Upgrading surrounds worth it? - Blu-ray Forum

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 12:38 PM

Have Athena surrounds R1.2 right now. Very happy with them. Thinking about moving up to Axiom QS4s. My question is would it be worth the upgrade? I'm currently running Paradigms monitor line for everything else through a Pioneer Elite receiver. The weakest link in my setup is my surround speakers. The upgrade would cost me close to 500$. I know we can try Axioms in home but I can't afford to buy them and then worry about selling off my other speakers. Has anyone upgraded their surround speakers and noticed a night and day difference? Is it really a 500$ OMG listen to this upgrade?

Steve · 10-26-2009, 01:02 PM

When I upgraded my surrounds it was a night and day difference. I went from Onkyo HTiB monopole speakers to Klipsch RS-62 bipoles. If there is a big enough difference between the surrounds you have and the ones you're looking to buy you WILL hear a huge difference.

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAWD

Have Athena surrounds R1.2 right now. Very happy with them. Thinking about moving up to Axiom QS4s. My question is would it be worth the upgrade? I'm currently running Paradigms monitor line for everything else through a Pioneer Elite receiver. The weakest link in my setup is my surround speakers. The upgrade would cost me close to 500$. I know we can try Axioms in home but I can't afford to buy them and then worry about selling off my other speakers. Has anyone upgraded their surround speakers and noticed a night and day difference? Is it really a 500$ OMG listen to this upgrade?

If you're happy with them...why upgrade?

Are they the weakest link in terms of what you paid for them compared to your Paradigms? If you're happy like you say, why would you consider them your weakest link?

Surround channels (as I'm sure you know) are mostly for ambient sound. Unless you're NOT happy with them.....don't bother with an upgrade.

John

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireman325

When I upgraded my surrounds it was a night and day difference. I went from Onkyo HTiB monopole speakers to Klipsch RS-62 bipoles. If there is a big enough difference between the surrounds you have and the ones you're looking to buy you WILL hear a huge difference.

I would think going from a HTiB speaker setup to anything else would certainly make a huge difference. I'm not so sure that is the case with the OP's setup.

John

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 01:18 PM

John it may just be in my head.

To me the system sounds great. But we all know this hobby is like a drug. To me the Athena's do their job. I'm not missing anything at all that I can tell. But I always questioned would an upgrade give me more? They probably would sound better BUT the big question is will it sound 500$ better you know? Have the Wife Factor to think about too lol. Checking to see if anyone out there took the plunge and upgraded and really really said oh yeah!!! You need to do this.

DonRSD · 10-26-2009, 01:23 PM

before you buy new surrounds, but a $50 SPL METER

your problem may be that your system isnt calibrated.
sure the 'receivers calibration' is pretty good, but the SPL METER makes a huge difference!!!

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAWD

John it may just be in my head.

To me the system sounds great. But we all know this hobby is like a drug. To me the Athena's do their job. I'm not missing anything at all that I can tell. But I always questioned would an upgrade give me more? They probably would sound better BUT the big question is will it sound 500$ better you know? Have the Wife Factor to think about too lol. Checking to see if anyone out there took the plunge and upgraded and really really said oh yeah!!! You need to do this.

In my opinion...aboslutely NO!

Take the $500 and get another component. Perhaps the Oppo BDP-83. I don't know what your system consists of, but let us know....we'll be happy to help you spend it.

John

solarrdadd · 10-26-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

In my opinion...aboslutely NO!

Take the $500 and get another component. Perhaps the Oppo BDP-83. I don't know what your system consists of, but let us know....we'll be happy to help you spend it.

John

i agree with john, also, there is not that much sound coming from your surrounds most of the time. take that money and get either the Oppo or buy yourself a bunch of movies or something. also, do check your speaker levels to be sure they are correct.

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 02:43 PM

Seems like I'm leaning towards the no side.

My system as is stands:

Paradigm Monitor 9 V5
Paradigm C-290 Center
Paradigm Mini Monitor V5 Rears
Athena R1.2 Surrounds
Velodyne 12"

Also have 4 Athena F2 I can eventually use as surround and rears if I ever get the space to fit them.

Component wise...Sony SXRD, PS3 Slim, 360 Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player and a NAD power amp for the fronts.

The room is also treated.

Not missing much.

Steve · 10-26-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

I would think going from a HTiB speaker setup to anything else would certainly make a huge difference. I'm not so sure that is the case with the OP's setup.

John

Agreed. I'm not familiar with the speakers he has, or the ones he's looking at. I was only trying to stress that upgrading surrounds can make a big difference. It depends on how the speakers he's looking at compare with the ones he already has. It may or may not be worthwhile.

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAWD

Seems like I'm leaning towards the no side.

My system as is stands:

Paradigm Monitor 9 V5
Paradigm C-290 Center
Paradigm Mini Monitor V5 Rears
Athena R1.2 Surrounds
Velodyne 12"

Also have 4 Athena F2 I can eventually use as surround and rears if I ever get the space to fit them.

Component wise...Sony SXRD, PS3 Slim, 360 Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player and a NAD power amp for the fronts.

The room is also treated.

Not missing much.

Sounds like you have most things covered. What are you using to protect your equipment?

Might be a good idea to look into a Power Conditioner.

John

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 02:55 PM

Using APCs to keep everything in check.

joe1515 · 10-26-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

If you're happy with them...why upgrade?

