Buying a sound surround sound system.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 06:05 AM**

Hi, I am looking to buy a surround sound system and I been thinking of buying the svssound complete set of this:

5.1 Enhanced Audiophile Package: One pair STS-01's, SCS-01 center channel, and matching pair of high output SCS-01(M) surrounds, sub PC12-NSD powered cyl

+ One pair of their speaker stand

Now the question

What receiver do you guys recommend?
For the center speaker should it be below the tv? or in front?
What speaker cable should I buy from monoprice? Seems like there are different awg?
Thanks.

Do you have questions for me to give me a better option?

**Jungle Jack** · **10-23-09, 09:58 AM**

Hello,
Welcome to HomeTheaterShack. You have chosen a very nice speaker array that will give you years of sonic bliss.

What is your desired budget? On the whole, I have been recommending Onkyo receivers. With a new generation just released, there are some nice discounts on the earlier generation.
I am a huge of of the TX-SR876 which is available refurbished from accessories4less for under 800 Dollars. This was originally almost a 2000 Dollar receiver and at that price is an amazing value. At 800 Dollars, it is a steal. Huge power supply, THX Ultra2 Plus, Audyssey MultEQ XT, Reon Video Processing, and much more. The added power will make your new speakers sing.

All the same, if that is more than you want to spend, just let us know what is your desired budget and we will go from there.
Cheers,
JJ

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 10:21 AM**

Jack and I think alike in this regard

Your going in the right direction with your speaker choice and the Onkyo 876 is a fantastic receiver for the money. You wont need to upgrade anything for a long time to come if you go that route.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 11:54 AM**

Thanks, I been looking at onkyo receivers for a while but wasn't sure which one I should get.

So what speaker wire should i get? xxawg?

**Jon Liu** · **10-23-09, 12:20 PM**

Welcome TheBuzzer! Their recommendations are spot on with the Onkyo receivers. They are great bang for the buck!

As for center above or below, it shouldn't make too much difference, but if you have the option try both to see which one you prefer more. What you want to look/listen for is whether or not the sound appears to be coming from up high or down low too much and doesn't appear to be coming from the screen itself.

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 12:28 PM**

Generally 14awg wire is plenty for all the speakers. I personally have 12awg for my mains but thats a bit overkill.

**eugovector** · **10-23-09, 12:30 PM**

Monoprice speaker wire or something similarly inexpensive. The AWG will depend on the impedance of your speaker and distance you'll be running the cable. See the table here:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm#wiretable

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 01:27 PM**

Do i need any special tools, banana plugs, etc for the wire? Or is it just a cramp like before where the wire just goes around the port.

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 01:42 PM**

Some people like to use locking banana plugs and others simply run the wire directly through the binding post both work well the key thing is a good connection. Do not get hosed by the expensive banana plugs they dont have to be Monster or any other overpriced garbage, $20 should get you 4 good ones.

**eugovector** · **10-23-09, 02:14 PM**

Banana Plugs at monoprice are about a buck a piece. $20 will get you 16 plugs, shipping included.

However, bare wire provides the least number of points for potential failure and, while not aesthetically pleasing, is usually the best quality connection. Unless you'll be looking at the back of your equipment often, or regularly switching out components, stick with bare wire.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 02:20 PM**

Quote:

eugovector wrote:

Banana Plugs at monoprice are about a buck a piece. $20 will get you 16 plugs, shipping included.

However, bare wire provides the least number of points for potential failure and, while not aesthetically pleasing, is usually the best quality connection. Unless you'll be looking at the back of your equipment often, or regularly switching out components, stick with bare wire.

thanks, i guess i will just run the wire. At monoprice there is bunch of different banana plug and non banana plug. Which one is good to use?

Also, how many plugs are there for a 5.1

it looks like there are 7? so I would need 14?

sub look like there are two?

**eugovector** · **10-23-09, 03:21 PM**

Well, if you're just using wire, you won't need banana plugs.

However, if you did want to purchase banana plugs, I would recommend the closed screw type if you are using 18-12awg wire. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I recommend single plugs as opposed to those that are joined in a pair by a plastic piece (some AVR have non-standard spacing and these plugs won't fit).

Each speaker has two terminals, 1 red/positive and 1 black/negative. 5.1 is 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer so you need 10 plugs or 5 pairs.

You sub should be connected by a co-axial cable with RCA connectors (subwoofer cable). You do not need to use the speaker level connectors on the sub amp unless your AVR does not have a Pre-out (every surround capable AVR should).

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 04:05 PM**

When i look at the TX-SR876 receiver back, I dont see where the sub connection is.

i am thinking it might be the zone 1 and zone 2 but those r not rca or xlr connectors but speaker connectors?

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 04:08 PM**

Its there, trust me. All HTR's have the sub line rca out.
Its the purple rca connector located in the pre out section.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 04:22 PM**

Quote:

eugovector wrote:

Well, if you're just using wire, you won't need banana plugs.

