Looking to upgrade speakers..need help/advice

[kingtuna]

Hey all,

So I'm considering upgrading my 7.1 speaker set up because I think that the center speaker doesn't really output that well. First question: Does it make sense to just replace the center speaker and keep the others? Or should I get all speakers to match from the same company, etc?

My current setup:
Sharp Aquos 46 in LCD
Sony DG910
Onkyo Sks-ht540 (7.1 speaker system)
PS3 60gb

I don't really know how the whole speaker ohm matching goes (6 vs 8) and if my receiver needs to have the higher capacity ohms or my speaker, etc. I'm in an apartment building, and I have an ******* neighbor in a studio apartment above me, so I can't go too loud.
After reading some other posts, it seems as though Klipsch or Paradigm is the way to go. I've also read that some users like Polk Audio. I'd prefer to buy off of Amazon as they tend to have the best prices, I have prime, and they don't charge sales tax (thank god, I don't live in NY). If you have any specific model numbers, that would help me tremendously.

Budget wise I'm looking to spend probably no more than $500. Also, does anyone want to buy my Onkyo speakers if I decide to upgrade (I bought them new in December 2007). Or should I wait for a specific time of the year that will have deals on speakers?

Any help, advice, recommendations, or preference would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


King TUNA

[olds403]

You should replace the center and L/R mains together and they should be from the same manufacturer(speaker line if possible). Voices and other sounds are frequently panned across all three front speakers, you don't want it to sound different when it gets to the center speaker.

[kingtuna]

Is Speaker Line a brand? Any recommendations for a Center, Left, and Right package?

[Slec]

What area do you live in? Check out some Home theater stores and listen to everything before you buy. Each speaker line has its own sound and you want to find the one that appeals to you the most. Searching out is the fun part

[prerich]

Originally Posted by kingtuna

Hey all,

So I'm considering upgrading my 7.1 speaker set up because I think that the center speaker doesn't really output that well. First question: Does it make sense to just replace the center speaker and keep the others? Or should I get all speakers to match from the same company, etc?

My current setup:
Sharp Aquos 46 in LCD
Sony DG910
Onkyo Sks-ht540 (7.1 speaker system)
PS3 60gb

I don't really know how the whole speaker ohm matching goes (6 vs 8) and if my receiver needs to have the higher capacity ohms or my speaker, etc. I'm in an apartment building, and I have an ******* neighbor in a studio apartment above me, so I can't go too loud.
After reading some other posts, it seems as though Klipsch or Paradigm is the way to go. I've also read that some users like Polk Audio. I'd prefer to buy off of Amazon as they tend to have the best prices, I have prime, and they don't charge sales tax (thank god, I don't live in NY). If you have any specific model numbers, that would help me tremendously.

Budget wise I'm looking to spend probably no more than $500. Also, does anyone want to buy my Onkyo speakers if I decide to upgrade (I bought them new in December 2007). Or should I wait for a specific time of the year that will have deals on speakers?

Any help, advice, recommendations, or preference would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


King TUNA

First of all, congrats for leaving the Onkyo speakers. Second of all - Don't make your decision based on post - you need to listen to the speakers for yourself. Post can give you directions (both Klipsch and Paradigm are fine speakers - I have owned them both) but don't limit yourself to brands that you see in post. Third - save up to about $1500 - $2000
and then talk speakers - that budget needs to be stretched some

[kingtuna]

Prerich--

While I would love to make a full investment in my home theater stuff, I cannot do that in my current situation. (I graduated college a year ago and I'm living in a 2 bedroom apartment with another person. So don't have the savings built up for it or the capacity to really make my "Home Theater.) I'm looking for something that will do a pretty good job.
I thought the Onkyo speakers would be sufficient when I bought them, but I got "the itch" to upgrade a bit. I still enjoy my blu-rays, but I have a feeling that they could be much better from upgraded speakers.

When I get older and move into a house, I do plan on building my own custom home theater with all the bells and whistles that I read about from everyone on the message boards.

I also don't have too much time to go look at speakers since I work during the week and I tend to be busy on the weekends. I have gotten the BEST advice from people on these boards when making my home audio/video purchases in the past.

[Joker]

I was in your situation around a month ago and decided on Polk Audio . Another member on this forum said polk had a ebay store so i went to www.polkaudio.com did some research of my own and in fact they do . I ended up buying the Monitor 60 speakers for my fronts and also bought a CS2 speaker for my center . I am more than happy with these speakers and would recommend them to anyone on a budget . The 3 speakers set me back a little less than $500.00 . Good luck to you !

[kingtuna]

Joker--

Thanks for the advice. What's the difference between Monitor 50 and Monitor 60 besides about $70? Did you just update your front 3 speakers in your 5.1 or 7.1 system?

[Joker]

The Monitor 50 is a 2 way speaker . The Monitor 60 is a 3 way speaker . I have and had a 7.1 set up and decided to upgrade all my speakers I bought the ones I mentioned and also 2 sets of the monitor 30 for my rears and a PSW10 for a sub . Keep in mind the eBay store Polk has are refurbished or remanufactured but they have a full Polk warranty and when I got mine I couldn't tell if they were refurbished or new , they were in perfect flawless condition . If you go on eBay search Polkdirect or catch a link at www.polkaudio.com they update the ebay store on a regular basis so you should find what you want if they dont have it listed right now . Good Luck to you !

