[aarons1584]

Forgive me if I ramble, but I went to best buy to look at some items, and ended up taking the employees suggestion on pretty much everything. I am going to list everything I bought, and kind of get your opinion. I live in a condo, so I did not want to really buy a system to rock, but to mostly have good low to middle volume sound. I have hardwood floors, I know that can affect some sound as well.


I bought a Pioneer VSX-521-K Receiver, 2 Klipsch Icon VF-35's, Polk Audio PSW10, and a Polk CS10 Center, 16 Gauge RocketFish Speaker Wire, and a Dynex Sub woofer cable. Overall, I just do not think the sound is good from this set up, I also am not feeling the Receiver, it will not let you pull a menu on it, through HDMI, which is how all my items are hooked up. I have only had this set up for a couple days, so I am well within the return policy.


I am already knowing I am going to return the Subwoofer, because I found it for nearly half price online, does anyone here offer any other suggestions as to what may sound better for what I am looking for? Thanks so much!

 

[bigyela]

try to match the front 3 speakers, whatever brand/type you choose.


definately get a better sub...


maybe return all of it, and shop around and research more??

 

[schan1269]

The Worst Buy clerk didn't know to sell you the Klipsch XL-12 LCR speaker???


I'm so(not) shocked.

 

[zieglj01]

What is your real budget?

 

[aarons1584]

Nope, he suggested the exact same things I bought. I told him my budget is around 1,500-1,800. All of these items I bought came to around 1100

 

[schan1269]

If you like the VF35(no reason not to), return the center and get the XL-12 if they have it, they should. The receiver I'd change out for a Denon/Marantz. The sub, buy darn near ANYTHING else.

 

[acebreathe]

Agree with Big, go with a matching front, all three the same brand. You could look at something like Definitive Techs Pro Cinema series which would give you four satellites, a center and a sub. They are not huge speakers but they pack a punch and are perfect for the set up you described. After you settle on speakers calibrate them. Not sure why you cannot pull up a menu thru receiver but I'm pretty sure that model does not up convert analog signals. Maybe you have to be on a different video input than the one you were on.

 

[zieglj01]

Look at the Infinity Primus
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...PRIMUS&x=0&y=0


This receiver - Yamaha
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-A700.../dp/B003XDU49S


And Epik sub
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html


This will liven up the Condo

 

[Timothy91]



Quote:
I also am not feeling the Receiver, it will not let you pull a menu on it, through HDMI, which is how all my items are hooked up.

I went to Pioneer's site and if you've connected HDMI thru this receiver it should have a GUI menu for the MCACC calibration. I own an older model Pioneer and it's rare that you would ever need to pull up a menu for anything. The problem you have isn't the receiver, it's your mismatch speakers. How big is your room? That is going to tell us a lot about what to recommend to you.

 

[afrogt]

Definitely take back the receiver and two Polk speakers. If you like the VF35 then get the matching center. Not a fan of those speakers but everyone has different tastes.


Or take it all back and get something like this.

Jamo S606 HCS
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

Jamo Sub650
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

Denon 1712
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search


That's $1200 total but you can probably save at least $100 if you call and talk to a rep since you're buying a bundle.


Many other ways to go too with your budget.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by aarons1584 /forum/post/20839322


I also am not feeling the Receiver, it will not let you pull a menu on it, through HDMI, which is how all my items are hooked up. I have only had this set up for a couple days, so I am well within the return policy.

I read your manuel - page 30, chapter 6 > on screen menu will only work

with componet or composite hook up, for the 521.

 

[aarons1584]

Ok, so defiantly ditch the sub?? I thought it sounded ok! I had actually already ordered a new one off of Newgg for 89 bucks. I honestly am not very impressed with the Klipsch towers, I hooked them up to my older Aiwa system, and they did not seem to sound as good to me, as my old Sony speakers I have hooked up, maybe I have strange ears... I also read that this model of Klipsch's I have have paper woofers, does anyone know that? I also learned that I was given the wrong speakers, per the sign at best buy, they were supposed to be 6.5" these are 5. something inch.

