Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Upgrading Home Theater: Speaker Suggestions

Upgrading Home Theater: Speaker Suggestions (Page 2)
Thread Tools
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 02:54 PM
 
Originally Posted by Gossamer View Post
I have a couple of vintage Cerwin Vega cabinets with 8" drivers that have the surround rotted...I can't bring myself to toss the cabinets, as they're ultra solid still. Any suggestions on drivers?
Definitely.

1. Get drivers with butyl rubber surrounds, NOT FOAM. Foam rots, is less durable, bla bla.

2. Read this:

http://www.parts-express.com/resources/spkbasics.html

3. Remove your old drivers

4. Calculate the volume of your cabinet, measure the internal dimensions. Find a driver taht works, and install it. If you can get one with specs close to the original you won't need a crossover.
     
Gossamer
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "Working"
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:09 PM
 
Yeah, I pulled the driver a long time ago and I think the cabinet was about 1.75 cubic inches. The woofers were supposed to handle something like 80W RMS, but I don't remember, they're back at home now. I bought them from a neighbor at a garage sale, I'm pretty sure they're as old as me.
     
residentEvil
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Detroit
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:21 PM
 
that's a pretty small cabinet, isn't it? 1.75 cubic inches?
     
olePigeon
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:26 PM
 
The Bridge Home Theater

I think you should just go all out and upgrade to the Star Trek Bridge Home Theater.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
Gossamer
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "Working"
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:34 PM
 
Originally Posted by residentEvil View Post
that's a pretty small cabinet, isn't it? 1.75 cubic inches?
A quick Google search tells me they were 'Cerwin Vega DX-1's.
Here's an eBay link for a pair of them plus a sub (I don't have the sub). 100W each, 8 ohm, 40Hz to 18kHz.
     
G4ME
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Maine
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
Definitely.

1. Get drivers with butyl rubber surrounds, NOT FOAM. Foam rots, is less durable, bla bla.

2. Read this:

Parts Express - Speaker Matching and Selection The Basicss

3. Remove your old drivers

4. Calculate the volume of your cabinet, measure the internal dimensions. Find a driver taht works, and install it. If you can get one with specs close to the original you won't need a crossover.

thats the ricer look at it, you will get something that makes sound, but chances are you will be missing out on a bit. (I have a friend that tossed a dayton 10" into a pair of Advents MK1, and he was lucky that he chose a drive that met with the tweeter enough so it sounds pretty good)

I dealy you will want to know what the XO point is between the tweeter and woofer, is it first or second order? for a first order xo usually you want a driver that handles 2 octaves above the XO where with a second order XO just 1 octave above the OX point.

But still just because the surround is rubber doesn't mean it will sound good, there are many 8 inch drivers that were designed for a three way system and would leave your tweeter with a nasty gap.

So ideally you would have to do a bit more research.

I GOT WASTED WITH PHIL SHERRY!!!
     
cjrivera
Professional Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 03:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
The Bridge Home Theater

I think you should just go all out and upgrade to the Star Trek Bridge Home Theater.
I've seen that theater over at avsforums. That is really amazing the lamount of detail and work that was put into that.
"It's weird the way 'finger puppets' sounds ok as a noun..."
     
residentEvil
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Detroit
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 04:56 PM
 
Originally Posted by Gossamer View Post
A quick Google search tells me they were 'Cerwin Vega DX-1's.
Here's an eBay link for a pair of them plus a sub (I don't have the sub). 100W each, 8 ohm, 40Hz to 18kHz.
i must not understand what you meant then by 1.75 cubic inches. or like i was trying to say, you made a typo.

1.75 cubic inches would be like the size of a can of tuna.

hence; isn't that kinda small?
     
Gossamer
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "Working"
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 04:59 PM
 
haha...oops.

