Upgrding my system , where to start ?

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Rafy0126

Audioholic Intern
Hi,

I got a entry level home theater system, with a Yamaha 477 receiver, Andrew Jones Pioneer Speakers (first gen) and a Bic PL-200 powered sub. For about a $1000.00 it does not sound bad, but I want something better. So my question is where should I start, the receiver, the sub, speakers ? Your thoughts will be appreciated.

Thx
 
BoredSysAdmin

BoredSysAdmin

Audioholic Slumlord
The speakers and sub.
generally I agree, but we can't provide more specific recommendations without knowing your budget.
Also how many speakers you have now? Is it 5.1 setup?
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
generally I agree, but we can't provide more specific recommendations without knowing your budget.
Also how many speakers you have now? Is it 5.1 setup?
Agree, once those questions are answered, I think the OP may need to focus on speakers that have sensitivity above 88 dB/2.83V at 1m, 8 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum.
 
R

Rafy0126

Audioholic Intern
Well I want a 7.1 or 7.2 system, I got a 5.1, budget I'm still undecided but not more than $2000 on speakers. I just wanted to know where to start. It seems upgrading the speakers makes sense as a starting point.
 
D

Dr. Bob

Junior Audioholic
For sound quality, definitely upgrade the front speakers. Put the old ones as your extra surrounds. Of course, if your receiver can't do 7.1, you'll have to upgrade that first (if you're sure you want 7.1 ;) Accessories4less.com has great deals on last year's/ refurbished receivers.
 
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Rafy0126

Audioholic Intern
I think I'm going to start by adding two subs then the speakers. Last will be a receiver . At least that's the plan
 
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shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
With your budget, I would get some bookshelf speakers at first, if this is a music system. I would be looking at Philharmonitors, Wharefedale Jade 1s, or Ascend Sierras, or KEF R100s. If this system is for movies, I would replace the sub, get a Hsu VTF3 mk5, a huge step above the PL200.
 
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Rafy0126

Audioholic Intern
So many speakers, but I never had a tower before, that's what I hope to get. But first for the subs I really like the SVS especially those round ones.
 
H

herbu

Audioholic Samurai
I never had a tower before, that's what I hope to get.
Please tell us why. Do you just like the looks of a tower?

You understand with a subwoofer or two, you are going to split the signal going to your speakers. Frequencies below X will go only to the subs. Freqs above X will go only to the speakers.

There are MANY great bookshelf speakers out there that work extremely well with a good sub(s). You can put them on a stand or on a cabinet... and they usually cost less than a comparable tower.

Generally, the purpose of towers is to include more/bigger woofers to handle lower frequencies. Many audiophiles have big expensive towers and subwoofers. For music, the subs are turned off and the low bass capability of the towers is used. For TV/Movies, the subs are always turned back on. But the cheapest pair of towers I know of that are capable of playing clean accurate music w/o a sub are $3500.

If you simply like the look of towers, it's OK. So do I. I have towers for my L/R, L/R Surround, and L/R Rear Surround. But it's absolutely not necessary, and I wouldn't do it again if I started over today. And if on a budget, I would not spend extra money for towers to start.

If I were you, I would spend my whole $2k, or very near it, for one big boy sub. Save, save, save... then get 2 big boy Front Left & Right speakers. Save again, then get matching big boy Center. Save again, then get a new AVR. Save again, then get 2nd big boy sub. All your current speakers can be moved to Surround duty.

The idea is to build your top shelf system, a piece at a time, buying nothing you won't be happy with later, (unless you turn into a real audio nut like the people here), and using your current stuff in the less critical positions.
 
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Rafy0126

Audioholic Intern
I guess is a matter of how they look honestly. I had bookshelf speakers in the past and loved them. I just want to try something different. Is not whether a tower sound better or anything like that. Also I think they will look better in my basement.
 
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Russell Weathers

Audiophyte
Watch out for water condensation on your speakers, make sure it is not humid down there. I lost mine due to that problem.
 
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