 

[acebreathe]

There's nothing wrong with your ears. The Aiwa may not be able to drive the Klipsch speakers. How do the Sony speakers sound with the Pioneer? If you like the Sony speakers use them. Personally I would take everything back and start over at some place other than Best Buy. Go to a real store and bring some cd's with you so you can hear how the speakers sound before you buy them.

 

[coytee]



Quote:
Originally Posted by aarons1584 /forum/post/20839322


I live in a condo, so I did not want to really buy a system to rock, but to mostly have good low to middle volume sound.

Just some food for thought from a different perspective....


I'm currently in a little apartment. I've got some cinema speakers in here, horns. Roughly 109db/watt in output. Sticker on the top of them says 1,200 watts max.


Doing some math, they can get seriously loud.


I doubt I've ever gone beyond 4-5 watts peak while living here and they sound fantastic.


They are hooked up to a 4-channel (4-100 watts) amp and I'm biamping them with an active crossover. For the sake of "pulling back" the system a bit, I'm using my dbx amp and have yanked my two Crown K2's out of service since I don't really need 450 watts/driver.


Moral of the story (to me) is, get some speakers that you LOVE....even if they are "rock speakers". Just because they might play a zillion db's, doesn't mean you need to play them that way.

 

[aarons1584]

Hello, I took the Sony's in and hooked them up to the Pioneer system, and they do not seem to have as good of sound from the reciever as they do from the Aiwa. Also, now the Pioneer reciever will not display the picture from my tv, it had been doing fine until tonight, it shows the ps3 fine, but will not display the cable box! I really dislike this reciever. I am so torn on the speakers, *Klipsch* I got them for 179, the guy told me they were 400.00 before they went on sale this week. Maybe they would sound better with a different reciever? I probably sound like a complete idiot, but I am new to all of this. I went in with the idea of buying a Bose system, but it sounds like that would have been a even bigger mistake! hah

 

[skidawgz]

Is your cable box using HDMI out? That receiver would not display your cable box if it uses component or composite hookups, with the PS3 using HDMI. If this is the case, get the VSX-1021 for upscaling feature. Any current Pioneer Elite model will also work.


For less GUI problems upgrade the Pioneer receiver.


My suggestions:

I am choosing BB links because you may have wanted to take advantage of their financing. There's nothing wrong with Pioneer receivers, I absolutely love them (I have a Marantz). I do prefer the elite line, but if you do not have a Magnolia in your BB they may not sell them.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Pioneer+...1021&cp=1&lp=1

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch+...nter&cp=1&lp=1


Do they have Magnolia?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Bowers+a...ofer&cp=1&lp=1


no?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Klipsch+...ofer&cp=1&lp=2


or get a subwoofer from Amazon per suggestion of others on this forum

 

[ack_bk]

I would just take it all back. The new Denon 1712 will give you the GUI menu you are looking for over HDMI and it is a solid receiver with nice features like Audyssey MultiEQ, Dynamic Volume, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1712.../dp/B004ZP72MU


Skip the Polk sub if you can. The PSW10 is just not very good. For your space, I would get a smaller but solid sub like this one that won't break the bank. This sub and speaker package seems to be a good fit for you:

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/enthusiast1.html

 

[aarons1584]

Hello, I am using all HDMI, no comp's not sure why the cable box issue just flared.

would anyone suggest this sub? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882780078

 

[aarons1584]

And maybe go up to the Klipsch VF-36 *which is what I think I was supposed to have gotten for the price, I know I seen 6.5" drivers listed on the best buy tag* ?

 

[aarons1584]

Rebooted the Pioneer reciever and the tv is working fine now. I am going to go ahead and return everything to Best Buy in the next day or two, wonder if they will take the speaker wire back to? lol. If I can score the VF-36's for under 200 each, and the RW-12d sub for $350, think that may get me off to a better start? Anyone have any experience with either of these two items?