[JStergis]

Hey All

I used to have a 5.1 system. Now, there's 5 speakers on the wall and a sub on the ground, but I only use the front two and the sub. No Center, no rears. All I use it for is music, and I think music sounds nicer in 2 ch than 5 or more.

Right now, I drive a Pioneer HTP-200SW and two HTP-200F speakers with a Pioneer Receiver manufactured in May 1996. I believe the receiver is a 200 watt model, but the model has worn off the front, so I don't know about that.

I'm contemplating ditching the sub and two fronts and just getting two bigger floor standing speakers for use instead. My uncle has two huge Onkyos from the 1980s driven by an Optimus Receiver, and it sounds great.

Problem is, I can't find a great deal of larger speakers. I don't want to pay a whole lot for them, but I want something that sounds at least nice as my current setup. I was thinking 300-350 for the both of them.

Any suggestions? Do you think it's reasonable to drive them from my current receiver? I can crank the current ones to about 5/6 full volume with no distortion through this receiver, and the sound is great out of it. Typically, I listen at about 1/5 volume.

Thanks,

Joe

EDIT: It's a VSX-405, the model is on the back.

[ozziebeanie]

I buy speakers from garage sales or I think you call them yard sales, I have picked up some fantastic ones from there for about ten dollars for a pair some are a bit more, you would not believe the good sounding speakers some sell in garage sales, if you are not in a hurry for them, wait till you see them at a yard sale.

When I have everything set up I have a amp connected to the computer and have had yard sale speakers rigged up and the sound will blow you away.

The older ones are sometimes I think better than the new plastic crap they sell now days, as the real good ones they have now days cost the earth. You can also pick up good amps there also the ones that used to be top of the range when they came out a lot of people do not realise what they have.

I have to have good equipment for the amp and speakers and headsets (headsets I buy new and good ones) as I am partly deaf so need good clear sounding equipment

I use the speakers for music and a good head set if I am talking to someone, without the amp or really good head set I have problems hearing people

Beanie

P.S. oh in case you are wondering why i have brought more than one set of speakers or amp's its not because they crap out its because i have more than one computer, and also set others up with them. you can get good quality from a yard sale.

[Mr. Newton]

You are correct about music sounding better through two speakers.I have had many different kinds over the years,right now I have Polk monitor 10's ,225 watts a side,I have also had Paradign,Pioneer,so many I forget all the brands.
I also have a surround sound system,actually 2 of them,but I only play music on the two.No matter what anybody recommends to you ,you still have to hear them yourself and see if you like the sound.Half the fun is going out to different stereo stores and listening to different speakers.
There are all kinds of price ranges.Pick a price range you want,go out,listen,and then decide.
I am actually going to get 2 speakers to hook up to an old av preamp surround system,a Carver,I have 3 separate power amps for it, and hook my PC into it.That's on my agenda as I sit here.
So I also am looking for speakers. But I will enjoy the hunt.
Good hunting to you..

[daniel_b2380]

have you been to a concert?
where is the band?
where are you?
which is why music is actually just 2 channels

the 5.1 and 7.1 systems are for watching movies or playing games

have you noticed the number of people posting questions here on the forum about NOT hearing music from their rear speakers? but then the speakers work in a game?

and yes i know - i've heard it before - but MINE plays music on the rear speakers - yeah it does - SYNTHISIZED SURROUND sound - but NOT recorded on the disc as such

probably the best sounding is a 2.1 or a 3.1 speaker setup - LESS really is MORE - [unless you're in a store and the clerk is trying to sell you something]

also, a lot of people today are 'discovering' just how nice the tuner / amps and speakers of the late '70's and on into the '80's really were - even advertising in papers for them

a really good speaker manufacturer in the market today is klipsch - they also own quite a few other names - mirage and difinitive among them

you will also find that different amps sound different - i'm an old die-hard rocker - so i like yamaha amps with mirage speakers - that really clear basey sound is awesome - [if it's not a 'boomy' base]
[just my opinion]

[Mr. Newton]

I don't think you will get any argument about music on more than two front speakers.You can get music that has been specially recorded in true surround sound and the ones I have sound great but I only have a couple.My set of Bose speakers were excellent but I no longer have them.
It's all about what you like when you check out speakers,not what I recommend.