New Here!!!

[tmoney82]

Hey guys I'm new here and also new to HT. A couple of questions I have. Before I bought my stuff, I didnt do much research but since it was all polk, I thought it will be okay. So here is my set up and tell me what u think.

Fronts: Monitor's 50

Center: CS1

Rears: FXI A4

Reciever: Yamaha 363 (some things came up so I couldn't get the 463)

Sub: Dont have one yet (eyeing ED A3-300)


I know that my rears are a upgrade or two above my fronts but is this a problem and do i need an amp to get the best out of these speaker, especialy the rears since they are capable of handling more. I got the monitor's because of a good price.

[nikolas812]

Hi and welcome to the Club!!

IMO I don't think you need a amp to get the best out of those speakers. I think your receiver should be fine.

As for your surrounds they are a different timbre then the other speakers I think. But I don't think it will make much of difference given the type of system. I think it is more important to at least have the front three channels from the same speaker line up as you already do.

How's it sound to you?

I don't know what sub you are referring to.( To lazy to look it p right now:D) But you might want to take a look at a entry level Velodyne or SVS. Just a thought.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask them and have fun!

Nick

[tmoney82]

Its sounds pretty good but i dont have anything to compare it with. And besides that i only have a few drama dvds that are store bought, the others are burn dvds so im sure iI'm losing a lot there. The sub is made by Elemental Designs 300 watts powered 12" sub.

As far as the fronts goes, they are pretty loud and have pretty good details alone with it and rear I can tell that they also sound real good but I have to turn up the receiver to get the best sound but I dont know.

[nikolas812]

Do you have a SPL meter?

The best I remember you are supposed to set in the sweet spot with a spl meter and calibrate all the channels to the same DB. For example if your receiver gos from 0-110db on the volume scale you should turn it up to 75db and run the test tones from you receiver. When it goes from channel to channel they should all read 75db on the meter. You should be able to adjust you channel trim on all channels to get them equal. I think this is the only way to get it setup corrctly.

If somebody has some better information on this please chime in.

If you have already done this please disregard the post.

Edit: If it doesn't read 75db at the 75db volume level that fine. As long as all the channels are at the same DB rating you shuold be good to go.

[tmoney82]

No I don't have one, but I can see how that works. I'm gonna go out today to see can I find one if they are reasonable price. Thanks a lot man!

[nikolas812]

Go to radio shack.

They have the cheapest ones I think and they will get the job done just fine.

FYI. If you don't have the channels set correctly. It should make a pretty big difference.

Be sure to report back and tell us if it made things better.


Edit: Then we can help you spend some more money.;):D

[Keiko]

Welcome to CP tmoney. I was just looking up both of those receivers and both look to be very good budget AVR's but if I were you, I'd opt for that RXV-463. It appears to have an additional HDMI input and the binding posts on the 463 are so much better than the push/pin spring type connectors on the 363. Consider also the 463 is a more powerful receiver. I'm not familiar with the sub by Elemental Designs you mentioned but Yamaha has the YST-SW216 10" powered subwoofer that can be had for about $100.00 or a little less if you shop around a bit. I own one and for a budget sub it does a pretty good job with my HT. Just offering some options and an opinion. Good luck.

[tmoney82]

Thanks alot Keiko. I should've got the 463 but oh well, I just gonna have to suffer until I get another one.

[Keiko]

Don't get me wrong. The 363 looks to be a decent AVR with a very nice array of features and with what you're using it should still be just fine. I'm a fan for Yamaha gear and for the price point they make some really decent components IMO. Keep us posted.

Regards,
K

[tmoney82]

Well I got a spl meter from radioshack and i did what yall said and it sounds 10x better. So who gonna help me spend more money!!

[Dennis Gardner]

Well I got a spl meter from radioshack and i did what yall said and it sounds 10x better. So who gonna help me spend more money!!


Your next stop is a sub for good HT. Digital movie surround formats have so much information below the range of even the largest towers capabilitites.

Good things are being said about the ED sub you are looking at.....

[nikolas812]

Well I got a spl meter from radioshack and i did what yall said and it sounds 10x better. So who gonna help me spend more money!!

Wow!! That was fast.

I'm glad to hear it helped!;)

Like the other poster said. A good sub should be next on your list. I think it would make the next biggest improvement.

Like I said before take a look a Velodyne. If you have a place in area to audition one I think you would be very happy after hearing one.

Good luck, have fun and keep us posted.

Nick

[tmoney82]

Wow!! That was fast.

I'm glad to hear it helped!;)

Like the other poster said. A good sub should be next on your list. I think it would make the next biggest improvement.

Like I said before take a look a Velodyne. If you have a place in area to audition one I think you would be very happy after hearing one.

Good luck, have fun and keep us posted.

Nick

The only thing about buying a sub is that there is no place around here where you can listen to one. The last place was TWEETR but they have closed and everwhere else is only on display. But Im gonna keep looking around to see can I find one besides I didn't know I was missing out on so much without the sub so I'm eager to get one. Budget.........$500. This should be close enough to get something decent but I really like the A3 300.

[nikolas812]

I have not heard of Elemental Design but if its what your heart desires go for it.:p

FYI I haven't owned or heard of many subs so my knowledge on the subject is kind of moot.:D

Just remember it needs to be calibrated in with rest of your system just like you did earlier.

You might even do a search for a Avia test cd. This cd will help you get the best out your system when you get your sub.

[engtaz]

Welcome tmoney82. stay and enjoy the site. Great group of help people here.


engtaz

[tmoney82]

Im already enjoying you guys!!!

[McLoki]

Welcome to Club Polk....

ED (elemental Designs) are supposed to be very nice subs (on par with SVS or Epik). If that is what your budget allows - definately get it and report back what you think. I really think the sub is about the most important speaker in home theater so I look forward to your review once you get it in house....

What is your budget and room size and we will all recommend our favorites. :)

Michael

[tmoney82]

My room size is a little tricky. On one end it enter the kitchen and alone the same wall it has like a window/opening above the sink looking back into the living where the tv is. I hope you guys can get an idea what i'm talking about.

Without adding the kitchen openings: 20ft long, 18 ft wide, and with 10ft ceilings.

With kitchen: 35x18x10

So now Im thinking I might need more sub like ED A5 350 550 watts 15" sub. But I"m also open to more suggestions and maybe, just maybe that budet can go out the window if reasonable.

[tmoney82]

Ordered A5 350 500watts 15" yesterday. Will further update will it arrives.

[george daniel]

Welcome to the forum,,stick around:)

[nikolas812]

Ordered A5 350 500watts 15" yesterday. Will further update will it arrives.

Cool!

Can't wait to here thoughts on it!