1.75 cubic feet....yeah, feet.
     
residentEvil
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Detroit
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 25, 2007, 05:01 PM
 
okay, just checking.
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 26, 2007, 01:08 AM
 
Originally Posted by G4ME View Post
So ideally you would have to do a bit more research.
That's why I said get one that would WORK, not just one that would just physically fit. DUH. That's also why I linked to the page that explains all that **** that was made specifically to help people replace their speakers in existing cabinets.
     
spice003
Forum Regular
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 26, 2007, 01:52 AM
 
i would recommend going to local best buy and listening to these,Klipsch - Synergy III 8" 2-Way Dual-Woofer Floorstanding Speaker (Each) - Black/Titanium Color - F-3
Klipsch - Synergy III 6-1/2" 2-Way Dual-Woofer Floorstanding Speaker (Each) - Black/Titanium Color - F-2
i listened to em ,and they sound hella nice. and i listened to a lot of expensive speakers. And don't even look at BOSE.
     
jebjeb
Senior User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Aussie in UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 26, 2007, 04:03 AM
 
Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa View Post
Thank you all for the suggestions.

After much deliberation, research and reading, I have decided to go with my initial inclination: Infinity Primus 360s for the L/R, Infinity C25 for the center, and Infinity S10 for the subwoofer. For less than $800 shipped (just got further reduced at Crutchfield) I got everything I initially wanted and have room for expansion (surrounds) when I get a bigger place. For now, and in the future, I think these speakers will suit my needs quite well.
Let us know how they go plus post some pics!
     
Eynstyn
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: May 2005
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jan 26, 2007, 08:11 AM
 
Originally Posted by Rumor View Post
Not sure where you are located, but if you have a Magnolia or Best Buy with a Magnolia in it, that's a good place to get information. They have no pressure* sales staff (at least they aren't supposed to be), that are usually audiophiles.

*They don't work on commission, so no pressure.
+1

Keep in mind your experience depends on your room and the placement of the equipment somewhat as much as the gear alone.
     
Mrjinglesusa  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Why do you care?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 05:11 PM
 
Originally Posted by jebjeb View Post
Let us know how they go plus post some pics!
Here you go. Finally got everything set up as I wanted. The speakers sound SWEET. I get plenty of bass (for the space I have) with the PS10 sub. The PQ of the Sharp is phenomenal.

Sharp Aquos 46" LCD (46D62U)
Infinity Primus 360 (left and right channels)
Infinity C25 (center channel)
Infinity PS10 sub (not shown)
Yamaha V1700 Receiver w/ iPod Dock
XBox 360 w/ HD-DVD
Playstation 3 (for Blu-Ray)
Oppo DV981HD Up-converting DVD player
Direct TV HD Receiver



( Last edited by Mrjinglesusa; Feb 18, 2007 at 05:49 PM. )
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 05:34 PM
 
Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa View Post
Here you go. Finally got everything set up as I wanted. The speakers sound SWEET. I get plenty of base
Base? or bass?
     
Mrjinglesusa  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Why do you care?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 05:48 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
Base? or bass?
Ha ha. Bass.

Thanks.
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 08:25 PM
 
Nice setup tho. May I make a suggestion? Getting some twistie ties or braiding all your cables will make it look a lot better. Also, depending on how far away you sit, I think the mains are a bit too close together. And, if you can get them off the ground, even only a few inches, I betcha they'll sound light years better.
     
Mrjinglesusa  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Why do you care?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 09:49 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
Nice setup tho. May I make a suggestion? Getting some twistie ties or braiding all your cables will make it look a lot better. Also, depending on how far away you sit, I think the mains are a bit too close together. And, if you can get them off the ground, even only a few inches, I betcha they'll sound light years better.
Bought the twistie ties Friday night - just haven't tidied things up yet.

Listening position is about 7-8 feet from the front stage. How far apart do you think the mains should be from each other (and from the center channel)? I don't have much flexibility - I can maybe move the left a foot to the left and the right a foot to the right.
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 10:40 PM
 
I just think a bit farther apart would help with stereo seperation. Ideally they should both be pointed at the listening area in front of the TV, not just totally perpindicular to the wall firing 90 degrees from the wall, they should be slightly angled.

At least, this is my knowledge of speaker arrangement.
     
MOTHERWELL
Senior User
Join Date: Nov 2003
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 11:37 PM
 
I have PSB speakers and I really like them.

PSB Speakers - Series : . Alpha Series
     
slpdLoad
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 18, 2007, 11:47 PM
 
Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
I just think a bit farther apart would help with stereo seperation. Ideally they should both be pointed at the listening area in front of the TV, not just totally perpindicular to the wall firing 90 degrees from the wall, they should be slightly angled.

