How do I get a louder stereo?

googler

tiamaria wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, so much to read through don't know where to start!

My speakers will handle 60w

Are you sure? I thought you said earlier you had an all-in-one system rated at 20w per channel?

But, assuming you have a 60w pair of speakers - how much do you want to spend in upgrading the amplication and source section? This will determine where you go from here.

What sources do you have at the moment? Do you want to play from an iPod or laptop? Do you want to play CDs or listen to radio?

Dave_C_2

To ask the obvious, is the sound still quiet for all modes, CD playback radio, aux input, etc.?

Also when thinking about a new system, Don't just rely on specifications. Go to a Hi-fi shop and ask to listen to some systems. And/or Currys etc.

Tip - take your own CD so you can compare like with like.

Dave

Norman_Castle

These, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-UD-M30-micro-Hi-Fi-system-complete-speakers-and-boxed-/280766722042?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D290627050814%252B290627050814%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4070286383814939298 are very good. Newer versions have DAB and USB inputs. How close are you to a Hi Fi shop?. Most will be happy to demonstrate without obligation.
As for the cost. If you divide the extra price of a good quality system by the number of years pleasure it gives you, minus its resale value, good quality HiFi is a bargain.

Hammyman

Fifer wrote: »

I'd say a 3db increase would be a very obvious increase in volume. People tend to register changes of 1db as 'louder' (or quieter, depending on direction). Changes of less than a db are noticed, but tend to be perceived as a change in quality rather than volume.

I can guarantee you most people won't notice it. It certainly won't sound "twice as loud" or even barely louder. I've been at audio demonstrations where a 3dB gain by someone who is a professional audio designer has been demonstrated when they've been giving talks on amplifiers.

Hammyman

tiamaria wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, so much to read through don't know where to start!

My speakers will handle 60w, they used to be plenty loud enough when I first had them wired up to the system they came with and they were wired up to my old TV for a while and worked great then too. I guess that would mean the system is what needs changing - I need to know what I'm looking for this time - as yes, I did look at the total audio output when choosing which was obviously wrong.Sold my last system because I wasn't happy with the sound.

Haven't really thought about my budget, as I wasn't sure what I needed to buy - speakers or system or other - there are conflicting views on here but I will read through thoroughly when I get more time to take it all in. Much of the techie talk is alien to me:o



Thanks again.

Speakers will make a poor amp sound better but the best amp in the world won't make bad speakers sound good. So if your speakers are cheapo jobs, change those first. I paid £150 just for the speakers alone 12 years ago and they're still going strong and sound great. So what seems a big outlay isn't that bad when you factor in how long you'll have them.


Go to Richer Sounds. If you decide you need an amp, their range of Onkyo amplifiers are surprisingly good, even the entry level ones.

Fifer

Hammyman wrote: »

I can guarantee you most people won't notice it. It certainly won't sound "twice as loud" or even barely louder. I've been at audio demonstrations where a 3dB gain by someone who is a professional audio designer has been demonstrated when they've been giving talks on amplifiers.

We'll have to agree to disagree (by the way, I didn't suggest it would sound 'twice as loud' as I'm well aware it wouldn't).

But I suspect most people would notice an apparent increase in volume if two babies were crying (each equally loudly) in a room instead of just one (which would be a 3db increase caused by a doubling of sound energy).

dickydonkin

Fifer wrote: »

We'll have to agree to disagree (by the way, I didn't suggest it would sound 'twice as loud' as I'm well aware it wouldn't).

But I suspect most people would notice an apparent increase in volume if two babies were crying (each equally loudly) in a room instead of just one (which would be a 3db increase caused by a doubling of sound energy).

A 3 db increase will double the intensity but may not necessarily be picked up by the ears. Double the intensity does not mean it's twice as loud.

The logarithmic scale baffles me at times - pun intended!

clivejohnson

tiamaria wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies, so much to read through don't know where to start!

My speakers will handle 60w, they used to be plenty loud enough when I first had them wired up to the system they came with and they were wired up to my old TV for a while and worked great then too. I guess that would mean the system is what needs changing - I need to know what I'm looking for this time - as yes, I did look at the total audio output when choosing which was obviously wrong.Sold my last system because I wasn't happy with the sound.

Haven't really thought about my budget, as I wasn't sure what I needed to buy - speakers or system or other - there are conflicting views on here but I will read through thoroughly when I get more time to take it all in. Much of the techie talk is alien to me:o



Thanks again.

Based on the two links I gave you, anything from £300-£500 or so, should get you a really decent starter separates system. Maybe even cheaper if you're savvy about it. Those links I gave you should be a good starting point. If you do decide to how down his route-and I strongly suggest that you do-then please allocate around £40-£50 for speaker cables and interconnects (the two cables he connect the cd player to your amplifier).
Whatever you do, DON'T use the cheap cables that come supplied. They are rubbish. What cables won't to, is turn a bad system into a good one, but they will turn a really good system into a really magnificent one.

Now, I don't know where you live, but find a really good independent hifi dealer who has a dedicated listening room so you can listen to your chosen system. And they will not judge.mthey are there to help YOU at the end of the day. Please stay away from the comets and thencurrysmof this world! Your doing yourself no favours

Hammyman wrote: »

Speakers will make a poor amp sound better but the best amp in the world won't make bad speakers sound good. So if your speakers are cheapo jobs, change those first. I paid £150 just for the speakers alone 12 years ago and they're still going strong and sound great. So what seems a big outlay isn't that bad when you factor in how long you'll have them.


Go to Richer Sounds. If you decide you need an amp, their range of Onkyo amplifiers are surprisingly good, even the entry level ones.

The first part i totally agree with. Excellent advice! The second part? Richer sounds? Nah sorry lol bit about onkyo totally agree:T

dickydonkin wrote: »

A 3 db increase will double the intensity but may not necessarily be picked up by the ears. Double the intensity does not mean it's twice as loud.

The logarithmic scale baffles me at times - pun intended!

Baffles me as well-too techie for me even!

Norman_Castle

Whatever you do, DON'T use the cheap cables that come supplied. They are rubbish.

If you have cables supplied, use them. Then at a later date if you believe replacing the cables will improve your system, borrow them to try. If you hear any difference and you believe they make a worthwhile improvement. consider investing in them. If not, save your money. Richer Sounds used to loan cables to potential customers. They may still do this.

eamon

I have two systems in my house. In the kitchen/diner I have an Eltax M-800 (now discontinued) mini system (it was less than £150 about 5 years ago). Its fairly adequate though the DAB is lousy (that could be more related the geographical postion of my house) and the internal electronics are starting to fail. However when I'm in a more serious music listening mode I turn to the living room and my low end separates (Denon Amp, Denon Tape Deck, Sony CD player, Sony DAB/FM Tuner and the DAB is so much better in the living room and this runs through a pair of Mordant Short book case loudspeakers. The amp can chuck out 25 watts per channel and the speakers are 8ohm and 100 watts per channel, I do have gold plated cables and they make a difference but they were not cheap, something like £8 per metre and that was over 14 years ago. It can be loud and I have had the neighbours banging on the door, but I was listening to Black Sabbath at the time. All in ones are fine for smaller spaces but money does talk.