Compatability of reciever with existing speakers/sub

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Compatability of reciever with existing speakers/sub

Gambit

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#75968 26-Jan-2011 18:05

Hi everyone,
Last year i purchased a 50' Panasonic PZ850 tv and Panasonic BD60 blu ray player and am stoked with them.My current audio setup is a Sony HTDDW 750 which i have had for around 7 years.
I have seen the Pioneer VSX 520 at Harvey Norman for $580 and also on JBHIFI's website they have the Onkyo TX-SR508B for $446 but when i add it to my cart it goes up to $898-weird.
Anyway im unsure if my current speakers and sub would be compatiblw with either of these.
I will upgrade the speakers at a later date but thought a reciver would be a better first purchase.
I also see the Onkyo has OSD,more HDMIs, and also 7.1 which i may look at in the future so am leaning towards that.
If anyone could help me in regards to the speaker compatability question that would be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

timmmay

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#431542 26-Jan-2011 19:24

Did you add two receivers to the cart? Maybe worth going to the store. They have a price and "ask for a deal" written on it, so it always goes down.

You didn't say what kind of speakers you had. I bought some random Wharfedale speakers and connected them up, they work fine. I figure as long as they're a 4-16 ohm load they should be fine, but i'm not an expert.

I have the Onkyo TX-SR508, it's a nice receiver. I wish i'd gone a model or two up to get networking and DLNA compatibility, that way I could play movies and stuff directly though it rather than through the PS3. The PS3 works fine with the Onyko though.

Gambit

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#431559 26-Jan-2011 19:58

Hi Timmmay,
Thanks for your response.
The speakers i have are the ones that came with my sony reciever.
Below i have C&P the specs.

SPECIFICATIONS
Speaker system
Full range, magnetically
shielded
Speaker units
70 mm 100 mm cone
type
Enclosure type
Bass reflex
Rated Impedance
8 ohms
Power handling capacity (Maximum input
power)
100 W
Sensitivity level
86 dB (1 W, 1 m)
Frequcency range
160 Hz � 20,000 Hz

They are little satellite ones and im not sure if the Onkyo has a setting for 'small' or 'Large' speakers as some of the other ones do-i don't want to blow my speakers up!

Above id what i have but i have it in silver.
They go pretty well and i can't really afford new speakers as well at the moment.

Thanks for your time.

timmmay

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#431560 26-Jan-2011 20:00

I can't imagine why they wouldn't work, but you should wait for one of the HT geeks to confirm too.

Gambit

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#431562 26-Jan-2011 20:03

Yeah thanks,
No hurry at the moment anyway,just hetting excited!
Also have no jbhifi where i live so that a shame.
Not too worried about all the flash bits on the Onkyo,just want a bit more power and be able to hear the HD sounds-pretty good apparently.

Cheers!

Dunnersfella

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#431572 26-Jan-2011 21:01

I'd actually start by upgrading your speakers.
They don't go down very far - and even with the sub, you'll have a fair sized frequency gap, making bottom end performance / music listening a less enjoyable or all encompassing experience.
A pair of floor standers up front (look for something relatively efficient) combined with your current speakers and amp would be a start. Then head towards a new amp... then go from there.
As your amp may not be overly powerful, look for some relatively affordable floor standers, take a listen and decide from there.

timmmay

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#431573 26-Jan-2011 21:03

Speakers probably make a bigger difference than the receiver, unless you want to decode 5.1 sound. I have Wharfedale Vardus speakers, only about $1200 and I got 20% off, with the Onkyo they sound awesome.

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Gambit

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#431967 27-Jan-2011 21:33

Hi all,thanks for your responses.
In regards to the speakers i may be able to borrow a mates Sony floorstanders specs below

2 way 3 speaker system

Power handling: 150 Watts RMS

Speaker Units:
Bass drivers 2 x 160mm cone type
tweeter 1 x 25mm horn type
Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex
Rated Impedance: 6 ohms
Shielding: magnetically shielded
Dimensions: 250mm W x 950mm H x 273mm D
Weight: 15.5 kilos each

Would these go alright?
I've heard mixed reviews on these Muteki HTIB but this wold save me buying some new fronts for a while.Ideally i would get some Wharfedale Diamond like these

Wharfedale 5.1 Channel 'Diamond 10' Speaker Pack

Wharfedale 5.1 Channel 'Diamond 10' Speaker Pack

or these (Cheaper)
Wharfedale 5.1 Speaker Package

Might have to wait a while though. :(

Thanks for reading.

timmmay

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#431987 27-Jan-2011 22:02

I've never heard the diamond, but the Vardus sound pretty good to me, even if they are entry level.

Dunnersfella

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#432014 27-Jan-2011 23:06

The Diamond's sit above the Vardus, so you should be able to expect better sound.
The Muteki's are, well, not up to the Diamond range.
Maybe start with 2 x front speakers first up, then later on, upgrade the centre, followed by the sub and surrounds.
Again, I'd look for an effiicient set of floor standers (Klipsch spring to mind, but take a listen first to see what you like, some find the Klipsch top end detail quite full on, others prefer a 'softer' sound) then work from there.

Gambit

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#432407 28-Jan-2011 20:31

Alright cool,
Thanks for your help.
Will keep an eye out for deals and let you know what i end up getting.

Thanks