Where to improve?

[powermang]

Good Morning,

I've been incrementally improving my home theater over the years and i'm finally at a point where i'm reasonably happy with the way it sounds, however, there is always room for improvement. Currently my setup is as follows.

5.4.4
dedicated room approx: 1620 cubic feet (15ftx12ft)
Pionner VSX-LX303
LRC -ELAC debut 2.0 B6.2
2x Surrounds and 4xAtmos - ELAC debut 2.0 OW4.2
Subs - 2x PB1000 front corners
2xELAC Sub3010 back corners
2x4 minidsp

Looking for thoughts on where i should be looking for my next incremental move? Happy with the number of speakers i have and honestly wouldn't have the space or interest in adding any more atmos speakers.
I have been wondering if my next move should be upgrading my AVR? Would there be any benefit to moving over to Denon? Perhaps the Denon 4500H, the biggest difference between my current pioneer and the denon 4500H is power, the pioneer is rated 100 watts per channel while the Denon is 125. Would the head room in power bring more clarity and less distortion? Generally listen to my movies around -10 or -12. Loud but not excessive. The Pioneer does not have pre-outs so a preamp is not an option and from what i gather on the forums may not be all that beneficial.
Another thought would be upgrading my LRC. I see there are some improvements to the ELAC Deput speakers with the new reference line.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[slipperybidness]

Good Morning,

I've been incrementally improving my home theater over the years and i'm finally at a point where i'm reasonably happy with the way it sounds, however, there is always room for improvement. Currently my setup is as follows.

5.4.4
dedicated room approx: 1620 cubic feet (15ftx12ft)
Pionner VSX-LX303
LRC -ELAC debut 2.0 B6.2
2x Surrounds and 4xAtmos - ELAC debut 2.0 OW4.2
Subs - 2x PB1000 front corners
2xELAC Sub3010 back corners
2x4 minidsp

Looking for thoughts on where i should be looking for my next incremental move? Happy with the number of speakers i have and honestly wouldn't have the space or interest in adding any more atmos speakers.
I have been wondering if my next move should be upgrading my AVR? Would there be any benefit to moving over to Denon? Perhaps the Denon 4500H, the biggest difference between my current pioneer and the denon 4500H is power, the pioneer is rated 100 watts per channel while the Denon is 125. Would the head room in power bring more clarity and less distortion? Generally listen to my movies around -10 or -12. Loud but not excessive. The Pioneer does not have pre-outs so a preamp is not an option and from what i gather on the forums may not be all that beneficial.
Another thought would be upgrading my LRC. I see there are some improvements to the ELAC Deput speakers with the new reference line.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

The difference in power from 100W to 125W is completely negligible! 3db SPL gain is a doubling of power.

Only upgrade the AVR if there are newer features or protocols that you are lacking today.

Have you done any room treatments? That would be a good upgrade to consider.

You mention minidsp, do you have measurement gear to tune the sound to the room? That would be the next step to consider.

How about your TV? Is it lacking in any way?

Beyond that, quit worrying about it and enjoy what you have!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Elac Debut Speakers are great value for the $, but there are plenty of much better speakers. Speakers, is there you'd see the most impact of updating, not AVR.

 

[DigitalDawn]

I would also consider upgrading your speakers. Do you have a budget?

 

[powermang]

Okay...Speakers are clearly the winner here.

Is it okay to just update the LRC and leave the effects speakers as they are? I'm pretty happy with the ELAC on walls.

In terms of budget, probably in the 1500 range for now. Book shelf speakers fit best into my listening environment. Any thoughts on brands in this price range?

R

 

[ryanosaur]

Okay...Speakers are clearly the winner here.

Is it okay to just update the LRC and leave the effects speakers as they are? I'm pretty happy with the ELAC on walls.

In terms of budget, probably in the 1500 range for now. Book shelf speakers fit best into my listening environment. Any thoughts on brands in this price range?

R

Yes. The surrounds (including Atmos) do not need to match your mains and center. Even though it is convention, your center doesn’t necessarily need to match your mains. (But that gets complicated. )
Having the voicing match well between your front three, and having a center channel design that promotes clear dialog is what is important. Matching brand and model (ie using all Monitor Audio Silver) goes a long way to solve for the first. Research and auditioning is the only way you can guarantee satisfaction in that last point.

$1500 for new front 3?

