Make me feel all tingly inside!

[DutchBoy]

OK, now that I have your attention after that thread title...

I'm finally looking at replacing the speaker package that I have with my HT system. Just so you know, I originally bought them, or got them, as part of a HTiB I bought about ten years from Aiwa. They're little 2700s -- all identical (fronts and rears) and it came with a center, and powered sub. Not bad for what I could do at the time, and they've served me well over the years. They've done what I wanted them to, and gone through 3 different receivers (I upgraded the Aiwa two different times now).

But now that I have my HDTV, and my BD players, I want my sound.

I'm looking at slowly replacing each portion (front, center, rears, sub) over the next several months. A bit at the time, and my wife will let me do it.

After reading through several threads here and elsewhere, and discovering the wonder that is Newegg.com here's what I'm looking at:

Polk Monitor 50s (fronts)
Polk Monitor 30s (rears)
Center (suggestions are welcome, but I was looking at the CS10)
Sub (PSW10)

Now tell me, what kind of upgrade am I really going to notice here? Should I begin wetting myself in anticipation now?

I really am a complete noob when it comes to sound, other than knowing that I like it, so I'm open to suggestions. I am, however, attempting to keep it in the $500 area. Will this get me what I'm looking for at that price point?

Thanks!

[Another_Dude]

I thought you were talking about the Jonas Brothers 3D Concert from last wednesday night.

"Pock!"

[rlf3911]

Yea those are easy for $500. For that price range though, I dont think it's worth wetting yourself over. You'll notice improvement for sure, but nothing mind blowing. I thoroughly enjoy my Polk speakers, except the sub blows(was free). I'm saving for an Elemental Designs sub this summer.

I'm not sure if its possible for you, but I think you would be happier spanning out your buying to get better stuff that will last longer. I would focus on getting the best L, R, Center, and Sub that you can afford. Match the L, R, and Center if possible. Sub matching doesnt matter.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by rlf3911

Yea those are easy for $500. For that price range though, I dont think it's worth wetting yourself over. You'll notice improvement for sure, but nothing mind blowing. I thoroughly enjoy my Polk speakers, except the sub blows(was free). I'm saving for an Elemental Designs sub this summer.

I'm not sure if its possible for you, but I think you would be happier spanning out your buying to get better stuff that will last longer. I would focus on getting the best L, R, Center, and Sub that you can afford. Match the L, R, and Center if possible. Sub matching doesnt matter.

Thanks for the input.

As for wetting myself, didn't really plan to. But of course my primarily goal is to get improvement at a fair price. Really what I'm looking for is increased enjoyment -- not necessarily mind-blowing, but a fair step up, and noticeable, from what I have now.

I'm really trying to stick as close as I can to the 5-600 dollar range -- only because my wife and I have 3 little kids to care for, and we're doing an overhaul of the apt. we have right now; redecorating and the like. There's a lot of other things I'm looking at doing at the same time as this. I wish I could up to $1,000 or so (all I'm really willing or wanting to spend anyways), but it's just not feasible right now.

Not too worried about the sub (since I have one). That's why I put it on there last.

[sinister184]

i think rlf isnt giving those speakers quite enough credit. Polks monitor/TSI line is IMO the best bang for the buck out there in the entry level speaker market. I ran monitor 40 fronts (basically same as 50 except less bottom end) and monitor 30 rears for years and they've been fantastic. New egg does have the best deals on them, if you like the mapple i would jump on them soon cause they're really great prices. pootie and Santeria have maple's if you wana see some real pics. oh and it will sound way better than your aiwa HTIB

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...er=PootieThang
https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...ember=Santeria

[rlf3911]

Another thing to consider, is if you have room, you could get three of the same speakers for L, R, and Center.

I don't know if you live near a Frys Electronics or not, but they have awesome sales on speakers all the time. I got my RTi8s for $199 each in store(+ free subwoofer with 400 purchase). You may be able to get them cheaper on Ebay, but then you have to deal with shipping occaisionaly. I've seen ads for the Monitor 50s for $59-69.


Edit: I'm not saying anything bad about the monitor 50s, just that if this is your only upgrade for the near future, make sure you get the best you can. : )

[Twitch9]

My only suggestion is stay away from polk subs.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by sinister184

i think rlf isnt giving those speakers quite enough credit. Polks monitor/TSI line is IMO the best bang for the buck out there in the entry level speaker market. I ran monitor 40 fronts (basically same as 50 except less bottom end) and monitor 30 rears for years and they've been fantastic. New egg does have the best deals on them, if you like the mapple i would jump on them soon cause they're really great prices. pootie and Santeria have maple's if you wana see some real pics. oh and it will sound way better than your aiwa HTIB

https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...er=PootieThang
https://www.blu-ray.com/community/ga...ember=Santeria

Appreciate the feedback!

Thanks for the links, there. They really are nice looking speakers, IMO.

Originally Posted by rlf3911

Another thing to consider, is if you have room, you could get three of the same speakers for L, R, and Center.

I don't know if you live near a Frys Electronics or not, but they have awesome sales on speakers all the time. I got my RTi8s for $199 each in store(+ free subwoofer with 400 purchase). You may be able to get them cheaper on Ebay, but then you have to deal with shipping occaisionaly. I've seen ads for the Monitor 50s for $59-69.


Edit: I'm not saying anything bad about the monitor 50s, just that if this is your only upgrade for the near future, make sure you get the best you can. : )

The closest Fry's to me is about 45 minutes away, actually, in Anaheim. If the deal was sweet enough, though, I could see myself making the drive.

If I can swing it here in a couple months, I am considering matching up the fronts and rears, and making them all 50s (instead of 30s in back).

