Here's my current setup. I also have $2,000, what should I upgrade first?

[Breezy]

My current setup:
Reciever: Sony STR-DH520
Front left and right: Polk Audio Tsi100 bookshelf
Center: Polk Audio CS10
Surround left and right: Polk Audio Tsi100 bookshelf
Subwoofer #1: Polk Audio PSW108
Subwoofer #2: Polk Audio PSW110 (these 2 subs connected to single out via splitter)

This system is used 95% of the time for home theater. I was considering using this spare $2,000 I have to either upgrade my receiver, or invest it into some new tower speakers for the front left and right. I have had mixed opinions about what would be most important to upgrade first. And both sides have valid points. The current setup I have is enjoyable and neato, but I recently listened to some Martin Logan Motion Series towers as well as some B&W towers, and now I'm lusting after better sound at home.
So now I have come here to get some more experienced/knowledgeable opinions to help me decide which upgrade will be best first.

Should I get a better receiver so I'm prepared for when I do get some big boy towers? Or will my Sony be ok and just get the towers now?

 

[TheWarrior]

I'd probably look at your subs first, receiver second. Bass reproduction is crucial, and if you're a heavy movie watcher, then more power to ya! But once you get the low frequencies handled, your future speaker system will have the perfect foundation for you to build upon!

To make good recommendations on subs, let us know your room dimensions, and if it is open to other rooms.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

My current setup:
Reciever: Sony STR-DH520
Front left and right: Polk Audio Tsi100 bookshelf
Center: Polk Audio CS10
Surround left and right: Polk Audio Tsi100 bookshelf
Subwoofer #1: Polk Audio PSW108
Subwoofer #2: Polk Audio PSW110 (these 2 subs connected to single out via splitter)

This system is used 95% of the time for home theater. I was considering using this spare $2,000 I have to either upgrade my receiver, or invest it into some new tower speakers for the front left and right. I have had mixed opinions about what would be most important to upgrade first. And both sides have valid points. The current setup I have is enjoyable and neato, but I recently listened to some Martin Logan Motion Series towers as well as some B&W towers, and now I'm lusting after better sound at home.
So now I have come here to get some more experienced/knowledgeable opinions to help me decide which upgrade will be best first.

Should I get a better receiver so I'm prepared for when I do get some big boy towers? Or will my Sony be ok and just get the towers now?

For me in my room I would upgrade my front three first and then get the proper equipment to drive it and then pick out subs... For you and your room you might get the most satisfaction out of upgrading the subs. In either case the receiver would be the last thing I would upgrade.

Some questions...

How big is your room?

How loud do you listen?

What kind of movies do you watch?

Is speech easily intelligible?

Is music of any importance?

 

[herbu]

This system is used 95% of the time for home theater.

Then a really good sub will make the biggest difference.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd probably look at your subs first, receiver second. Bass reproduction is crucial, and if you're a heavy movie watcher, then more power to ya! But once you get the low frequencies handled, your future speaker system will have the perfect foundation for you to build upon!

To make good recommendations on subs, let us know your room dimensions, and if it is open to other rooms.

Sub first, L/C/R second. Leave the receiver be as is. Same for surrounds (or reuse existing mains as surrounds)

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Save up another $1500. Then buy a whole new system.

Denon X3100 AVR
RBH SX-61 x 5 bookself
RBH SX-1212N subwoofer
Crown XLS 1500 amp

 

[Breezy]

Great feedback so far, thank you all so much!

Attached is a very crude layout I made to give you an idea of the size of the room and the way its arranged. The furniture and things are obviously not to scale and the room is a little more open than portrayed in this image, hence the "crude". Not listed were that the ceiling is 9ft. high.
We enjoy movies of all types, especially action/adventure. Average volume level is 40%. And this system is VERY rarely used for music.

Based on the advice given thus far I'm leaning toward a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 subwoofer first. Then later I will be getting a pair of Martin Logan Motion 40 towers and a Denon AVR-X4100. I have chose these brands because I am able to get a discount on them, so please don't criticize these brand choices. However I am very open to any other suggestions within these brands that may fit my needs better than what I've listed. I mainly just chose the above because it fits within the total end budget for upgrading...for now. The current $2,000 is just a starting point.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You can do much better than Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 for $1000, get it only if you can get for $500 or less.
Get a pair of these instead:
https://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/echo-15?variant=1156514633
To get an idea how ridiculously more powerful Echo 15 vs Dynamo 1000
You could use this site to compare prev-gen sub from RA: PV-15x (Echo is 2-3db louder in the lowest bass) and much more capable sub from - ML - Dynamo 1500x - which costs $1500-1600
http://www.data-bass.com/data?page=system&id=114&mset=126

due to large room and open layout - you'd need a lot of help with bass.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Great feedback so far, thank you all so much!

Attached is a very crude layout I made to give you an idea of the size of the room and the way its arranged. The furniture and things are obviously not to scale and the room is a little more open than portrayed in this image, hence the "crude". Not listed were that the ceiling is 9ft. high.
We enjoy movies of all types, especially action/adventure. Average volume level is 40%. And this system is VERY rarely used for music.

... The current $2,000 is just a starting point.

