Speaker upgrade advice, with pics!! - Blu-ray Forum

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 04:16 AM

Hi, I have a ONKYO TX-SR605 receiver and I want to upgrade my 5 speakers.

I currently have four of these Energy speakers:

with this Energy center speaker:

My living room isn't that big:

My budget for the 5 speakers is $600-$800. But actually I don't even know if it's worth spending that much since as you can see, I don't even have that much room for the noise to travel. Any help I would really appreciate.

crazyBLUE · 11-23-2009, 04:21 AM

I would put 4 towers in there for your fronts & surrounds . There is no such thing as not big enough .

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 04:22 AM

I wouldn't mind two towers for the front but I would like to keep the satellite speakers for the surround.

crazyBLUE · 11-23-2009, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiLoco

I wouldn't mind two towers for the front but I would like to keep the satellite speakers for the surround.

Then do that . The most important thing is the front 3 speakers are the same brand so they Timbre match .

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 05:01 AM

Do you want to get out of the Energys or would you consider them again?

Which are those? is that the Act 6, or Take 5? Or are they like the original Connoissers C1s?

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callas01

Do you want to get out of the Energys or would you consider them again?

Which are those? is that the Act 6, or Take 5? Or are they like the original Connoissers C1s?

I have no idea what model they are since I've had these speakers since about 1999, lol I'm just looking for something different. Any suggestions?

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 05:07 AM

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...variation=SCHE $260/pr
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC50 $69

$330 and you could have a new front sound stage with bigger impact and a you already have a sense of the quality of the speakers. You could also use the current speakers you have for going 7.1 if you wanted to.

Or go to www.wwstereo.com and look at the Energy C-R100s bipole speakers $79 ea, get 2 for a more emersive sound.

OR do you want to get out of Energy all together?

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 05:17 AM

Another thought would be PSB speakers

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMT45 $500/pr
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMB15 $249/pr
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMC40 $349

Total $798

They are 6 ohm speakers so they may be a little much for your reciever... don't know for sure, but if you plan to upgrade it in the next year or 2 you could get a bigger onkyo or pioneer elite or Marantz, and they would all do fine with these speakers.

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 05:35 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, one thing I forgot to mention, I would like to have the surround speaker not be that heavy since I have to hang them on the wall.

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 06:19 AM

well the Energy C-R100s are meant to be hung on the wall. So that shouldn't be a problem.

You can also look into these and then you just need to find the Matching iQ6 center channel or the iQ2, but the iQ2 is a little small in my opinion.
http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31581

Kef is interesting. They are a lot like Klipsch speakers, people either love them or hate them..... far brighter then Energys so it would be a little something to get used to. I think they have good clarity and detail, but you may not like them given the space you are talking about.... may be a little too in your face.

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 06:38 AM

Yeah, clarity and detail would be something I'm interested in.

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 06:46 AM

Well, all 3 brands that I listed will have good clarity and detail to them. All of these speakers are mid-range speakers, meaning they are not high end but they are not the bargin entry level speakers either.

PSB and Energy are warm sounding speaker and so you will hear a more laidback sound. Bass is good, mid-range is nice and smooth and open with great depth to them, highs are accurate and well balanced. Great for music and movies, I don't know what your experience has been, but Energy makes top notch speakers. PSB are really nice sounding and very well regarded speakers.

KEF speakers have the same detail and clairty without as much depth to them, IMO, they are bright and in your face. Bass is good, mids are fair, but not as complete as the Energys or PSBs, highs are accurate but pushed. Very good for movies, not my taste as far as music speakers.

Blu Titan · 11-23-2009, 02:14 PM

CrazyBlu and the guys that posted above me know their stuff

. I would personally recommend the Polk Monitor 60's and the Polk CS2 Center. I have those with my Onkyo 606 and they sound great (specially for the price). You can use your satelites for surround if that's your preference. Check newegg.com since they usually run great sales on the Polks!

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.

callas01, I wouldn't mind getting energy speakers again, but the CC50 that they are selling comes only in cherry and I can't find that anywhere else. Any other suggestions?

callas01 · 11-23-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiLoco

Thanks for all the feedback.

callas01, I wouldn't mind getting energy speakers again, but the CC50 that they are selling comes only in cherry and I can't find that anywhere else. Any other suggestions?

The C-series that your looking at is discontinued, and that is why they are at the discounts they are right now... Cherry is the only color I could find them in too.... But the actual cherry color is pretty nice, would go well with your hardwood floors.... look here, this guy has the towers in cherry. They are darker in real life then on that website.

You can get the towers and center in cherry so they all match.

arrt vandelay · 11-23-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiLoco

Thanks for all the feedback.

callas01, I wouldn't mind getting energy speakers again, but the CC50 that they are selling comes only in cherry and I can't find that anywhere else. Any other suggestions?

there were a few BLACK c-c100 centers on ebay last night for around $130. if you're going to go the c-series route. i'd suggest this center anyway, and ebay appears to be the only place to find it...

MiamiLoco · 11-23-2009, 07:47 PM

Ok, I ordered the front speakers. Quick questions about the surround ones. As you can see there is no wall that separates my dinning room from my living room so that's why I have the satellite speakers aimed directly at the couch. With Bipolar speakers I think I would need a wall to have the noise bounce from, correct?

callas01 · 11-25-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiamiLoco

Ok, I ordered the front speakers. Quick questions about the surround ones. As you can see there is no wall that separates my dinning room from my living room so that's why I have the satellite speakers aimed directly at the couch. With Bipolar speakers I think I would need a wall to have the noise bounce from, correct?

