Best Bang for the Buck (Center and Surround speakers for under 1500?)

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AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
Well guys I need advice and opinions, I have a pair of JBL 4350's 4 way studio monitors being used as F/L/R. Im using a Klipsch Center and Surround back L/R. The Klipsch are just not cutting it and i need a good replacement. The JBL are just phenomenal all the way around. Im using an Onkyo TX-SR805 pushing the the Klipsch so whatever is replacing them needs to be efficient since im out kicking 130wpc to the Klipsch. The Budget is 1500 dollars and I primarily need something that can throw out very good highs. Any Questions please ask and thanks again for the suggestions!! BTW im using a 10 inch ported down-firing Klipsch sub that perfectly compliments the JBL's.
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
You might want to consider the Klipsch Reference Series all the way around. By all accounts they are significantly smoother and more detailed than the Synergy you have now. I would also strongly consider Ascend Acoustics speakers - 340s across the front and 170s or 340s in the back is well in your budget.

Another thing you might want to consider is Elemental Design's Cinema series. High sensitivity, big dynamics. Lots of volume. For just over $1500 you can get two pair of the eD[c]6 and an eD[c] center. They are ugly as sin but are pretty awesome HT speakers. Then again looking at pics of those JBLs you seem like a function over form kinda guy anyway.

You have a weird setup. I'd really encourage you to use one brand and line of speaker all the way around. I understand the JBLs are serious speakers you don't want to get rid of, but maybe think about moving them to another room or something for dedicated stereo listening.
 
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AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
Jonnythan your advice is always appreciated!! I ordered the Audyssey unit yesterday, as you said its a must and now that the JBL's are hooked up i see that even more so. I agree its an usual set up but I wanted to use and enjoy them more esp with the new blu-ray disc changer which hasnt arrived yet. I dunno whats up with the surround speakers. I accidentally hooked up the surround on the Surround L/R and adjusted the Level Calibration to +3db which I have never done and for the first time I heard them and in conjunction with the JBL; they sounded good. Only thing I noticed is that they didnt seem like they were distributing the sound properly. Im getting applause from a concert out of the JBL's and not the surround. Then I read the manual and I was supposed to hook them up to surround back L/R, duh... Once I switched them it went back to not hearing much of anything from them, even after doing the level calib. This is all tested on DTS HD M-A. Once I get the Audyssey im going to take another stab at fixing the issue since its in desperate need of EQ management, but if they dont perform to my expectations they are going on Ebay. Im definitely going to check out all the speakers you suggested and I like the JBL 8320 but i have to find a place where i can hear them. As you said it would be best to stay with the same brand. As for going vertical they are just too massive, they actually weigh 260 each I think you divided them by two. Thanks again guys!
 
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lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
AUDIOCRAZE said:
Jonnythan your advice is always appreciated!! I ordered the Audyssey unit yesterday, as you said its a must and now that the JBL's are hooked up i see that even more so. I agree its an usual set up but I wanted to use and enjoy them more esp with the new blu-ray disc changer which hasnt arrived yet. I dunno whats up with the surround speakers. I accidentally hooked up the surround on the Surround L/R and adjusted the Level Calibration to +3db which I have never done and for the first time I heard them and in conjunction with the JBL; they sounded good. Only thing I noticed is that they didnt seem like they were distributing the sound properly. Im getting applause from a concert out of the JBL's and not the surround. Then I read the manual and I was supposed to hook them up to surround back L/R, duh... Once I switched them it went back to not hearing much of anything from them, even after doing the level calib. This is all tested on DTS HD M-A. Once I get the Audyssey im going to take another stab at fixing the issue since its in desperate need of EQ management, but if they dont perform to my expectations they are going on Ebay. Im definitely going to check out all the speakers you suggested and I like the JBL 8320 but i have to find a place where i can hear them. As you said it would be best to stay with the same brand. As for going vertical they are just too massive, they actually weigh 260 each I think you divided them by two. Thanks again guys!
Click to expand...
You don't need to brand match for surrounds because the wave comes from a different angle, but you do need to match a Center. I recommend not using a center if you can't match it. Especially in this case. I don't see a center holding it's own with great JBL monitors. Your best bet would be the Infinity Primus P352. They are from the same company essentially. I take it this is a living room not a dedicated setup?
 
