time to UPGRADE

[razzy]

Unless you're doing Q900 x 3, I wouldn't buy it. But I say $150 + shipping.

i've never heard of someone getting 3 floorstanding speakers and using one of them as a center channel - why do you say not to go for it if i want to use a center channel q200c in this case? i don't get it.

 

[razzy]

well forget the kef q900 it went for just over 300 shipped

 

[brianedm]

hey AH family its been a while since i've posted on here - last time it was discussing my subwoofer purchase! i'm now the happy owner (for now lol) of TWO HSU VTF3-MK3's that i picked up for around 900 shipped.

BUT that's not the topic here - I'm looking to upgrade my entire 5 speaker surround sound system! I will at least break even w/ what I paid for the entire setup which is AMAZING! So I'll have all the cash plus around 500 to throw at my new setup.

Budget ~ $1000 for 2 mains, center, 2 surrounds

I currently have
Polk Monitor 70 II
Polk Monitor40 II (now sold)
Polk Monitor CS2 II (now sold)
powered by Yamaha Aventage RXA-3000

I have three questions
1. What brands/product lines should I be considering to replace the Polk Monitor setup I have? I would like to buy USED if I can (i've found some KILLER deals on eBay like a pair of B&W 683's and Polk RTIA7's for around 500 shipped)
*The goal is to step up big time in quality w/o stepping up big time w/ the wallet and from sold listings I know its completely possible!

3. I had monitor40 bookshelf speakers as my surrounds but both the 600 series and rti series, (and others i may consider i'm sure will) have true dipole surround speakers - should I forget the bookshelf options in those series for their dipole surround speaker options? (I think I know the answer to this but I wanted some input)

2. Would my AVR or the addition of an external amp be appropriate/beneficial to power my speakers? (side note - does anyone know if the yamaha automatically drives the speakers with as much power available or can you step up the power to the max?) I've heard monitors are "power hungry" and if they sound good its when they are played LOUD! Not sure if that's due to my AVR being unable to power the monitors adequately or what.

**The monitors are nice but i got spoiled by my dad owning legacy whispers, martin logan electrostatics, and having listened to wilson watt puppies and many other HIGH end setups so i'm not easily impressed anymore unfortunately hahaha I'm looking for a speaker that can give impressive detail and adequate SPL's when played even at moderate volume.

So to start i've come up with two options that are higher end than my monitors that are still w/ in my budget - polk rti7 or 9 and b&w 683

educate me!

I was in almost the exact same boat as you 6-8 months ago. I had a pair of polk towers, I believe monitor 60s. I upgraded to the a7s and am quite happy with them. Bought all 5 of my speakers on sale for around $2,000 canadian with stands for my bookshelfs. That being said, if I had to do it all over again I would probably invest the 2 grand in salk song towers or aperion grand verus towers and go through a slower upgrade process to eventually get surround. You could even still use your current speakers for surrounds until you had money to replace them. That being said, if you're a fan of your existing polks, I don't think you'd go wrong with the a7 or a9. It was definitely an upgrade for me. If you decide to go with the rti a9, external amplification is almost mandatory for best performance from what I've read. Hope that helps

 

[razzy]

I was in almost the exact same boat as you 6-8 months ago. I had a pair of polk towers, I believe monitor 60s. I upgraded to the a7s and am quite happy with them. Bought all 5 of my speakers on sale for around $2,000 canadian with stands for my bookshelfs. That being said, if I had to do it all over again I would probably invest the 2 grand in salk song towers or aperion grand verus towers and go through a slower upgrade process to eventually get surround. You could even still use your current speakers for surrounds until you had money to replace them. That being said, if you're a fan of your existing polks, I don't think you'd go wrong with the a7 or a9. It was definitely an upgrade for me. If you decide to go with the rti a9, external amplification is almost mandatory for best performance from what I've read. Hope that helps

cool man thanks for your post - how much greater of an imporovement did the a7's provide over the monitor60s? was it worth it to you or do you still want more quality? i don't know if i'm a polk or not really lol i just want a great sounding speaker setup. the verus grands look amazing but they're just out of my range unless i can find a great deal for them used but NO ONE is selling them - thats a pretty big indication to me that they are GREAT speakers! but yeah i would prefer not to upgrade so often but i don't really have the cash right now for speakers in the 3k range.

