noob question - Blu-ray Forum

fmiller4 · 03-09-2009, 01:31 AM

Hi

Please forgive is this is either a stupid question or has already been beaten to death.

I just purchased a Samsung bd2500 blu-ray player and would like to upgrade my audio.

I have a Kenwood VR-715(?) receiver - part of a HTB I bought in 2003.

I'm wondering if it makes sense for me to upgrade the speakers on it. The Fluance SXHTB 5-speaker system looks great to me - people seem to like it and it would fit very well with our decor.

I understand that I would not be getting the full audio blu-ray can offer, but frankly don't know where the two additional speakers for 7.1 would fit in our layout....

Is this a good idea? Would the receiver be able to power the speakers? Would I be able to use the same speakers with a better receiver in the future?

Sorry... I know absolutely nothing about audio...

Audiophile_At_Birth · 03-09-2009, 01:41 AM

I had the 615, there like the same thing. Here's what I did. I upgraded all my speakers first...Polk Monitor Line. I bought a pioneer center upgrade for $80 dollars. It was a quick center fix over the HTiB speaker that came with it. Next I bought book shelfs, and then moved those to the back and bought the Monitor 70s in August. I also picked up a new center in July. Then came on the new sub. With the wait on the eD sub, I bought the Onkyo 805.

That's a good way...however you could damage the new speakers you just bought because the recievers we have, well had for me, aren't powerful enough to be played at loud volumes without being driven into clipping.

Here's what I would do. Get your self a new AVR that fits your price range. Take a look at the Onkyo 606 and Yamaha 663 for a start. Then go from there. I would then go with seperate speakers. You'll be more satisfied in the end, and you won't feel the need to upgrade so soon in the future. Start with a nice pair of L/R. Then go to the center...then sub, then surrounds. And yes it's ok to put an 8ohm Kenwood speaker rated at 50-80watts max to a 90watt AVR or even my 805's 130watt output in 7 channel mode.

Twitch9 · 03-09-2009, 01:42 AM

Do you have a budget, i would look at upgrading the receiver as well as the speakers.

If you post a budget you will get more response to your question and probably advice to get both receiver and speakers with in the budget.

Johnny Vinyl · 03-09-2009, 01:47 AM

My personal opinion is this. Start over....brand new! Don't waste your time with trying to match speakers with a receiver from a HTiB. Perhaps you would hear some sonic improvements right away by changing out your speakers, but you won't be satisfied for long.

If you want to establish even an entry-level system for sound there are many other alternatives. Expanding on an HTiB is NOT the way to do so.

Establish yourself a budget and come back to us with that. From there, we can guide you to a suitable (and much better) alternative.

John

fmiller4 · 03-09-2009, 01:56 AM

I'd like to do this in the <600 range, if possible.

Is the Onkyo 5100 a good bet?

Audiophile_At_Birth · 03-09-2009, 02:09 AM

If HTiB satisfy your needs, it would be a somewhat step up over the Kenwood. But it doesn't process the new codecs, and it certainly isn't pushing 1200watts.

03-09-2009, 01:31 AM	#1
fmiller4 New Member Member since:Mar 2009	noob question Hi Please forgive is this is either a stupid question or has already been beaten to death. I just purchased a Samsung bd2500 blu-ray player and would like to upgrade my audio. I have a Kenwood VR-715(?) receiver - part of a HTB I bought in 2003. I'm wondering if it makes sense for me to upgrade the speakers on it. The Fluance SXHTB 5-speaker system looks great to me - people seem to like it and it would fit very well with our decor. I understand that I would not be getting the full audio blu-ray can offer, but frankly don't know where the two additional speakers for 7.1 would fit in our layout.... Is this a good idea? Would the receiver be able to power the speakers? Would I be able to use the same speakers with a better receiver in the future? Sorry... I know absolutely nothing about audio...

03-09-2009, 01:56 AM	#5
fmiller4 New Member Member since:Mar 2009	budget I'd like to do this in the <600 range, if possible. Is the Onkyo 5100 a good bet?

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03-09-2009, 01:41 AM	#2
Audiophile_At_Birth Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:El Paso, TX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:8 Blu-ray collection:235 Blu-ray reviews:1	I had the 615, there like the same thing. Here's what I did. I upgraded all my speakers first...Polk Monitor Line. I bought a pioneer center upgrade for $80 dollars. It was a quick center fix over the HTiB speaker that came with it. Next I bought book shelfs, and then moved those to the back and bought the Monitor 70s in August. I also picked up a new center in July. Then came on the new sub. With the wait on the eD sub, I bought the Onkyo 805. That's a good way...however you could damage the new speakers you just bought because the recievers we have, well had for me, aren't powerful enough to be played at loud volumes without being driven into clipping. Here's what I would do. Get your self a new AVR that fits your price range. Take a look at the Onkyo 606 and Yamaha 663 for a start. Then go from there. I would then go with seperate speakers. You'll be more satisfied in the end, and you won't feel the need to upgrade so soon in the future. Start with a nice pair of L/R. Then go to the center...then sub, then surrounds. And yes it's ok to put an 8ohm Kenwood speaker rated at 50-80watts max to a 90watt AVR or even my 805's 130watt output in 7 channel mode.

03-09-2009, 01:42 AM	#3
Twitch9 Expert Member Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Canada Home Theater Gallery:83 Blu-ray collection:49 Blu-ray reviews:16 Trading Score:2	Do you have a budget, i would look at upgrading the receiver as well as the speakers. If you post a budget you will get more response to your question and probably advice to get both receiver and speakers with in the budget.

03-09-2009, 01:47 AM	#4
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	My personal opinion is this. Start over....brand new! Don't waste your time with trying to match speakers with a receiver from a HTiB. Perhaps you would hear some sonic improvements right away by changing out your speakers, but you won't be satisfied for long. If you want to establish even an entry-level system for sound there are many other alternatives. Expanding on an HTiB is NOT the way to do so. Establish yourself a budget and come back to us with that. From there, we can guide you to a suitable (and much better) alternative. John

03-09-2009, 02:09 AM	#6
Audiophile_At_Birth Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:El Paso, TX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:8 Blu-ray collection:235 Blu-ray reviews:1	If HTiB satisfy your needs, it would be a somewhat step up over the Kenwood. But it doesn't process the new codecs, and it certainly isn't pushing 1200watts.

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