Best Bang for the Buck (Center and Surround speakers for under 1500?)

[AUDIOCRAZE]

Well guys I need advice and opinions, I have a pair of JBL 4350's 4 way studio monitors being used as F/L/R. Im using a Klipsch Center and Surround back L/R. The Klipsch are just not cutting it and i need a good replacement. The JBL are just phenomenal all the way around. Im using an Onkyo TX-SR805 pushing the the Klipsch so whatever is replacing them needs to be efficient since im out kicking 130wpc to the Klipsch. The Budget is 1500 dollars and I primarily need something that can throw out very good highs. Any Questions please ask and thanks again for the suggestions!! BTW im using a 10 inch ported down-firing Klipsch sub that perfectly compliments the JBL's.

[jonnythan]

You might want to consider the Klipsch Reference Series all the way around. By all accounts they are significantly smoother and more detailed than the Synergy you have now. I would also strongly consider Ascend Acoustics speakers - 340s across the front and 170s or 340s in the back is well in your budget.

Another thing you might want to consider is Elemental Design's Cinema series. High sensitivity, big dynamics. Lots of volume. For just over $1500 you can get two pair of the eD[c]6 and an eD[c] center. They are ugly as sin but are pretty awesome HT speakers. Then again looking at pics of those JBLs you seem like a function over form kinda guy anyway.

You have a weird setup. I'd really encourage you to use one brand and line of speaker all the way around. I understand the JBLs are serious speakers you don't want to get rid of, but maybe think about moving them to another room or something for dedicated stereo listening.

[lsiberian]

Why even use a center if you can't fit a matching JBL monitor? It's better to lay a JBL on it's side even than to use another brand for the center.. Is there anyway you can mount one of the monitors vertically?

For surrounds there can be only one for a person like you
JBL 8320 Compact Cinema Surround Speakers (Pair) 8320 B&H Photo

[jonnythan]

Why even use a center if you can't fit a matching JBL monitor? It's better to lay a JBL on it's side even than to use another brand for the center.. Is there anyway you can mount one of the monitors vertically?

For surrounds there can be only one for a person like you
JBL 8320 Compact Cinema Surround Speakers (Pair) 8320 B&H Photo

One JBL 4350 is 4 feet wide, 3 feet tall, and 130lbs.

[AUDIOCRAZE]

Jonnythan your advice is always appreciated!! I ordered the Audyssey unit yesterday, as you said its a must and now that the JBL's are hooked up i see that even more so. I agree its an usual set up but I wanted to use and enjoy them more esp with the new blu-ray disc changer which hasnt arrived yet. I dunno whats up with the surround speakers. I accidentally hooked up the surround on the Surround L/R and adjusted the Level Calibration to +3db which I have never done and for the first time I heard them and in conjunction with the JBL; they sounded good. Only thing I noticed is that they didnt seem like they were distributing the sound properly. Im getting applause from a concert out of the JBL's and not the surround. Then I read the manual and I was supposed to hook them up to surround back L/R, duh... Once I switched them it went back to not hearing much of anything from them, even after doing the level calib. This is all tested on DTS HD M-A. Once I get the Audyssey im going to take another stab at fixing the issue since its in desperate need of EQ management, but if they dont perform to my expectations they are going on Ebay. Im definitely going to check out all the speakers you suggested and I like the JBL 8320 but i have to find a place where i can hear them. As you said it would be best to stay with the same brand. As for going vertical they are just too massive, they actually weigh 260 each I think you divided them by two. Thanks again guys!

[lsiberian]

Jonnythan your advice is always appreciated!! I ordered the Audyssey unit yesterday, as you said its a must and now that the JBL's are hooked up i see that even more so. I agree its an usual set up but I wanted to use and enjoy them more esp with the new blu-ray disc changer which hasnt arrived yet. I dunno whats up with the surround speakers. I accidentally hooked up the surround on the Surround L/R and adjusted the Level Calibration to +3db which I have never done and for the first time I heard them and in conjunction with the JBL; they sounded good. Only thing I noticed is that they didnt seem like they were distributing the sound properly. Im getting applause from a concert out of the JBL's and not the surround. Then I read the manual and I was supposed to hook them up to surround back L/R, duh... Once I switched them it went back to not hearing much of anything from them, even after doing the level calib. This is all tested on DTS HD M-A. Once I get the Audyssey im going to take another stab at fixing the issue since its in desperate need of EQ management, but if they dont perform to my expectations they are going on Ebay. Im definitely going to check out all the speakers you suggested and I like the JBL 8320 but i have to find a place where i can hear them. As you said it would be best to stay with the same brand. As for going vertical they are just too massive, they actually weigh 260 each I think you divided them by two. Thanks again guys!

You don't need to brand match for surrounds because the wave comes from a different angle, but you do need to match a Center. I recommend not using a center if you can't match it. Especially in this case. I don't see a center holding it's own with great JBL monitors. Your best bet would be the Infinity Primus P352. They are from the same company essentially. I take it this is a living room not a dedicated setup?

[afterlife2]

Klipsch:
x2:Amazon.com: Klipsch Reference Series RF-52 - Left / right channel speaker - 100 Watt - 2-way - black (each): Electronics

Klipsch Reference Series RB-61 II Speakers - 100 Watt - Pair Brand New | eBay

NEVER HOOKED UP! Klipsch Speakers RC-52 II Center Speaker. OPEN BOX - BLACK (743878021943) | eBay

or EMP:
Impression Series 5.1 Home Theater Package 2

[AUDIOCRAZE]

Im going to try disconnecting the Center to see how it sounds. Ive noticed that the JBL's are pretty much the only ones that are pushing all the sound and in perfect order. Live concert sounds amazing however when I put a bluray and the sound (voices) jump from the JBL to the center its a terrible transition because clarity and detail is immensely degraded. I never even thought to consider getting rid of the center but at the end of the day if its not a center that can perform at the level of the JBL I will have to take your advice and get rid of it all together. Anyways the JBL does a perfect job doing it all, if thats what I have to resort to its not a big deal. I was concerned of losing the surround center effect but the sound dispersion is very dimensional out of the JBL. Im thinking now that it should not be a problem. So im going to focus on the surrounds, thanks.

[afterlife2]

This JBL Center will be better. I own it and like it: JBL S- Center Speaker Home Theater (050036120326) | eBay

[jonnythan]

Those JBLs are much higher sensitivity than your other speakers - so, uncalibrated, they will definitely be much louder than all the rest.