Need help with new system

[termin8ted314]

My current setup consists of the Polk Audio RM6600 speakers with a Yamaha RX-V596.
I have a Samsung HL-S5088 for my TV with a panasonic blu ray player.

I just purchased a house and will be setting up my living room so i wanted to buy myself a present.
I wanted to get some new speakers and receiver.

I mainly play video games and watch dvd's so my system wont be used for music too often. I narrowed myself down to Denon, Pioneer Elite, or Marantz for the receiver. Speakers is where i am lost.

The room is 15x15 with wood floors.
I am not sure how to size my speakers for the room. The rears will definitely be bookshelf or satellite. I dont know if towers up front will be too much. or bi/di pole in the rear. i would like to do a 7.1 system but im also not sure if the room is too small for that and should just go with a 5.1.

 

[adwilk]

I think you should spend 45K, but we could maybe come up with something for less if you're not prepared to spend that... Whats your budget?

Welcome to audioholics... you'll get some great advice here.

Have you auditioned anything?

 

[termin8ted314]

Im thinking around $2000-$2500 for speakers and $1000-$1500 for a receiver

 

[adwilk]

You probably don't NEED 7.1... Most movies dont even have 7.1 tracks but it is kinda fun. With that size room, I'd be looking at Axiom and SVS. You honestly have tons of options though and should probably go listen to something.

If your room is 15x15 (square) thats not perfectly ideal so if you can budget some room treatments, that might be helpful.

I'd also adjust the way you have your money budgeted (if it were me) Your budget being somewhere between 3-4 grand (I'd narrow that down a bit) I'd look to spend a little higher percentage on the speakers. If your Budget is 4 grand, I'd spend 3 on speakers and sub and 1 on receiver. The speakers are what you actually hear, so i'd spend the money on them.

 

[termin8ted314]

You probably don't NEED 7.1... Most movies dont even have 7.1 tracks but it is kinda fun. With that size room, I'd be looking at Axiom and SVS. You honestly have tons of options though and should probably go listen to something.

If your room is 15x15 (square) thats not perfectly ideal so if you can budget some room treatments, that might be helpful.

I'd also adjust the way you have your money budgeted (if it were me) Your budget being somewhere between 3-4 grand (I'd narrow that down a bit) I'd look to spend a little higher percentage on the speakers. If your Budget is 4 grand, I'd spend 3 on speakers and sub and 1 on receiver. The speakers are what you actually hear, so i'd spend the money on them.

i know i have tons of options thats where im getting confused. I was always happy with my Polk speakers. This also isnt my dream room and wontbe my first house so i am not totally against just doing a receiver now so i can get my connections all right and then speakers down the road.

The room is 15x15 square and its somewhat weird with the way the openings are. there will definitely be two couches in the room and an area rug and coffee table.

I can adjust the budget that was just a figure.

Can i start with a 5.1 system and then add to make it 6.1 or 7.1?

 

[adwilk]

You can always upgrade down the road to 6 or 7.1 or 7.4 or whatever suits you.

If you dont really know what you want, and you're just looking to blow some cash (I like your style) then go check out some receivers, upgrade to the latest/greatest with all the appropriate hookups and then buy a nice new sub to satisfy your ears. With games and movies, you'd be shocked at what a difference a nice sub can make. Keep your speakers for now and while you're out auditioning other stuff, who knows, maybe you'll find just what you're looking for. Treat yourself to some new, big-time bass and you'll likely be happy for a bit...

 

[mtrycrafts]

i know i have tons of options thats where im getting confused. I was always happy with my Polk speakers. This also isnt my dream room and wontbe my first house so i am not totally against just doing a receiver now so i can get my connections all right and then speakers down the road.

The room is 15x15 square and its somewhat weird with the way the openings are. there will definitely be two couches in the room and an area rug and coffee table.

I can adjust the budget that was just a figure.

Can i start with a 5.1 system and then add to make it 6.1 or 7.1?

If you are happy with those speakers why not keep them, add surround and a center if you don't already have one Add a subwoofer.
Do you or are you planning on a blu-ray player?
What can that processor process for sound codes?
That room is not conducive for 6.1 or higher as you should have a good space behind you for those channels.

 

[termin8ted314]

I forgot to add i have the polk psw 350. The center is the one that came with the 6600 package.
Im am looking at the panasonic bd60. Pretty much set on that one.

Its not that i just have cash to blow but i want to get something nice for myself for the new place. I havent looked into new stuff for some time now so i dont know where to start. I have no problem with getting a new receiver and keeping my speakers for a little while. At least then my receiver will be able to handle all the new codecs and connections i need. After all my system is pretty old.