[kingtuna]

Thanks for the tip Joker..Quick question: What's the difference between a 2 way and 3 way speaker? Quality? Sound? Is there a HUGE difference?

Also, do you know if these speakers are compatible with my DG910? Thanks

[Joker]

A 2 way speaker is a tweeter and mid range woofer NO sub and a 3 way is tweeter mid and woofer and yes these speakers would work out for you your receiver puts out 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms and the Polk Monitor 60 front speakers can handle 20 - 200 watts at 8 ohms and the CS2 can handle 20 - 175 watts at 8 ohms . Polk has another center a CS1 that would be good also it is a little smaller but great sound it can handle 20 - 125 and is also 8 ohms . Polk has it listed on thier eBay store for $129.00 shipped . They all would be a nice upgrade .

[kingtuna]

Oh I see. One more quick question: If I already have a sub (it's a powered one that came with the Onkyo package), should I just stick with the 50s? If I get the 60's, is it redundant to also have a sub?

Without sacrificing quality of audio/sound, is it possible to just buy two 50's or 60's and a CS2 and leave my other speakers set up? I assume I'll have to redo my audio calibration.

Thank you for all your help!

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by Joker

A 2 way speaker is a tweeter and mid range woofer NO sub and a 3 way is tweeter mid and woofer and yes these speakers would work out for you your receiver puts out 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms and the Polk Monitor 60 front speakers can handle 20 - 200 watts at 8 ohms and the CS2 can handle 20 - 175 watts at 8 ohms . Polk has another center a CS1 that would be good also it is a little smaller but great sound it can handle 20 - 125 and is also 8 ohms . Polk has it listed on thier eBay store for $129.00 shipped . They all would be a nice upgrade .

Actually the 60 has one more 5.25 midrange, that is the only difference.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...0286167&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...0286156&sr=8-1

[Joker]

I would recommend getting the 60's for audio playback , Many have opinions about 2 way or 3 way for the fronts but thats what i choose and it works for me . I know alot of retail stores have a deal where you buy $500.00 worth of Polk audio speakers and you get a free pair of atrium 45 outdoor speakers . I found that deal at fry's electronics and then sold the 45's on ebay for $129.99 and got my rears and sub for under $500.00 after selling them . I bought my whole 7.1 set of Polks for under $900.00 between fry's and polkdirect .

[kingtuna]

Jason,

Is the extra midrange a HUGE difference? Advantage or disadvantages? Thanks

[Joker]

Originally Posted by JasonR

Actually the 60 has one more 5.25 midrange, that is the only difference.

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...0286167&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Mon...0286156&sr=8-1

Yes you are correct , Thank you !

[Joker]

Good luck in your search for new speakers !

[prerich]

Originally Posted by kingtuna

Prerich--

While I would love to make a full investment in my home theater stuff, I cannot do that in my current situation. (I graduated college a year ago and I'm living in a 2 bedroom apartment with another person. So don't have the savings built up for it or the capacity to really make my "Home Theater.) I'm looking for something that will do a pretty good job.
I thought the Onkyo speakers would be sufficient when I bought them, but I got "the itch" to upgrade a bit. I still enjoy my blu-rays, but I have a feeling that they could be much better from upgraded speakers.

When I get older and move into a house, I do plan on building my own custom home theater with all the bells and whistles that I read about from everyone on the message boards.

I also don't have too much time to go look at speakers since I work during the week and I tend to be busy on the weekends. I have gotten the BEST advice from people on these boards when making my home audio/video purchases in the past.

The reason why I suggested listening...I don't want you to make some of the same mistakes that I made in my audio journey. Costly mistakes (i.e. Bose speakers - and other stuff). I consider speakers the most important part of a system. You wouldn't go to a board and buy a car without test driving it would you? Speaker are the same way. I want you to enjoy your investment - buy the right speakers and they will live with you for many years to come (they may out live you - God forbid). I didn't mean to sound like a audio snob, but at $500.00 I began to wonder if it was worth the instant gratification or better just to wait a little longer. To many 1500.00 is the least one should spend on a 5.1 set (I assumed this is what you are looking for). No matter, I have a solution that can get you going (You will ahve to add about $100.00 to your budget but its worth it). Follow this link to the Athena system at audioadvisor http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...umber=ATKLS500 I think you will be impressed at what you can get for your money (total price $594.96) and I apologize if I offended you in any manner

[kingtuna]

Prerich,

Thank you for the advice. Don't worry, you did not offend me. I sincerely appreciate the good suggestions and advice that you and others have given me. Looks like I have to do some saving in order to upgrade my theater. The only question is whether to spend my Stimulus money towards speakers or a vacation. haha.

Does anyone know if Best Buy or other B & M retailers have specials on speakers during certain times of the year? Are the new models out already or will they be coming out later?

Anyone have any experience with buying open box items? Once again, thanks for all of your help.

King TUNA

[Beta Man]

not sure about open box items, because I have no experience..... but BB will give you something crazy like 18 months No-Interest for $500 and up.... so that's a good way to buy, but it's not a good reason to buy WAY MORE than you can afford.