Need alittle help with choosing my next audio purchase

[ansat]

Ok, Here is what I got now

Television - Samsung series 6 46"
PS3 for Blu-ray
Receiver - Onkyo Tx SR-604
Speakers
Front / Left / Right Def Tech - Mythos Solo XL
two 41/2" cast-basket drivers plus a 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter
two 41/2" drivers,
two 41/2" pressure coupled bass radiators
and a 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter for the center channel module.
There are three Linkwitz-Riley crossovers
Recommended amplification for each channel is 10 – 250 watts
frequency response is 50 Hz – 30 kHz.

Surrounds 4x Def tech Pro cinema 60
Driver Complement :One 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter; One 3-1/2" high definition upper bass/midrange driver
Frequency Response :70 Hz – 30 kHz
Impedance :Compatible with 8 Ohms outputs
Recommended Associated Amplifier Power :10 – 135 watts
Sub Pro Sub 60
Driver Complement :One high-definition 8" woofer
Frequency Response :24 Hz – 150 Hz
Internal Amplifier Power :150 watts
High Level Inputs :Two pairs of 5 way binding posts
High Level Outputs :Two pairs of 5 way binding posts
Low Level Inputs :One LFE input (for SW preout only)
High Pass Crossover :Non Variable 6 dB/octave @ 80 Hz: Available only with high level inputs and outputs
Low Pass Crossover% :24 dB/octave, continuously variable from 40 Hz – 150 Hz: Available with high level inputs only

PRICE POINT I would like to take my sound setup to the next step. I have about $1300 to spend TOPPS!!!!!! I would really like to stay around $1000.


What I use the sound for: Mostly Gaming - PS3 and Xbox 360 and watching Blu-ray movies. I do not do alot of music but I will play the occasional Jazz as filler when guests are around. my wife on the other hand listens to alternative and classic rock. So I would need to take her into consideration (just alittle tho....)

The Problem: With my current setup I feel that my system is lacking bass and sufficient mid ranges. I have come to the conclusion (by talking to others and reading the forums) that the culpret would be a cross between my Left and right speakers since I am using a LCR and the Onkyo reciever, From what I understand my reciever is generally brighter than some of the others out there. I am also out of inputs on my reciever.

Some of the more reaonable suggestions that I have recieved were to spend my money on the Dakmart Refurb Denon 3808 for around 900 and that would take care of the reciever brightness problem. The other solution was to pick up a pair of Def Tech 7006(s) However I do not know if my curernt reciever can live up to those. The other soulution I was given wass to grab a STF-2 from HSU and that would help round out the system that I have. Now I know that I have put alot of specific models and brands down, But I am not attached to any one brand or model of anything. I just have about 1500 in my speakers and reciever and I do not wish to tell my wife that I need to start over. So I need to do things that will make the most noticable improvemnts for the money while still expanding overall functionality.

Ansat

[DavidAg02]

Your speakers are already pretty darn good. I would recommend upgrading your receiver to something new from Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon or Pioneer. About $400 - $600 there should do the trick.

After that, a subwoofer upgrade would be very beneficial. The STF-2 that you mentioned is an excellent sub for the money, and should do very well unless you have a very large room.

Finally, some room treatments might be in order. Sometimes just adding some curtains to a window, or a rug on the floor can make a difference to your sound. You'll need to describe your room a bit though before we can help you much in that category.

[crackinhedz]

while I agree you could benefit from a higher model receiver (I use to have a 604 and loved it), I think you would benefit the most in the subwoofer department.

I don't care what anybody says...an 8" sub just does not cut the mustard.




But you can find a really good sub as low as the $300-$400 mark...definitely check out the subwoofer threads.

That should leave you enough for an upgrade in receiver, and maybe anything else you may feel is underperforming.

[ansat]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Your speakers are already pretty darn good. I would recommend upgrading your receiver to something new from Onkyo, Yamaha, Denon or Pioneer. About $400 - $600 there should do the trick.

After that, a subwoofer upgrade would be very beneficial. The STF-2 that you mentioned is an excellent sub for the money, and should do very well unless you have a very large room.

Finally, some room treatments might be in order. Sometimes just adding some curtains to a window, or a rug on the floor can make a difference to your sound. You'll need to describe your room a bit though before we can help you much in that category.

Ok, I have been meaning to upload some photos of the setup so I have them in the HT galery now. The curtains are blackout and the floors have a premium underlayment so there is no rattle or ecco.

[ansat]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

while I agree you could benefit from a higher model receiver (I use to have a 604 and loved it), I think you would benefit the most in the subwoofer department.

I don't care what anybody says...an 8" sub just does not cut the mustard.




But you can find a really good sub as low as the $300-$400 mark...definitely check out the subwoofer threads.

That should leave you enough for an upgrade in receiver, and maybe anything else you may feel is underperforming.