Your room is 7800+ cubic feet, wow, very large space to pressurize. Perhaps save some more and get something more for that room. AH has an article about subs and room size.

 

[PENG]

Great feedback so far, thank you all so much!

Attached is a very crude layout I made to give you an idea of the size of the room and the way its arranged. The furniture and things are obviously not to scale and the room is a little more open than portrayed in this image, hence the "crude". Not listed were that the ceiling is 9ft. high.
We enjoy movies of all types, especially action/adventure. Average volume level is 40%. And this system is VERY rarely used for music.

Based on the advice given thus far I'm leaning toward a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 subwoofer first. Then later I will be getting a pair of Martin Logan Motion 40 towers and a Denon AVR-X4100. I have chose these brands because I am able to get a discount on them, so please don't criticize these brand choices. However I am very open to any other suggestions within these brands that may fit my needs better than what I've listed. I mainly just chose the above because it fits within the total end budget for upgrading...for now. The current $2,000 is just a starting point.

For that room you can do better with something that can play loud and well, such as the KEF Q900.
http://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q900CH-Standing-Speaker-Single/dp/B0048LVB32

Price and specs are comparable to the Motion 40's but perhaps a little easier to drive. I suspect the KEF may sound more neutral but even if true you may prefer the Motion 40.

The Denon 4100 or 4200 are good as they have Sub EQ HT that can do a good job integrating two subs. The 3100 does not have that feature.

 

[herbu]

please don't criticize these brand choices.

OK. Then my only suggestion is to avoid ever going to somebody's house that has good speakers and sub(s) for the same money you paid for yours.

 

[TheWarrior]

Great feedback so far, thank you all so much!

Attached is a very crude layout I made to give you an idea of the size of the room and the way its arranged. The furniture and things are obviously not to scale and the room is a little more open than portrayed in this image, hence the "crude". Not listed were that the ceiling is 9ft. high.
We enjoy movies of all types, especially action/adventure. Average volume level is 40%. And this system is VERY rarely used for music.

Based on the advice given thus far I'm leaning toward a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 subwoofer first. Then later I will be getting a pair of Martin Logan Motion 40 towers and a Denon AVR-X4100. I have chose these brands because I am able to get a discount on them, so please don't criticize these brand choices. However I am very open to any other suggestions within these brands that may fit my needs better than what I've listed. I mainly just chose the above because it fits within the total end budget for upgrading...for now. The current $2,000 is just a starting point.

Your choice to use the long wall (or forced by the size of the couch is going to present some room mode issues, and likely cause you to need to toe in your front speakers as they will not have side walls close enough to reinforce the soundstage. You may also need to treat the wall behind the couch with absorption as the reflected sound off that back wall may reach your ears about the same time as the direct sound affecting Listener Envelopment and dialogue intelligibility.

Also, it reads like you are choosing only a single subwoofer. This room is so large that you will be able to localize that subwoofer. Trust me, you will need atleast two!

 

[afterlife2]

My advice if only for movies then just get 2 subwoofers, unless you plan to use it later for music then replace F|L|C speakers. Can you take a pic of the setup maybe we can help with better tweeter placement for better sound.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Big room and action movies... upgrade the subs.

 

[theJman]

Sub first, L/C/R second. Leave the receiver be as is. Same for surrounds (or reuse existing mains as surrounds)

+1

However, with a room that size 2k won't even be enough for the subwoofers you'll need. Notice the plural; realistically speaking, you will need duals. If you can only manage a single unit look at something like the JTR Captivator 1400. That at least has a fighting chance.

 

[KEW]

If you can get a discount on Martin Logan and Denon, are there any other brands you get a discount on?
The Denon is fine. Martin Logan makes some good gear, but it is awfully expensive for what it is and their subwoofers have never been anything exceptional.
Both SVS and PSA have free trial periods (45 and 30 days respectively) where they pay shipping both ways and refund the full cost if you don't like their product, so it costs nothing to compare (aside from floating a charge on your card for a while).

 

[Breezy]

Well it sounds like two new subs will be the first place to start on my upgrade path. Which is awesome because I love the bass and the feeling it adds to the movie experience. And even though my two Polk Audio subs add something, they are definitely lacking in alot of areas.

 

[Breezy]

If you can get a discount on Martin Logan and Denon, are there any other brands you get a discount on?
The Denon is fine. Martin Logan makes some good gear, but it is awfully expensive for what it is and their subwoofers have never been anything exceptional.

Yeah my discount is limited to Martin Logan, Def Tech, B&W, and Energy. As well as Pioneer Elite, Denon, Marantz. I know these are not the brand of choice for some true audiophiles, but the discount available to me is such a great opportunity it's almost impossible to look at anything else outside of those brands. But keep in mind I'm coming from lower level Polk Audio gear, so to me all the above mentioned will sound amazing! lol

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Energy used to make some fine subs, before Audiovox...
Like I said above, ML Subs at 50% of their retail price would be good choice.

 

[Breezy]

Energy used to make some fine subs, before Audiovox...
Like I said above, ML Subs at 50% of their retail price would be good choice.

ML sound like it may be my final choice then. Although I was looking at the Def Tech Supercube 8000 as well. Any opinions on them? Seems like their passive radiator design produces some pretty low frequencies.