Speaker upgrade question

[acritzer]

Hello all. I have a question on speaker upgrades. Currently, I am using an Onkyo HTR 520 system. I believe it's kind of a hybrid HTIB system? If this is the case, can I stick with the receiver and upgrade speakers? If so, are there reasonable recommendations for my center speaker?

Just trying to get a feel for what's realistic/worthwhile for my situation. To be honest I need to suck it up and at least upgrade my wire first (still using the stuff that came out of the box). Most likely 20 gauge or so.

Should probably mention I'm using a panny 55...to needing the receiver to decode isn't an issue.

[Beta Man]

budget?


Speakers make the biggest immediate difference, since they're the component that physically makes the sound..... so I'd start there (with new wire too, since it's pretty much a free upgrade... just go to monoprice, or the hardware store)

[acritzer]

Budget....well... this is assuming I can butter up my wife enough to let me even consider the idea. If I can, I'd like to get away with just a center...maybe around 150-200? If I manage to get some extra gigs I might be in the market for L/R as well, but that will be a long way off.

Hopefully a center that will go well with the Onkyo L/R that I have now?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Hopefully a center that will go well with the Onkyo L/R that I have now?

Not likely. If you're going to replace the center, it's best to replace all 3 across the front.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Not likely. If you're going to replace the center, it's best to replace all 3 across the front.

Well, I know that's the preferred method but I really don't think that'll fly at this point. Any chance there'll be something that is acceptable?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Well, I know that's the preferred method but I really don't think that'll fly at this point. Any chance there'll be something that is acceptable?

You could always try this tactic, but may wind up shooting yourself in the foot. Replace the center with something really good. Then demonstrate how the left and right can't keep up any more and that it doesn't sound good together and see if you can replace them then. Of course she may just suggest you return the new center.

I honestly don't know of anything that will go well with Onkyo mains. Pretty much anything out there worth buying will leave them in the dust, or will sound so differently that your front stage won't sound good/right.

[acritzer]

Yeah, bummer. I guess this will have to get pushed to the back burner. It was worth a shot though. Of course a Panny 800u, or Pioneer 5020 is also on my wish list By then the spring will have come and I'll have to combat my other hobby (motorcycle)

[Steve]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Yeah, bummer. I guess this will have to get pushed to the back burner. It was worth a shot though. Of course a Panny 800u, or Pioneer 5020 is also on my wish list By then the spring will have come and I'll have to combat my other hobby (motorcycle)

I know how you feel. I finally had to give up my motorcycle and focus on one expensive hobby, and it ended up being the HT.

[acritzer]

Okay, so how would Polk C1, and Monitor 50's compare to what I've got now? Looks like this would run in the $350 range.

Here's a link to my stuff. http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-spe...?tag=mncol;lst

[Riff Magnum]

IMO, the Polks would be a huge improvement over the HTIB, and they're reasonably priced.

[acritzer]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

IMO, the Polks would be a huge improvement over the HTIB, and they're reasonably priced.

Is what I have really a HTIB? I know that it came packaged together...in a box. But it seems like the receiver is a bit more capable that most when thinking about HTIBs.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Is what I have really a HTIB? I know that it came packaged together...in a box. But it seems like the receiver is a bit more capable that most when thinking about HTIBs.

Onkyo systems are built around a real AV receiver, unlike pretty much every other every other HTiB out there, and this is a huge advantage. The speakers, while OK, still aren't great though. But this makes it easy to upgrade any component at any time because nothing in the system utilizes any kind of proprietary connections that are commonly found in HTiBs.

And yes the Polks will be a significant improvement.

[acritzer]

Thank you. I'm quite new to the audio side of things. Bought the Onkyo 520 off a recommendation from a friend. It's been pretty good to me, but now that I bumped up to a Blu Ray player, and am considering a plasma set, I'd like the audio to compliment each piece.

As everyone keeps pointing out, it's a dangerous road to head down...I'll have to plan my strategy carefully if I'm going to get by the boss (wife).

[igotcabada]

I recently upgraded to Monitor 60's and a CS1 center from an Onkyo HTiB and the difference is like night and day. I paid under $350 through newegg.

I had the polk fronts hooked up for 2 days before my new center came, and the onkyo center was miserable in comparision. I definitely suggest doing all 3 at once if you can swing it

[Bourne1]

It gets tough man. It's a love/hate relationship when it comes to HT. You love everything that goes into it but hate spending the money when it comes down to upgrading. I just recently started upgrading my equipment to. Started off with a new receiver and am now slowly upgrading my speakers. My front stage is complete (most important part). All that is left is the subwoofer and surrounds.

I would advise you to take this approach in phases. You already have a decent set up. I would first upgrade your front mains and center channel. Then down the road upgrade your subwoofer and lastly upgrade your rear surrounds. Then you can place your current speaker set up in another room or just sell it on Ebay or Craigslist. The Polk speakers you just mentioned will give you a considerable better sound at a really good price. I would go for it.

[acritzer]

Hoping not to sound like an idiot, what's the main difference in speaker quality? I'm not especially interested in more volume. More clarity in dialogue would be nice. A better sense of immersion would also be appreciated.

[acritzer]

Been checking prices on Polk Direct, ebay. Looks like it's pretty tough to get a cs2 in black. What other centers go with the Monitor 60's, or 50's. Interested in black finish...the 60's look like they have a great price on them, so that would probably be my first pick.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Hoping not to sound like an idiot, what's the main difference in speaker quality? I'm not especially interested in more volume. More clarity in dialogue would be nice. A better sense of immersion would also be appreciated.

You're completely correct on what you're looking for........

Better speakers do a better job at ACCURATELY recreating the sounds as they were intended to be..... from voice inflection (sp?) to rain drops on a tin roof, etc....

There is certainly MUCH MUCH MUCH more to good speakers than simply the ability to "Get loud" I have some old towers in my basement that are great at being loud..... but sound like absolute TRASH.

[acritzer]

Recommendations on my other post?

[Steve]

I'm just throwing this out there. Polk makes great speakers and the prices are pretty good on the ebay store, but like you pointed out, they don't have the center to go with the towers you want. Another pretty new company you can look at is The Speaker Company. I've never heard their speakers, but the prices aren't bad and people seem pretty happy with them at this thread. They do free shipping, 30 day in-home trials, and even free return shipping if you don't like them. Not much to lose if you decide to try them out.