Considering upgrading (please help) - Blu-ray Forum

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 12:04 AM

This is the HTiB I currently have
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?cl...ems&m=HT-S5300

and, well, I have never been happy with its performance. I turn the volume up to about 45 (the max is 79) and I get clipping distortion in most of my blu ray movies. I'm thinking it just has a weak amp (even though it's rated as giving 130 watts per channel) and it doesn't support external amplification.

Now, I want to possibly upgrade to this receiver
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=i
What I want to know is if I would see a significant upgrade in sound quality from this or do I need to shop around more? I want to play my movies pretty loudly.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: a bit more info:

I have the receiver set to 100hz, all channels set to 0db (except for the sub, I have that at +2) and I'm not running any post-processing (Cinema Filter, Dynamic Volume, etc)

HAMP · 02-14-2013, 12:46 AM

It sounds like you have not ran audyessy calibration program that is built inside of the receiver.

Run that first and tell how it sounds, but make sure to run it right, and without noise in the background.

Since you are in the market to upgrade, the speakers and sub would be the first for me to upgrade, then a better AVR.

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 01:02 AM

The HTS5300 is a budget htib receiver and as far as I know it doesn't support that auto calibration feature you mention. I have tried using Audyssey dynamic eq and dynamic volume and they made little difference.

HAMP · 02-14-2013, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

The HTS5300 is a budget htib receiver and as far as I know it doesn't support that auto calibration feature you mention. I have tried using Audyssey dynamic eq and dynamic volume and they made little difference.

it has an calibration program in it, if you have not ran the program, I'm pretty sure 'Dynamic eq' will not work.

Quote:

Audyssey EQ™ for System Equalization
Removes much of the distortion caused by speaker enclosures and the typical room environment; Produces far superior sound than on comparable products that lack correction capabilities.

Quote:

Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for Loudness Correction

HAMP · 02-14-2013, 01:38 AM

My apologies, I skimmed thru the manual, and I seen where it said ‘Audyssey EQ’, I even read apart that said “A home theater system automatically calibrated by Audyssey EQ will play at reference…..”

But,

As I go thru the manual more, I do not see where the auto calibration is located or if it is even there. I’m a little confused by it.

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 01:39 AM

Ok yes. I've used that before, but I thought you were referring to a program that calibrates your receiver with the use of a microphone. I've read about it and am almost certain my model doesn't support it. I've fiddled around with just about every audio option on this receiver and just can't get the sound I want from my preferred volume levels, hence my interest in possibly upgrading.

HAMP · 02-14-2013, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

Ok yes. I've used that before, but I thought you were referring to a program that calibrates your receiver with the use of a microphone. I've read about it and am almost certain my model doesn't support it. I've fiddled around with just about every audio option on this receiver and just can't get the sound I want from my preferred volume levels, hence my interest in possibly upgrading.

Ahh!! I feel your pain, and from my other post, I was wrong about it.

The Onkyo 818 is a very nice AVR, I have recommended that one to plenty of people.

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 03:09 AM

Do you think it's a receiver I'd need to use an external amp with? Like I said, I like to play my movies pretty loud. Probably not quite "reference level" (I don't think, but I don't own an SPL meter) but loud enough that it'll annoy my neighbors.

Almadacr · 02-14-2013, 04:15 AM

No , if you are using the speakers from the HTIB . You have more chances at damaging your speakers or your hearing .

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almadacr

No , if you are using the speakers from the HTIB . You have more chances at damaging your speakers or your hearing .

yeah, I guess there is that.

Well, I do have one non-stock speaker...my center channel. lol It's a Polk CS10. I know I need to upgrade at least the fronts as well, and I plan to....

...eventually.

I was also looking at the Pioneer SC-1222-K. That's a lot cheaper than the 818 but I hear it comes with a more advanced amp. (class D) The power rating is lower than the 818, though...only by a little (120 per channel vs 135) Decisions decisions...

Btw, I really appreciate you guys' help.

Almadacr · 02-14-2013, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

yeah, I guess there is that.

