Seeking Advice On Speaker Replacement

[rjcombo]

Hi folks,

I'm interested in replacing my home theater speakers and would appreciate some advice.

About 9 years ago I purchased an Onkyo HT-S870 home theater. A few years ago I upgraded the receiver to an Onkyo TX-SR608, which I'm happy with. I'm still, however, using the old speakers, two of which (center and front-right) have been damaged by my son. I'm looking to upgrade to better speakers but, given I have a 3-year-old and 10-month-old roaming the house, don't want to invest a lot of money on hardware that's still going to be at risk from their antics. As such, I'm trying to stay under $1000. I also have an Amazon Prime account so could save money on shipping there.

What do you experts think? Are there any speakers from my existing set I should keep, or should all of them be replaced and by what?

 

[theJman]

What do you experts think? Are there any speakers from my existing set I should keep, or should all of them be replaced and by what?

The experts think we'll need to know your room size -- HWD -- in order to be of much assistance. Also your preferences, things such as how loud you listen, do you want towers or bookshelf speakers, appearance likes/dislikes, etc. This much I can say though; if your current speakers are 9 years old it's probably in your best interest to replace all 5.

 

[zieglj01]

I would start fresh - also, do you have space to wall-mount the speakers

 

[rjcombo]

The experts think we'll need to know your room size -- HWD -- in order to be of much assistance. Also your preferences, things such as how loud you listen, do you want towers or bookshelf speakers, appearance likes/dislikes, etc. This much I can say though; if your current speakers are 9 years old it's probably in your best interest to replace all 5.

The TV room is 8' high x 20' wide x 13' deep, but it's part of an open floor plan (see image below). Both rear channels are currently on speaker stands. The front-center channel rests on a shelf directly below the TV while the front-side channels are on shelves directly adjacent to the TV. I've never used the center-rear channel.

I'm not sure how to describe how loud I listen to the TV. We rarely have it loud enough where it would shake the house and the left wall is shared with my son's bedroom, but the volume is often fairly loud. I don't have a huge preference on speaker appearance so long as they aren't gaudy bright colors. Given a choice I'd probably go black, grey, or brown.

 

[rjcombo]

Ping! Still could use some help here.

 

[ARES24]

I would start with replacing the front left/right. Go to a 'real' audio place and sit down and test speakers. Take music that you like and listen. It really is that simple. Everyone has their own personal taste when it comes to speakers.

Once you pick out a couple models you like (either in your price range or not). Post here and people might be able to help with options or deals etc.

 

[zieglj01]

Ping! Still could use some help here.

I would look at the front ported HTD Level Two speakers - they are nice
The Level Two bookshelf and center
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers

And the Outlaw sub on sale LFM-1 EX > it may end soon
Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Powered Subwoofer

I would hold off on the surrounds till you can place them better

 

[rjcombo]

I spent some time at Best Buy/Magnolia today and listened to several brands of speakers, both with music and a movie. The brands were:

Bowers and Wilkins
Energy
Definitive
Martin Logan

We don't do a lot of music listening on our home theater, and I had a more difficulty picking out left and right speakers that really stood out, so I was mostly focused on center channels. I really liked the Martin Logan Motion 8 and Definitive CS-8040H. Both seemed to deliver really crisp sound and dialogue while others sounded a little more muffled. Everything sounded better than my current setup though.

For left and right channels, every brand of floor speakers with an extra driver consistently seemed to deliver more full sound than their bookshelf counterparts. I didn't pay much attention to surround speakers or subs.

Is any of this helpful?

 

[zieglj01]

I spent some time at Best Buy/Magnolia today and listened to several brands of speakers, both with music and a movie.

We don't do a lot of music listening on our home theater, and I had a more difficulty picking out left and right speakers that really stood out, so I was mostly focused on center channels. I really liked the Martin Logan Motion 8 and Definitive CS-8040H. Both seemed to deliver really crisp sound and dialogue while others sounded a little more muffled. Everything sounded better than my current setup though.

For left and right channels, every brand of floor speakers with an extra driver consistently seemed to deliver more full sound than their bookshelf counterparts. I didn't pay much attention to surround speakers or subs.

Do you plan to raise your budget?

With your set-up restrictions, are you now thinking about towers.

A good subwoofer can help pick up the lower-end for bookshelves.

In the end, always go with what you like and prefer - Definitive and
Martin Logan are two nice options, and speakers do/will tend to sound
different in your home (room).

 

[ARES24]

Considering your budget, bookshelves and a sub will do best for a HT (IMO).

I would go with the Definitive brand over Martin Logan personally. The only Martin system that I have heard I didn't like very much, it is as much the placement and specific models that were to blame in that situation but nevertheless.... Pick what YOU like!

Grab a pair for your fronts, you can use a phantom center until you can fit a center into your budget. That or you can put one on your gift list for B-day/christmas!

A sub is a requirement for HT. Home theaters without subs require EXTREMELY impressive fronts IMO.