Are they the weakest link in terms of what you paid for them compared to your Paradigms? If you're happy like you say, why would you consider them your weakest link?

Surround channels (as I'm sure you know) are mostly for ambient sound. Unless you're NOT happy with them.....don't bother with an upgrade.

John

I agree with John. If your happy I would look to upgrade somehting else for a bigger impact.

Joe

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAWD

Using APCs to keep everything in check.

Good choice! I use a Monster unit myself, but that's beside the point. LOL!

Have you looked at or considered better IC's or Speaker cable?

John

ok....you have....never mind ! LOL

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 03:01 PM

oh forgot to mention it's all being controlled by a pioneer Elite receiver. Seems like listing everything out made everything so much clearer lol....500$ surround speakers would not greatly increase my surround sound experience.

Johnny Vinyl · 10-26-2009, 03:05 PM

Are you into vinyl? Or do you want to be?

Trying as best as I can to help you spend $500!

John

GAWD · 10-26-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John72953

Are you into vinyl? Or do you want to be?

Trying as best as I can to help you spend $500!

John

LMAO no i'm not. That's a whole different league of sound. I like the digital realm.

GAWD · 10-30-2009, 01:51 AM

Sorry to disappoint but I bit the bullet and picked up the Axiom QS8s. My Athenas were in fact the weakest link. I was happy with the sound before now I'm totally blown away. Watching the opening of Transformer ROTF has never sounded so full. thanks for all the advice guys. Didn't end up costing me anywhere close to 500$ so I'm pretty stoked about the whole setup now :-).
Oh and it passed the Wife Factor Test. She actually said...OMG sounds better than going to the movies

joe1515 · 10-30-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAWD

Oh and it passed the Wife Factor Test. She actually said...OMG sounds better than going to the movies

That is the most important factor.

Joe

progers13 · 10-30-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRSD

before you buy new surrounds, but a $50 SPL METER

your problem may be that your system isnt calibrated.
sure the 'receivers calibration' is pretty good, but the SPL METER makes a huge difference!!!

+1.

Great advice, IMHO

10-26-2009, 12:38 PM	#1
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	Upgrading surrounds worth it? Have Athena surrounds R1.2 right now. Very happy with them. Thinking about moving up to Axiom QS4s. My question is would it be worth the upgrade? I'm currently running Paradigms monitor line for everything else through a Pioneer Elite receiver. The weakest link in my setup is my surround speakers. The upgrade would cost me close to 500$. I know we can try Axioms in home but I can't afford to buy them and then worry about selling off my other speakers. Has anyone upgraded their surround speakers and noticed a night and day difference? Is it really a 500$ OMG listen to this upgrade?

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10-26-2009, 01:02 PM	#2
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Anna, TX 4K collection:128 Blu-ray collection:416 Trading Score:41	When I upgraded my surrounds it was a night and day difference. I went from Onkyo HTiB monopole speakers to Klipsch RS-62 bipoles. If there is a big enough difference between the surrounds you have and the ones you're looking to buy you WILL hear a huge difference.

10-26-2009, 01:18 PM	#5
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	John it may just be in my head. To me the system sounds great. But we all know this hobby is like a drug. To me the Athena's do their job. I'm not missing anything at all that I can tell. But I always questioned would an upgrade give me more? They probably would sound better BUT the big question is will it sound 500$ better you know? Have the Wife Factor to think about too lol. Checking to see if anyone out there took the plunge and upgraded and really really said oh yeah!!! You need to do this.

10-26-2009, 01:23 PM	#6
DonRSD Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2009 Location:South Florida Home Theater Gallery:24 Blu-ray collection:254 Blu-ray reviews: 3 Trading Score:129	before you buy new surrounds, but a $50 SPL METER your problem may be that your system isnt calibrated. sure the 'receivers calibration' is pretty good, but the SPL METER makes a huge difference!!!

10-26-2009, 02:43 PM	#9
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	Seems like I'm leaning towards the no side. My system as is stands: Paradigm Monitor 9 V5 Paradigm C-290 Center Paradigm Mini Monitor V5 Rears Athena R1.2 Surrounds Velodyne 12" Also have 4 Athena F2 I can eventually use as surround and rears if I ever get the space to fit them. Component wise...Sony SXRD, PS3 Slim, 360 Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player and a NAD power amp for the fronts. The room is also treated. Not missing much.

10-26-2009, 02:55 PM	#12
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	Using APCs to keep everything in check.

10-26-2009, 03:01 PM	#15
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	oh forgot to mention it's all being controlled by a pioneer Elite receiver. Seems like listing everything out made everything so much clearer lol....500$ surround speakers would not greatly increase my surround sound experience.

10-26-2009, 03:05 PM	#16
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Are you into vinyl? Or do you want to be? Trying as best as I can to help you spend $500! John

10-30-2009, 01:51 AM	#18
GAWD Special Member Member since:Oct 2009 Location:Canada Trading Score:16	Sorry to disappoint but I bit the bullet and picked up the Axiom QS8s. My Athenas were in fact the weakest link. I was happy with the sound before now I'm totally blown away. Watching the opening of Transformer ROTF has never sounded so full. thanks for all the advice guys. Didn't end up costing me anywhere close to 500$ so I'm pretty stoked about the whole setup now :-). Oh and it passed the Wife Factor Test. She actually said...OMG sounds better than going to the movies

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