Noob question - How do these BIC America DV62/64 speakers match up with Emotiva UPA-700 Amp

Do you already own that Emotiva amp? You would also need a pre-amp to go along with that... I would recommend just buying a home theater receiver, you get everything in one unit, it will have bass management and room correction, and cost a hell of a lot less. Considering your budget you shouldn't spend more than $350 on amplification total, the speakers in your price range are designed to work well with a receiver and you aren't going to gain any sound quality from having a discrete amp.


I would recommend the Denon AVR-E400 receiver if you want 7.1, or the X1000 if 5.1 is enough. Given your room size is not that big, I don't know how well 7.1 would work. You need some space behind the seating position for the rear surrounds, so if your couch is against a wall, 5.1 is more appropriate.


With $1500, here is how I would spend the money:


Denon AVR-X1000: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVRX1000/DENON-AVR-X1000-5.1-Channel-Networking-Receiver-w/AirPlay/1.html

Cambridge Audio S70: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/CAMBS70BLK/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-S70-5-3-way-Floorstanding-Speakers-Each-Black/1.html

Cambridge Audio S50: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/CAMBS50BLK/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-S50-4-3-Way-Center-Channel-Speaker-Black/1.html

Cambridge Audio S30: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/CAMBS30BLK/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-S30-4-2-way-Bookshelf-Speakers-Pair-Black/1.html

SVS PB-1000: http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/ported-box/PB-1000


This is a much better way to spend the money. These speakers are a good upgrade over those BICs, the sub is night and day better, and this receiver will do everything you need, and comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction software to configure and calibrate your speakers and sub (very important).

Thanks Transmaniacon, I wanted to build a system that is towards the higher end but little bit at a time. That's why I wanted to get the amp and some not so expensive speakers for now. I do not have a preamp at this time but wanted to use HTPC's Xonar DX for now, towards the end of the year wanted to upgrade the preamp.

You configuration looks great, infact I had a similar configuration in mind with a E400 with all Polk speakers. But that fails to excite me, besides from having a good sounding audio, I want to satisfaction of building it myself, including spending hours on room correction , and maybe even build some DYI speakers down the line, that's why i wanted to buy separate components. Buying AVR sounds dead endish to me.. I know I am new in this area and i might not be making sense, sounding childish, but I am pretty much fixated on this route...



Quote:
Originally Posted by joatguru  /t/1518842/noob-question-how-do-the...tch-up-with-emotiva-upa-700-amp#post_24383889


Thanks Transmaniacon, I wanted to build a system that is towards the higher end but little bit at a time. That's why I wanted to get the amp and some not so expensive speakers for now. I do not have a preamp at this time but wanted to use HTPC's Xonar DX for now, towards the end of the year wanted to upgrade the preamp.

You configuration looks great, infact I had a similar configuration in mind with a E400 with all Polk speakers. But that fails to excite me, besides from having a good sounding audio, I want to satisfaction of building it myself, including spending hours on room correction

, and maybe even build some DYI speakers down the line, that's why i wanted to buy separate components. Buying AVR sounds dead endish to me.. I know I am new in this area and i might not be making sense, sounding childish, but I am pretty much fixated on this route...

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If you want to build up a nice system slowly, then I would start with 2.1. Get a nice sub and pair of bookshelves, and later on add the rest. Here is the reason why, electronics change so rapidly, every year there is a new AVR model coming out, and things like HDMI 2.0 is on the horizon, meaning it is much easier to buy a speaker that will last versus a piece of electronics. Speakers that are well maintained will last decades, so this is where you should put the money.


I am not sure how well the sound card will work as a preamp, a preamp is more than just a DAC, it does video and audio processing, volume control, source selection, and add EQ.


If you are dead set on having separate components, here is what I would do. Buy a receiver with pre-outs, this lets you add a discrete amp later on and use the receiver as a preamp. This way you have all the functionality to start now, but have the option to expand later. You could go with the Marantz SR5008, which can be had refurbished for $630 at www.accessories4less.com . Then you can still get the SVS PB-1000 sub, and a nice pair of bookshelves like the Wharfedale Diamond 10.2



Quote:
Originally Posted by joatguru  /t/1518842/noob-question-how-do-the...tch-up-with-emotiva-upa-700-amp#post_24384392


Thanks for all the input, I am getting a preamp, its just not included in my $1500 budget, that's separate, and Emotiva UMC-200 is exactly what i have in mind.


