help with speaker decisions

[Black21ice]

OK first post here and I need some help. I just upgraded my receiver to a denon avr x3000 and my sub to a svs pb 2000. Currently I'm using a old set of onkyo sks-HT 750 7.1 setup. I was looking at the pioneer sp-pk52fs with two extra bookshelf speakers to complete the 7.1 setup. My problem is that my room is 24 x 24 with 9 foot ceiling will these speakers play loud enough with out blowing to fill the room with sound. Speaker budget is $900 for the whole 7.1 setup. Please help.

 

[KEW]

Speaker budget is $900 for the whole 7.1 setup.

You already have sub, if I follow correctly, so you have $900 for the 7 speakers.
The Pioneers are a great option and they do go loud, but I am not sure how loud you like to listen. If you like to really crank it, they may not work out for you.
If you have a BestBuy nearby, just go pick up the Pioneers and try them out in your room at your volume. That is what their return policy is all about and I don't think their pricing is that much more than you can find elsewhere.

Another option is to keep the Onkyo satellite's for your surround/rear speakers and devote the $900 to the front. If you have been using 7.1, you know how little content is in the rear/surround channels. Put your money where the sound comes from! I am about 80% music/20% HT and I would buy a pair of very good speakers for $900 so I had excellent music (the center is not that critical IMHO).

 

[Black21ice]

Correct i already have sub i use mine 90% movie and 10% music i had thought about just upgrading to two towers in the front and a new center channel then upgrade rears as i go

 

[markw]

Correct i already have sub i use mine 90% movie and 10% music i had thought about just upgrading to two towers in the front and a new center channel then upgrade rears as i go

This makes he most sense. Devote those $$ to a good front pair and a matching center and you'll by 90% of the way to a great system.

 

[Black21ice]

This makes he most sense. Devote those $$ to a good front pair and a matching center and you'll by 90% of the way to a great system.

Any suggestions

 

[markw]

For one, a pair of Ascend CMT-340 SE Main's and a CMT-340 SE Center would give you a very good start. Their 170s would do well for surround duties.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/spkrlist.html

They are running a special on the Mains now : http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/news/specials.html

I'm sure others will chime in with other choices. Make sure wherever you buy from, particularly an internet only distributor, has a liberal return police. Ascend does.

 

[Black21ice]

Thanks a lot i will check into these

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm going to say that ascend 340se's on both measurements and user feedback is nothing short of phenomenal

 

[Black21ice]

Ok guys after looking around this is what I have come up with.
R55ti towers
R56ci center channel

Then later I will add to collection with book shelf speakers and posably the wall mount speakers.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Emptek - not bad way to go. It's not without compromises, but it does many things right. I have heard them and while they couldn't compare to $8000 speakers they sounded quite well

 

[Black21ice]

Emptek - not bad way to go. It's not without compromises, but it does many things right. I have heard them and while they couldn't compare to $8000 speakers they sounded quite well

Well if you have a better recommendation I'm all ears. I have not ordered them yet as they are out of stock right now. My budget is around 1000 for towers and center channel. These would be used primarily for movies and gaming. Thanks for your help.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ascend cmt 340se

 

[Black21ice]

Ascend cmt 340se

Could you tell me how they compare or are they a better choice all the way around for what I want. Other than manufactures letting me try them I have no way of demoing before purchase.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Ascend provide in home trial. You can buy safety and return them if you don't like.
I can't tell how they compare to Polk, but i will tell you to check very fresh article on maib site : $500 speakers comparison. The value and quality of these speakers is beyond any comparison

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Few years back I auditioned every single Polk bookshelve in audio store. Imho they All sucked, except LSi/9, but it was insanely expensive

 

[Black21ice]

Few years back I auditioned every single Polk bookshelve in audio store. Imho they All sucked, except LSi/9, but it was insanely expensive

Thanks for all ur help the ascends might be a better choice for my room anyways 24x24x9

 

[Black21ice]

Ok I ordered the ascends cmt 340se left right and center also went with the cbm 170 se to finish up my 7.1 set up. Ill post a review after getting everything set up.

 

[Ty Wayne]

Ok I ordered the ascends cmt 340se left right and center also went with the cbm 170 se to finish up my 7.1 set up. Ill post a review after getting everything set up.

If I were more seasoned at this, I would of chimed in. However, all I've ever owned is a HTIB, a kenwood system that's about 15 years old. So I've not listened to a bunch of different speakers like these guys have. Anyway, I went with the exact speakers you just ordered. 3 340's and 2 170's. I've had them about a month, and gotta tell you, they are awesome! My room is somewhere around 18 x 18 with 8' ceilings, and these speakers are WAY more than I ever need. My receiver isn't capable of a great deal of power, but it don't matter. These speakers blow my socks off very easily, and sound amazing doing it. Long story short, I'll be amazed if you aren't tickled pink with the Ascends!

 

[Black21ice]

If I were more seasoned at this, I would of chimed in. However, all I've ever owned is a HTIB, a kenwood system that's about 15 years old. So I've not listened to a bunch of different speakers like these guys have. Anyway, I went with the exact speakers you just ordered. 3 340's and 2 170's. I've had them about a month, and gotta tell you, they are awesome! My room is somewhere around 18 x 18 with 8' ceilings, and these speakers are WAY more than I ever need. My receiver isn't capable of a great deal of power, but it don't matter. These speakers blow my socks off very easily, and sound amazing doing it. Long story short, I'll be amazed if you aren't tickled pink with the Ascends!

Man that's what I want to hear they are supposed to be here Tuesday. I will say this so far the customer service has been top notch. They have returned every phone call and email and answered all of my questions. My hats off to David Fabrikant and Dina for getting right what most people screw up customer service.

 

[Ty Wayne]

Yup, I heard a bunch of good things about the customer service before dealing with them, and I agree....top notch indeed. I shared a bunch of emails with them as well and you'd think you were dealing with a small town business in your hometown the way they treat you.

Congrats on your new Ascends. Cant wait to hear what you think!