Well, I do have one non-stock speaker...my center channel. lol It's a Polk CS10. I know I need to upgrade at least the fronts as well, and I plan to....

...eventually.

I was also looking at the Pioneer SC-1222-K. That's a lot cheaper than the 818 but I hear it comes with a more advanced amp. (class D) The power rating is lower than the 818, though...only by a little (120 per channel vs 135) Decisions decisions...

Btw, I really appreciate you guys' help.

Well the CS10 it's not a bad speaker but the CS20 it's better even if i have the CS10 ( this is one of the weak links in my system ) but for sure 2 things you should address in your system .

A receiver with a proper calibration program will help you to refine your speakers and it will be calibrated to accordingly based on your speakers and also very important your room . One thing that you should do is .... really have a equal front stage like L/C/R speakers . The surrounds you can play around with it and prety much decide whats best for you .

Both of the receivers have pro's and cons , i have the 818 and i can't complain but also i had a Pioneer and i can't say nothing against it i even prefer it to compared to the Onkyo for music listening but i had to compromise since the Onkyo was cheaper than the present Pioneer models and also the X32 it's a good calibration program , but the Pioneer is no slosh neither . If you have the chance you should audition both and decide what you like in one or the other and take the plunge .

We can show you pointers to what to listen or help you out find some deals but it's your money and you are the one that has to live with it . No one around here can say to you that this or that sounds better since we are not in your shoes , but you also should address the front stage problem .

Spicoli · 02-14-2013, 05:32 AM

I know there are many threads on this but this is the reality of this.

Patience.

Save for a system that won't break the bank. My 300.00 system is unbelievable. (Great deal on Craigslist Pioneer amp, priced wrong bookshelf Polks at BBY, Bose open box bookshelf left speaker for my center, random Yamahas for my rears) I pieced it together in 5 months searching for the best deals and it sounds incredible.

Patience.

pentatonic · 02-14-2013, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

yeah, I guess there is that.

Well, I do have one non-stock speaker...my center channel. lol It's a Polk CS10. I know I need to upgrade at least the fronts as well, and I plan to....

...eventually.

I was also looking at the Pioneer SC-1222-K. That's a lot cheaper than the 818 but I hear it comes with a more advanced amp. (class D) The power rating is lower than the 818, though...only by a little (120 per channel vs 135) Decisions decisions...

Btw, I really appreciate you guys' help.

I agree with the others here, you're looking at upgrading the wrong thing first. Onkyo makes a nice HTIB receiver, it's the speakers that quite don't make it. I would at least change the 2 mains and possibly the matching center first, you might be surprised by the receiver if pushing good speakers. Speakers is at least 80% of it if not more. The receiver you have now should be powerful enough for a small to mid sized room (depending again on the speakers) and if playing loud is your thing you can always look into easy to drive speakers like certain Klipsch for example.

ak_ka · 02-14-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pentatonic

I agree with the others here, you're looking at upgrading the wrong thing first. Onkyo makes a nice HTIB receiver, it's the speakers that quite don't make it. I would at least change the 2 mains and possibly the matching center first, you might be surprised by the receiver if pushing good speakers. Speakers is at least 80% of it if not more. The receiver you have now should be powerful enough for a small to mid sized room (depending again on the speakers) and if playing loud is your thing you can always look into easy to drive speakers like certain Klipsch for example.

+1
I have a friend who has the same system, and while the receiver is pretty decent, I found the speakers to be quite underwhelming. And since you have different speakers for your fronts than the center, its quite possible your center is dominating the other 2. Try getting a pair of matching polks if you want to stick with the brand, or replace all 3.

jdrhjr · 02-14-2013, 01:05 PM

Klipsch, huh? Hmm...the hardest thing about doing all of this is that it's almost impossible for me to test the sound of these components before purchasing. Best Buy and even HHgreg don't really have a wide selection of home audio speakers in their stores. All the good stuff seems to just be available online (and I'd much rather shop with Newegg or Amazon if I have to go that route).

