[eclein]

Hi all- new guy here....a few years back I got sick and ended up selling all my cool gear for bills. So now I get to start over, I found most of this stuff on Craigs List and bought some new from dare I say...Best Buy. I put together a nifty little 5.1 rig with a mix of Bose(201 Series V) and JBL (E80 and L20T) speakers with a POLK PSW10 Sub. A SONY STR-DH800 A/V Receiver out puts to 2 sets of front speakers-the E80's and the BOSE, I use the POLK sub and round out the rear with the L20T's. All together I probably spent 1000 bucks for the audio setup and another 2000 for the HDTV and Blu-Ray player. I'm actually very surprised at the sound considering the run of the mill equipment.
I'm using a BOSE VC10 center channel speaker that I'd like to replace....any suggestions on an inexpensive one?? I'm really enjoying doing this on a tight budget...I've seen some great stuff out there used. Keep on listening!!! Ed

[roscoeiii]

Check out some of the internet direct folks, who have some great prices on nice gear thanks to their elimination of the middle man. Most have a 30 day trial period. Off the top of my head, I'd suggest looking at Emotiva, Hsu, AV123, Outlaw and Aperion (who offers free shipping both ways). For an unobtrusive center channel, Orb Audio would be another good bet. I really enjoyed the Orbs when I had a 5.1 system.

[eclein]

Hey Thanks for your help!! I'm checking out Aperion center, the 4C is the right price and got good reviews. I must say there are a ton of choices out there. I think I will venture out in the area and check out some specialty audio stores and take my time with this next purchase. Thanks for taking the time to point me in the right direction... ed

[MaxCast]

I would suggest posting some pics of your room, dimensions, etc,   Let us critique and offer suggestions.  you may be surprised.

[rave959]

Welcome to AC!!!

I would also look into axiom audio. They have some speakers that come up on audiogon every now and then.  A little on the bright side, but great speakers for HT.

Cheers,
Ian   

[eclein]

Ok- the room is about 15' X 18', the setup is in the corner with the TV sitting about 4-1/2 feet from corner-the dead space in the corner has to harbor all kinds of evil standing waves. I did notice that in removing the grill clothes on speakers for the picture below did result in a much better listening experience...I wouldn't have thought it would make as much of a difference, could be a placebo effect, wishful thinking!!. All components are connected via HDMI cables and the speaker wire is a step up from cheesy std. wire...not sure what gauge.
Right now I'm listening to some Pat Metheny and Steely Dan with a little YES mixed in, and the sound is a bit thin. I get alot of detail in the midrange and up but lack true definition in midbass and low end. Its there but not as well defined as I'd like, would like more rounded, fuller low end. Over the years I've been in many hi end recording facilities each sounding better than the last so I know its very subjective, any thoughts???

[eclein]

Hey I got one for you guys.....my JBL E80 can be bi-amped and my Sony STR-DH800 can Biamp...right now I'm running A + B speakers so I can use both my Bose 201's and the E80's as front speakers. I listened to them using the Bi-amp option with the 201's being the highs and the E80's being lows and didn't really hear that big of a difference. I might just run the JBL's bi-amped as they too support this feature...what are the benefits of bi-amping?

One other thing, I've been using itunes on my VAIO laptop and have all my music stored in itunes in whatever default format it happens to take when it imports cd's....the damage is done isn't it, there really is no way to convert what I have into a better format right? I did manage to save my Event TR5's and now use them on my desk with my laptop. I read about lossless audio and itunes but am not hip to how I make that happen.....I'm retired so I have alot of time to think up these things!!!
Ed

[rollo]

For starters the arrangement of the system needs to be adressed. The components you have should offer a better result if set up properly. If you could somehow rearrange the layout of the room to accomodate the system the sound will improve.
   Really no need for fancy anything at this time until you can revise the set up. When and if you can then sit sit for a good listen. Then you can determine what you really have going on. The MIA bass and midbass is primarliy from the setup.
  So before you buy anything new see what you have. You may be quite surprised with the results of proper set up.


charles

[roscoeiii]

In line with rollo's suggestion, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Jim Smith's book Get Better Sound. A great resource.

[eclein]

OK...having everything in the corner is bad. I will check out the reading tip and see what I can change around. I gotta say that having the grill cloth off the JBL's makes a difference...sounds better without cloth. I spent most of yesterday just listening to the setup, I played everything from Jazz to Electronic and the sound is growing on me...no ear fatigue at all. I want to thank you guys for taking the time to give me some tips...greatly appreciated!!