Hello from long-time lurker, new member and some advice sought!

[Dargent0628]

Hi all, I've been an enthusiastic lurker for some time and a brand new member--wonderful wonderful site and superb source of info via these forums! I am in the process of refining a small media room. It measures 10 x 12 with my gear arrayed on the short wall, listening position approximately 11' from the speaker grilles. I am currently using a pair of good old PSB 40R's as mains, and PSB Image B25's as surrounds. Both on height-appropriate stands so tweeters at ear level. I would like to upgrade my mains and center, which is a pedestrian Polk something or other I picked up at Saturday Audio Exchange here in Chicago. The sub is a Sony SA-WM250, which I would also consider upgrading. May I receive some suggestions for some mains/center in the $750 range? One requirement is placement close to the wall, as space limitations prohibit very far into the room/close to the seating area. I currently have the 40Rs about a foot out. I listen mostly to string ensemble, jazz, Wilco-style acoustic-centered pop in two-channel mode, and a lot of blu-ray dolby-encoded. One option I am seriously considering is moving the B25s to the front and matching them with a PSB Image C40 center and PSB B15s for the surrounds. How do you feel about that? I am also tempted to go with floorstanders for the mains to get some bigger dynamics if they would fit in the dimensions and constraints previously mentioned. I'm intrigued by the Pioneers that everyone is raving about. Oh and I am currently driving everything through a Denon AVR 590, which I find adequate for now, but will upgrade somewhere down the road. Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions you can offer!

 

[zieglj01]

I would move the B25 up front with the C40 center, and use the B15 as surrounds,
and then get a good subwoofer from the likes of SVS, HSU or Power Sound Audio

Since you like a lot of music
http://www.svsound.com/specials/outlet-specials/SB12-NSD#.Uu1ipPldUpY

 

[Dargent0628]

Thanks for the suggestion I should amend that I misidentified the PSBs they're B5's. Another option would be to audition the PSB B6's or T5 floorstanders with the idea of leaving the B5's as surrounds. Do you think the T5's would be too much for the dimensions of the room?

 

[zieglj01]

Thanks for the suggestion I should amend that I misidentified the PSBs they're B5's. Another option would be to audition the PSB B6's or T5 floorstanders with the idea of leaving the B5's as surrounds. Do you think the T5's would be too much for the dimensions of the room?

With rear ported speakers, I prefer at least 12" from the rear wall > with both
rear, front ported or sealed - I still prefer 12 to 18" from the side walls > this
helps with the sound-staging and imaging - and can smooth out bass response.

For towers in your room size - some people like and some do not prefer - it is
subjective and based on preference. For your type room and placement - I do
prefer bookshelf. Some bookshelf speakers do have good dynamics, and many
are better built than towers at the same price point. > Hook the bookshelf up
with a nice sub, that is not mush/boomy, and is tight, controlled and articulate,
you can really have something nice.

Your call on the T5