 

[lsiberian]

I forgot to add i have the polk psw 350. The center is the one that came with the 6600 package.
Im am looking at the panasonic bd60. Pretty much set on that one.

Its not that i just have cash to blow but i want to get something nice for myself for the new place. I havent looked into new stuff for some time now so i dont know where to start. I have no problem with getting a new receiver and keeping my speakers for a little while. At least then my receiver will be able to handle all the new codecs and connections i need. After all my system is pretty old.

I honestly think upgrading something you love isn't wise. Here in Texas we say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I also am not a fan of you dropping 1 grand on a receiver, but to each his own I guess.

I suggest an Onkyo 705 or HK AVR HD or Yamah 663 or 665.

Anymore than that is overkill and unecessary, but hey if you want an 805 I wouldn't be opposed to the idea.

Do you have a nice TV?

If you really want to upgrade then you do have a lot of choices.

 

[Highbar]

I'm going to say this amongst all the "if you like it don't change it" people. I had a little JBL surround speaker package that I was happy with quite some time. Then I started to hear other speakers. Then I got my Denon and that made the little JBL's sound a little better. Now on the other hand when I got my X series speakers for the front that made a huge difference in sound.

I agree, keep the receiver to around $1000 and spend the rest on the speakers. The key here is get out and listen, and listen, and listen some more, and just when you think you've listened to enough speakers listen to one more pair. If you don't like anything better then what you have don't get it. If you like something more go for it.

For $3000 you can get a nice 5.1 setup in store or online. Search around the forums for all the brands out there. The lists go on and on and everyone likes something different. When you narrow it down to just a few brands then we can start swaying you one way or another

 

[termin8ted314]

The figure on the receiver was just a ballpark but now that im reading a little more i see it would be better spent elsewhere. I have to get out and listen to some more speakers. My problem is the only places really around here are bestbuy magnolia and 6th avenue.

I was looking at the Axiom or aperion speakers but that was only based on some reviews i read. Ill go listen and then get back to research!

 

[Highbar]

Check out the in home trials that some of the online companies offer. One or two even have free return shipping if you don't like them, that way there's less to worry about. You could also check out their forums or ours and see if anyone has the speakers you are looking at locally that you could listen to.

 

[termin8ted314]

Im going to do alittle more research. I have a question. Those Axiom quadpolar speakers. If my couch is up against the back wall will they work and where would i mount them? Right above pointing at an angle down?

 

[poni02]

If you are looking for floor standing speakers, I recommend MYTHOS1B. They retail @ about $1000 for a pair, so you should close within a 2500 for all 5. As far as receivers go, I've recently tried a few Onkyo TX-SR706 for a customer with a video distribution, and I have to tell you these puppies are the best in their price range. Farudja chip, audyssey eq, THX certified, the works. And the integration of the receiver (if you think to get a universal remote) is amazingly simple, since it pretty much has discrete codes for everything. Check these items out.
Also, if you are looking to get in-ceiling speakers, I have been using Niles audio 750DS series. They sound awesome, I have these in my setup. Remember the center channel is 750DSC and the rears 750DSFX. They are all directional speakers, so even though they are in the ceiling, you can aim them at the listening area for optimal experience. Good luck

 

[termin8ted314]

Would floor standing speakers be overkill for my size room or since im going to be about 10-12 feet from the TV they will be ok?

 

[poni02]

well if you're looking to maximize space than on-wall/in-wall speakers would probably be the best. But if you don't care about the space, you'll probably get a little better sound quality with floor standing ones.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think you owe it to yourself to go audition some Studio 40's v.4. Perfect for your size room and since it is last years model, you can likely find a good deal on them. Match them with the CC590 and use the stuff you already have for surrounds.

Get good mid-range AVR with the latest codecs and spend the rest of the money on the baddest sub you can afford.

5.1 is all you need.

 

[bandphan]

you'll probably get a little better sound quality with floor standing ones.

Please explain why I can think of a whole lot of booskshelves that sound better than those DT towers

 

[termin8ted314]

I think you owe it to yourself to go audition some Studio 40's v.4. Perfect for your size room and since it is last years model, you can likely find a good deal on them. Match them with the CC590 and use the stuff you already have for surrounds.

Get good mid-range AVR with the latest codecs and spend the rest of the money on the baddest sub you can afford.

5.1 is all you need.

I was checking out some Marantz receivers today in the $1000 range. Im going to hit up some places this weekend to listen to speakers and look at receivers.

What do you guys think of aperion or axiom speakers? Say around 2000-2500?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Both companies make good speakers but the only thing that matters is how they sound to you. Listen to everything you can find.

B&W
Paradigm Studios
PSB
Dynaudio
Warfs

What do you guys think of aperion or axiom speakers? Say around 2000-2500?