Recommendations on Best Bang for Buck HT Upgrade

[Jumphry]

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration!

I've been piecing together somewhat of a Frankenstein Home Theater over the last 10 years and am trying to determine where I can get the best bang for my buck in an upgrade. I think I can get the wife on board for something around ~$1,200 and would love to hear any feedback on what you think would be best.

Current System
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V675
Front L/R Speakers: Pioneer SP-SF52 Andrew Jones Floor Standing Towers
Center Speaker: Infinity Primus PC251
Subwoofer: Klipsch R-12SW

Room Dimensions
Rectangle Room w/ vaulted ceilings
- 20'W x 25'L
- 11' H at peak / 8' H at walls
Listening Position is 15' from front of speakers

As with many situations, the wife doesn't quite appreciate the HT setup quite like I do so the purchases have been piece meal, over time, and on the cheap. I get a lot of Best Buy gift cards from my employer so most of what I have has been purchased from there.

I'm currently running a 3.1 because the room wasn't wired for surround when we (recently) moved in. I'd like to eventually get at least a 5.1 setup, but it may require getting a professional in for a clean install. However, if I were to stick with a 3.1 for now...what would give me the biggest bang for my buck, given my budget of ~$1,200?

I wouldn't mind a new receiver, but it's hard to justify the upgrade there at this point given I'm not set up for 5.1, muchless Atmos, DTS-X or able to otherwise take advantage of all the bells n' whistles coming out of the newer units. Outside of that, would more power / cleaner signal really make a big difference in what I'd get out of my budget speaker setup?

I considered upgrading the front L/R speakers with some larger / higher quality towers...but would I get that much of an improvement for $500-600 towers (each)? Best Buy has some Klipsch in that range...are they any good?

Would updating the center channel be a better idea? Currently, dialog from the center channel seems muddled at times and there is definitely a noticeable tone difference in sound between the Infinity center and Pioneer loudspeakers. If I upgrade the center channel, should i also budget in upgrading the front L/R speakers to match the series as well? (or vice versa)

Finally...I'm happy with the performance of the sub, although maybe I don't know what I'm missing. I've heard a lot about getting at least 2 subs if you can....should i spring for a 2nd sub for my upgrade?

Lots to consider and any help, or feedback, you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[mazersteven]

Your all over the place. State what you want to upgrade. Speakers I recommend.

SVS Prime Tower Speaker

SVS Prime Tower speaker delivers unrivaled performance for home theater and stereo systems.

www.svsound.com

 

[mazersteven]

Polk Audio LSiM 705

Polk™ Tower Speakers & Floor Standing Speakers | Polk Audio™

Shop our floor-standing tower speaker collection and get free shipping. The highest standard in uncompromising audio performance. Free Shipping.

www.polkaudio.com

Sold on Amazon w/ free shipping ( Half Price Sale)

 

[mazersteven]

JBL 590. (I've not heard these, but members here have good things to day about them. On Sale)

Studio 590 | 250-watt, dual 8" floorstanding loudspeaker

The JBL® Studio 590 floorstanding loudspeaker brings professional-quality sound to the home experience. The Studio 590 uses the technology that JBL engineers developed for pro-audio loudspeakers to deliver accurate, powerful sound to your living room. The Studio 590 is a perfect complement to...

www.jbl.com

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

One more piece of the puzzle is missing - what's your current TV situation?

 

[Jumphry]

Thanks for the recommendations mazersteven...I could have been more clear on what I was looking for.

I suppose first & foremost...I'm trying to understand which of the 3 components (loudspeakers, center channel, receiver, additional sub) would make the biggest difference in an upgrade...given my current equipment and budget.

From what you recommended, it sounds like upgrading the front L/R loudspeakers....from my current Pioneers to the SVS or Polks would add the biggest increase in overall home theater / movie watching experience?

 

[Jumphry]

One more piece of the puzzle is missing - what's your current TV situation?

I have an LG OLED C7 pannel

Also....an Oppo 203 4k BluRay Player

 

[mazersteven]

I suppose first & foremost...I'm trying to understand which of the 3 components (loudspeakers, center channel, receiver, additional sub) would make the biggest difference in an upgrade

Your Main Speakers would make the Biggest Sound Up-Grade. Followed by Sub

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So 4k TV and 4k BD player. Does RX-V675 support HDCP 2.2? I can't find the spec, but I doubt so given it's a much older model. I won't usually recommend an AVR upgrade, but in this case, I think it could be helpful to get access to better room Auto-EQ system included mid-range Denon models and full 4k/Atmos/Dolby support.

 

[mazersteven]

From what you recommended, it sounds like upgrading the front L/R loudspeakers....from my current Pioneers to the SVS or Polks would add the biggest increase in overall home theater / movie watching experience?

Absolutely!!!

 

[NINaudio]

These go on sale quite frequently and have been getting good reviews:

https://www.infinityspeakers.com/reference-series-home/REFERENCE+253.html?dwvar_REFERENCE 253_color=Black-USA-Current&cgid=reference-series-home#start=1

I think getting those and the corresponding 3 way center when it's on sale would be a great cost effective upgrade for you.

Your receiver has 4k pass through, so I wouldn't worry too much about upgrading that now, especially since you are only 3.1

 

[Jumphry]

So 4k TV and 4k BD player. Does RX-V675 support HDCP 2.2? I can't find the spec, but I doubt so given it's a much older model. I won't usually recommend an AVR upgrade, but in this case, I think it could be helpful to get access to better room Auto-EQ system included mid-range Denon models and full 4k/Atmos/Dolby support.

Very interesting...honestly I wasn't even aware of this.

