Speakers for my HT - Overclock.net

Sistum Id · 4 Weeks Ago

I'm looking to get the Onkyo TX-NR807 here pretty soon. Now I need to figure out what speakers I want to get.

I've never ventured into the audio world of Home Theater until I bought my 56" Samsung this past February. I currently have an 5+ year old Sony AVR with basic Sony 5.1 speakers and woofer. Its starting to age and with lack of HDMI ports it makes a huge mess with wires. Not to mention it shuts off when an air strike hits while playing COD4.

So now I think I've narrowed it down to the Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2 but after going over the manual I came across something I've never seen. It was the speaker setup and the ability to have 11 speakers hooked up.

I'm uses to 5.1 and I knew the setup of 7.1 but now with "L&R front high" and "L&R front wide" as well as the normal L&R fronts I'm lost and confused. That setup is awesome looking none the less, but is it needed?

I'm looking to spend maybe $500-$800, maybe more if needed on a 7.1 speaker setup. Any recommendation? Can I get a 7.1 setup now and buy 4 extra speakers for the front high and front wide later on? Is there a difference between using speakers for front high, front wide, and normal? IE, the speaker used for the rear, can it also be used for the front wide/high/normal?

I was thinking on getting Onyko SKS-HT870. But those tower speakers, are they considered the wide or can they be used as normal?

AMG · 4 Weeks Ago

Hey Sistum Id,

I was looking at purchasing a newer reciever a couple days back. I decided to go with a Yamaha RX-Z7. The speakers I have are PSB. As far as I know the Onkyo AV/R can do different "zones" so one room can have 7.1 and the other can have 5.1 or 2.1 depending on the receiver. The Onkyo 7.2 allows for two subwoofers aswell, I'm not sure if it can do though. I also listened to some PolkAudio speakers, which were great for movies. You may want to consider them, they are great speakers for low budgets.

Sistum Id · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG

Hey Sistum Id,

I was looking at purchasing a newer reciever a couple days back. I decided to go with a Yamaha RX-Z7. The speakers I have are PSB. As far as I know the Onkyo AV/R can do different "zones" so one room can have 7.1 and the other can have 5.1 or 2.1 depending on the receiver. The Onkyo 7.2 allows for two subwoofers aswell, I'm not sure if it can do though. I also listened to some PolkAudio speakers, which were great for movies. You may want to consider them, they are great speakers for low budgets.

Wow, the RX-Z7... thats some serious power. Just looked it up, out of my price range

Where did you go to listen to the speakers? Something like Best Buy? Should I get a set 2 flood standing speakers, a center, 4 satellite speakers and a sub than?

AMG · 4 Weeks Ago

I'm in Canada, I went to Visions Electronics

I've got 4 PSB towers 2 fronts (L, R) and 2 rears (L, R). Most people say that its overkill and you don't need towers for the rears but I went with it anyways. Here is my setup, its pretty old I may have purchased it in 2007, AFAIK. They aren't high-end by any means but nice budget/entry speakers.

4 PSB Alpha Towers (Front/Rear)
1 10" PSB Subwoofer
1 Center Speaker
2 B1 PSB Bookshelf speakers

Sistum Id · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG

I'm in Canada, I went to Visions Electronics

I've got 4 PSB towers 2 fronts (L, R) and 2 rears (L, R). Most people say that its overkill and you don't need towers for the rears but I went with it anyways. Here is my setup, its pretty old I may have purchased it in 2007, AFAIK. They aren't high-end by any means but nice budget/entry speakers.

4 PSB Alpha Towers (Front/Rear)
1 10" PSB Subwoofer
1 Center Speaker
2 B1 PSB Bookshelf speakers

Can bookshelf speakers be used as rears, side, fronts, and high fronts? Are special speakers needed for wide front?

AMG · 4 Weeks Ago

You can you bookshelfs for rears if you wall mount them or put them on stands. Usually only towers are used for fronts. I use mine for sides.

Mygaffer · 4 Weeks Ago

Also, avoid those 5.1/7.1 speaker kits. You'll generally get much better experience selecting your speaker pairs separately. You'll also usually get higher quality speakers. Just make sure they are all matched to the system.

Sistum Id · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMG

You can you bookshelfs for rears if you wall mount them or put them on stands. Usually only towers are used for fronts. I use mine for sides.

What about the front highs and front wide? Know anything about that, worth it?

So lets say I get 2 floor standing (Front wide), a center, a sub and 8 satellites (2 front, 2 front high, 2 side, and 2 rear). That would be good yeah? Or even just 4 satellites (2 side and 2 rear)

Sistum Id · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mygaffer

Also, avoid those 5.1/7.1 speaker kits. You'll generally get much better experience selecting your speaker pairs separately. You'll also usually get higher quality speakers. Just make sure they are all matched to the system.

What do you mean matched to the system? Do you mean like wattage rating wise? Sorry, a whole new world has just opened onto me with this stuff.

AMG · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sistum Id

What about the front highs and front wide? Know anything about that, worth it?

So lets say I get 2 floor standing (Front wide), a center, a sub and 8 satellites (2 front, 2 front high, 2 side, and 2 rear). That would be good yeah? Or even just 4 satellites (2 side and 2 rear)

I agree with Mygaffer, I wouldn't get a kit. Just make sure you get a matching center speaker with your front towers or else it'll sound quite different. I'm sorry I'm not completely sure on this new "wide" setup. I've listened to a similar setup your describing and it sounds great when gaming. It also depends on your room size, if your room is pretty big you wouldn't want satellite speakers.

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Speakers for my HT

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