At least, this is my knowledge of speaker arrangement.
That's what I've been told as well. Also, the subwoofer should ideally be placed inbetween the mains (though not right in the middle). Otherwise, if the subwoofer ever produces tones up into the range where your ear can locate the direction of the sound, it'll pull the soundstage off-center towards the subwoofer.
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 07:13 PM
 
depending on the sub, it shouldnt really matter where you put the sucker. its full directional (official term i cant recall) but the ideal place is where it sounds best to you from your listening area. try moving it to different places in the room (wire permitting) and you'll be able to tell a difference.

-a
     
Gossamer
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "Working"
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 08:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by slpdLoad View Post
That's what I've been told as well. Also, the subwoofer should ideally be placed inbetween the mains (though not right in the middle). Otherwise, if the subwoofer ever produces tones up into the range where your ear can locate the direction of the sound, it'll pull the soundstage off-center towards the subwoofer.
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock View Post
depending on the sub, it shouldnt really matter where you put the sucker. its full directional (official term i cant recall) but the ideal place is where it sounds best to you from your listening area. try moving it to different places in the room (wire permitting) and you'll be able to tell a difference.

-a
spldload's post explained why you CAN'T just put the sub anywhere. My friend's dad has a Bose system (so of course the sub is going to make noticeable frequencies) and I could always tell that the sub was sitting to the left of the couch, it was irritating.
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 08:21 PM
 
do you not understand the phrase "depending on the sub"? some subs are directional (sound goes just straight), some are not, they "push" the sound in all directions. unless I was taught wrong.
but any who, good setup you got there
-a
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 08:46 PM
 
Originally Posted by Gossamer View Post
spldload's post explained why you CAN'T just put the sub anywhere. My friend's dad has a Bose system (so of course the sub is going to make noticeable frequencies) and I could always tell that the sub was sitting to the left of the couch, it was irritating.
The real problem was that it was bose. seriously. It doesn't produce a whole lot of 'low bass', and deep low bass is pretty unidirectional, your ears cannot really discern where it's coming from. Higher bass, which is all the bose POS was probably doing, can definitely be located, because the frequencies are higher.
     
slpdLoad
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 09:00 PM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock View Post
do you not understand the phrase "depending on the sub"? some subs are directional (sound goes just straight), some are not, they "push" the sound in all directions. unless I was taught wrong.
-a
That's partly true, but the direction problem comes because the crossover for the subwoofer is high enough that the "sub"woofer is forced to produce frequencies that are high enough to be localized by the human ear.

but any who, good setup you got there
QFT
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 10:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by G4ME View Post
So ideally you would have to do a bit more research.
Wouldn't that depend on the sound you were looking for? I mean, if you do already know everything about the crossovers as well as the performance of each cone, maybe your ROOM isn't up to "the absolute perfectest" of cones/enclosures/etc., and going for "good enough that you can't tell the difference because the room's acoustics aren't perfect" would be the most appropriate way to go. My living room has decent acoustics for most music, but if I want to really hear a full orchestra, it wouldn't matter if I had eleventy billion dollar cones in solid titanium mounts in theoretically impossible enclosures, I wouldn't be able to get everything out of a good recording.

It comes down to when you stop making it better-when it's better than you can hear the difference in, or when the OCD medications kick in and you stop fidgeting every time you see a speaker wire.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Mrjinglesusa  (op)
Professional Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Why do you care?
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 11:17 PM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock View Post
depending on the sub, it shouldnt really matter where you put the sucker. its full directional (official term i cant recall) but the ideal place is where it sounds best to you from your listening area. try moving it to different places in the room (wire permitting) and you'll be able to tell a difference.

