How to improve my existing audio set-up?

Question

Okay, here's what I have:

Harman Kardon AVR-320 Receiver

High-quality center and periphery speakers.

Bi-directional surround speakers, mounted above both ends of the couch.

A 50 watt subwoofer.

Inputs are either xbox 360, a laptop line-out, or ipod line-out (last two are fairly weak, have to bring receiver close to 0dB to get loud enough).

From my reading, it's ideal to have a separate pre-amp and amplifier, but the hk's receiver supposedly will suffice as a pre-amp, as long as I get a dedicated amplifier. How much should I consider spending on this, and what are the most important feratures?

I know my sub is weak, but I don't get many opportunites to blast it anyways. I compensate by only sending only LFE to the sub, have crossover set at 60hz, and allow my peripheral speakers to pick up base but no LFE. So the sub only kicks in during dolby. If I upgrade my sub, should I change this (sending only high frequency to speakers)?

Answer 1

By far, the most important thing you can do to get great sound is by getting an SPL meter from Radio Shack and balancing your speakers.  This is something you simply cannot do by ear and this will make your system sound far better than any other adjustments you could possibly make.  

It's ideal to have separates for a few reasons.  First, the power supplies are obviously separate (they each have their own power cord and power supply) so that the preamp can use its power to process sound and amps can use all its power to power your speakers.  Also, if you ever want to upgrade or change the other, you can rather than getting a whole new receiver.  For example you may like the sound and be comfortable with your preamp/processor, but want more power.  Easy, just get a new amp.  I think you should be fine just using your HK's amp.

The standard THX crossover point is 80hz.  You can set it lower if you want.  However, the key is that SPL meter.  If you can get a set up DVD like Avia, you can generate bass tones  which will allow you to see where your crossover point needs to be and if you need any overlap or not.  For a great sub, might I recommend SVS.  www.svsound.com  Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

The different surround setting are purely subjective.  Whatever sounds best to you, use it.  One is not right over another.

Answer 2

I have to agree that an SPL meter and level adjusting is a start.

I'm also a bit suspicious about "High-quality center and periphery" speakers.  You have hidden the make/model of your speakers and frankly the speakers are usually the most important part.

For home theater - the subwoofer is critical. Even less-accurate speakers work well for HT, but the subwoofer is what gives you an impressive system.

Save your money and buy a kit subwoofer from places like PartsExpress. You will learn a lot assembling your own sub, and save something like 2/3 the price of a retail unit.

Answer 3

Very good answer above.  Just need to add a few things.  When you are talking about sending highs to the speakers and your lows to the sub, I know what you are talking about, but it doesn't work that way.  It is better to set your two front speakers to "small", and your sub setting should automatically adjust to it, as long as your receiver is set to sub-"YES".   Your fronts should only be set to "large" if you don't have a sub, or its a stereo setup.

Large means full range frequency----small means limited range (mainly mid/high frequencies)