newbie q

brandt · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Hello-
I currently have a yamaha dsp-a1 integrated amp and 2 magnepan mmgs as
my main speakers. Due to limited budget, i bought a cheap surround
(yamaha) setup. At first I was more interested in music, but have
since become a dvd addict. I really enjoy the surround sound. My
question is this: I 1st of all want to upgrade my sub to something
better than the little one that came with my surround setup(50w). It
just doesn't seem to be doing the job as well as it should. My next
step, when finances permit, will be to upgrade the surround speakers,
although i understand that size really isnt an issue there. I have
the maggies as my mains and the 4 surrounds and center and sub are
what came in the kit. Should i first focus on the sub? I am
considering the ARS108PS due to reviews at audioreview.com. And they
are only 100$, which is very attractive to me. My budget is extremely
limited. Any suggestions from this knowledgeable newsgroup would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks
B

Archived from group: alt>home-theater>misc

Neil · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 23

brandter@hotmail.com (brandt) wrote in message news:...
> Hello-
> I currently have a yamaha dsp-a1 integrated amp and 2 magnepan mmgs as
> my main speakers. Due to limited budget, i bought a cheap surround
> (yamaha) setup. At first I was more interested in music, but have
> since become a dvd addict. I really enjoy the surround sound. My
> question is this: I 1st of all want to upgrade my sub to something
> better than the little one that came with my surround setup(50w). It
> just doesn't seem to be doing the job as well as it should.

It's just about impossible to get good bass from any small or cheap
sub. You may want to try putting the sub into a corner and tweaking
the controls to see if you can get better performance.

One simple technique is to put the sub into your chair or wherever you
do most of your listening. Then walk around your room and into the
corners until the sub sounds best to you. When you find that spot,
switch places with the sub.

>My next
> step, when finances permit, will be to upgrade the surround speakers,
> although i understand that size really isnt an issue there.

Your MMGs will probably be providing most of your audio. If you can
afford it, it makes sense to me to look at other Magnepan speakers
that would match your front speakers well.

Howver, that's in a perfect world where you've got the $$$ for that.
Rear speakers generally reproduce low volume surround-sound effects,
so you may find that cheap, small rear speakers will be fine for your
needs.

> I have
> the maggies as my mains and the 4 surrounds and center and sub are
> what came in the kit. Should i first focus on the sub? I am
> considering the ARS108PS due to reviews at audioreview.com. And they
> are only 100$, which is very attractive to me.

I haven't heard that sub, so can't really comment on it. I suggest
that if you buy any sub or speakers via mail or the web, make sure to
get return privileges, in case you dislike the sound.

How big a sub you need will depend on the size and acoustics of your
room, how low your music goes, and how loud you listen. I have a
small, cheap 8" powered sub in a small bedroom, and even though it's
pretty small, it actually matches my needs quite well in that room,
because the room is small and I don't need room-shaking bass.

>My budget is extremely
> limited. Any suggestions from this knowledgeable newsgroup would be
> greatly appreciated.

See above.

> Thanks
> B