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First Post - New Speakers, Opinions and Suggestions?

E

El Jefe

New Member
Hello there,

First a quick background, I am fairly new in the audio world, and don't have much or any experience. I have been doing research and reading this forum for information. Anyways, I recently started picking up some parts to my new theatre/music setup.

The first pieces are these:

JBL HLS620 right and left speakers
Polk Audio PSW450 subwoofer (serious sucker here)
and a random Kenwood center speaker which looks nice, and I will try to post the model number. -- $300 for all pieces so far.

Does anyone have opinions on these as a good starter setup?

Right now, I am looking for a modern, quality, and fairly inexpensive receiver. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help, and the great forum as a resource and learning tool.
 
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I would say that's more than a good start. The JBL HLS series seem to be pretty well regarded. Welcome to AudioKarma!
 
I like the looks of those JBLs. Haven't heard them, but the design looks cool.
 
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Since you have a center speaker, I'm assuming you are planning on using this as a home theater sound system as well as just for music listening.

In that case I'd recommend looking for an older 5.1 surround receiver from the likes of Yamaha or Denon in your local CraigsList. Out of date technology home theater receivers drop in value like a rock, so decent ones can be picked up for around $ 100 or even less. What I would look for if you can find one is a model with old style analog tone controls, ie actual knobs for bass and treble. I have a Denon unit that uses digital tone controls accessed through a menu and I don't like their tonal contouring characteristics at all!!! (In fact I've realized I don't like the sound of digital tone controls in my car stereo head units either.)

If you didn't need a center channel feed, then major name brand analog stereo receivers from the 1970's give the best bang for the buck. Marantz sits at the top of the heap but Yamaha, Pioneer, and Denon made fine sounding units as did Sansui and Kenwood. If you do buy vintage gear make darn sure everything is working properly! Fixer uppers can cost far more to fix than their purchase price and should be avoided unless you can do the repairs yourself.
 
Definitely going for both Surround and Music.

Stickman - Thanks for the info. Something to ask though, I was considering newer receivers with HDMI ports and such. However, I have talked to a few people who seem to think sound is better not using HDMI. The HDMI just seemed the easiest way, and it seems like the best way since it is the latest and greatest, but apparently I might be wrong.
 
I have a pair of HLS-620's and they are a pretty good speaker. They currently are my third favorite, but that's up against JBL L80T's and DCM Time Windows, so they are no slouch. I like them better than my Boston A150's.

If you ever blow a tweeter in the 620's I know where you can get new ones. I just blew one recently.
 
I've been extremely happy with my Onkyo TX-NR608 for both surround and music. I have 4 HDMI's in, 1 HDMI out to the TV, and love the simplicity of the hookups and have nothing but great things to say for how the receiver has worked in general. I picked mine up in January of 2010.

For $375ish street price (online, with free shipping), I'd add the latest iteration of this series, the TX-NR609, to your list.
 
moejr said:
I like the modern Yamaha receivers the best sound wise. Priced pretty reasonable too.
Click to expand...

I've heard some of the older Yamaha receivers, and I must say, that I like some of the NAD receivers a tad better. I just listened to a few cd's on my old NAD 3080 Amp, through a pair of Marantz HD880 speakers. Very clear and full of body. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
I can also vouch for Onkyo. I have an older TX-SR501 that has been flawless for over the last 5+ years. It is surprising good for two channel music and is no slouch with movie sound tracks. I use it with 3 JBL S38's from their first generation studio series with the copper colored woofers, they are great all around speakers.
 
Depending on your listening taste you might find the Yamaha's to be a little too bright with your JBLs (or you may find them revealing.) Denon or NAD might be a better choice (or you may find Denon too laid back.) If you don't want or need HDMI connections you can score really good deals on great used equipment, just use component video and optical or coax audio connections. A few more wires for a lot less dollars. Buying used can help ease the cost of deciding which sound you prefer. It's not that HDMI connections don't sound as good. In many cases in order to add features like 4/6 HDMI inputs, manufacturers cut costs in other areas to hold the price point. So many times amps aren't as good. Onkyo X05 (605,705,805) series receivers are more highly regarded than later models. Yamaha just switched back to better amps in their receivers. X57, X59,X61 were very good, X63 and 65 had more features but not as stout amps.
 
I've had my Yamaha since new and never a lick of problems. Even shorted a speaker wire by accident, tripped the protect circuit, shut down, powered it back up and hasn't flinched since. Amazing receiver and not even top of the line. HT still remains a learning experience. I wouldn't switch brands, not that I wouldn't entertain something for free. I've powered everything from AR3a speakers to JBL L3 and Vienna Acoustic Haydn's. Drivers every speaker I've owned comfortably and a real ball listening to SACD and DVD-audio. Have a Dual 1019 and plays it fine as well.
 
Before I went separates, I had an Onkyo that did a nice job - preferred it to Yamaha at the same price...that was ten years ago. These Onkyos look promising:

http://www.jr.com/onkyo/pe/ONK_TXNR414/#productTabDetails
http://www.jr.com/onkyo/pe/ONK_TXSR313/
http://www.jr.com/onkyo/pe/ONK_TXNR509/#productTabDetails

That last one especially seems a good deal at the deep discount, but everyone must have thought so since this site sold out, perhaps you may find it available elsewhere if interested.

EDIT: Of course it is best for surround sound to keep your front, center and rear speakers the same brand - preferably within the same series - if possible.
 
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Walked into a local place this past weekend, and picked up a Yamaha RX-V671 for $300 brand new. Steal of a deal. I couldn't believe it. So far, I have been playing with it for a while, and I love it. So here is my setup

Panasonic 65" Plasma HDTV TC-P65ST30
Yamaha RX-V671 A/V Receiver
JBL HLS620 front speakers
Polk Audio PSW450
Kenwood Center Speaker (Unknown model)
Polk Audio Bookshelf speakers in the rear (again unknown model)

Absolutely loving the setup right now. Still getting it all dialed in right now.

(P.S. the new TV is also unreal. LOL)
 
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