Help with home theater

[scottb]

I got a FREE home theater system (DVD with surround sound speakers) when I bought my new TV. It's a 1000 watt system by KOSS.

I would never have bought this brand but like I said it was FREE.

My problem is that the output sure seems low for a 1000 watt system. Can't really rattle the roof like I'd like. Is this just a crappy system or do I have problem?

My theory is that the sub woofer is not a powered subwoofer and as such sucks a lot of power from the rest of the system. Does that sound reasonable and could it account for the low output?

[Kevin Bresnahan]

How many speakers? Non-powered sub? That's weird.

Looking around, I'd guess it's the KS5190. Someone's got one on ebay for around $200. It looks like the sub is powered. Maybe there's a plug missing somewhere?

I'd guess that what's happening is that this 1000 Watts is "full power", not "useable power". It's probably only 50 Watts by 6 (300) with another 100 for the sub in actual useable power. None of those numbers, especially the sub, will rattle the walls.

Later,

Kevin

[Dave James]

Scott,

That high wattage equates to big sound is a common audio misconception. It's the efficiency of your speakers that drives the need for power. If you have incredibly effieicnt speakers, you can run them on one watt. If you don't, then you need more power and if, as Kevin has already said, a chunk of your available power is going someplace other than to your speaker array, then you're not going to get the kind of aural experience you were anticipating. Two things to consider. 1) free is a very good price and 2) things that seem too good to be true, generally turn out to be.

Up over and out.

[neveronfriday]

These out-of-the box systems do not rattle much. They do, but not really the way they're intended to. They give you moderate output to enjoy surround sound at, well, moderate levels and a reasonable price.

If you want to shake the neighbourhood, you need to invest into a decent surround amp which can output at least 100 "real" watts per channel and a good speaker system like this (just as an example, a German) one (which is a THX 2 certified system):

It's guaranteed to piss off the neighbours (unless you live at the edge of a forest somewhere) ... and it turns your living into a storage room.

Edited December 6, 2004 by deus62

[scottb]

I figured the FREE system wouldn't be the greatest but still was suprised at the low output. It is the KS5190

Looks like the subwoofer takes 190W and each of the six surround speakers 135W

[RDK]

I figured the FREE system wouldn't be the greatest but still was suprised at the low output. It is the KS5190

Looks like the subwoofer takes 190W and each of the six surround speakers 135W

Those numbers are meaningless in that context. Those are probably "maximum" watts before they burn up, but even that's deceptive. Most legit speaker manufacturers don't spec out their systems like that, by adding up max power handling capability. They're just trying to look impressive by boasting "1000" watts, but they are, charitably, being deceptive.

Still, free's a damn good price...

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I was just re-reading the write up on this system when I caught "Weight 40 lbs". 40 lbs for a 1000 Watt amp and apeakers? Whoa, that's not a lot. I have to think they're over-stating the output power a bit.

For comparison fun, my 5 x 75 receiver weighs 37 lbs. My 5 speakers probably weigh 35 lbs each. My sub weighs in at 44 lbs. So my system, at only 5.1, weighs nearly 250 lbs.

Anyone looking at subs has to look at Hsu Research. Best bang for the buck by far.

Later,

Kevin

[scottb]

Actually it didn't seem even as heay as forty pounds!

[scottb]

Well, I've got my system up and runnig. Out of the box, this system sounds extremely thin. I replaced the two front speakers with my old Marantz 3 ways and this has helped.

For movies, the system has pretty good sound somehow. Not room shaking volume but decent quality.

For music or TV it's unlistenable. I switch to the TV speakers for TV and will be listening to music elsewhere.