Upgrading 5.1 to 7.1 - Blu-ray Forum

groovyone · 09-18-2007, 08:06 PM

So, I have a BOSE 5.1 surround sound setup (5 double cubes + sub) with the powered subwoofer. Before anyone gives me grief, I bought them 9 years ago with my Best Buy employee discount when I had a very small living space.

Anyway, I'd like to upgrade to 7.1, but likely cannot get the wife to approve a full overhaul all at once, so I'd like to just add 2 new spearkers, likely in the front L/R positions, (maybe a new center) but still be able to maintain some resemblance of balance with the current Bose in the center (maybe) and remaining surround spots.

Anyone have any good suggections for what speakers I can use to fill the remaining 2 spots that will still be good once I upgrade the remaining 5 + sub? I was thinking about the Bose bookshelf speakers at first, but now would like to go with something more than a stopgap measure. I was more recently eyeing a pair of JBL floorstanding speakers, but am worried they will not play well with my existing speakers.

Any suggestions? (other than tossing the Bose on to the lawn)

ruvic2007 · 09-18-2007, 08:15 PM

Simply add 2 of the same cubes and you should be fine. I do not recommend getting a different model or brand due to possible timbre matching issues. Enjoy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovyone

So, I have a BOSE 5.1 surround sound setup (5 double cubes + sub) with the powered subwoofer. Before anyone gives me grief, I bought them 9 years ago with my Best Buy employee discount when I had a very small living space.

Anyway, I'd like to upgrade to 7.1, but likely cannot get the wife to approve a full overhaul all at once, so I'd like to just add 2 new spearkers, likely in the front L/R positions, (maybe a new center) but still be able to maintain some resemblance of balance with the current Bose in the center (maybe) and remaining surround spots.

Anyone have any good suggections for what speakers I can use to fill the remaining 2 spots that will still be good once I upgrade the remaining 5 + sub? I was thinking about the Bose bookshelf speakers at first, but now would like to go with something more than a stopgap measure. I was more recently eyeing a pair of JBL floorstanding speakers, but am worried they will not play well with my existing speakers.

Any suggestions? (other than tossing the Bose on to the lawn)

MouseRider · 09-18-2007, 08:20 PM

How are you planning to feed the two new speakers?

Are you thinking of running the Bose cubes with a new receiver? Make sure you check what the impedance of those cubes are and what power rating they'll take.

groovyone · 09-18-2007, 09:38 PM

The Bose speakers for teh 5.1 run through the sub then into a Sony receiver. The two additional speakers would have to be run directly to the receiver, which is why I am not sure how well 2 additional cubes would work.

groovyone · 12-06-2007, 04:57 PM

Okay, now I am finally back at looking at doing the update. I am likely going with the Sony STR-DA4300ES, but still can't decide on the front speakers.

Here are my thoughts so far:

Bose - sticks with the cuerrent system. Maybe a pair of 201s for the sides and an updated center speaker.

JBL - Start the overhaul of my system with two JBL floorstanding fronts and a new center. Low cost and decent quality.

Polk - Same as the JBLs.

Anyone have any thoughts on Polk vs JBL? I'd love to go with something nicer, but for now my photography gear has put a pretty big drain on my wallet, leaving less for my other hobbies.

gearyt · 12-06-2007, 05:04 PM

I never like to add additional fundage into a system I want to replace
sooooo, I would start the change out, but I would go Center, Sub, Fronts... utilizing the cubes for surround until the next phase

richard lichtenfelt · 12-06-2007, 05:06 PM

Mirage
http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...Brand%7cMirage

or look into getting some Paradigm's. There harder to find, though. You'd probably have to go to their website and enter your location to find a dealer near you.

Snowgod · 12-06-2007, 05:26 PM

Lowest cost, I would buy a Bose center channel and move the original to center back providing 6.1 surround. Then add another cube for 7.1.

Lots of money, Klipsch referenc system. Less money, Mirage Omnisat system. Least cost for most bang, Hsu Research Enthusiast 3

groovyone · 12-06-2007, 08:02 PM

I did find some P/Ns for my ramblings.

Bose VCS-10 with 201 or 301 up front, maybe even 161s if I am feeling really cheap. $200 + $220/330/160 pr respectively.

JBL STADIUMs up front with a VOICE center. Found the fronts for $180/ea and the center for $90.

Klipsch Reference RF-82BLA, or more likely 62 up front with the RC-52 Center. $500/$400 ea + $300.

Klipsch F-3 fronts and C-2 center. $380/ea + $225.

Polk Monitor 60 + CSi A4 BL center. $280/ea + $250.

All available at BestBuy except the Polks, which are at Frys. The low prices on the JBLs were found at the same place I order most of my camera gear from.

Slicker1 · 12-06-2007, 11:38 PM

http://www.roundsound.com/

groovyone · 12-07-2007, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slicker1

http://www.roundsound.com/

Very slick looking, but any word on pricing?

Nevermind, I just saw $3K/pair

crackinhedz · 12-07-2007, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearyt

I would go Center, Sub, Fronts... utilizing the cubes for surround until the next phase

I second this oppinion.

