match for your receiver. Unfortunately your budget is about half what it should be for very good speakers like the Energy and Paradigm.

edit: and sandorski has a good point about starting with 2 good fronts instead of 5 weak little speakers and a "sub" that barely woofs.

But if i just get 2 speakers i wont get 5 channels right?

Correct. I was thinking about posting something else previously as to youth, today's "have it now" society, and what not earlier, but refrained.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: silentScope
The Logitech Z-680's are 400$ (cdn), these JRL NSP-1 Set is 300$ (cdn).

Should i just put up the 100$ extra to get the 680's? But then i have the problem again of having 2 Receivers... if i just get those NSp-1 speakers i wont have a problem of 2 Receivers...

any insight? What should my decision be?

That set(JBL NSP-1) *does not* include a subwoofer, so the bass will be weak. So add in the cost of a separate subwoofer. Whether they are better or not is another question. The best way to determine which is better is to grab your favorite CD or DVD(both being preferable) and going out to a shop(or shops) who have them hooked up. Listen to both youself and decide which is better to you.

I do see a problem here, the "2 receivers" issue. Don't fixate. If you end up with 2, sell the one you have now, problem solved.