i really need to go to local places and audition as many speakers as i can to get a feel for what i like

oh and i forgot to say i'm about 50/50 HT and music

 

[brianedm]

cool man thanks for your post - how much greater of an imporovement did the a7's provide over the monitor60s? was it worth it to you or do you still want more quality? i don't know if i'm a polk or not really lol i just want a great sounding speaker setup. the verus grands look amazing but they're just out of my range unless i can find a great deal for them used but NO ONE is selling them - thats a pretty big indication to me that they are GREAT speakers! but yeah i would prefer not to upgrade so often but i don't really have the cash right now for speakers in the 3k range.

i really need to go to local places and audition as many speakers as i can to get a feel for what i like

oh and i forgot to say i'm about 50/50 HT and music

If moneys a little tighter right now you could always just get the verus grand towers for now, skip the center and use your existing surrounds until more money becomes available. That'll set you back about $1800 Or if you can stretch your budget to $2500 you can get your front 3 with the grand center and you should really be doing well for yourself then.

I wasn't in the exact same scenario since I went from 2 towers to 2 towers, a center and surrounds, haha. That being said, when listening to music in stereo I could definitely tell a big difference even before I added my subs. So, for music which was the only consistent aspect of it, It was a pretty big leap imo. It makes sense to me that for both music and surround the rti line would be a big upgrade over your current speakers. Just probably not as big of an upgrade as if you built up slower and went for some truly amazing and well reviewed speakers like those other ones I mentioned above.

 

[razzy]

If moneys a little tighter right now you could always just get the verus grand towers for now, skip the center and use your existing surrounds until more money becomes available. That'll set you back about $1800 Or if you can stretch your budget to $2500 you can get your front 3 with the grand center and you should really be doing well for yourself then.

I wasn't in the exact same scenario since I went from 2 towers to 2 towers, a center and surrounds, haha. That being said, when listening to music in stereo I could definitely tell a big difference even before I added my subs. So, for music which was the only consistent aspect of it, It was a pretty big leap imo. It makes sense to me that for both music and surround the rti line would be a big upgrade over your current speakers. Just probably not as big of an upgrade as if you built up slower and went for some truly amazing and well reviewed speakers like those other ones I mentioned above.

yeah its too bad i wasn't in this a month or so ago i just saw on audiogon that a verus grand center and mains brand new used sold for 1700!

i'm willing to be patient for these and i want them to be phenomenal so if something like that shows up again i will snatch it!

i'll have to find a place that has the rtis local for me to demo i'm really curious as to how they sound

 

[brianedm]

yeah its too bad i wasn't in this a month or so ago i just saw on audiogon that a verus grand center and mains brand new used sold for 1700!

i'm willing to be patient for these and i want them to be phenomenal so if something like that shows up again i will snatch it!

i'll have to find a place that has the rtis local for me to demo i'm really curious as to how they sound

Ya, I'd invite you to demo but I don't think it's worth the drive for you

 

[razzy]

i'll be demoing some speakers soon and will post back asap

if i don't like the caliber speakers i can get for a 5.1 setup for around 1k then i might just get two mains and get the rest of the system at a later point

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

i've never heard of someone getting 3 floorstanding speakers and using one of them as a center channel - why do you say not to go for it if i want to use a center channel q200c in this case? i don't get it.

Oh, yeah, it's ideal to have 5 identical vertical speakers in a 5.1 setup. I use 5 identical KEF 201/2 vertical bookshelf speakers in my 5.1 setup.

I heard some people have 5 Revel Salon2 & some have 5 B&W 800D2 for their 5.1 setup. Seriously. Five identical towers all around would be ideal.

 

[razzy]

Oh, yeah, it's ideal to have 5 identical vertical speakers in a 5.1 setup. I use 5 identical KEF 201/2 vertical bookshelf speakers in my 5.1 setup.

