Newbie wanting to upgrade my current 5.1 Please provide opinions and advice?

[dferr]

Hello all, and Merry Christmas.

I hope I can ask for some advice, as someone very new.

I am wanting to upgrade my current 5.1 system which is in a small upstairs bedroom converted into a tv room. it has hardwood floors and a window, far from ideal I know. I really enjoy rich, warm tones in my music, soft but clear & strong highs, strong mids, and immersive lows. I like to feel surrounded by the bass in songs and feel it in my chest and head. I also tend to like my music loud. On top of both HiFi music streaming, I also listen to a lot of music from classical instrumental to rap and everything in between on youtube and off personal devices in a compressed format. In addition, we use the system to watch a lot of tv and movies of various genres. Video games, mainly shooters and RPG's are also played through the system often. I would like to get a good quality turntable as well eventually to start listening to vinyl off this system but haven't put in any research for that yet. Unfortunately, I have gone to every AV store around and they only really have Klipsch (actually quite liked the sound of at first listen off an unknown Yamaha receiver in a very open store) and Polk (which im not interested in) so I cant demo the sound of any of the other options. I would like the flexibility to also add preamp outputs and additional front surround speakers and sub for a complete 7.2 setup in the future. I have not researched the sub either as I am currently quite happy with the way these soundstages sound, however at some point in the future when money permits I may upgrade them so open to suggestions on that.

the current setup:
-Samsung MU7000 TV (connected via optical cable to receiver)
-Xbox one X is the main device used in the room. (connected via HDMI ARC to TV)
-Onkyo TX-SR501 AV receiver
-Soundstage Stage 4.1 towers, in the rear surround positions
-Soundstage Surround II S front left & right
-Soundstage Stagesurround 2 C center channel
-Soundstage (UNKNOWN MODEL) 10 inch down firing active subwoofer

Upgrade components I have found thus far as upgrade components:
Reciever:
-Yamaha RXV 1085 999$
-Yamaha RXV 685 599$
-Marantz SR5012 949$
-Marantz SR5011 1000$
Bookshelf Speakers:
-Klipsch B100B Black label 198$ pair (demo'ed in store briefly.)
-Klipsch R-41 reference 379$ pair
-Klipsch R-15 240$ pair
-KEF unique Q Q150B 398$ pair
Center Channel:
-Klipsch C200B Black label 198$ (demo'ed in store briefly.)
-Klipsch R-25C 199$
-KEF Q650CB 698$
Towers:
-Klipsch F200B Black label 598$(demo'ed in store briefly.)
-Klipsch F300B black label 798$( (only if I have enough money after Christmas to spend that much on just the towers)
-KEF Q550B 999$ (only if they are discounted further which is unlikely. cheapest available KEF loudspeaker)

Obviously, the KEF stuff is far more expensive; the only way it will be a real option honestly is if they are discounted further or Santa is very nice this year. Anyhow, if anyone can provide insight on any of the Klipsch equipment or the receivers, suggestions of other brands or models, any advice or suggestions are appreciated for any and all of it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tmurnin]

You say the room is small, but what are the actual measurements? Is your main goal movies, music or both? Any sense of budget? You can go a lot of ways here but I think I would start by adding an area rug and curtains to the room before anything else. Bad acoustics will limit any speaker’s capability, so do,what you can to help the room first. You need some soft surfaces in there to cut down on the echoes.

 

[dferr]

You say the room is small, but what are the actual measurements? Is your main goal movies, music or both? Any sense of budget? You can go a lot of ways here but I think I would start by adding an area rug and curtains to the room before anything else. Bad acoustics will limit any speaker’s capability, so do,what you can to help the room first. You need some soft surfaces in there to cut down on the echoes.

Thanks so much for the reply. Its roughly 14 feet by 16 feet. Both for music and movies almost equally, maybe 60/40 music but also lots of video games as mentioned. Budget hoping to not spend more than abput 1800 max. Prefer to stay under 1500 if possible. And I will take your advice and look into doing that right away with the rugs etc.

