Another first post/attempt thread...

[zyphaz]

Hi all, first post on here and admittedly my cup is nearly empty when it comes to HT knowledge.

I recently purchased a used setup comprised of Energy Take Classic 5 sats with ESW8 for a song and have been bitten by the bug. Unfortunately it turns out one of the sats is bad. Instead of going out and finding a direct, I'm already looking to upgrade only days after my initial purchase.

System set up is as follows:
HK AVR 347
Sony kdf-e60a20 60" RP TV
Energy Take Classic 5
Energy XL-C Center
Energy ESW8 Sub

I also have access to a Paradigm CC-50, but the main woofer has a damaged foam surround.

Here comes the questions. I'm planning on picking up two fronts that can either work with the Energy XL-C or repairing the CC-50 with either a new surround (I've never repaired a speaker before so it'd be a first) or new driver (Same as an Atom I've heard) and go with it.

From what I've gathered in forum searches people are suggesting going with Energy RC10's. Would these match the XL-C that I have now or would it be time to upgrade the center channel again?

I'm guessing if I were to repair the CC-50 that going with Atom's would be my best bet?

Are there any other good options for under $300 either new or used?

Lastly, is everything I'm asking in regards to upgrading the fronts irrelevant since I'm planning on keeping two of the Take Classic satellites as my surrounds? Or am I alright leaving these back there?

 

[Alex2507]

A broken Paradigm center doesn't sound like anything to build a speaker package around and $300 doesn't sound like enough money to build a system with so ... work with what you have. Use your Energy fronts in a 3.1 configuration until another Energy falls into your lap from eBay or you find a pair of anything to use for surrounds. Keep adding to that $300 fund and stick around to get an idea of what does get honorable mention around here.

I have an H/K 430 so I feel like we're related. Every so often one of the members here will sell off some cool stuff.
Welcome aboard.

I just thought I would post this because I think it's cool.

http://reviews.cnet.com/surround-speaker-systems/energy-take-classic-5/4505-7868_7-33310963.html

 

[zyphaz]

Thanks for the advice and the warm H/K welcome Alex.

Also, I can spend more than $300. That's just the price point I was looking at if I were going to go with a pair of RC10's up front, if it would have matched the timber of the XL-C center.

 

[Alex2507]

Thanks for the advice and the warm H/K welcome Alex.

Also, I can spend more than $300. That's just the price point I was looking at if I were going to go with a pair of RC10's up front, if it would have matched the timber of the XL-C center.

Oh ... gotcha. I thought that was the center that came with the Take Classic 5's. Clearly I'm unfamiliar with those speakers but that's a completely different ball game based on what I saw here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ENERGY-XL-C-CENTER-SPEAKER_W0QQitemZ320464930666QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item4a9d32c76a

and here:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/center-channels/energy-loudspeakers/exl-c/PRD_119499_2743crx.aspx

So yeah, step up to fronts to match that center and use the little sats as surrounds. I'm pretty sure, almost positive that your 347 has what's called a variable quadruple crossover so it can accommodate high crossover points for the surrounds.

If you have the center for the Take Classic 5 you might even go for a 6.1 configuration ... or not.