Slicker1 · 12-07-2007, 03:29 AM

The micro's have an awesome soundfield. They sure don't sound like the small balls they are, and the size & colors are good with wifes.

groovyone · 12-10-2007, 03:15 AM

My solution for now, Klipsch RB-51 Reference Series bookshelfs. The sound is frickin amazing! I thought for sure the big ones were on when I heard them, but sure enough, it was the 51s! They on't overwhelm my Bose now that I have them dialed in on the receiver, and with a CD the sound is absolutely incredible! Very, very happy. Eventually these will probably become rears and the RF-62s or 82s will become the fronts.

09-18-2007, 08:06 PM	#1
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	Upgrading 5.1 to 7.1 So, I have a BOSE 5.1 surround sound setup (5 double cubes + sub) with the powered subwoofer. Before anyone gives me grief, I bought them 9 years ago with my Best Buy employee discount when I had a very small living space. Anyway, I'd like to upgrade to 7.1, but likely cannot get the wife to approve a full overhaul all at once, so I'd like to just add 2 new spearkers, likely in the front L/R positions, (maybe a new center) but still be able to maintain some resemblance of balance with the current Bose in the center (maybe) and remaining surround spots. Anyone have any good suggections for what speakers I can use to fill the remaining 2 spots that will still be good once I upgrade the remaining 5 + sub? I was thinking about the Bose bookshelf speakers at first, but now would like to go with something more than a stopgap measure. I was more recently eyeing a pair of JBL floorstanding speakers, but am worried they will not play well with my existing speakers. Any suggestions? (other than tossing the Bose on to the lawn)

12-06-2007, 05:06 PM	#7
richard lichtenfelt Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:I'm not drunk, I'm just tired cause I been up all night drinking. Blu-ray reviews:3	Mirage http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...Brand%7cMirage or look into getting some Paradigm's. There harder to find, though. You'd probably have to go to their website and enter your location to find a dealer near you. Last edited by richard lichtenfelt; 12-06-2007 at 05:11 PM.

12-06-2007, 08:02 PM	#9
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	I did find some P/Ns for my ramblings. Bose VCS-10 with 201 or 301 up front, maybe even 161s if I am feeling really cheap. $200 + $220/330/160 pr respectively. JBL STADIUMs up front with a VOICE center. Found the fronts for $180/ea and the center for $90. Klipsch Reference RF-82BLA, or more likely 62 up front with the RC-52 Center. $500/$400 ea + $300. Klipsch F-3 fronts and C-2 center. $380/ea + $225. Polk Monitor 60 + CSi A4 BL center. $280/ea + $250. All available at BestBuy except the Polks, which are at Frys. The low prices on the JBLs were found at the same place I order most of my camera gear from. Last edited by groovyone; 12-06-2007 at 08:06 PM.

12-06-2007, 11:38 PM	#10
Slicker1 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:3	Give these a listen......Anthony Gallo http://www.roundsound.com/

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09-18-2007, 08:20 PM	#3
MouseRider Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	How are you planning to feed the two new speakers? Are you thinking of running the Bose cubes with a new receiver? Make sure you check what the impedance of those cubes are and what power rating they'll take.

09-18-2007, 09:38 PM	#4
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	The Bose speakers for teh 5.1 run through the sub then into a Sony receiver. The two additional speakers would have to be run directly to the receiver, which is why I am not sure how well 2 additional cubes would work.

12-06-2007, 04:57 PM	#5
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	Okay, now I am finally back at looking at doing the update. I am likely going with the Sony STR-DA4300ES, but still can't decide on the front speakers. Here are my thoughts so far: Bose - sticks with the cuerrent system. Maybe a pair of 201s for the sides and an updated center speaker. JBL - Start the overhaul of my system with two JBL floorstanding fronts and a new center. Low cost and decent quality. Polk - Same as the JBLs. Anyone have any thoughts on Polk vs JBL? I'd love to go with something nicer, but for now my photography gear has put a pretty big drain on my wallet, leaving less for my other hobbies.

12-06-2007, 05:04 PM	#6
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	I never like to add additional fundage into a system I want to replace sooooo, I would start the change out, but I would go Center, Sub, Fronts... utilizing the cubes for surround until the next phase

12-06-2007, 05:26 PM	#8
Snowgod Active Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Central NH	Lowest cost, I would buy a Bose center channel and move the original to center back providing 6.1 surround. Then add another cube for 7.1. Lots of money, Klipsch referenc system. Less money, Mirage Omnisat system. Least cost for most bang, Hsu Research Enthusiast 3

12-07-2007, 03:29 AM	#13
Slicker1 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Trading Score:3	The micro's have an awesome soundfield. They sure don't sound like the small balls they are, and the size & colors are good with wifes.

12-10-2007, 03:15 AM	#14
groovyone Blu-ray Guru Member since:May 2007 Location:PSNetwork: groovyone	My solution for now, Klipsch RB-51 Reference Series bookshelfs. The sound is frickin amazing! I thought for sure the big ones were on when I heard them, but sure enough, it was the 51s! They on't overwhelm my Bose now that I have them dialed in on the receiver, and with a CD the sound is absolutely incredible! Very, very happy. Eventually these will probably become rears and the RF-62s or 82s will become the fronts.

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