My biggest beef with the sub I have now is that at 35% power I get baffeling on the very low ends or extended bass. I would love to get rid of that. I just dont know what to put the money in to... Cause my wife will only let me get one toy at a time and I have to wait till it is paid off before I can get another. Kinda the same way with blu rays.... I have to have less then 5 unwatched blu-rays before I can get others AND I have to have had watched them with her.. watching em seperately doesnt count... But as long as I follow those guidelines she doesn't give me any flack about what I get, providing the monthly payment is under 100$$

[StimpsonJCat]

I would upgrade the AVR & Sub. I don't think you need to go high end on the AVR. I'd spend $500 - $600 on the AVR and $500 - $600 on the sub. I think those upgrades will give you the sound your looking for.

AVR choices: Denon, Onyko (higher level than the 604), Pioneer, HK
Subs: HSU (like you were looking at), Outlaw Audio (HSU designed), eD, SVS

Good luck with your upgraditis.

[StimpsonJCat]

Originally Posted by ansat

My biggest beef with the sub I have now is that at 35% power I get baffeling on the very low ends or extended bass. I would love to get rid of that. I just dont know what to put the money in to... Cause my wife will only let me get one toy at a time and I have to wait till it is paid off before I can get another. Kinda the same way with blu rays.... I have to have less then 5 unwatched blu-rays before I can get others AND I have to have had watched them with her.. watching em seperately doesnt count... But as long as I follow those guidelines she doesn't give me any flack about what I get, providing the monthly payment is under 100$$

If you get one at a time. Get the Sub first and AVR next.

[ansat]

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

I would upgrade the AVR & Sub. I don't think you need to go high end on the AVR. I'd spend $500 - $600 on the AVR and $500 - $600 on the sub. I think those upgrades will give you the sound your looking for.

AVR choices: Denon, Onyko (higher level than the 604), Pioneer, HK
Subs: HSU (like you were looking at), Outlaw Audio (HSU designed), eD, SVS

Good luck with your upgraditis.

Originally Posted by StimpsonJCat

If you get one at a time. Get the Sub first and AVR next.

Would a sub fix the midrange issues? Or will I still need to dump some money into towers?

[ansat]

Would the hsu vtf-1 be enough? or with the size of the room should I be looking for something more powerful? (pics of the room are in the HT)

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by ansat

Would a sub fix the midrange issues? Or will I still need to dump some money into towers?

Can you explain these midrange issues a bit more? Is this a problem you are hearing, or something you have measured?

More than likely, you are suffering from a room that is overly bright. This will make it seem like you are lacking midrange. With the kitchen right behind your viewing area and the vaulted ceiling, you are probably catching some odd reflections.

With that being said, replacing that sound bar with individual front speakers would probably sound better. Towers might be overkill since you are sitting relatively close to your TV and front speakers. I would look into a good set of bookshelf speakers and a center channel.

Nice place by the way...

Originally Posted by ansat

Would the hsu vtf-1 be enough? or with the size of the room should I be looking for something more powerful? (pics of the room are in the HT)

The VTF-1 will be a very nice upgrade from your current sub. You are the only one who can really decide if it will be "enough" though.

[ansat]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Can you explain these midrange issues a bit more? Is this a problem you are hearing, or something you have measured?

It is something i can hear. Last night I went into xover and found that audussy had set my lcr to 80hz so I dropped them to 60 and that helped alittle for music, I have not been able to sit and watch a movie yet though. The Sub i have it up to 80 hz but the transition seems to be flawed. there seems to be some range that is missing. My ears say it somewhere between the 80 and 60 range. The LCR that I have has good definition and you can hear a very distinct left right and center, much more so than the JBL Sat2 package I had before this one. What i am wondering is if I am not putting enough power into them.
In order to fix this I was planning to to have 2 or more subs of different sizes. What i have at my disposal are the def tech 8" I have a JBL basswave (2x 6.5 100w) That I am looking to modify. And I have to money tp get any of the vtf series. I ask about the vtf 1 cause I can pay it off the fastest and get a new reciever the soonest. I just dont know if the vtf1 can fill the room being a mid size sub.

[Steve]

IMO the biggest issue with your mid-bass is probably that soundbar. Separated mains with drivers in the 6"-8" range would definitely help with mid-bass. After that I would look into a new sub, at least 12". I replaced my old Onkyo sub with an MFW-15 before I replaced the rest of my speakers. I found it worked wonders on the low end, but the mid-bass was still lacking. It wasn't until after I upgraded my speakers all the way around that I really started getting some mid-bass. Your regular speakers are where the mid-bass comes from.

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by ansat

In order to fix this I was planning to to have 2 or more subs of different sizes.

Spend your money on a full set of front speakers before you go the dual subwoofer route.

When you are ready for a sub, the VTF-1 should be plenty.

[Steve]

You should also take a look at the A2-300 from eD when you're ready for a sub. $400 with free shipping. I don't know if it's better than the HSU or not, but it's a solid performer in the price range. Just another option to consider. All the reviews I've seen on it are really good.