Is it worth the switch?

[Massacre1]

I have a pair of "Energy R10's" as my front L/R (On Stands). It bothers me that they are not true floor-standing speaker's. I was thinking about getting Polk RTI a7's or RTI-12's, would it be a bad idea to mix front and rear speaker? Should I stick with Energy's all around? It is hard to find floor standing Energy's...

I will be upgrading to a 7.1 receiver soon.

[DIY_HD]

I stayed with the same manufacturer and series, but it's not critical. There is some benefit to staying in the series so that all the speakers have the same timbre or "voice", but any benefit is in the ears of the beholder. True audiophiles with exceptional hearing may notice the difference. Don't overanalyze this. If the speakers sound good to you in the store, they more than likely will sound good at home. Ask about return policies, just to be on the safe side.

You should also read the Stickys on the audio forum. Lots of good info in there from people in the know. In the end, if you like them, that's all that matters. Don't forget that speaker placement and room acoustics will have a large effect on the total sound quality. If your room echos, hang some stuff on your walls to absorb unwanted sound reflections.

As for 7.1, it can sound amazing with a 7.1 lossless audio track. Just keep in mind that only 6% of BDs currently have one. If your new AVR has HDMI (all new ones should), you probably can synthesize the back channels with the proper setting. I think it's worth it and feel that the audio is 50% of the movie. It should be at least as good as the picture!

[callas01]

good bookshelfs like you have are just as good as towers when you have a good sub to handle the low end frequencies. Your bookshelfs are fine. Now if you want to upgrade speakers then thats one thing, but there are a good number of people that have great bookshelfs like the RC-10s, PSB B25s, Monitor Audio RX2s, B&W 704s etc.

Tower speakers are better for 2-channel music applications. But for HT, great bookshelfs and towers are both excellent in that application.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by callas01

good bookshelfs like you have are just as good as towers when you have a good sub to handle the low end frequencies. Your bookshelfs are fine. Now if you want to upgrade speakers then thats one thing, but there are a good number of people that have great bookshelfs like the RC-10s, PSB B25s, Monitor Audio RX2s, B&W 704s etc.

Tower speakers are better for 2-channel music applications. But for HT, great bookshelfs and towers are both excellent in that application.

+1

Couldn't have said it better myself.

@ Massacre1
What is your ratio with music and HT use? I bought bookshelf speakers because I am about 90% movies and 10% music.


I think you should get a much better center channel. Center channel is the most important speaker of all next to the whole front three. I think you have fine speakers now, but if you add an better center you will be just as happy as getting towers.

[Massacre1]

Thanks for the help guys, I use it for like 95% H/T, and 5% music (When I study). What center would you recommend? The only logical choices would be RC Mini CC or a third RC10.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Massacre1

Thanks for the help guys, I use it for like 95% H/T, and 5% music (When I study). What center would you recommend? The only logical choices would be RC Mini CC or a third RC10.

I don't know much about energy speakers, but I believe the CC-10 would be a match for your bookshelf.

Yet a third RC10 is a perfect match.

Since you are 95% theater, I would keep your current speakers, unless you are planning to take the next level up in speakers.

[Massacre1]

Originally Posted by HAMP

I don't know much about energy speakers, but I believe the CC-10 would be a match for your bookshelf.

Yet a third RC10 is a perfect match.

Since you are 95% theater, I would keep your current speakers, unless you are planning to take the next level up in speakers.

The CC-10 is from Energy's entry level "CF" line, the driver's would not match timbre wise. I might get another set of "RC" RC-10's though. Thanks for the help, I will be keeping my RC-10's.