Floor standing speakers vs bookshelf speakers

[Mest30]

I'm looking to upgrade my speakers. I recently bought a Yamaha receiver prepackaged with speakers and they aren't the greatest, though much better than the tv speakers. I'm not a huge audiophile so I don't need to spend thousands on the best available. My budget for the two front speakers and two rear speakers is around 500 dollars, give or take.

These are the floor standing speakers I had in mind for the front. The first ones listed in the below link.
http://avproductreviews.com/best-floorstanding-speakers-under-500

And these are the bookshelf speakers I had in mind.

http://www.cnet.com/products/elac-debut-b6/

My question is, would it be better to mix and match or just get 4 bookshelf speakers? I'm not concerned about space as the room is a good 20x20. I'm not concerned about floor standing speakers because the room is completely carperted and there is nothing within 6 feet of where the speakers would be placed. The fronts would go on either side of a 65 in tv, the rears would be mounted to the back wall behind the couch just above ear level.

For what it's worth, I don't know the exact model of the yamaha receiver but it's something like rx379.

I also know I need to upgrade the center and sub, but would rather do the fronts and rears first as they'll be the hardest to install with running wires and mounting.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Sounds like perfect case for Philharmonic AAs
http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html
and they better than Elac B6s
As for tower speakers - you'll get much better value going with bookshelf speakers and sub, than with tower speakers.

 

[Mest30]

I've seen lots of threads in here where those AAs are recommended. Are they really that good? You suggest that 4 of them is better that two and two floor standing speakers? When you say I'll get better value from bookshelf speakers, what exactly does that mean? Like would i have to spend a few hundred dollars more on floor standing speakers to see a noticeable difference between the bookshelf speakers?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I've seen lots of threads in here where those AAs are recommended. Are they really that good? You suggest that 4 of them is better that two and two floor standing speakers? When you say I'll get better value from bookshelf speakers, what exactly does that mean? Like would i have to spend a few hundred dollars more on floor standing speakers to see a noticeable difference between the bookshelf speakers?

Yes, they are that good.
Forum member (I think it was @KEW) had them compared side by side with B6 and found B6 lacking.

These budget towers will give you more loudness than bookshelf, but more isn't always better as AA with good amp will very loud as is. Also with any of these towers you would want to add sub anyways since their lowest bass response is lacking (as in how low, loud and clean they reproduce it) - compared to even entry level sub such as Dayton1200.
So - cleaner player bookshelf speakers with sub vs more expensive tower which don't play as clean and you'd still need sub. See what I mean about value?

To give you an idea of tower speakers which trully don't require sub - they start at very low price of $3500 - http://philharmonicaudio.com/phil3.html

For center, I believe Dennis (sole proprietor of Philharmonic Audio) has existing recommendation, I forgot which ones is it.

 

[Pogre]

agree with above. on your budget you'll definitely get better quality with bookshelves and a sub over towers. a good portion of the cost goes into the larger cabinet with towers whereas with bookshelf speakers the costs can be focused more toward better quality crossovers, drivers, etc. I'd much rather have decent bookshelf speakers with a sub over lesser quality towers for the same price.

 

[Mest30]

Thanks guys. Is that price of $210 for one or a pair? If it's a pair, I might as well order all 4 at once. I plan on adding an low powered amp in the future, if I can convince the wife to buy it for xmas. Would these AAs have a problem with that?

 

[j_garcia]

Yes that is for a pair. Yes, order them

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Thanks guys. Is that price of $210 for one or a pair? If it's a pair, I might as well order all 4 at once. I plan on adding an low powered amp in the future, if I can convince the wife to buy it for xmas. Would these AAs have a problem with that?

How low powered amp? As those speaker can be power hungry I suppose.

 

[Mest30]

How low powered amp? As those speaker can be power hungry I suppose.

I don't know as I haven't looked into amps yet. But you're answer is good enough for me. It doesn't have to be a low powered amp, I just don't know what the speakers can handle. But I'll make a thread on that when the time comes. Need to get these ordered and installed and then research subs and center speakers before worrying about the amp too much.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I don't know as I haven't looked into amps yet. But you're answer is good enough for me. It doesn't have to be a low powered amp, I just don't know what the speakers can handle. But I'll make a thread on that when the time comes. Need to get these ordered and installed and then research subs and center speakers before worrying about the amp too much.

As Dennis for matching Center then ordering these.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I don't know as I haven't looked into amps yet. But you're answer is good enough for me. It doesn't have to be a low powered amp, I just don't know what the speakers can handle. But I'll make a thread on that when the time comes. Need to get these ordered and installed and then research subs and center speakers before worrying about the amp too much.

Ahh. Just get some decent receiver and it will be fine powering them. Don't get the botto one tho.

 

[Pogre]

the avr you have now, if it's a rx-v379 should be just fine. it's not a terrible receiver with 4k pass through and plenty enough power for those speakers. I would put that last on your list and work on the sub next, since you have your speakers figured out now.

just make sure you run ypao to give you a baseline on distances, levels, crossovers, etc. then tweak it from there.

 

[Mest30]

the avr you have now, if it's a rx-v379 should be just fine. it's not a terrible receiver with 4k pass through and plenty enough power for those speakers. I would put that last on your list and work on the sub next, since you have your speakers figured out now.

just make sure you run ypao to give you a baseline on distances, levels, crossovers, etc. then tweak it from there.

Yes, that is the avr i have. The amp is definitely last. I have a sub that came with the set but it's probably not very good. This is the set i bought.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-650w-5-1-channel-3d-home-theater-system-black/6866026.p?id=1219667168663&skuId=6866026

I'm thinking of going wireless rears as opposed to running wire along the ceiling. Any major drawbacks to that?

 

[Pogre]

you got a decent receiver, but yeah. the speakers are lacking. that's a pretty small sub.

I have zero experience with wireless speakers. I wouldn't even know where to point you on that. though it's not as important with surrounds, it's always best to timbre match your speakers by matching them with the same brand/line. I think sticking with 4 of the aa's with a matching center would be your best bet, though I'm sure there are some good wireless options out there.

 

[lovinthehd]

Wireless surrounds somewhat depends on which kit you'll use. Most have mediocre amp power, though, so for higher listening levels could leave you wanting....hard wiring surrounds along baseboards with wiring channels may be a thought, though.

 

[Mest30]

I didn't mean getting different speakers. I'm definitely getting 4 AAs. I meant wiring them or getting a blue tooth wireless kit for the rears.

 

[Diesel57]

the avr you have now, if it's a rx-v379 should be just fine. it's not a terrible receiver with 4k pass through and plenty enough power for those speakers. I would put that last on your list and work on the sub next, since you have your speakers figured out now.

just make sure you run ypao to give you a baseline on distances, levels, crossovers, etc. then tweak it from there.

Hey Pogre, that rating posted for you, is Imao is under rated...LOL

 

[Pogre]

Hey Pogre, that rating posted for you, is Imao is under rated...LOL

Huh?

 

[Diesel57]

Huh?

Just commending you on your advice and information, it's beyond just being a enthusiast...

 

[Pogre]

Just commending you on your advice and information, it's beyond just being a enthusiast...

oh! lol. why thank you, sir!

I'm just all excited because I upgraded fairly recently, and just went through this entire process with a little better budget. that and I think I'm getting a little obsessed...