Suggestions on speaker upgrade for HT

[JayFank]

Currently I have a 7.1 setup, and am looking to upgrade after 5 years with my current setup. My budget is in the $3000 range.

My current setup:
Center: Polk CS1 Series II
Fronts: Polk Monitor 60
Surround sides: Polk Monitor 40
Surround backs: Polk Monitor 30
Subwoofer: BIC F12
Receiver: Denon AVR1611

So far, I've looked at the Klipsch RP series, namely the RP-280F for fronts and the RP-450C as center channel and the accompanying RP bookshelves as side and back surrounds, as well as an HSU VTF-3 sub and a Denon X2300 or X3300 receiver.

To further add, the room is 16.5 feet wide by 18.5 feet long with 8-foot ceilings. My TV is situated on one of the 16.5-foot walls, which both have 36-inch door openings. The room is fully enclosed with the exception of one of the 36-inch door openings being a walkway into another room. My setup will be used for Blu-rays and television 90% of the time and video games the other 10%.

Anyone else care to offer up some suggestions?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

The Emotiva Airmotiv speaker line is getting quite good reviews. They have folded ribbon tweeters much like well respected GoldenEar speakers.

These would start you off well:

T2 Towers (1 pair)
C2 Center
E1 Wall Surrounds (2 pairs)

Under $2,000 for the set. I would even call Emotiva and ask if they could give you a bundle price.

I would recommend adding a bit to your budget and look at a multi-channel amp like the Outlaw Audio Model 7140 (need a receiver that has a full set of pre-amp outputs). 4 ohm speakers can be very, very hard for a receiver to power and might trip its protection circuitry, and you will be able to crank the volume more.

Also consider SVS Prime speakers with an outboard amp as another alternative. Not quite as neutral as the Airmotiv speakers (a little zippier top end), but still quite good with solid construction quality. They have Prime Elevation speakers that can be ceiling mounted for Dolby Atmos and DTS: X immersive audio.

[sonic_debauchery]

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...-system-review minus the sub!

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...speaker-system with a Forcefield 5 sub.


http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

[Krelldog1977]

Originally Posted by JayFank

Currently I have a 7.1 setup, and am looking to upgrade after 5 years with my current setup. My budget is in the $3000 range.

My current setup:
Center: Polk CS1 Series II
Fronts: Polk Monitor 60
Surround sides: Polk Monitor 40
Surround backs: Polk Monitor 30
Subwoofer: BIC F12
Receiver: Denon AVR1611


Anyone else care to offer up some suggestions?

Hello Jay...

Yes, it looks like you are due for an upgrade, and have the funds to make a HUGE jump in performance.

I would also recommend to go with the Polk signature towers and center....you already own polks, and these would trounce your old set quite easily in every aspect.
You can still use your surround speakers, as they should work just fine. This should cost you around $1500...

All that's left is the subwoofer and AVR. I'd budget in around $1000 for the receiver, and $800 for the subwoofer. ( A few extra hundred will go a long way when it comes to subs )

This will be around your target budget, and the sound would be 10 times improved. Good luck....keep us posted my friend

...your klipsch selections are nice as well......but you would need a more powerful AVR than the Denon you are looking into....

KD

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Krelldog1977

Hello Jay...

Yes, it looks like you are due for an upgrade, and have the funds to make a HUGE jump in performance.

I would also recommend to go with the Polk signature towers and center....you already own polks, and these would trounce your old set quite easily in every aspect.
You can still use your surround speakers, as they should work just fine. This should cost you around $1500...

All that's left is the subwoofer and AVR. I'd budget in around $1000 for the receiver, and $800 for the subwoofer. ( A few extra hundred will go a long way when it comes to subs )

This will be around your target budget, and the sound would be 10 times improved. Good luck....keep us posted my friend

...your klipsch selections are nice as well......but you would need a more powerful AVR than the Denon you are looking into....

KD

Good advice my friend!!!!

[Krelldog1977]

You bet P!

Jay-
...as far as power goes, no need for separate amplification unless you're going with large towers....power is a little bit over-rated unless you have demanding/hard to drive speakers.

I'd go for a refurbished ( to save a few hundred ) Yamaha AVR with an ample amount of power, thus negating the need for a separate amplifier. ( at least for now ) I say Yamaha because I've been using their gear for 20+ years without one issue ever. 120 ( clean ) watts per channel would be great on those polk signature speakers. Set your sights on $1000 for the AVR....depending on the deals you can find possibly much less. Marantz is also another great company for receivers...

SVS also has an interesting deal going on with their speakers.....let us know your thoughts...

B