Honestly I don't know how that would work. Perhaps you could PM Big Daddy. He may be able to answer that better for you.

Congrats on the fronts.

11-23-2009, 04:16 AM	#1
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	Speaker upgrade advice, with pics!! Hi, I have a ONKYO TX-SR605 receiver and I want to upgrade my 5 speakers. I currently have four of these Energy speakers: with this Energy center speaker: My living room isn't that big: My budget for the 5 speakers is $600-$800. But actually I don't even know if it's worth spending that much since as you can see, I don't even have that much room for the noise to travel. Any help I would really appreciate.

11-23-2009, 06:46 AM	#12
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Well, all 3 brands that I listed will have good clarity and detail to them. All of these speakers are mid-range speakers, meaning they are not high end but they are not the bargin entry level speakers either. PSB and Energy are warm sounding speaker and so you will hear a more laidback sound. Bass is good, mid-range is nice and smooth and open with great depth to them, highs are accurate and well balanced. Great for music and movies, I don't know what your experience has been, but Energy makes top notch speakers. PSB are really nice sounding and very well regarded speakers. KEF speakers have the same detail and clairty without as much depth to them, IMO, they are bright and in your face. Bass is good, mids are fair, but not as complete as the Energys or PSBs, highs are accurate but pushed. Very good for movies, not my taste as far as music speakers. Last edited by callas01; 11-23-2009 at 06:49 AM.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Need advice: Acoustic Panel Placement w/pics	Home Theater Construction	rickdeth	16	03-11-2010 06:36 PM
Advice on speaker upgrade	Speakers	DJ Matt	3	02-04-2009 09:10 PM
Upgrade advice! please	Blu-ray Players and Recorders	neos_peace	4	10-01-2008 09:00 PM
Looking to upgrade speakers..need help/advice	Speakers	kingtuna	20	05-09-2008 10:25 PM
Some new Resistance pics for ya, 56kps upgrade!	PS3	Applefiend	6	09-16-2006 12:13 AM

11-23-2009, 04:21 AM	#2
crazyBLUE Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Pacific Northwest Home Theater Gallery:89 Blu-ray collection:479 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:30	I would put 4 towers in there for your fronts & surrounds . There is no such thing as not big enough .

11-23-2009, 04:22 AM	#3
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	I wouldn't mind two towers for the front but I would like to keep the satellite speakers for the surround.

11-23-2009, 05:01 AM	#5
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Do you want to get out of the Energys or would you consider them again? Which are those? is that the Act 6, or Take 5? Or are they like the original Connoissers C1s?

11-23-2009, 05:07 AM	#7
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo...variation=SCHE $260/pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENCC50 $69 $330 and you could have a new front sound stage with bigger impact and a you already have a sense of the quality of the speakers. You could also use the current speakers you have for going 7.1 if you wanted to. Or go to www.wwstereo.com and look at the Energy C-R100s bipole speakers $79 ea, get 2 for a more emersive sound. OR do you want to get out of Energy all together?

11-23-2009, 05:17 AM	#8
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	Another thought would be PSB speakers http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMT45 $500/pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMB15 $249/pr http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PBIMC40 $349 Total $798 They are 6 ohm speakers so they may be a little much for your reciever... don't know for sure, but if you plan to upgrade it in the next year or 2 you could get a bigger onkyo or pioneer elite or Marantz, and they would all do fine with these speakers.

11-23-2009, 05:35 AM	#9
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	Thanks for the suggestions, one thing I forgot to mention, I would like to have the surround speaker not be that heavy since I have to hang them on the wall.

11-23-2009, 06:19 AM	#10
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	well the Energy C-R100s are meant to be hung on the wall. So that shouldn't be a problem. You can also look into these and then you just need to find the Matching iQ6 center channel or the iQ2, but the iQ2 is a little small in my opinion. http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=31581 Kef is interesting. They are a lot like Klipsch speakers, people either love them or hate them..... far brighter then Energys so it would be a little something to get used to. I think they have good clarity and detail, but you may not like them given the space you are talking about.... may be a little too in your face.

11-23-2009, 06:38 AM	#11
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	Yeah, clarity and detail would be something I'm interested in.

11-23-2009, 02:14 PM	#13
Blu Titan Super Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Edo, Land of the Samurai Home Theater Gallery:42 4K collection:41 Blu-ray collection:2864 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:92	CrazyBlu and the guys that posted above me know their stuff . I would personally recommend the Polk Monitor 60's and the Polk CS2 Center. I have those with my Onkyo 606 and they sound great (specially for the price). You can use your satelites for surround if that's your preference. Check newegg.com since they usually run great sales on the Polks!

11-23-2009, 02:25 PM	#14
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	Thanks for all the feedback. callas01, I wouldn't mind getting energy speakers again, but the CC50 that they are selling comes only in cherry and I can't find that anywhere else. Any other suggestions?

11-23-2009, 07:47 PM	#17
MiamiLoco Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Miami, Florida	Ok, I ordered the front speakers. Quick questions about the surround ones. As you can see there is no wall that separates my dinning room from my living room so that's why I have the satellite speakers aimed directly at the couch. With Bipolar speakers I think I would need a wall to have the noise bounce from, correct?

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals