[ooh_kona]

Ok, here goes… I am a complete newbie, I’ve used a mini system my whole life but want to build something a bit better (on a budget). I’ve searched and searched for answers but cant find any! I hope someone can help me here…
So far, from what I’ve found and read I have messed it up from the start, I went and bought a whole bunch of stuff (all second hand) and didn’t research much and have ended up with a set up that kind of works… but isnt matched well and could work better. (I think!)

Here’s what I have so far…
Amplifier; Is a bit old, a Yamaha RX-V2090, it’s 100 watts per channel.
Speakers; A pair of cerwin vega (Iv read people think CV’s are rubbish, please don’t judge me!) CLSC-12’s (300 wattts)… and will be adding a Polk PSW12 subwoofer soon.
After setting everything up, I tried to test it out and the fuses on the speakers blew and I got distortion (amatuer, I know!). I found through reading that it’s the amplifier, its not enough for the speakers. At lower volume its fine but I like loud too! The question is, do I need a power amp for these speakers!??? And what exactly should I be looking for? Also if you spot any holes in what I’ve got, yell out, Im ALL ears!
Im setting up to primarily listen to music, I don’t play video games or watch movies too much, so surround isn’t a priority (yet).
Ok, I’m absolutely sure Iv left out important info so if I can help you help me just let me know, it would be much appreciated!

[Niteshade]

Those speakers are 92db efficient. A 100 watt signal should shake the house without blowing fuses. Bass should be good too. Do you have them wired properly so they are in phase? Do you have the positive terminals of the speakers wired to the positive terminals of the amp? If one speaker is wired backwards, it will sound awful.

How far up do you have to put your volume to achieve a normal listening level?

[ooh_kona]

Yes! You're right, it sounds great up until about 12 oclock on the volume dial, bass is ok if the bass controls are fiddled with, but at 2 oclock its rubbish, it just starts crapping out and its really distorted. Im pretty sure the wiring is right... in phase? Red and black, they all match up.
Normal listening level on the dial? About quarter I guess, you mean not loud but not quiet right!???

[Bigfish]

Welcome and you have come to a good place to obtain advice.  The guys here helped me a few years ago.

As Niteshade recommended I would first check the connections to ensure everything is properly connected.  Your receiver is capable of 100 watts per channel which should be ample for pretty decent volumes with 92db efficient speakers.  However, If you have a large room and really push the volumes you may exceed the capability of the receiver amp.  This is not a good thing as it can fry your tweeters.

If you are serious about wanting to construct a quality 2 channel music system you have endless choices.  My recommendation is to find out if you have an Audio Group in your area.  This will allow you the opportunity to attend some G2G's and you find that the guys in this hobby possess an incredible amount of information.  I found our local group very willing to help and they also steered me where I could/can obtain excellent performance/value for my money.

It is important to experiment to enable you to know what you like and what works best for you.  If you love the speakers you currently own then find a power source that drives them to the sound levels you want to hear.  If you don't love your speakers the place to start is to find speakers you really like.  Once you find the speakers you can find the right amp and then cables to optimize the system.  Lastly, take your time as it is the best means of avoiding mistakes.

Good luck on your journey.

Ken

[ooh_kona]

Awesome, thank you for the welcome Ken, Im sure Iv found the BEST place for advice! I live in New Zealand and I've found the people who sell hi-fi gear dont want to waste their time helping me (im not the typical audi driving suit that usualy goes to those stores!).
I've never heard of audio groups here, I'll definatly have a search though.

Anyway, back to topic. Yes, Im very happy with the speakers, I've dreamed of owning a pair since I was a teen seeing them in movies and thinking they're super cool looking!
But now where? I have an amp that isnt doing the job... Should I get rid of it and get something else? Or find a power amp? I really am lost!

[Bigfish]

Yes, Im very happy with the speakers, I've dreamed of owning a pair since I was a teen seeing them in movies and thinking they're super cool looking!
But now where? I have an amp that isnt doing the job... Should I get rid of it and get something else? Or find a power amp? I really am lost!

In an earlier post you stated the sound quality is fine until you crank up the volume.  If this is the case it sounds to me that you are indeed running out of amplifier power.  You basically have two choices, keep the receiver and play the music at lower levels or find yourself a better power source. 

