Are my current speakers good enough for HD Audio?

[Abouna]

A few months ago I finally bit and picked up a PS3 to go with my Panny PZ85u set. My older AVR, Sony STR-DE945, doesn't have any HDMI so I've been running 5.1 via optical for now. Of course, as many do, I'm wondering if I'm going to hear a big difference when I upgrade to HD audio.

Now, assuming I upgrade to a new AVR (which of course I will), I'm starting to wonder if my speakers are good enough to exhibit the benefits of the HD audio stream. If not, then maybe I'm better off just holding off for now.

Current gear:

Fronts: Boston Acoustics A60
Center: Phase Tech. V-6LCR
Rears: Phase Tech. Velocity Surround
Sub: SVS 20-39 PCi

[obiwopkenobi62]

You'll hear a big difference with full HD lossless sound

[Driver_King]

I don't think any speakers aren't good enough for HD audio. It's just what you make it. But with that setup, noticing the difference is definitely worth the upgrade in my opinion.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Abouna

A few months ago I finally bit and picked up a PS3 to go with my Panny PZ85u set. My older AVR, Sony STR-DE945, doesn't have any HDMI so I've been running 5.1 via optical for now. Of course, as many do, I'm wondering if I'm going to hear a big difference when I upgrade to HD audio.

Now, assuming I upgrade to a new AVR (which of course I will), I'm starting to wonder if my speakers are good enough to exhibit the benefits of the HD audio stream. If not, then maybe I'm better off just holding off for now.

Current gear:

Fronts: Boston Acoustics A60
Center: Phase Tech. V-6LCR
Rears: Phase Tech. Velocity Surround
Sub: SVS 20-39 PCi

I would only do one thing - sell the Boston's and get a pair of Phase Technology speakers for the fronts (although your Bostons are great classic speakers - I'm a sucker for good vintage gear) - other than that your speakers are fine.

Here's where you can find PT online http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...ding&offset=80

These are the floorstanding speakers
http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...itemid=1000302
Here's the link for the bookshelves that match your center http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...itemid=1000302

[Abouna]

Originally Posted by prerich

I would only do one thing - sell the Boston's and get a pair of Phase Technology speakers for the fronts (although your Bostons are great classic speakers - I'm a sucker for good vintage gear) - other than that your speakers are fine.

Here's where you can find PT online http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...ding&offset=80

These are the floorstanding speakers
http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...itemid=1000302
Here's the link for the bookshelves that match your center http://www.independentaudiovideo.com...itemid=1000302

I've thought the same thing on occasion. However my father has a pair of the V-8s and while they sound good they really can't touch the Bostons. I just can't bring myself to give them up. I sold my NAD amp a few years ago and am still kicking myself for that dumb move.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Abouna

I've thought the same thing on occasion. However my father has a pair of the V-8s and while they sound good they really can't touch the Bostons. I just can't bring myself to give them up. I sold my NAD amp a few years ago and am still kicking myself for that dumb move.

Ah ha!!!! You also have the "vintage bug" also!!!! I'm at home and here are the vintage speakers that are there right now

3 Snell E-II's (My long loves)
1 pair Snell K-II'S
2 pair Infinity RS6B's (Back ups if my Snells fail)
1 Pair Polk Audio SDA 2's
3 DCM CX-17 (used by my son now)
2 Pair Klipsch Heresy original version with Alnico drivers (the real Klipsch - may become a LCR set as backup or primary - test will tell)
last and definately least - a pair of Bose 901 series V's and active eq that I use for PA purposes.

If you really want to make it sing - replace your center with another Boston that has the same drivers!!!! Check www.Audiogon.com they usually have some vintage Bostons over there !!!!

[walk on the blu side]

Yeah, you will. Even with my cheap, Onkyo Home theater in a box speakers I hear a huge amount of detailed in lossless tracks compared lossy audio. It's like night and day difference.

[Abouna]

That's encouraging. Now to find a $4-500 range AVR.

[Driver_King]

If there are any Onkyo 805's left at Ecost (see my sig), you can get one for $477 or so.

[Abouna]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

If there are any Onkyo 805's left at Ecost (see my sig), you can get one for $477 or so.

That is a stellar deal. What's the catch? And what does the 805 do that the 606 can't?

[Driver_King]

It is refurbished, but has a one-year warantee from Onkyo and is an Onkyo certified reseller. They're a legitimate site. Also, the 805 is more powerful than the 606, has Burr-brown DAC's (for better sound), has more inputs, has detailed menus (for adjusting more in depth), is THX certified, can matrix 5.1 PCM to 7.1 PCM, has a flip down access tray to cover the front inputs, has a backlit remote with macros, has good upscaling, and more.

[NARMAK]

Okay, i'm a total "idiot" when it comes to understanding how you connect speakers together with which type of wire to a receiver or a blu-ray player

I'm a hands on guy so to speak & being shown is better but i wanna know that if i buy a 5.1 HTIB surround sound that comes with a DVD player, could i use those to get HD audio if i connect them as seen in the manual to my PS3 instead of the DVD?

[mgrimsley]

i recently purchased a sony dg-dtr80 hd a/v receiver and although i'm only using speakers which came part of a hcib i noticed a big difference. first thing you notice i show much louder they become and how much crisper/cleaner the sound is. If i noticed this on a cheap set of speakers then think how much of a difference it would make with a decent sized set. would suggest u upgrade to hd audio makes a hell of a difference.

[Abouna]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

Okay, i'm a total "idiot" when it comes to understanding how you connect speakers together with which type of wire to a receiver or a blu-ray player

I'm a hands on guy so to speak & being shown is better but i wanna know that if i buy a 5.1 HTIB surround sound that comes with a DVD player, could i use those to get HD audio if i connect them as seen in the manual to my PS3 instead of the DVD?

Not really the right thread for this question but:

No, you can't get get HD audio in that configuration unless the HTIB has an HDMI in (which is highly doubtful). Optical in cannot carry HD audio.

[NARMAK]

I've seen some HTIB surround sound that say HDMI so i think they're the newer upscaling one's, so will those do?

[Abouna]

Originally Posted by NARMAK

I've seen some HTIB surround sound that say HDMI so i think they're the newer upscaling one's, so will those do?

That's most likely an HDMI out. You'd need an IN and OUT, one so the PS3 could go IN and then one to go OUT to the TV.

[obiwopkenobi62]

Most of the HTIB are lower end and don't do everything. In my opinion you are better off buying separate components. You will get much more for your money, better sound and better picture.

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by Abouna

That's most likely an HDMI out. You'd need an IN and OUT, one so the PS3 could go IN and then one to go OUT to the TV.

Wouldn't having a AV receiver remedy that, after all, you connect it all to the receiver & then one HDMI from receiver to the TV

Or am i wrong?

[gtmorgan23]

no def techs no care




j/k

[NARMAK]

OK, how about this, i have about this, £500-700 for speaker, AV receiver seperate so no need to include in that budget

What speakers could i get for that to make a good 5.1 system, 7.1 if possible?