What kind of speakers do i need to complete my set.

ASarc

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Jul 28, 2012
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Hi all,

I have always found my answers here so i'm turning to you all again to help me with this one.

I have a Harman/Kardon AVR 430. It's an older set but the sound on it is still perfect for me. I have the reciever, the center speaker and the two front speakers. However i'm missing the backspeakers (the front and back are the same with this set so i'm actually missing two speakers).
I don't have the money atm to buy two new harman kardon speakers.
But i still want to buy two speakers that so i can finish the set and use surround sound without impairing the quality.

i'm on a budget for a change so the question:

What kind of speakers do i need. or doesn't it really matter all that much?
I have no experience in this area so all information on this is welcome.

Gz
A.S.K
 
Solution
You would be best to match the ohm rating (impedance). For the wattage, it would be better to match as well but you have a little more leeway here.
Using other brand speakers, you may notice a tonal difference in sound.

shadowed

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Jul 24, 2006
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You would be best to match the ohm rating (impedance). For the wattage, it would be better to match as well but you have a little more leeway here.
Using other brand speakers, you may notice a tonal difference in sound.
 
Solution

ASarc

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Oke so the things i need to look out for is the Ohm and Wattage? And a decent brand. There gonna function as the back speakers, or is it better to use the new ones as front?
Also, how can i see what wattage and ohm these speakers are?
 

ASarc

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I just found these:

65 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 1 channel(s) ( center ), 65 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( front ), 65 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( surround ), 65 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( surround back ), 80 Watt - 8 Ohm - 20 - 20000 Hz - THD 0.07% - 2 channel(s) ( main )

So i'm guessing my speakers are 65 Watt and 8 Ohm.
 

shadowed

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It is always trial and error when mixing different types of speakers. You usually do not need anything crazy for the rear surround speakers as most packages just use small satellite speakers for the rear channel.
It also depends on your room configuration and how loud you like the rear channel.
That will determine how much you want/need to spend.
Sometimes a small cheap pair is all you need for the backfill sound. Small speakers are also easier to wall mount if that is what is required. Some satellite speakers are only several inches tall because the bass is usually handled by a sub or the fronts.
You may have to experiment with positioning a little and if you get a larger set, you might want to use them as front speakers and your old fronts as rears.
 

ASarc

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I found these:

Model# HKS 4BQ/E
HKS 4BQ REFURBISHED

π Satellietluidsprekers – impedantie: 8 ohm; SPL bij
1 watt/meter: 86dB; frequentierespons: 120Hz – 20kHz;
aanbevolen versterkervermogen: 10W – 120W
π Afmetingen (h x b x d) en gewicht: 243 x 100 x 92mm,
1,0kg

From the harman kardon site. Are these good or are they a bit off?
 

shadowed

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I am not familiar with the speakers you refer to. HarmonKardon is a great brand and if you find the price suitable they would more than likely be excellent to complete the surround.

It really depends how much you are willing to spend. If I were you I would beg/borrow a cheap set at first just to see what imaging you can achieve in 5.1 and what that experience is worth to you.
If your main movie watching couch is right against a back wall and the rear speakers need to be mounted above it they can overpower the front/center if they are too close or too loud.
You want them subtle enough that they create a full image around you. Most amps will have a front/rear fader control to accommodate this. It is best if you can have all the speakers at ear level when sitting for optimal sound. (except the sub)

Some people will have great front speakers that they can use for dedicated music listening in stereo and have less expensive surrounds to fill in for movie watching. It depends how big and full you really want your 5.1/7.1 sound.

It is really your choice and may take a lot of trying different things to get the sound the way you like.

There is a thousand options out there.
 

ASarc

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Right.
Then one final question which i could not find in the specs.
My playstation is set to output sound at 48 or 44.1 (default). I know it can do 5.1 but without rear speakers thats of no use atm. Also when i set the ps to 88.2 or 176.4 i get a wording that if requirements are not met it could damage my speakers.

Is this warning standard? Or can my set not take it?
And what is the difference?