To Pentatonic (or anyone else who might know, I just address him because he made the comment) is there any way for me to check and see how easily driven certain speakers are simply by looking at the specs? If so, what specifically should I look for?

Again, thank you all for your wonderful advice.

jdrhjr · 02-20-2013, 12:48 PM

Update:
I'm leaning toward the HTD Level 3 speakers. http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers With that 30 day trial and their prices, I really don't have anything to lose. I don't have room for floor standing speakers, so I'll have to go with their bookshelves. Not 100% sure I'll go this route, but it's either this or the Pioneer receiver at this point. Haven't really been too happy with Onkyo, tbh.

Remo · 02-20-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

This is the HTiB I currently have
http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?cl...ems&m=HT-S5300

and, well, I have never been happy with its performance. I turn the volume up to about 45 (the max is 79) and I get clipping distortion in most of my blu ray movies. I'm thinking it just has a weak amp (even though it's rated as giving 130 watts per channel) and it doesn't support external amplification.

Now, I want to possibly upgrade to this receiver
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=i
What I want to know is if I would see a significant upgrade in sound quality from this or do I need to shop around more? I want to play my movies pretty loudly.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: a bit more info:

I have the receiver set to 100hz, all channels set to 0db (except for the sub, I have that at +2) and I'm not running any post-processing (Cinema Filter, Dynamic Volume, etc)

Get an SPL meter and do a manual calibration, you'll be surprised on how much better things sound after being properly calibrated.

Jim Hawkins · 02-22-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdrhjr

To Pentatonic (or anyone else who might know, I just address him because he made the comment) is there any way for me to check and see how easily driven certain speakers are simply by looking at the specs? If so, what specifically should I look for?

Again, thank you all for your wonderful advice.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=71469

Big Daddy gives a ton of info here. Basically the spec is measured in db and the range is like somewhere between 85-95. The higher the number the more efficient. There are a lot of speakers outside of the range I gave as an example but that with the link above should help.

Also, specs are the easiest things that companys can fudge on so good to look and listen around.

jdrhjr · 02-24-2013, 10:28 PM

I went ahead and bought an SPL meter, calibrated the sound and I still don't like what I'm hearing. I think I just want to play my movies louder than my receiver is capable of outputting. It doesn't seem like I'm asking that much (like I said I run the master volume at around 59% of max and only during movies. I dial the volume knob back 10db for normal tv viewing and video games) unless I'm seriously overestimating what this receiver should be capable of delivering.

Jim Hawkins · 02-25-2013, 02:08 PM

Buying a receiver wont hurt. Infact it will probably help some. The biggest return in my opinion will be buying new speakers. I would start with that first and then get a new receiver.
So I am going to say that importance would run something like this:

Speakers
Room/Calibration
Player/Amplification

This is my opinion, not a golden rule. I have done things backwards in the past and found it a little disappointing.

Best of luck!

02-14-2013, 12:04 AM	#1
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	Considering upgrading (please help) This is the HTiB I currently have http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?cl...ems&m=HT-S5300 and, well, I have never been happy with its performance. I turn the volume up to about 45 (the max is 79) and I get clipping distortion in most of my blu ray movies. I'm thinking it just has a weak amp (even though it's rated as giving 130 watts per channel) and it doesn't support external amplification. Now, I want to possibly upgrade to this receiver http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=...s=Receiver&p=i What I want to know is if I would see a significant upgrade in sound quality from this or do I need to shop around more? I want to play my movies pretty loudly. Thanks in advance. EDIT: a bit more info: I have the receiver set to 100hz, all channels set to 0db (except for the sub, I have that at +2) and I'm not running any post-processing (Cinema Filter, Dynamic Volume, etc) Last edited by jdrhjr; 02-14-2013 at 12:11 AM.

02-25-2013, 02:08 PM	#20
Jim Hawkins Senior Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2011 Location:Everett, WA Home Theater Gallery:61 Blu-ray collection:100	Two cents Buying a receiver wont hurt. Infact it will probably help some. The biggest return in my opinion will be buying new speakers. I would start with that first and then get a new receiver. So I am going to say that importance would run something like this: Speakers Room/Calibration Player/Amplification This is my opinion, not a golden rule. I have done things backwards in the past and found it a little disappointing. Best of luck!