-a
I read you should put a non-directional sub near the "listening" position (i.e. where you will sit), play something with a lot of low frequencies, and crawl on your hands and knees to find out where you hear the deepest, fullest bass in the room. THIS is where the sub should be placed. I haven't done this (sub is to the right of the A/V rack), but when playing movies or music you can't tell where the low frequencies are coming from.
     
brassplayersrock²
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 11:41 PM
 
Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa View Post
I read you should put a non-directional sub near the "listening" position (i.e. where you will sit), play something with a lot of low frequencies, and crawl on your hands and knees to find out where you hear the deepest, fullest bass in the room. THIS is where the sub should be placed. I haven't done this (sub is to the right of the A/V rack), but when playing movies or music you can't tell where the low frequencies are coming from.

thank you

-a
     
Gossamer
Professional Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: "Working"
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 11:43 PM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock View Post
do you not understand the phrase "depending on the sub"? some subs are directional (sound goes just straight), some are not, they "push" the sound in all directions. unless I was taught wrong.
but any who, good setup you got there
-a
I would venture to say it depends more on the frequencies replicated than the sub. Of course, the Bose is going to replicate higher frequencies, making direction more important.
     
slpdLoad
Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 20, 2007, 11:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by brassplayersrock View Post
thank you

-a
Originally Posted by Mrjinglesusa View Post
but when playing movies or music you can't tell where the low frequencies are coming from.
That means you have a well-put-together system. Good deal.

Cheers
     
Gamoe
Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2000
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 21, 2007, 01:16 AM
 
Anyone have any recommendations for stereo bookshelf speakers under $400 or so? I was using A5 speakers which have great sound, but I had problems with the built-in amp and I'm looking for a separate amp/speaker solution. I just want some decent bookshelf speakers comparable to the A5 speakers, though larger size is not an issue as long as they're still bookshelf speakers. And of course, I'm also looking for a decent amp.

Other forum members have suggested Craig's list, which is good, but I need to know what I'm looking for first, and I don't mind having a warranty either. From the posts here, I'm guessing BOSE is a no go, but other than some mentions here, and some mention there, I'm not acquainted with any of these audio companies. I mean, I know Harmon Karmon mostly from the original USB soundsticks and sub for the iMac.
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 21, 2007, 01:41 AM
 
If you aren't doing a surround sound setup, your best bet is a 'vintage' receiver, IMHO. Nab an old pioneer, marantz, technics, sansui, or something with over 30 watts per channel. It'll drive some bookshelf speakers very nicely, and look great.
     
Gamoe
Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2000
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 21, 2007, 03:13 AM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
The Bridge Home Theater

I think you should just go all out and upgrade to the Star Trek Bridge Home Theater.
Haha-- Thank you for that link! Very nicely done. What a great way to escape at home!

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 View Post
If you aren't doing a surround sound setup, your best bet is a 'vintage' receiver, IMHO. Nab an old pioneer, marantz, technics, sansui, or something with over 30 watts per channel. It'll drive some bookshelf speakers very nicely, and look great.
What about these Axiom speakers for stereo?
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 21, 2007, 09:34 AM
 
Eh, sure. Honestly, speakers matter a lot more than anything else. They 'color' the sound a lot more than an amp or receiver will, so speakers really boil down to personal preference.
     
G4ME
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Maine
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 21, 2007, 10:52 AM
 
Originally Posted by ghporter View Post
Wouldn't that depend on the sound you were looking for? I mean, if you do already know everything about the crossovers as well as the performance of each cone, maybe your ROOM isn't up to "the absolute perfectest" of cones/enclosures/etc., and going for "good enough that you can't tell the difference because the room's acoustics aren't perfect" would be the most appropriate way to go. My living room has decent acoustics for most music, but if I want to really hear a full orchestra, it wouldn't matter if I had eleventy billion dollar cones in solid titanium mounts in theoretically impossible enclosures, I wouldn't be able to get everything out of a good recording.

It comes down to when you stop making it better-when it's better than you can hear the difference in, or when the OCD medications kick in and you stop fidgeting every time you see a speaker wire.

Thats ture for everything. But there are tons and tons of cheap drivers out there. With every design aspect you need to weigh cost vs performance. But the point I was trying to make was, one 50 dollar driver (that fits) is going to sound differnt then another 50 dollar driver, in order to achive the optimal performance you'd need to know more about the entire system, more then what driver fits in the whole and the wattage of said driver.

I GOT WASTED WITH PHIL SHERRY!!!
     
centerchannel68
Baninated
Join Date: Dec 2006
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 22, 2007, 01:10 AM
 
Which is why I pointed towards the page that explains more information on driver replacement. So ideally you'd need to read more of my posts.
     
 
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:16 PM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,