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
Im going to try disconnecting the Center to see how it sounds. Ive noticed that the JBL's are pretty much the only ones that are pushing all the sound and in perfect order. Live concert sounds amazing however when I put a bluray and the sound (voices) jump from the JBL to the center its a terrible transition because clarity and detail is immensely degraded. I never even thought to consider getting rid of the center but at the end of the day if its not a center that can perform at the level of the JBL I will have to take your advice and get rid of it all together. Anyways the JBL does a perfect job doing it all, if thats what I have to resort to its not a big deal. I was concerned of losing the surround center effect but the sound dispersion is very dimensional out of the JBL. Im thinking now that it should not be a problem. So im going to focus on the surrounds, thanks.
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
Those JBLs are much higher sensitivity than your other speakers - so, uncalibrated, they will definitely be much louder than all the rest.
 
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
afterlife2 said:
I wish I could afford that center. :( Nice towers but too big for my puny studio.:eek:
Click to expand...
The SVA Center looks impressive however from the pics it looks as if it has had a sloppy re-coning job.
 
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
thats probably a better viewing angle of the rears, the sub is next to the far left chair has a fake plant sitting on it.
 
lsiberian

lsiberian

Audioholic Overlord
AUDIOCRAZE said:
this is what im working with:)
Click to expand...
Why not set the tv on top of the speaker? Or get a stand for the tv and put the speaker under it. I suggest you use one of those JBLs as a center below the tv. If you make it work your sound would be incredible IMO. You could keep one of the speakers as a spare which is good to have incase one breaks. Then get a pair of the cinema surrounds and you will be set. You should be able to set levels with an SPL meter(you can get free apps for smart phones)
 
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
lsiberian said:
Why not set the tv on top of the speaker? Or get a stand for the tv and put the speaker under it. I suggest you use one of those JBLs as a center below the tv. If you make it work your sound would be incredible IMO. You could keep one of the speakers as a spare which is good to have incase one breaks. Then get a pair of the cinema surrounds and you will be set. You should be able to set levels with an SPL meter(you can get free apps for smart phones)
Click to expand...
Thats an interesting suggestion but the front layout will remain as is. The Right channel is out of position of course because im working back there. Keep in mind the Super-Tweeter and Compression Driver (Horn/Lens) are positioned on the inside next to the TV on each Cabinet so its hitting me in a good frontal position. Ive put the Klipsch up for grabs just now in the classified section. Soon they will be on Amazon and Ebay. Im going to get the Surround Speakers and seriously leaning toward the JBL Cinema Series that you suggested.
 
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
AUDIOCRAZE

AUDIOCRAZE

Junior Audioholic
jonnythan said:
You might want to consider the Klipsch Reference Series all the way around. By all accounts they are significantly smoother and more detailed than the Synergy you have now. I would also strongly consider Ascend Acoustics speakers - 340s across the front and 170s or 340s in the back is well in your budget.

Another thing you might want to consider is Elemental Design's Cinema series. High sensitivity, big dynamics. Lots of volume. For just over $1500 you can get two pair of the eD[c]6 and an eD[c] center. They are ugly as sin but are pretty awesome HT speakers. Then again looking at pics of those JBLs you seem like a function over form kinda guy anyway.

You have a weird setup. I'd really encourage you to use one brand and line of speaker all the way around. I understand the JBLs are serious speakers you don't want to get rid of, but maybe think about moving them to another room or something for dedicated stereo listening.
Click to expand...
What do you think of using a pair of JBL L820's for the back??
 
jonnythan

jonnythan

Audioholic Ninja
I don't like the idea of using different speakers everywhere. The L820 has no relation to your other speakers.

In my opinion you will get by far the best home theater experience with, at minimum, front and center speakers from the same line. And if you're going to build around one speaker make it the center.

You will never get very good results from what you intend. Nothing in center is going to match the dynamics and tone of those JBLs. You could do L820s for all 5 speakers or something.

I can't really tell what your motivations are. You're all over the place with speakers.
 
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