I know you weren't badmouthing them. I appreciate your honestly. If I had my way, I'd probably be looking to up the ante a little bit. Just not sure I can right now -- need something new, though.

Maybe I'll hit a nice little $1K jackpot in Vegas this weekend and this whole thing will become moot.

Originally Posted by Twitch9

My only suggestion is stay away from polk subs.

Any suggestions?

[rlf3911]

Oh, you've got it made then. I'm sure they will have a St. Patricks day sale, or a big Easter sale. You can usually google search fry's ads a couple days before the sale and find out the prices.

[callas01]

Try these better then the polks and you can add a sub check out this forum, https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=85212 you can get some pretty good deals on subs, I just got the HD-SUB10 and it is really nice.

[aramis109]

Even though I seem to have very few takers, I think it's hard to beat the PA-120 sub for the price. You get a nice look, some good internal bracing and batting, a 12" sub, 200watt RMS amp and it'll go down to 24db- all for $239 shipped.

Outside of that, the Bic H-100, VK-12, Acoustic Audio's subs or the Hsu early-line subs are all great "bang-for-your-buck" for those of us with lower budgets.

The PA-120.

It looks much better in all black- pics in my gallery.

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Even though I seem to have very few takers, I think it's hard to beat the PA-120 sub for the price. You get a nice look, some good internal bracing and batting, a 12" sub, 200watt RMS amp and it'll go down to 24db- all for $239 shipped.

Outside of that, the Bic H-100, VK-12, Acoustic Audio's subs or the Hsu early-line subs are all great "bang-for-your-buck" for those of us with lower budgets.

The PA-120.

It looks much better in all black- pics in my gallery.

Sub looks nice and the specs as well. good call.I would like to hear one but the price is amazing

[DutchBoy]

Freakin'-A... now I'm wondering about the T90e's.

This could go on forever.

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

Freakin'-A... now I'm wondering about the T90e's.

This could go on forever.

Yes, it can!

To be sure, the T90e speakers are very good. I own a pair and for what I paid, they far exceed expectation!

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by ozzman

Sub looks nice and the specs as well. good call.I would like to hear one but the price is amazing

Thanks. I think it looks as good as it sounds. I've not extensively heard a wide variety of HT subwoofers though, so there is the possibility that colors my opinion. It also happens to match my Def Techs perfectly.

I have no doubt there are better subs on the market but I doubt there are any at that price range outside of the ones I mentioned.

[sinister184]

Yamaha subs tend to be overlooked, but are fantastic. you can get a YST-SW315 10" 250 watt sub for 200 shipped. Main thing i like about them is they are down firing.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by DutchBoy

Freakin'-A... now I'm wondering about the T90e's.

This could go on forever.

It will never end, once you get the bug to upgrade.... Anyway, I can tell you that the T90e's are excellent speakers for the price (Newegg - $149 each currently) and they timbre-match with the Polk CS-10 center you mentioned. This is the set up I have and since you consider yourself a "noob" with audio and only have a htib right now.....you should notice significant improvement. With your price range of $500-$600, I would strongly recommend getting the Polk CS-10, T90e's and the Monitor 40's. As far as the sub, the PSW-10 is lacking, thus I decided to use 2 PSW10 subs. You are probably better off going with some of the other suggestions for a sub, but if $ matters, this may be the way to go for you. Good luck with whatever you choose, and let us know what you decide and how you like em'!

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

It will never end, once you get the bug to upgrade.... Anyway, I can tell you that the T90e's are excellent speakers for the price (Newegg - $149 each currently) and they timbre-match with the Polk CS-10 center you mentioned. This is the set up I have and since you consider yourself a "noob" with audio and only have a htib right now.....you should notice significant improvement. With your price range of $500-$600, I would strongly recommend getting the Polk CS-10, T90e's and the Monitor 40's. As far as the sub, the PSW-10 is lacking, thus I decided to use 2 PSW10 subs. You are probably better off going with some of the other suggestions for a sub, but if $ matters, this may be the way to go for you. Good luck with whatever you choose, and let us know what you decide and how you like em'!

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on this.

It's actually been quite good to not hear anyone say, "Don't buy the Polks, they suck!" or anything like that. There have been alternatives listed, of course, but it really seems as though the Polks have a pretty good rep, and for their prices, will probably be what I go with.

And its good to know about the sub, as well. Like I said, I already have a powered sub, so will probably stick with that for a while. Don't know if I want to have to buy 2 of the PSW10s. And truth be told, for all I know the one I have right now sucks -- but I've always been happy with it, so what I don't know won't hurt me.

I'm pretty much decided on the CS10 for my center, and it's really going to depend on what is still available on newegg.com this weekend as to what I get. I've been tossing around the idea of just buying 4 of the Monitor 50s for the front and back, but with the T90e's in play now I'm not as sure. If I get those, I'm sure I will buy 30s or 40s for the rears.

It'll be fun to see what I wind up with, since I don't even know myself. And I'll be sure to let you guys know how I like them.

Over the next few months I plan on redoing my entire living room and turning it into a combo HT and living room; something that the wife can live with.

Be interesting to see how this all turns out.

[rlf3911]

Keep us updated to what you purchase and def post some pictures... In the end, I think you'll be happier with one good sub, as opposed to two not so good subs.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by rlf3911

Keep us updated to what you purchase and def post some pictures... In the end, I think you'll be happier with one good sub, as opposed to two not so good subs.

Will do.

And yeah, I think you're right. I plan on doing the sub last, and it's low on the totem pole. I'm pretty sure by that point if everything goes according to plan, I'll probably have a little bit extra to throw at one of those, anyways.