I need help with AUDIO (Surround Sound)

Et3rn4l5il3nc3 · 07-03-2009, 10:05 AM

I have a bass system (Onkyo), they're known to have more of the LOUD background sounds with engines, bombs, bullets, explosions and etc. It drowns the people talking (which is very important to me). I was trying to watch Valkyrie *where throughout the movie they're whispering too each other*, when I would crank up the system I want to be able to sit there and enjoy the movie without turning the volume up and the volume down.

I live in a townhouse, so I can't have this system because you have to go into the 40's for the system to give you quality sound. The system isn't shit, but I need something (clarity) where I ca have the volume cranked up and the system and not worrying about my neighbors hearing my system.

Some of the systems, I was looking at. But I can't tell what's focusing on BASS or Clarity.

(Receiver)

Yamaha - 910W 7-Ch. A/V Home Theater Receiver - RX-V1900

I don't know what to with speakers or if there's a better package all together. Help would be awesome guys

The reason why I'm stressing Clarity, I have 2 year old. I want to be able to watch a movie (blu-ray). I noticed my system is struggling on blu-ray, but fine with Video Games lol. So I guess I'll put the Onkyo in my game room.

Thanks.

Deathwish238 · 07-04-2009, 06:16 PM

That's a nice receiver, something that would work well in a $3500+ setup.

What's your budget? Without knowing that...we can't tell you much. Quality comes with a price.

Although, have you simply tried calibrating your audio setup? Sounds like your bass might be a bit too loud and as you noticed, when the bass is too loud the voices and other mids/highs will be drowned out.

What's your current setup? List all components brand and model numbers please.

Et3rn4l5il3nc3 · 07-05-2009, 03:13 PM

I don't mind spending $1,200-$1,600 on Speakers. I can only find BOSE, but I heard Bose aren't worth the price tag.

Et3rn4l5il3nc3 · 07-05-2009, 03:26 PM

I'm actually looking at your system. Is it clarity or mainly focused on loud bass?

Brian · 07-05-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Et3rn4l5il3nc3

I don't mind spending $1,200-$1,600 on Speakers. I can only find BOSE, but I heard Bose aren't worth the price tag.

please don't say that ugly word on this forum.

Deathwish238 · 07-06-2009, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Et3rn4l5il3nc3

I don't mind spending $1,200-$1,600 on Speakers. I can only find BOSE, but I heard Bose aren't worth the price tag.

Bose makes pretty crappy speakers, you shouldn't even consider them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Et3rn4l5il3nc3

I'm actually looking at your system. Is it clarity or mainly focused on loud bass?

Loud bass is easy to achieve...pretty much any decent home theater can have bass that's way too loud if you turn up the sub too much. The goal is to have balance...nice tight deep bass.

I really wouldn't worry about your bass too much as no matter what setup you get you're probably gonna get either an SVS or an HSU sub. I'm a bigger fan of SVS, but they're both well known for their subs.

What's your current setup?
What's your budget? I'm not sure if $1600 is for the whole setup or just speakers.

If your budget is $1600, consider the SVS SBS-01 speaker package. That'ld leave you with $600 for a receiver which will land you something pretty decent, like this Yamaha RX-V765

Et3rn4l5il3nc3 · 07-06-2009, 10:17 AM

My budget is $3,000 man. I'm saying,

I can find a beautiful $1,400 Receiver.

But the ONLY 1,000-1,600 Speakers I'm finding are only BOSE and so many people told me BOSE is OVERRATED and I don't want BOSE. But I'm not to home audio, so If I'm shelling out 2,000-3,000. I want it done right and I know your know your shit. That's why I'm asking you

Deathwish238 · 07-06-2009, 03:25 PM

What stores are you looking at?
What speakers have you heard before?

Given your budget, you have a LOT of options. That Yamaha receiver is nice, but you need to consider Denon, Harmon Kardon, Onkyo and Pioneer Elite as well.

The best thing you can do right now is go out with some of your favorite music(real CDs only no mp3s) and demo speakers. You need to find out what you do and don't like in your sound. Look up local audio shops(google maps or the yellowpages help here) and take a look around. They're gonna carry many different brands that you probably have never heard of.

How big of a room is this home theater? You want accurate measurements to help you figure out how powerful of a subwoofer you'll need

Are you doing a 5.1 or a 7.1 setup? For a 7.1 setup, you need at least 2-3' behind you and to your sides.

I need answers to all these questions...$3000 is a good budget and you should end up with a setup that will blow you away

Shike · 07-07-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathwish238

The best thing you can do right now is go out with some of your favorite music(real CDs only no mp3s) and demo speakers. You need to find out what you do and don't like in your sound.

You know, I agree with almost everything you said besides this. MP3s are perfectly fine IF they're ripped properly (many aren't is a huge issue, that's why I use EAC) and the most stable version of LAME with the least amount of artifacting (which tends to disappear at 192VBR-256VBR, or 320CBR if you don't want to question it).

It's as if you seem to believe there's no high quality MP3 sources out there . . . even though there's items such as the Logitech Transporter.

BTW, Audio Video Logic used that as their main source with 320CBR MP3s quite often (where I went speaker demoing). This same place carried Rega among other major CD Player brands. Honestly, none of us listening to it on Martin Logan Summit's could tell a difference . . . I doubt you're going to tell for under $3K.

[/rant]

Deathwish238 · 07-07-2009, 03:27 PM

Yes, but that's assuming the op ripped his own mp3s and ripped them in higher quality. Most people these days just download mp3s and don't care about the encoding...so it's best to use your own CDs

Hell I know people that still use 128 CBR