I heard some people have 5 Revel Salon2 & some have 5 B&W 800D2 for their 5.1 setup. Seriously. Five identical towers all around would be ideal.

interesting - and HOLY CRAP you have a lot of speakers and audio gear. you married? hahahaha which setup is your favorite?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

interesting - and HOLY CRAP you have a lot of speakers and audio gear. you married? hahahaha which setup is your favorite?

Yup, married w/ 2 kids.

Funk + Revel Salon2
Funk + B&W 802D2
Funk + KEF 201/2
Funk + TAD 2201

 

[PENG]

Yup, married w/ 2 kids.

Funk + Revel Salon2
Funk + B&W 802D2
Funk + KEF 201/2
Funk + TAD 2201

I can't understand why you need the Funk for the Revel, did they ask you for help? I mean the thing packs 3X8" bass and 1X6.5" mid bass. That is a full 3X8" more than your KEF plus a many times larger cabinet, plus -3 dB at 20 Hz. And you pair them with Funks?????????

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can't understand why you need the Funk for the Revel, did they ask you for help? I mean the thing packs 3X8" bass and 1X6.5" mid bass. That is a full 3X8" more than your KEF plus a many times larger cabinet, plus -3 dB at 20 Hz. And you pair them with Funks?????????

Like many things, I can't explain it; I just feel it.

I have compared 2.0 vs 2.1 (Funk) on the Salon2. Of course, with classical music, I usually can't tell the difference. But on soundtracks, pop/rock, I can tell a big difference on certain songs. Night & day difference. Really. Seriously.

 

[ahblaza]

Night and day huh. I'm going to go with your suggestion a couple of weeks ago to go with three towers upfront, I tried a vertical center (BS) with my towers in another setup and it was a great improvement over a horizontal MTM, so LCR towers it is... Thanks Bro

 

[PENG]

Night and day huh. I'm going to go with your suggestion a couple of weeks ago to go with three towers upfront, I tried a vertical center (BS) with my towers in another setup and it was a great improvement over a horizontal MTM, so LCR towers it is... Thanks Bro

You have a projector set up right? It would be in my dream to be able to have 3 front towers, but with a 50" plasma sitting on my an entertainment cabinet that is not possible.

 

[razzy]

Yup, married w/ 2 kids.

Funk + Revel Salon2
Funk + B&W 802D2
Funk + KEF 201/2
Funk + TAD 2201

hahaha thats fantastic good for you!

so all 4 are that good huh? no particular one stands out to you?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

hahaha thats fantastic good for you!

so all 4 are that good huh? no particular one stands out to you?

If my Orion were hooked up to my dual Funk 18.0, I would have included them into my favorite as well.

Amazing what great subs can do.

 

[razzy]

If my Orion were hooked up to my dual Funk 18.0, I would have included them into my favorite as well.

Amazing what great subs can do.

yeah i totally agree - i have dual hsu vtf3.3s for now - will upgrade Lord willing to dual 15s someday.

never heard of the funk - have you compared it to either of the svs hsu rythmik etc. 15" offerings?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

yeah i totally agree - i have dual hsu vtf3.3s for now - will upgrade Lord willing to dual 15s someday.

never heard of the funk - have you compared it to either of the svs hsu rythmik etc. 15" offerings?

I heard Audioholics will be reviewing/ measuring the Funk 18.0 subs, so we will see how it compares to other subs.

I recently sold my dual Rythmik D15SE, which I thought was awesome, but I think my dual Funk is even more awesome.

That's expected since the Rythmik retailed $1K and the Funk retailed $3K.

 

[razzy]

I heard Audioholics will be reviewing/ measuring the Funk 18.0 subs, so we will see how it compares to other subs.

I recently sold my dual Rythmik D15SE, which I thought was awesome, but I think my dual Funk is even more awesome.

That's expected since the Rythmik retailed $1K and the Funk retailed $3K.

dude you are rollin deep! hopefully they will come out w/ the review soon that would be cool!