Can you consider using all matched stand mounts across your front, or do you need that horizontal center?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Here are some of the good [imo] options for $1500 LCR :
https://www.nhthifi.com/products/16550-c-lcr-center-channel-speaker?category_id=1964848-center-speakers

CCB-8 Speaker

Order Note: Each order quantity contains ONE speaker. For a pair you would need to change the quantity to two The CCB-8, a constant directivity horn made in collaboration with Don Keele, is one of the industry’s best performing speakers when it comes to smooth, musical, off-axis response...

www.hsuresearch.com

CMT-340SE MINI-TOWER PAIR

Uncompromising Performance, Our Best Value! "These speakers’ levels of design, capability, and refinement far exceed what could previously be expected from this price range. Those considering buying far more expensive speakers would be well advised not to ignore the Ascends simply because of...

www.ascendacoustics.com

http://gr-research.com/centrare.aspx [(he most unusual visually, but probably best value right here)
SVS Ultra Bookshelf and Center would be a good option as well. but bit over the budget

 

[ryanosaur]

The sale will move quickly, but may come back again, still:
The BLSv2 and LCRv2 from Outlaw are on sale right now. You can read Shady's review here:

Outlaw Audio BLSv2 Bookshelf and LCRv2 Loudspeaker Review

Outlaw Audio is reintroducing it acclaimed BLS and LCR loudspeakers to the audio industry. Dubbed the v2, did Outlaw Audio improve the original design while reducing the cost? Read on to find out.

www.audioholics.com

 

[powermang]

Yes. The surrounds (including Atmos) do not need to match your mains and center. Even though it is convention, your center doesn’t necessarily need to match your mains. (But that gets complicated. )
Having the voicing match well between your front three, and having a center channel design that promotes clear dialog is what is important. Matching brand and model (ie using all Monitor Audio Silver) goes a long way to solve for the first. Research and auditioning is the only way you can guarantee satisfaction in that last point.

$1500 for new front 3?

Can you consider using all matched stand mounts across your front, or do you need that horizontal center?

yes, 1500 for front 3.

 

[powermang]

yes, 1500 for front 3.

and i could consider stands, however it might be difficult to not have center horizontal.

 

[John Parks]

yes, 1500 for front 3.

If you like the Elac Debuts, would you consider a step up the ladder to the Uni-Fi? From what I have been able to see online, you can upgrade, even to the floorstanding UF5s for less than your $1.5K budget. Food for thought...

 

[powermang]

If you like the Elac Debuts, would you consider a step up the ladder to the Uni-Fi? From what I have been able to see online, you can upgrade, even to the floorstanding UF5s for less than your $1.5K budget. Food for thought...

Thats a good idea, i'm thinking about some UF5 floor standers, could maybe make that work.

Also, pricing out the SVS Ultra book shelves. All good ideas. Thank you.

 

[vader540is]

Looking for thoughts on where i should be looking for my next incremental move? .

Sell those 4 subs and get two PSA or JTR subs.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Sell those 4 subs and get two PSA or JTR subs.

Damn it! I was gonna be that guy...lol.

 

[vader540is]

Damn it! I was gonna be that guy...lol.

Lol

 

[sterling shoote]

Good Morning,

I've been incrementally improving my home theater over the years and i'm finally at a point where i'm reasonably happy with the way it sounds, however, there is always room for improvement. Currently my setup is as follows.

5.4.4
dedicated room approx: 1620 cubic feet (15ftx12ft)
Pionner VSX-LX303
LRC -ELAC debut 2.0 B6.2
2x Surrounds and 4xAtmos - ELAC debut 2.0 OW4.2
Subs - 2x PB1000 front corners
2xELAC Sub3010 back corners
2x4 minidsp

Looking for thoughts on where i should be looking for my next incremental move? Happy with the number of speakers i have and honestly wouldn't have the space or interest in adding any more atmos speakers.
I have been wondering if my next move should be upgrading my AVR? Would there be any benefit to moving over to Denon? Perhaps the Denon 4500H, the biggest difference between my current pioneer and the denon 4500H is power, the pioneer is rated 100 watts per channel while the Denon is 125. Would the head room in power bring more clarity and less distortion? Generally listen to my movies around -10 or -12. Loud but not excessive. The Pioneer does not have pre-outs so a preamp is not an option and from what i gather on the forums may not be all that beneficial.
Another thought would be upgrading my LRC. I see there are some improvements to the ELAC Deput speakers with the new reference line.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

You have not described the improvement sought, or any performance issue, so it appears your system satisfies. With that in mind, maybe you don't do anything and just enjoy.

 

[slipperybidness]

As usual, post #2 completely ignored, that just isn't the "fun" option, but it should be heavily considered!

 

[powermang]

As usual, post #2 completely ignored, that just isn't the "fun" option, but it should be heavily considered!

My apologies, i would entertain the idea of room treatments.

I do have REW and a mic for testing, however, i have never been really sure how to tell what i would need i terms of treatments.
Base traps might prove difficult due to a doorway in one of the back corners of the room. I have considered side wall treatment, that seems like something that isn't too complicated.

 

[Pogre]

Thats a good idea, i'm thinking about some UF5 floor standers, could maybe make that work.

Also, pricing out the SVS Ultra book shelves. All good ideas. Thank you.

The Ultra speakers are very good. My 5.1 setup are all Ultra speakers and I love 'em. I kept an eye on SVS' outlet (which is currently wiped out fromsale a recent sale) and ended up scoring 3 Ultra bookshelf speakers for $399 apiece. I don't know if you can do much better than that, bang for buck. They're very neutral, accurate speakers.