I assume you are in the states so I will leave specifics to people more knowledgeable, you are looking for a 2.1 upgrade for HT with a budget of $1000. (at least I think so)

 

[rjcombo]

Do you plan to raise your budget?

Raising my budget is a possibility but, with a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old in the house, I have concerns about the cost of replacement if something gets damaged (as a side note, one of the bonuses of the Martin Logan is a grill that's more difficult for a child to remove). If I were to grab the Outlaw sub I keep seeing recommended and either the Martin Logan or Definitive center channel, that would put me over $1000 before left+right or surround speakers even come into play. My understanding is it's typically ideal for your front 3 speakers to be the same brand, and those two brands would easily add another $400-$500 just on front speakers.

With your set-up restrictions, are you now thinking about towers.

It's a possibility, but the furniture in the room forces me to place the sub to the right of the TV, and I'd be limited to 24" of total width to fit both a floor speaker and a sub. My current sub is 11" wide.

Grab a pair for your fronts, you can use a phantom center until you can fit a center into your budget. That or you can put one on your gift list for B-day/christmas!

I'm a bit confused here. My impression is the center channel is more important than left/right for the purpose of TV, movies, and gaming. One of the reasons I'm considering this upgrade is I'm unhappy with dialogue coming out of my current center channel.

Based on some other threads I've looked over, here's one setup I'm considering picking up to try to keep costs down:
Center: Infinity Primus PC351
Front: Infinity Primus P163BK x2
Rear: Infinity Primus P143 x2
Sub: Outlaw LFM-1 EX

That would run me $1100 pre-tax. The Infinity speakers seem to have really positive reviews, though I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet.

 

[slipperybidness]

If you have young children, I would be very cautious of using bookshelf speakers! You will need stands, unless you plan to wall mount. B/S on stands will be much easier to topple over on a child than a good solid tower speaker.

On a side note, be 100% sure that your TV is mounted/secured too. I assume you have a flat pannel? There have been several reports of toddlers toppling a flat panel onto themselves, causing serious injury and even death.

 

[rojo]

Well, towers can be top-heavy, too. There's no substitute for active parenting, except maybe wall mounting. Wall mounts would allow extra room for the sub as well, it sounds like.

 

[zieglj01]

Based on some other threads I've looked over, here's one setup I'm considering picking up to try to keep costs down:
Center: Infinity Primus PC351
Front: Infinity Primus P163BK x2
Rear: Infinity Primus P143 x2

That would run me $1100 pre-tax. The Infinity speakers seem to have really positive reviews, though I haven't had a chance to listen to them yet.

While not my favorite - they are not bad, and are nice for the price
and will be a good upgrade over your current system.

Look at these mounts - if you want to think about wall mounting
Amazon.com: VideoSecu One Pair of Side Clamping Speaker Mounting Bracket with Tilt and Swivel for Large Surrounding Sound Speakers MS56B 3LH: Electronics

 

[rjcombo]

Unfortunately wall-mounting my TV (55" Samsung LED) is not an option. The home theater rests in front of a large fireplace with a brick wall running up to the ceiling. We don't own the place and can't drill holes in the brick.

While the surround speakers are on stands, they are mostly tucked away and difficult for the children to reach. They haven't really been a problem.

The biggest issue with my first child was the front speakers. They have large gaps between grill and housing that invite small fingers to pry the grills off. From the pictures I'm seeing the grills on the Infinity speakers appear to be more flush with the housing.

 

[rojo]

Duct tape!

For about the same price for a better sounding combo, check out the Philharmonic Pioneers. It'll be $420 + shipping for 2 pairs of bookshelfs + a center I think. Email them for a quote.

 

[zieglj01]

While the surround speakers are on stands, they are mostly tucked away and difficult for the children to reach. They haven't really been a problem.

The biggest issue with my first child was the front speakers. They have large gaps between grill and housing that invite small fingers to pry the grills off. From the pictures I'm seeing the grills on the Infinity speakers appear to be more flush with the housing.

Also, take a look at the PSB Alpha - they are nice for the price - you can keep
your surrounds for now - if budget restricted.

Hard for little fingers to get into them
PSB Alpha B1 Bookshelf speakers at Crutchfield.com

PSB Alpha C1 (Black Ash) Center channel speaker at Crutchfield.com

However for nice budget surrounds - keep the NXG PRO 4.1 on a short list.

 

[rojo]

Those same PSB's are in the classifieds here at a deep discount. I haven't heard them, but they're probably worth a Googlin'.

Bookshelf pair

Center

 

[zieglj01]

Those same PSB's are in the classifieds here at a deep discount. I haven't heard them, but they're probably worth a Googlin'.

Bookshelf pair

Center

Good find - look to be in good shape - and good price

 

[rjcombo]

I went with the Infinity setup I listed before, but thanks for the help everyone. The speakers have arrived (holy cow that center channel is big!) and the sub will be here tomorrow. Can't wait to hook it all up.