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Sounds Good...

madeinitaly — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:34:33 -0800

[Hi-Fi / HT filter] Help me find the right front speakers for my receiver, so that both music and movies sound good ! Hello.

I have a Harman Kardon AV 145 which i always used with the standard JBL 5.1 speaker set it came with (little and probably not so good satellites, but i really like the subwoofer).

I got my hands on a Mission m7c1 center speaker (got for almost free) and recently replaced the left and right front speaker (which previously were just little boxes) with some TEAC coming out of a compact system a friend was throwing away.

The difference since i put those left/right (sorry i don't have name or characteristics, but just imagine your typical 2 ways system from a 90s compact system) is amazing: music sounds much better - and i guess it's because now the left/right sound can manage some bass and the subwoofer just gives it a final touch.

The issue is that now when i watch a movie, i think the right/left sound too powerful compared to the middle - so you hear all the background noised much louder than the speech... and that's less than optimal. My receiver has the option to select if each speaker is "large" or "small", option that basically cross-overs the bass to the subwoofer or to the speakers themselves.

now... i think i might need to set the speakers as "small" in order to not overpower the middle... but then i miss the improvement i gained in the music listening area....

does this make sense? What would you do and/or what tests would you do ?

Secondly... I have now the chance to do two things

1) replace those TEAC speakers with the speakers that come from this Panasonic SC-DP1 system which actually sound _amazing_ and i would like to keep. Problem... these speakers have 4 wires coming out of them and my HK AVR 145 only has 2 plugs for each speaker... how do i connect them ?

2) someone is selling these amazing Mission 733 speakers for a very low price... i really like the idea of professional speakers but... will they be alright for the rest of my system or would i just add to the problem of left/right overpowering the middle ?

thank you all for your help!

What receiver and speakers should I purchase for under $400?

vmrob — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:58:51 -0800

I'm on a budget and want to upgrade my audio system. What receiver/speakers I should purchase to get the most for my money? I currently own a mini-hifi system from Sony (Specifically the MHC-GX45). I wouldn't mind reusing the receiver/amp from that system though I have a feeling to get the most out of the system, I'll be looking for a new receiver as the input options are very limited on the device.

The entire system will be used for stereo sources so surround isn't a priority though a dedicated subwoofer would be nice.

After a quick look online, I found a set of speakers from Sony (SS-F5000) that seem to fit my budget and have overall good reviews. If there is a better pair of speakers (floor standing would be nice, but not necessary) at about that price, what are they and where can I get them?

As for a receiver, I'm totally lost. I've never been in the market and I'm not sure what I need. Auto-switching sources would be nice though I don't know what other features I should be looking for. Recommendations?

My budget for the whole system would preferably be less than $400. If you point out a sub I could add later, bonus points to you. I know the budget will force me to make sacrifices to the sound quality and I'm ok with that, but I really want a system that sounds good. In other words, if I have to step up the price, I can do that, but my purchase will be a little delayed.

Assembling a budget stereo.

Marquis — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:05:37 -0800

I am confused about assembling a relatively budget, quality home stereo system. (long) Some thirteen years ago, I received a Panasonic stereo minisystem (radio/CD/tape) as a gift. It served me well over the years. More recently I added a powered (AudioTechnica) turntable, which I play through the stereo on the AUX setting.

A couple of weeks ago, the Panasonic CD player died. Although the amp is still okay (ie, vinyl works fine), the CD's the thing I use most often.

I have decided I want to buy a new system. I am an adult now, after all. I also work as a music critic, so this seems to make sense. Unfortunately my budget's not very large - for this reason I've mostly invested in quality headphones (Grado HF-1s, Senns) over the past several years. Now, though, I'd like to make a few careful purchases and hopefully have the stereo problem "solved" for a decade or two.

What I am looking for is a system with good sound, that will fill my living-room well. Should include CD player and allow me to bring in my turntable (which has a pre-amp) and plug in my iPod/computer if I like (preferably without swapping out the turntable). Do not need cassettes, radio, home-theatre set-up, fancy iPod dock, etc.

I'm inclined to buy separate components, not one big set at Futureshop or Best Buy. Vintage is also presumably good. I'm a bit confused about what exactly I need, though.

I am particularly confused by all the mixed-up talk of "tuners", "amplifiers" and "receivers". Aren't tuners radios? Can I just forego a tuner? If my receive has two "phono" slots, can I use one of those for a CD player?

I would really appreciate it if someone could suggest what type of components I need to find, and then what kinds (brands, styles, price-ranges, and also tech specs I need) I should try to obtain.

I have found a good price for lovely PSB Model 40 mk II speakers (freq range-39Hz-21KHz, impedence 6 ohm, sensitivity 1 watt-90db, power-100 watts program), but I have no idea what else I need to fill this system out. Presumably some kind of amp? With what specs? Can I then just use a dirt-cheap CD player? I'm sorta lost.

I'm looking to spend $400-$700, all-in, which I realise is not very much but I think should be able to take me somewhere if I'm able to make patient, prudent purchases.

Thanks for your time!

How do I make the modifications my Magnavox Stereophonic Hi Fi Console desperately needs ?

carefulmonkey — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:09:46 -0800

How can I make the modifications/hacks my Magnavox Stereophonic Hi Fi console desperately needs. I have a Magnavox Stereophonic Hi Fi console that seems to be more than 30 years old. I want to make the changes listed below but I don't really know how to complete these tasks.

1. Ipod Cradle/PSP Cradle (it has what may be really crappy aux cords sticking out of the back, but I want something better).

2. Replace the record player with maybe a new one or change it out (its grinds when it moves and it doesn't do much more than that)

3. Put in a bar (I've got the space on the side that would hold records but I would like to have a little bottle holder for my assorted liquors, but I want a neat way of presenting it)

I do have some experience with carpentry and I have friends that can solder so please try to explain somewhere between lay and technical. I also found a blog that has pictures of a the console that is almost like mine except I don't have a knob above the tuner display

Is running in hi-fi a load of nonsense?

humblepigeon — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:01:17 -0800

Is running-in of hi-fi equipment nonsense? What have been your genuine experiences pre/post run-in? I can just about understand running in speakers because they have moving parts, but I can't understand running-in solid state stuff like amplifiers or CD players.

I'll take "A New Stereo" for $200, Alex.

exceptinsects — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 12:33:02 -0800

So, the stereo I won on Jeopardy is about to break...what should I replace it with? What I already have and would like to hook up:
Surround sound speakers
TV
DVD player
iPod
iBook

I would like to also have a basic CD player [the old one was a 24-disc changer and completely irritating--1 CD at a time is plenty] and AM/FM radio. A tape deck would be nice but not at all necessary.

So...should I get one of those integrated stereo things again? A receiver and separate CD player? A wireless doodad so I don't have to actually plug in the computer/iPod?

I'm not a big audiophile, so it doesn't have to be AMAZING sound quality, and I don't want to spend more than 2 or 3 hundred bucks at most. I also would prefer not to have to build it myself out of parts from Radio Shack. (Do they still have Radio Shack?)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tube Amp < $500. Recommendations Wanted.

tommasz — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 11:21:42 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tube (valve) amplifier kit in the ~ $500 (US) range? I was going to buy one of the Passion Audio Kit i11 amps but the company that offered them, Rotac in Quebec, quit selling them April 1st.