 

[ryanosaur]

How high is the ceiling?

 

[dferr]

How high is the ceiling?

I would say approximately 9 feet.

 

[ryanosaur]

Thanks... not a big deal for speaker and avr selection as much as subwoofers. Subwoofers you need to consider room volume. If you matched up 1-2 more of your 10" subs, you might be good, but if you want to really plumb the depths, you should consider 12-15" subs. If you do decide ro add that into the mix, I know we'll all gladly help you sort through the selections... Usually the most suggested end up being Hsu, SVS, Rythmik, Outlaw, and Monoliths. But there are other options depending in your needs and budget.

More later... cooking Osso Bucco

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

I would also suggest a much better sub unless you are in an apartment/Condo with neighbors to the sides or above and below.

 

[dferr]

Welcome to AH.

I would also suggest a much better sub unless you are in an apartment/Condo with neighbors to the sides or above and below.

Ugh. I know I listened to a 10-inch front firing Klipsch in store, and before that, I thought I was happy with my current soundstage downfiring 10-inch. I am no longer haha.

Out of curiosity, would a front firing sub cause less vibrations and annoy downstairs neighbors less or will it not make much difference?

 

[mtrycrafts]

If you have neighbors, the only thing that will help is lower volume. If a 10" annoyed, a better sub will aggravate further.

 

[dferr]

If you have neighbors, the only thing that will help is lower volume. If a 10" annoyed, a better sub will aggravate further.

I was not inquiring about a better sub. Just if there would be a difference between a forward and downfacing sub

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I was not inquiring about a better sub. Just if there would be a difference between a forward and downfacing sub

No there won’t be a difference. A better subwoofer would be IMO, necessary for a better experience, however due to neighbors that could be problematic.

 

[ryanosaur]

I would like the flexibility to also add preamp outputs and additional front surround speakers and sub for a complete 7.2 setup in the future.

OK, no worries... save the sub conversation til you're ready.

I will say this: I'm only scratching the surface right now when it comes to integrating my subs, but truth be told, you really shouldn't even notice them in daily usage. Properly set up, it will give your speakers... gravitas. And depending on the extension the sub is capable of, the potential for some good infrasonic thump.
The latter... in an apartment with close neighbors, sharing walls and floors/ceilings... could be bad.
Beyond that, low frequency sound isn't directional like a tweeter can be, so down firing really seems to be a matter of preference more than anything else. Some people (here, even) have said they like a front firing sub just so they can watch the woofer. OTOH, I have also heard of putting a down firing sub on a platform so that the first surface it hits isn't padded carpet. I am employing that technique myself, by putting my X-13s on a platform, supported by spikes, and using isolation feet on the sub itself. I don't have close neighbors, but have a very spongy vibration-prone floor. The spikes are said to reduce surface area contact with the floor, while allowing better stability on med-pile carpet; the platform helps absorb some of the vibration (along with the feet) while eliminating carpet as the first point of contact. The best description of isolation feet I know is on SVS website for their product.
Maybe I'm crazy... but so far its working for me. My old RatShack LX5s with Linaeum tweeter and a 4.5" woofer sound like the double bass is in the room with me. Those speakers alone can't do that.

NOW>>>
back to the point of post #1...
Do you have the ability to listen to either of the speaker brands you are interested in? Have you considered ELAC, Fluance Signature?... so many other good options, too!
For the receiver, I would also recommend looking at the Denon models comparable to the Marantz... either the 3400 or 4400, I think. Little less gadgetry you might not need with sightly more robust amplification.
Lastly, consider upgrading in parts... maybe your front 3 speakers and the receiver now... then another pair or two in 5-6 months... That might allow you to buy a slightly better AVR now to anchor your system for the next 10 yrs.

Happy hunting!