From what I've been able to read, the V675 does NOT support HDCP 2.2. I haven't run into any issues yet because I have the receiver connecting to the TV's HDMI1 (ARC) port, and the 4K BD Player connecting directly to the TV's HDMI 2 port.

To watch a 4K BD Disc, I switch the TV input to HDMI2 and audio comes through the speakers hooked up to the receiver.

Am I loosing out on anything with this configuration? If so, maybe a receiver upgrade is due...I just didn't want to pull the trigger on one until I had my surround speaker wires ran and hooked up.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Very interesting...honestly I wasn't even aware of this.

From what I've been able to read, the V675 does NOT support HDCP 2.2. I haven't run into any issues yet because I have the receiver connecting to the TV's HDMI1 (ARC) port, and the 4K BD Player connecting directly to the TV's HDMI 2 port.

To watch a 4K BD Disc, I switch the TV input to HDMI2 and audio comes through the speakers hooked up to the receiver.

Am I loosing out on anything with this configuration? If so, maybe a receiver upgrade is due...I just didn't want to pull the trigger on one until I had my surround speaker wires ran and hooked up.

You aren't loosing much (besides convenience), not sure how exactly your TV ARC works, but It would makes sense to simply the A/V path and let AVR decode the signal and route video to TV and process the audio, amplify it and send to speakers.
In general, I do agree with previous posters than speakers make the biggest impact on sound quality, but the problem in your case is mismatched components. They aren't bad, probably sonic difference from the center is the biggest issue.

Thinking a bit more on this, I think the absolute best for bang idea is this:
a) Buy a matching center:

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Home Audio Center Channel Speaker: PIONEER HOME: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Home Audio Center Channel Speaker: PIONEER HOME: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

These often sold as low as $50
b) Sell your old center on the eBay
c) get a kickass sub

 

[mazersteven]

Forget that matching center. Get yourself a set of Mains and run a Phantom Center if you have to. Sell your mains and old center (get something for them).

Save for Center, Sub, Surrounds

 

[NINaudio]

You aren't loosing much (besides convenience), not sure how exactly your TV ARC works, but It would makes sense to simply the A/V path and let AVR decode the signal and route video to TV and process the audio, amplify it and send to speakers.
In general, I do agree with previous posters than speakers make the biggest impact on sound quality, but the problem in your case is mismatched components. They aren't bad, probably sonic difference from the center is the biggest issue.

Thinking a bit more on this, I think the absolute best for bang idea is this:
a) Buy a matching center:

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Home Audio Center Channel Speaker: PIONEER HOME: Home Audio & Theater

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Home Audio Center Channel Speaker: PIONEER HOME: Home Audio & Theater

www.amazon.com

These often sold as low as $50
b) Sell your old center on the eBay
c) get a kickass sub

Am I missing something? His receiver has 4k Ultra HD pass through, so that shouldn't even be an issue. And if arc poses an issue, the Oppo has a second HDMI port that you can use to send the audio stream directly to the receiver. That alone should give him the best of both worlds and allow for focusing on getting better speakers.

 

[Alex2507]

Currently, dialog from the center channel seems muddled at times and there is definitely a noticeable tone difference in sound between the Infinity center and Pioneer loudspeakers.

I like BSA's solution of a matching center for $116.88, allowing your budget to grow while you have a matched sound stage.

I might be interested in your Infinity PC251if you can get a doctors note clearing you of cooties.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Am I missing something? His receiver has 4k Ultra HD pass through, so that shouldn't even be an issue. And if arc poses an issue, the Oppo has a second HDMI port that you can use to send the audio stream directly to the receiver. That alone should give him the best of both worlds and allow for focusing on getting better speakers.

Yes. You are missing that earlier avr models claimed 4k passthru, but "forgot" to mention that only support unprotectect 4k, unlike 4k bluray which requires hdmi 2.0 and hdcp 2.2 to allow passthru.

 

[JMB]

These go on sale quite frequently and have been getting good reviews:

https://www.infinityspeakers.com/reference-series-home/REFERENCE+253.html?dwvar_REFERENCE 253_color=Black-USA-Current&cgid=reference-series-home#start=1

I think getting those and the corresponding 3 way center when it's on sale would be a great cost effective upgrade for you.

Your receiver has 4k pass through, so I wouldn't worry too much about upgrading that now, especially since you are only 3.1

The model above those, the R263 are currently on sale at the Harman site for cheaper than the R253
https://www.harmanaudio.com/R263BK.html

I am considering replacing the same fs52s with these

 

[NINaudio]

Yes. You are missing that earlier avr models claimed 4k passthru, but "forgot" to mention that only support unprotectect 4k, unlike 4k bluray which requires hdmi 2.0 and hdcp 2.2 to allow passthru.

But he could still get around that like I stated, correct?

The model above those, the R263 are currently on sale at the Harman site for cheaper than the R253
https://www.harmanaudio.com/R263BK.html

I am considering replacing the same fs52s with these

I was looking for those and couldn't find them. Glad you did. For some reason, your link doesn't work, so I'm putting them here too:

https://www.harmanaudio.com/R263BK.html

 

[Jumphry]

Thanks everyone for all the information!

General question...is it better to under power higher quality speakers (keeping the V675 and getting higher quality Front L/R speakers that you've linked above) or to over power lower quality speakers?

How are the similarly priced Klipsch speakers to the ones you referenced above? Only reason I ask is because Best Buy deals in Klipsch, which I'd be able to pay and pickup....vs order online and wait for shipment sight unseen.

Is the Klipsch Reference Premier series a mass marketed, over priced speaker vs better bang for the buck SVS, Polk, Infinity speakers suggested above?

Thanks again!