A little advice needed on my setup...

[seminole75]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I want to first say that I think this is a great forum, I have been an avid BLU fan for quite some time and have been viewing these forums religiously, I guess it's about time I start to participate in them.

I had a question regarding my HT audio setup. I currently have a lower end Harmon Kardon receiver with 5.1 polk speakers (older model speakers, appx. 7yrs. old) and a Velodyne 10" sub. Obviously this setup could use some upgrading and I am ready to do so.

I have been considering the following:
RECEIVER: Onkyo SR705
FRONT L/R: Polk VM30's or Polk RTIA9's
CENTER: Polk CS2

Any feedback or suggestions on this? Also, I have a dilemma. I am currently in an apartment and with my setup, there is no easy way for me to wire surround sound speakers behind me, do I have any options? I know Wireless speaker technology a while back was considered near worthless, is this still the same today? Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Matt

[kpkelley]

Glad you're done

First question: What's your budget?

Second question: carpet, rug, or hardwood floors?
If it's a rug, you can hide the cables to your surrounds under it.

[seminole75]

Thanks for the quick response.

1. I am looking anywhere from $1,500-$2,500, I don't mind spending the money as long as the upgrade will be that big of a difference from what I have now ( and I'm sure it would be)

2. I have carpet, I have thought about getting a giant rug to cover it, but I think it would make the room look funny giving my setup.

Any further suggestions greatly appreciated....

Matt

[kpkelley]

A lot of people on here like this company:

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/news/

They have some speakers that start in your price range.

Better to spend more on speakers now and less on a receiver, because you are more likely to replace the receiver sooner.

[seminole75]

Thanks I appreciate the tip. However, my main question was about the surrounds and if there are any wireless alternatives or any other suggestions? I can't buy anything until I know what my limitations are.... Thanks for the input.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by seminole75

Hi everyone, this is my first post and I want to first say that I think this is a great forum, I have been an avid BLU fan for quite some time and have been viewing these forums religiously, I guess it's about time I start to participate in them.

I had a question regarding my HT audio setup. I currently have a lower end Harmon Kardon receiver with 5.1 polk speakers (older model speakers, appx. 7yrs. old) and a Velodyne 10" sub. Obviously this setup could use some upgrading and I am ready to do so.

I have been considering the following:
RECEIVER: Onkyo SR705
FRONT L/R: Polk VM30's or Polk RTIA9's
CENTER: Polk CS2

Any feedback or suggestions on this? Also, I have a dilemma. I am currently in an apartment and with my setup, there is no easy way for me to wire surround sound speakers behind me, do I have any options? I know Wireless speaker technology a while back was considered near worthless, is this still the same today? Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

Matt

What kind of Polk speakers did you have before?

[seminole75]

Hi,

I am currently at work so I have no idea what the exact model #'s are on the polks. I know I purchased them from Circuit City around 7 years ago for about $400.00 a piece. The front L/R are bookshelf size, the center is 4" I believe, and the surrounds are dipole and sending out audio from each direction (not sure if that makes any sense), I doubt this really helps too much, but shouldn't that be irrelevant anyway, with all of them being 7+ years old, wouldn't speakers these days be a huge leap forward? Please correct me if I'm wrong... My main problem like I said is the surrounds, with my new apartment setup, I can't run wires through the room which either leaves me with no surround or finding a wireless alternative which I don't know if it is even worth it. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

[Beta Man]

just because they're old doesn't mean they're not better than stuff being made today.... that's for sure!

as far as wires goes.... you can't avoid them for surround sound.... any company that makes a "wireless" surround, is gonna be junk... just an FYI

[seminole75]

Hi, thanks for the feedback, that is what I thought regarding the surrounds... I guess I am just going to have to wait it out until I move. What I am wondering is, I can get a really good deal on an Onkyo SR705 and would it be worth it to upgrade from an Harmon Kardon AVR140 (no HDMI) to an Onkyo SR705 for the $400 price tag? I know the 705 is obviously a much better receiver, but is the difference that noticeable? My audio already sounds fairly good, the only thing I wish was slightly clearer is the dialogue. Any feedback appreciated as always.

Matt

[prerich]

Originally Posted by seminole75

Hi,

I am currently at work so I have no idea what the exact model #'s are on the polks. I know I purchased them from Circuit City around 7 years ago for about $400.00 a piece. The front L/R are bookshelf size, the center is 4" I believe, and the surrounds are dipole and sending out audio from each direction (not sure if that makes any sense), I doubt this really helps too much, but shouldn't that be irrelevant anyway, with all of them being 7+ years old, wouldn't speakers these days be a huge leap forward? Please correct me if I'm wrong... My main problem like I said is the surrounds, with my new apartment setup, I can't run wires through the room which either leaves me with no surround or finding a wireless alternative which I don't know if it is even worth it. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Not really - My speakers are 20+ years old and would destroy many modern speakers. Old Polks such as the Monitor 10's, the RTA 8'S,11's, 15's, and SDA stuff kill most of Polks newer stuff (you'd have to go all the way to the LSi series to begin to compete).

P.S. the best wireless setup that I know about is the Kef system, but its just that an entire system.