Your receiver probably has a pre-out which will allow you use your receiver as a preamp and just connect interconnects to a power amp(s) to drive the speakers.  This set-up bypasses the amplifier section for the right and left speaker channels.  You will find that most stereo or mono amps that output 150+ watts per channel will drive your speakers with much more authority than does the receiver.  Once you try this set-up you can then experiment with preamps to further improve the sound quality. 

Good Luck,

Ken

[ooh_kona]

Ok, my receiver does have a pre-out, I think Il go with option #2... this is what I've been mulling over. I would like to get a power amp but im worried il get the wrong one!  i.e. matched wrong: too much power or the wrong impendance (whatever that means!) and so on...

Heres a link to one Im thinking of getting/looking at...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=270783202

But its a professional amp, and he says its good for powering a sub!? ...will it matter? Will it still do the job? Any advice on choosing?

And thank you guys so much for helping out by the way, so quick! I thought I'd be waiting hours for a reply! Im so glad I found this place!

[srb]

Those speakers are 92db efficient. A 100 watt signal should shake the house without blowing fuses. Bass should be good too.

I tend to agree with that.  It sounds to me like something is wrong.  Here are some additional questions I have:
 
1.  I think the surrounds for the woofers are foam.  Have you inspected them to see if they are in good shape, and have not fallen victim to rot and disentegration?  And if you gently push in on the cones, are they free of rubbing noises, etc.?
 
2.  Is the speaker wire you are using of sufficient gauge?  (Just wanted to make sure you're not using super tiny wire like I have seen used in mini-stereos of just a few watts).
 
3.  What music source are you using, and have you tried an alternate source?
 
Just fishing for any possiblities.  While the Yamaha may not be the best amplifier in the world, I think you should be getting some fairly decent sound.
 
Steve

[Niteshade]

Can you borrow another receiver? It almost sounds like the receiver's amp is bad. Maybe you're getting some DC output when it's pushed. That would blow the speaker's fuses while not outputting much sound and make them sound muffled and strange. I wouldn't think it would happen with both channels, but stranger things have happened.

I could be jumping too far ahead on this one- but it's something to consider.


Welcome aboard!   

[ooh_kona]

@niteshade: Sorry if I didnt say before, the fuses didnt blow at low volume, there was definately a bit of sound coming from them! I will look into borrowing a receiver... What is DC output?

@srb:
1. The woofers are fine, I took the grills off and cleaned them and they were in good condition. I didnt push them in though, Il try that.

2. The speaker wires came with the speakers, they're quite thick, you could almost tow a car with them!

3. I just play music from my laptop through the 'CD in', Iv tried all the inputs and found the CD in works best.

[Bigfish]

Ooh_Kona, can you describe the size of the room where you speakers are located?  We the guys are talking about your speakers being 92db efficient here is what they mean.  The speakers put out 92 db of sound pressure loading at a distance of 1 meter with 1 watt of amplifier power.  Trust me, 92 db is loud, almost uncomfortably loud to me.  I typically listen to music in the 85 to 90 db range at my listening seat.  Your receiver should be able to drive these speakers to SPL levels where I would not stay in the room with them.  I don't know if you have a Radio Shack or something equivalent but you might consider purchasing an SPL Meter.  They start around $30.00 here.  When you describe the volume levels you would be able to provide the SPL value to enable us to understand how loud you want to listen.

Ken

[ooh_kona]

Its not in a very big room, 6x5 metres is think...The speakers are up against the wall and I sit opposite them.

...Im starting to think I need another receiver, this one is quite old and I have no idea how to figure out if its in good shape. Il have a go at what niteshade suggested, turns out a guy at work has just bought a brand new Onkyo, not sure what model, and he's keen to try it out. If it works better then Ill know what to do... but then thats another can of worms!

Volume levels... I guess I could put it this way, i want to get as much out of the speakers as possible, I bought big speakers to get big sound.

[Niteshade]

Low voltage to the receiver's amp section will yield these results too. By any chance, is there a voltage selector on the back of it? Trying another receiver is the best route for now.

[Bigfish]

Ooh_Kona:

Please keep us posted on the results of your experiments!

Ken

[woofersus]

If you're playing from your laptop, could you have the output volume down way low?  That would result in cranking the amp to compensate and cause clipping at a lower volume than it really should.  Most laptops don't have an output that isn't controlled by the software volume control in windows and the volume control in windows media player. (which could be totally separate from each other in windows xp)  Some older laptops even had a physical volume control that would override all others.