Sound upgrade with new receiver? - Blu-ray Forum

acritzer · 01-19-2010, 01:45 AM

I recently upgraded all my speaker except the sub. Huge difference from the packaged Onkyo 520 stuff I had before. I still have the same receiver running though. So I'm wondering would I notice the same kind of improvement if I upgraded to a mid-level receiver?

Also how do "good" subs compare to others? Not to sound dumb, but aren't deep thuds all about the same?

Just trying to prioritize my wish list. Receiver, sub, harmony one, etc. Pretty set on my plasma and 5 speakers for now. Many years down the road I'd still like a projector, but that'll be a while.

Steve · 01-19-2010, 02:17 AM

You will likely hear a difference in sound quality if your upgrade your receiver, but I doubt it will be anywhere as near as dramatic as the difference from upgrading your speakers. IMO you should upgrade your sub next. To answer your question, no not all deep thuds are the same. I also started out with an Onkyo HTiB setup and when I upgraded my sub to my current MFW-15 I could not believe the difference. I know the term 'like night and day' gets tossed around too often on these forums, but it really was a night and day difference. There's more to it than just a loud muddy boom. You get so much more detail with a better sub, as well as more power and the ability to reach lower frequencies. I was a little skeptical too. After all, the Onkyo sub goes boom and is quite loud, but once I experienced it there was no going back. If I were you I would definitely do the subwoofer next, and then the receiver, and then the Harmony One. What kind of budget do you have to upgrade your sub?

acritzer · 01-19-2010, 02:33 AM

Ah, the budget question. I do a lot of my speculating without a solid plan in place. If I had to put a number on it right now I'd say I wouldn't like to pay more than $250ish. But, that's an uneducated number. I have no idea if that's middle of the road for a sub. Also, I don't really want to have a sub that is more higher end than my Polks.

When it comes to the HT stuff I have to stay realistic, which for me is nice stuff, but mid-level compared to the big guys.

bkbluray · 01-19-2010, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acritzer

Ah, the budget question. I do a lot of my speculating without a solid plan in place. If I had to put a number on it right now I'd say I wouldn't like to pay more than $250ish. But, that's an uneducated number. I have no idea if that's middle of the road for a sub. Also, I don't really want to have a sub that is more higher end than my Polks.

When it comes to the HT stuff I have to stay realistic, which for me is nice stuff, but mid-level compared to the big guys.

If your budget is around $250 right now, you might be better off saving another $100 or so and going for an Elemental Designs or one of the other recommended ones on the forum.

HiDefRev · 01-19-2010, 09:06 AM

Check out the Acoustic Audio subs available at TheDeepDiscount: Car Audio, Home Theater Electronics, DJ Equipment . Also, go to the "SUBWOOFER" thread on this forum to read about these subs from the people who own them ( particularly the posts by BIGDADDY, the resident Guru ).

Steve · 01-19-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkbluray

If your budget is around $250 right now, you might be better off saving another $100 or so and going for an Elemental Designs or one of the other recommended ones on the forum.

I agree. The eD A2-300 for $350 with free shipping is generally considered to be the best value subwoofer available in its price range.

acritzer · 01-19-2010, 12:40 PM

Thanks guys. I'll do some saving and look into a sub for my next upgrade.

acritzer · 01-19-2010, 12:59 PM

Wow, now I'm a bit scared.

Just looked at some pics of the ED...it's HUGE. Will take some strategy on the home front to pull off a purchase like that. The wife will never understand.

Steve · 01-19-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acritzer

Wow, now I'm a bit scared.

Just looked at some pics of the ED...it's HUGE. Will take some strategy on the home front to pull off a purchase like that. The wife will never understand.

Unfortunately the bigger and better subs take up quite a bit of space. I've heard of instances of people buying certain models and using them as end tables.

Fors* · 01-19-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

Unfortunately the bigger and better subs take up quite a bit of space. I've heard of instances of people buying certain models and using them as end tables.

or cat scratching posts!

Steve · 01-19-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fors*

or cat scratching posts!

Especially with a model like yours.

I like the name change by the way.

topbloke55 · 01-19-2010, 04:16 PM

If you can I would try and get one with room eq so you can turn it, a second hand one is always good to look out for on flee bay.

It turns a great sub into a fanstastic sub once set-up.

01-19-2010, 01:45 AM	#1
acritzer Expert Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Cincinnati, OH Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:32 Trading Score:1	Sound upgrade with new receiver? I recently upgraded all my speaker except the sub. Huge difference from the packaged Onkyo 520 stuff I had before. I still have the same receiver running though. So I'm wondering would I notice the same kind of improvement if I upgraded to a mid-level receiver? Also how do "good" subs compare to others? Not to sound dumb, but aren't deep thuds all about the same? Just trying to prioritize my wish list. Receiver, sub, harmony one, etc. Pretty set on my plasma and 5 speakers for now. Many years down the road I'd still like a projector, but that'll be a while.

01-19-2010, 09:06 AM	#5
HiDefRev Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Location:State of Relativity Blu-ray collection:35	Subs Check out the Acoustic Audio subs available at TheDeepDiscount: Car Audio, Home Theater Electronics, DJ Equipment . Also, go to the "SUBWOOFER" thread on this forum to read about these subs from the people who own them ( particularly the posts by *BIGDADDY*, the resident Guru ).

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01-19-2010, 02:17 AM	#2
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	You will likely hear a difference in sound quality if your upgrade your receiver, but I doubt it will be anywhere as near as dramatic as the difference from upgrading your speakers. IMO you should upgrade your sub next. To answer your question, no not all deep thuds are the same. I also started out with an Onkyo HTiB setup and when I upgraded my sub to my current MFW-15 I could not believe the difference. I know the term 'like night and day' gets tossed around too often on these forums, but it really was a night and day difference. There's more to it than just a loud muddy boom. You get so much more detail with a better sub, as well as more power and the ability to reach lower frequencies. I was a little skeptical too. After all, the Onkyo sub goes boom and is quite loud, but once I experienced it there was no going back. If I were you I would definitely do the subwoofer next, and then the receiver, and then the Harmony One. What kind of budget do you have to upgrade your sub?

01-19-2010, 02:33 AM	#3
acritzer Expert Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Cincinnati, OH Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:32 Trading Score:1	Ah, the budget question. I do a lot of my speculating without a solid plan in place. If I had to put a number on it right now I'd say I wouldn't like to pay more than $250ish. But, that's an uneducated number. I have no idea if that's middle of the road for a sub. Also, I don't really want to have a sub that is more higher end than my Polks. When it comes to the HT stuff I have to stay realistic, which for me is nice stuff, but mid-level compared to the big guys.

01-19-2010, 12:40 PM	#7
acritzer Expert Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Cincinnati, OH Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:32 Trading Score:1	Thanks guys. I'll do some saving and look into a sub for my next upgrade.

01-19-2010, 12:59 PM	#8
acritzer Expert Member Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Cincinnati, OH Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:32 Trading Score:1	Wow, now I'm a bit scared. Just looked at some pics of the ED...it's HUGE. Will take some strategy on the home front to pull off a purchase like that. The wife will never understand.

01-19-2010, 04:16 PM	#12
topbloke55 Junior Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Home Theater Gallery:8	If you can I would try and get one with room eq so you can turn it, a second hand one is always good to look out for on flee bay. It turns a great sub into a fanstastic sub once set-up.

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