Should I re-use the Sony HTIB STR-D665 front speakers?

[mhd114]

I'm upgrading the HT with Yamaha 765 with Energy Take 5 (no subwoofer yet). I'm thinking about retaining the old speaker from HTIB Sony STR-D665 for my front speakers. This will give me 7.0 (yeah I know, I need the sub). Is this a good idea?

[Steve]

I wouldn't do it because the Sony speakers won't be timbre-matched to the new Energy setup. This basically means the speakers won't sound the same. If there's enough of a difference you may find it really distracting as sounds move across the sound stage and take on a totally different tonal character every time they jump from one speaker to another. I would just stick with the Energy setup. When you're ready to expand, buy two new mains from Energy and move your current mains to surround back positions.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Steve

I wouldn't do it because the Sony speakers won't be timbre-matched to the new Energy setup. This basically means the speakers won't sound the same. If there's enough of a difference you may find it really distracting as sounds move across the sound stage and take on a totally different tonal character every time they jump from one speaker to another. I would just stick with the Energy setup. When you're ready to expand, buy two new mains from Energy and move your current mains to surround back positions.

I agree with big steve. for my 7 channel setup my order of importance in speakers is my front 3, my 2 surrounds and then my two surround backs. to me that is the importance levels as far as movies go so i would always change them in that order. i'd get a matching front 3, then a pair of surrounds (trying to match the fronts, but not necessarily) and surround back two (closer to matching the surrounds but not necessarily).
of course this may all depend on your budget. take your time and do some research and if it's not in your budget and you can wait to save a little more then do that. if it's way out of your budget, then you have got some thinking to do!
best of luck, keep us posted!

[mhd114]

Thanks for your recommendation. I just went with the energy take 5 right now and will upgrade in the near future.