However, if you did want to purchase banana plugs, I would recommend the closed screw type if you are using 18-12awg wire. http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I recommend single plugs as opposed to those that are joined in a pair by a plastic piece (some AVR have non-standard spacing and these plugs won't fit).

Each speaker has two terminals, 1 red/positive and 1 black/negative. 5.1 is 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer so you need 10 plugs or 5 pairs.

You sub should be connected by a co-axial cable with RCA connectors (subwoofer cable). You do not need to use the speaker level connectors on the sub amp unless your AVR does not have a Pre-out (every surround capable AVR should).

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-...nsd.cfm#driver

I don't see a rca connection for the sub itself though. only a speaker type connection.

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 04:26 PM**

Its the Low level rca inputs (red/white) located top right, you only need to use one of them.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 04:29 PM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

Its the Low level rca inputs (red/white) located top right, you only need to use one of them.

K, I was confused because it is labeled R and L which should mean left or right?

I was thinking the sub wanted divided signals of sub sounds from left and right?

Are you sure I don't need to split the rca into two cables for the sub input from the reciever?

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 04:37 PM**

Quote:

TheBuzzer wrote:

Are you sure I don't need to split the rca into two cables for the sub input from the reciever?

No, it is not necessary, The signal from the receiver is a dedicated mono signal. The reason there is two inputs is in the case where the user is using the sub on a two channel music setup. You can use a "Y" splitter at the sub but it wont really make any audible difference.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 04:43 PM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

No, it is not necessary, The signal from the receiver is a dedicated mono signal. The reason there is two inputs is in the case where the user is using the sub on a two channel music setup. You can use a "Y" splitter at the sub but it wont really make any audible difference.

k thanks, I ordered the svs complete system, receiver, and need to get the cables.

I really hope I made a smart buy and really hope I could hear a difference from this compared to a all in one kit. Shipping cost 200+ dollars from svs :/

Monoprice I can pick up and the receiver had free shipping

.

**tonyvdb** · **10-23-09, 04:53 PM**

Oh dont worry you will have a fantastic system! For the price you payed for all of these there is nothing that can come close. You will be the envy of the neighborhood.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-23-09, 04:59 PM**

Thanks for all the help guys, this forum have bunch of helpful people. Some other audio forum people were saying I never heard of svs.

**Jungle Jack** · **10-23-09, 07:02 PM**

Hello,
Buzzer, did you end up ordering the TX-SR876? If so, you made an excellent decision. If you want to check out some reviews, go to ecoustics.com and enter the product name in the search box. Also, include the TX-SR875 as they are quite similar. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Especially power output and video performance. This is one of a handful of receivers which outputs over 100 watts per channel ACD (all channels driven). Many of the 3-400 Dollar units put out less than 50 watts ACD.

I really think you will be pleased with the SVS setup you ordered. Give it a couple of days for the speakers to break in before making a critical evaluation. While I have not auditioned their speakers, I have listened to their subwoofers which are truly fantastic. Furthermore, you do have a return policy that is generous in case you are not satisfied. Would be surprised if this was the case.
Cheers,
JJ

**TheBuzzer** · **10-26-09, 02:31 PM**

Quote:

Jungle Jack wrote:

Hello,
Buzzer, did you end up ordering the TX-SR876? If so, you made an excellent decision. If you want to check out some reviews, go to ecoustics.com and enter the product name in the search box. Also, include the TX-SR875 as they are quite similar. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Especially power output and video performance. This is one of a handful of receivers which outputs over 100 watts per channel ACD (all channels driven). Many of the 3-400 Dollar units put out less than 50 watts ACD.

I really think you will be pleased with the SVS setup you ordered. Give it a couple of days for the speakers to break in before making a critical evaluation. While I have not auditioned their speakers, I have listened to their subwoofers which are truly fantastic. Furthermore, you do have a return policy that is generous in case you are not satisfied. Would be surprised if this was the case.
Cheers,
JJ

I ended up ordering the TX-SR876 that people recommended. I still need to buy the wires from monoprice. I not even sure if svs process my order yet. Their website doesn't even have a order tracking or order history.

Now stuff I should buy:

A home theater surge protector? Maybe like protect at least 6000 joules?
the rca cable for sub, prob like 6 feet.
the speaker cables.
I think that is all I would need for the setup.

**tonyvdb** · **10-26-09, 02:36 PM**

For a surge protector you can get a Triplite isobar they are a fantastic product and will not break the bank. They have built in filters and come with a guarantee that items plugged into it will not be damaged or they will replace them.

**TheBuzzer** · **10-26-09, 03:40 PM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

For a surge protector you can get a Triplite isobar they are a fantastic product and will not break the bank. They have built in filters and come with a guarantee that items plugged into it will not be damaged or they will replace them.

How many joules should I be suppressing for a home theather?

I was thinking of buying this:
newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812120413

BTW here is a list of stuff I have and will have:
plasma tv
popcorn hour
ps3
wii
dish reciever
the svs sound system
and the tx-sr876

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