Help choosing new center and surrounds...

[kaos]

I recently upgraded my front stereo speakers to the Yamaha NS-777s. The center and surround channels are also from Yamaha and are the NS-AP4400 models. I am looking to upgrade the center and surrounds. based on the space I'm given in my room I am using monopoles right now. Would anyone recommend dipoles or even tripoles? The surrounds are pretty close to reflection surfaces so what type of speaker should I get? What would match my front stereos pretty well? I'm trying to keep this under about $500 for the 3. Surely what I'm looking for shouldn't reach that much. Any recommendations?

Also, I'm thinking about installing the new surrounds and taking the monopoles that I'm using right now and moving them to the back to act as rear surrounds so I can utilize 7.1. But they would have to placed directly over my head (about 3 ft). How can I still get the most out of surrounds like that with the room I'm given?

I've provided a picture to show what my setup looks like and it may help for reference. Don't mind the Picasso level of skill...

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[kaos]

Help!

*thread bump*

 

[jaxvon]

I would say for center and surrounds the NS-C444 and NS-333. These will perfectly match the timbre of your mains and will come in under budget, even at MSRP.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I would say for center and surrounds the NS-C444 and NS-333. These will perfectly match the timbre of your mains and will come in under budget, even at MSRP.

I second that perfect recommendation. Nice job, Jax!
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/speakers/speakers_NSsystems.htm

Kaos,
Do you have those 777's hooked up yet? If so, how do you like them? How do they sound? I love the specs, the price, and the weight. Hopefully they are nice and smooooth.

 

[kaos]

They sound great! I haven't noticed anything about them that would make me question them. I'm sure a more hardcore audiophile would, though, but they're great for me. The reason I have those and didn't fully upgrade my system at once is because I got them for free from a customer who didn't want them because they were TOO big for his room. So I took them as payment for wiring and calibrating his stuff. I've heard the matching center and surrounds that you guys recommend and I do understand that sticking with the same brands is recommended but is there anything else that would enhance the experience a little better while still matching the front stereos? Just curious! Thanks guys.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

My opinion - stick with Yamaha. You can't beat a matching set. I could recommend the BIC CLRS 62 for a great center, but it's rated at 8 ohms and has a different sensitivity rating. It would be much harder, as you probably already know, to dial in a different make - especially when the drivers are totally different. Plus, those are nice looking units. Why mix it up when the price is right, and the sound is there too. Nice barter!

 

[kaos]

You're right. I'm going to stick with them. The price for those are just too good. Anyone know what the cheapest site on the net is to get them at that's trustworthy? And authorized? I've ordered from bhphotovideo.com before and they're great (and authorized Yamaha) but I'm just curious if there are better prices out there that are legit. Thanks!

 

[jaxvon]

I would just stick to an Authorized dealer. I doubt the price difference would be that much, and I would want the warranty on my new stuff. You said you were willing to spend $500, and even paying full MSRP, you'll spend less than that. Just find a good authorized dealer and go for it.

Actually, I just checked J&R (and authorized retailer) and they have the NS-C444 for $99 (you have to have them email the price) and the NS-333 for less (you have to call their toll-free number to get the best price for that).

 

[kaos]

Sweet deal! Thanks jaxvon!!