OK, so I guess I can replace the original BIC 7.1 with the Cambridge 5.1 for a little bit extra, the only issue is the extra price of sub, $200 vs $500...


But from reading through everyone's posts its seems the bottom line is, BIC or even Cambridge speakers are not good enough from a Emotiva amp and preamp setup... something more on the lines of Diamond will do them justice... So I guess one route could be to go with 2.1 Diamond, that $500 for 2 bookshelf and $500 for sub and $500 for amp, that fits my $1500 budget. What do you guys think about that?

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You are going to much better off if you for get about getting an AMP and Pre-amp and end up with a $500 AVR and then put the money saved there towards better speakers

$1500 on speakers gives you more options to get higher level speakers. You will get more quality sound by doing that.


As cool as having am amp is they are really not necessary for 90% of hometheaters.


If you have your heart set on an AMP I would just suggest you START with an AVR with pre-outs for expansion of adding an external amp in the future.


Its your money there are better ways to spend it. And personally I'd rather see you go with that suggested Cambridge set up with the Denon receiver or maybe buy the one above that one and put the money saved to a larger subwoofer.


People here with AMPs generally have already spent at least $1000 on their front left and right speakers alone. You are looking to spend $1,000 on all your speakers which is a huge difference.


If you are running just 2.1 set-up there is in no way a need for a AMP and Pre-Amp a AVR would be plenty on its own. I really suggest you drop the idea of the need for a separate amp. Most of us here just use are AVR's and they have plenty of power.


Again I suggest that cambridge set-up with SVS subwoofer mentioned above!

Bummer, gotta go back to the drawing board. The speakers you recommended will run around $1400 after shipping and all that, a decent AVR will be like $400, that $1800, that too for a 5.1 system not 7.1. The room is a dedicated media room with 7 per-wired outlet. AND I am not very happy to see my amp option go...


I guess I can get a $400 AVR and get a 7.1 speaker system for around $1100 shipped. There is another thread going around with the same budget, I will join in on that. Thanks guys



Quote:
Originally Posted by joatguru  /t/1518842/noob-question-how-do-the...tch-up-with-emotiva-upa-700-amp#post_24385628


Bummer, gotta go back to the drawing board. The speakers you recommended will run around $1400 after shipping and all that, a decent AVR will be like $400, that $1800, that too for a 5.1 system not 7.1. The room is a dedicated media room with 7 per-wired outlet. AND I am not very happy to see my amp option go...

I guess I can get a $400 AVR and get a 7.1 speaker system for around $1100 shipped. There is another thread going around with the same budget, I will join in on that. Thanks guys

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Just cause your room is wired for 7.1 does NOT mean you have to go with that.


I find that a 5.1 with quality speakers can sound better than 7.1 with cheaper speakers. If you want the best possible set-up buy the system in stages so you can spend more over all. Start off by getting 2 pairs of Cambridge S30's with an S50 center and when you get your tax return this year get the S70 towers


Another option could be

- Polk RTi6's for front left and right, $250 shipped

- Polk CSi5 for center channel, $275 shipped

- Polk RTi4's for surrounds, $175 shipped

- SVS PB-1000 Subwoofer , $500 shipped



Quote:
Originally Posted by joatguru  /t/1518842/noob-question-how-do-the...tch-up-with-emotiva-upa-700-amp#post_24384392



even the Cambridge speakers are not good enough from a Emotiva amp and preamp setup... something more on the lines of Diamond will do them justice... So I guess one route could be to go with 2.1 Diamond, that $500 for 2 bookshelf and $500 for sub and $500 for amp, that fits my $1500 budget. What do you guys think about that?

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HOGWASH - the Cambridge S30 is good enough - I have owned them - I do not

recommend or agree to poor quality speakers.


However, what you buy is up to you - do not get too carried away with some reading.


I also have experience with Bic speakers - the Cambridge is in another league


Your option/choice and call.


Now if you want to go even higher - then I can recommend some higher options at a

good price - however, you would have to start 2.1 or 3.1