Upgrading Speakers for Sony HT-DDW700

[jbracciante]

I bought an entry level HTIB in 2006 for around the $175.

This one:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...40648#features

It has served me moderately well, but as my blu-ray collection continues to grow, I would really like to be hearing some DTS-HD and Dolby-HD audio. My original plan was to buy another HTIB with this capability and just chuck the equipment I have, but after reading on this forum, I've decided to do the piece by piece approach and buy a 5.0 speaker package, a subwoofer, and receiver separately overtime.

I want to be able to enjoy my purchases as I make them, so would these Jamo's: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...06-hcs-1-black work with my current receiver from the DDW700. The speakers the Jamo's would be replacing are rated at 6 ohms.

(I'm currently pumping audio from a PS3 through an optical cable into the receiver if this matters at all)

First link fixed.

[Kryptonic]

The floorstanding speakers seem great, but the frequency response on the center channel seems iffy. You normally want a center to at least go down to 80hz as that is normally the bottom of the vocal range. But for the price, it's hard to argue against it. I would look into some Polk Monitor speakers from Newegg.

[HAMP]

I can't see the link you provided for your current system. If your current speakers are rated 6ohm, then I would get a receiver first and enjoy the lossless audio now.

When you have saved and ready to buy more, you can be a little bit picky and then buy your front three and use your current speakers as surrounds to make a 7.1
Your front three are the most important and your center channel is the most important of that same three.

Once again, save and then get the best subwoofer you can afford or better yet, get two of the best subwoofers you can afford.

At this point your system should sound fantastic and you should be finish, but as most people get that upgradities going, then you should save and get some really nice surround speakers to replace your old HTiB set.


I was just looking around to find some example's of some receivers, but the first one I came across I believe is one heck of a deal and I think you should jump on it as soon as possible.

It is a refurb, but there is nothing wrong with refurbs and I know people trust the site called e.cost.com

Anyway, check the link

Denon AVR-790 for $273.99

Honestly you liked your last receiver, your gonna love this one.

I had the Denon AVR-789 and I was highly impressed.

[McGarnigal]

That looks like a nice set, Jamos are alway 6 ohms for some reason tho..

[jbracciante]

That looks like a mighty impressive reciever HAMP, and good deal too. However, (if you check the link it should work now) you'll see that my current speakers are probably as terrible as they come. Would I even be able to notice the difference in audio quality that receiver would give me with the speakers I have?

Kryptonic, do you have any Polk suggestions from newegg?

I was looking at these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=polk%20rm6750

and these:

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...tag=txt%3bpage

I was wondering how they'd compare to the Jambo's. The Jambos list price is twice as much, but they all float into the same price category after discounts.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by jbracciante

That looks like a mighty impressive reciever HAMP, and good deal too. However, (if you check the link it should work now) you'll see that my current speakers are probably as terrible as they come. Would I even be able to notice a difference in audio quality with my current speakers?

Kryptonic, do you have any Polk suggestions from newegg? I have very little clue what kind of speakers I can get for $250.

Yes you will notice a difference. I started out pretty much the same way I told you to do.

I had an HTiB from Panasonic before I found bluray.com which was a few years ago.

I had a PS3 also, and reading about the lossless sound, I bought a Onkyo 605 at first. I ended up taking the 605 back and getting an Onkyo 805.

I didn't buy the front three first like I told you, I ended up buying a Kilpsch 7.1 first, but upgraded my center channel a little later to a much larger one. I bought two Klipsch sub 12's also.

After I did all of that for my theater, I ended up using the same HTiB for my bedroom... Then later is when I bought the Denon AVR-789(this is one year older then the one I showed you) for the bedroom and it sounded wonderful with the cheap speakers from the HTiB.

I was about to upgrade the HTiB speakers in the bedroom, but my apartment was broken into and everything was stolen.

If you look at my gallery, all of that stuff is replacement things that was stolen, but will go into a house instead of the same apartment I was in.


That receiver I showed you, I truely believe will be a good start for you. The only problem with that Denon 790, you will not have any pre-outs for an amp later if you decide to go that path.



********EDIT*******

The link you just asked about

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=polk%20rm6750

Those are the speakers I was going to add to my bedroom with the Denon 789.

[jbracciante]

HAMP, The subwoofer from my HTIB is the kind that uses raw speaker wire to connect to the receiver and isn't powered. How would I hook that up with the 790? If that's not possible, should I just forgo a subwoofer for the time being?

[HAMP]

That would be a small issue. I love bass so much it would be hard for me to say forgo the subwoofer for the time being.

But, In the long run it would be best to still kinda follow the plan I gave. How long would it take you to save for a sub and how much do you plan to spend for one or two subs?

[jbracciante]

Money is very slow for me at the moment, although my father is a home audio nut and might have a spar sub floating around his house I could swipe for a bit. I'll try to get a hold of him tommorrow, don't wanna miss the deal on this reciever, but don't wanna jump on it unprepared. It'd will probably be a solid 6 months before funds allow for another home theater purchase. (Being a college student is great, I Swear!)

[HAMP]

We all have to start somewhere and work at it. I wasn't trying to break the bank with ya.

That would be so sweet if your dad had a extra sub. I know that Denon is a good deal, I paid $400 for my refurb Denon 789 when I first bought it.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by jbracciante

That looks like a mighty impressive reciever HAMP, and good deal too. However, (if you check the link it should work now) you'll see that my current speakers are probably as terrible as they come. Would I even be able to notice the difference in audio quality that receiver would give me with the speakers I have?

Kryptonic, do you have any Polk suggestions from newegg?

I was looking at these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=polk%20rm6750

and these:

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...tag=txt%3bpage

I was wondering how they'd compare to the Jambo's. The Jambos list price is twice as much, but they all float into the same price category after discounts.

That is an excellent deal on the Denon. I have the 590 and it's awesome. I haven't had any experience with a refurbished receiver, so I can't comment on that.


Honestly, I wouldn't waste my time with the Polk satellite system. The Fluance is quite good though. If I had to choose I would definitely go with that. But building the system slowly would still be a great option. First find a front soundstage. Ideally you want all three front speakers to be the same. Throw the Sony speakers in the back as surrounds for the time being.

[jbracciante]

Can you tell me anymore about the 590? The 790 just sold out, but the 590 is less expensive, and my current home theater room doesn't really accommodate 7.1. (not to mention I only own 1 blu-ray, Pan's Labyrinth, that has anything encoded in 7.1) The 590 is selling for $206 from ecost. Is that a good deal?

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by jbracciante

Can you tell me anymore about the 590? The 790 just sold out, but the 590 is less expensive, and my current home theater room doesn't really accommodate 7.1. (not to mention I only own 1 blu-ray, Pan's Labyrinth, that has anything encoded in 7.1) The 590 is selling for $206 from ecost. Is that a good deal?

YES! I paid $300 for mine at Best Buy. It's worth every penny. It has every feature that you would need - DTS-HD, TrueHD, DD+, Audyssey, DDPLIIz, pre-outs for 7.1 if you want that later on, etc. You can't go wrong. Jump on it provided the warranty and everything is still in order for the refurb.