02-14-2013, 12:46 AM	#2
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	It sounds like you have not ran audyessy calibration program that is built inside of the receiver. Run that first and tell how it sounds, but make sure to run it right, and without noise in the background. Since you are in the market to upgrade, the speakers and sub would be the first for me to upgrade, then a better AVR.

02-14-2013, 01:02 AM	#3
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	The HTS5300 is a budget htib receiver and as far as I know it doesn't support that auto calibration feature you mention. I have tried using Audyssey dynamic eq and dynamic volume and they made little difference.

02-14-2013, 01:38 AM	#5
HAMP Banned Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Michigan Home Theater Gallery:13 Blu-ray collection:272 Trading Score:1	My apologies, I skimmed thru the manual, and I seen where it said ‘Audyssey EQ’, I even read apart that said “A home theater system automatically calibrated by Audyssey EQ will play at reference…..” But, As I go thru the manual more, I do not see where the auto calibration is located or if it is even there. I’m a little confused by it.

02-14-2013, 01:39 AM	#6
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	Ok yes. I've used that before, but I thought you were referring to a program that calibrates your receiver with the use of a microphone. I've read about it and am almost certain my model doesn't support it. I've fiddled around with just about every audio option on this receiver and just can't get the sound I want from my preferred volume levels, hence my interest in possibly upgrading.

02-14-2013, 03:09 AM	#8
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	Do you think it's a receiver I'd need to use an external amp with? Like I said, I like to play my movies pretty loud. Probably not quite "reference level" (I don't think, but I don't own an SPL meter) but loud enough that it'll annoy my neighbors.

02-14-2013, 04:15 AM	#9
Almadacr Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Mar 2011 Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:57 Blu-ray collection:527 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 10	No , if you are using the speakers from the HTIB . You have more chances at damaging your speakers or your hearing .

02-14-2013, 05:32 AM	#12
Spicoli Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2010 Location:East of Seattle Trading Score:5	I know there are many threads on this but this is the reality of this. Patience. Save for a system that won't break the bank. My 300.00 system is unbelievable. (Great deal on Craigslist Pioneer amp, priced wrong bookshelf Polks at BBY, Bose open box bookshelf left speaker for my center, random Yamahas for my rears) I pieced it together in 5 months searching for the best deals and it sounds incredible. Patience.

02-14-2013, 01:05 PM	#15
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	Klipsch, huh? Hmm...the hardest thing about doing all of this is that it's almost impossible for me to test the sound of these components before purchasing. Best Buy and even HHgreg don't really have a wide selection of home audio speakers in their stores. All the good stuff seems to just be available online (and I'd much rather shop with Newegg or Amazon if I have to go that route). To Pentatonic (or anyone else who might know, I just address him because he made the comment) is there any way for me to check and see how easily driven certain speakers are simply by looking at the specs? If so, what specifically should I look for? Again, thank you all for your wonderful advice.

02-20-2013, 12:48 PM	#16
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	Update: I'm leaning toward the HTD Level 3 speakers. http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers With that 30 day trial and their prices, I really don't have anything to lose. I don't have room for floor standing speakers, so I'll have to go with their bookshelves. Not 100% sure I'll go this route, but it's either this or the Pioneer receiver at this point. Haven't really been too happy with Onkyo, tbh.

02-24-2013, 10:28 PM	#19
jdrhjr Active Member Member since:Sep 2009 Blu-ray collection:437	I went ahead and bought an SPL meter, calibrated the sound and I still don't like what I'm hearing. I think I just want to play my movies louder than my receiver is capable of outputting. It doesn't seem like I'm asking that much (like I said I run the master volume at around 59% of max and only during movies. I dial the volume knob back 10db for normal tv viewing and video games) unless I'm seriously overestimating what this receiver should be capable of delivering.

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