Help with system revamp !

[blake2163]

Hi everyone first post here in the forum but i could use some help with making some changes to my setup. I assume that everyone can see my current setup. I have just sold the Bose 301's and the Klipsch B-3's.
that leaves me with the Polk cs-2 center and Polk rm7 sats in the rear. I've been researching and have come to sort of a information overload What i have been thinking is going with the Polk rtiA3's and then at least maybe all the speakers timbre would be closer to a match ? please correct me if I'm wrong. I have also considered going to a 2.1 system and have been looking at some Paradigm atom 7's or a nice used set of mini monitors. have also considered B&W 602's or 686 or 685 ? Kef iQ10, Wharfedale diamonds, or maybe even some def tech studio 45 or 55's. I have between $400 to $600 to spend for this. I have looked at some id speakers too such as Aperion and Monitor Audio. My problem is that I have no where to go listen to any of these I have tried in the Valdosta, Tallahassee, and Panama city area and no one carries any of these part of why I'm needing help. So what do you guys think ? whats the best route? go with all polk ? keep the polks and mismatch the speakers again? or scrap it all and go 2.1 and maybe upgrade later back to 5.1 when i can afford it ?
also it would help for you guys to know at this point I'm looking for something good for music listening as well. It will probably be more like a 60/40 split with the 60% being music. Would love to have that feeling like someone just dropped me in the middle of the concert. Thank you guys in advance.

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[blake2163]

sorry have a denon 591 avr with velodyne cht 12 sub and bose 301 series iii and klipsch b-3's up front. (which both are now sold) have a polk cs2 center with polk rm7 sats in the rear

 

[JohnnieB]

Hey blake. My first time to a forum as well. I'm kind of in the same boat, but i'm starting from scratch. Was wondering what you have for receiver or pre/amp setup.

 

[blake2163]

Hey blake. My first time to a forum as well. I'm kind of in the same boat, but i'm starting from scratch. Was wondering what you have for receiver or pre/amp setup.

Right now just working with a denon avr 591. I would love to upgrade this as well but I figure probably need to straighten out the speakers first.

 

[JohnnieB]

I kinda went the other way round. I'm going with separates, my old system was separates and I liked it better than a Sony AVR that I had for a while. You're correct in that you should match the center as close as possible. Are you wanting to stick to bookshelf, or go to floorstanding.

 

[blake2163]

Kinda want to stick with bookshelf seems they tend to do a little better with music than the floorstanders but open to ideas. Just want to have a quality setup that I really enjoy. I had a sony before the denon don't remember the model but really liked it. Not as much as the denon of course


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[JohnnieB]

Why did you get rid of the Polk, if you don't mind my asking. The Bose, I don't need to ask. Never have been very impressed with them, just my opinion.

 

[blake2163]

Why did you get rid of the Polk, if you don't mind my asking. The Bose, I don't need to ask. Never have been very impressed with them, just my opinion.

No I kept the Polk that's what I'm left with is the Polk center and Polk sats. I didn't realize that my other speakers would sell so quick haha. I'm debating getting the rtia3 bookshelves but don't know if I might be better off starting all over.
And yes the Bose were a very dull speaker in my opinion. Apparently some people still like them got almost $400 for the pair. Lol

 

[JohnnieB]

Sorry about the delay, gotta sleep sometime. My mistake on the speakers, I knew what I meant, I just didn't convey that very well. I would try looking online for sights that have free delivery, both ways. That way you can send them back if you dont like them. I too have driven 150 miles or so to audition speakers. I guess IMO, a matched set, even if it's only a 3.1 system would sound better than a mismatched 5.1. Any idea what you might be able to get for your Polks? That could help add to your budget. The rears don"t have to match. This would also allow you the flexibility of maybe a 3 channel, two channel amp setup if you decide to go that route in the future. I hesitate to recommend a specific speaker as I am a bit of a newb here myself. Hopefully others on this forum will contribute, and give you a few solid suggestions. I guess the other thing to consider is, what are you trying to achieve. I know everyone wants the best sound they can get and usually on a small or limited budget. I think in you're case patience would be a huge virtue. Stack some bread for a while, it sounds like you have a good start.

 

[blake2163]

Thanks didn't think about looking for sites with free shipping that's a good idea. I would guess I could get somewhere between $100 and $150 for the polks if I'm lucky but yes even $100 might step me up an extra level on some brands or allow for a 3.1 setup. After you mentioning the 3.1 got me thinking that may be a good idea so at least I know my front three will match which is the most important. As for what I would like to achieve the idea I have in my head at the moment is more of a minimalist sorta setup with a clean elegant look and a sound to soothe the soul. Something maybe out of my budget at the moment but possibly not which is why I ask for help. I keep telling my self that patience thing haha but it's hard but that's what happened last time I just bought what was on sale or in front of me at the store at the moment. I want to avoid that mistake this go round.

 

[JohnnieB]

I understand, oh how I understand. At the price range i'm in with my component choices, it takes me 2-3 months to save enough for one item. Just ordered an Emotiva xpa-2 today. Prolly be 3-4 mo. before I can order my towers. Ascend Sierra towers with the RAAL tweeters. On second thought, 4-6 mo. Anyhoo, i'll keep my eyes peeled surfin different sites, and if I come across anything that I think might be of interest to you, i'll let you know. Glad I could be of help. Good luck and let us know what you come up with, will be fun to hear about it. BTW what size room are you working with?

 

[blake2163]

Yes thanks so much. I think what I need to do is save save save. I'm really in no rush this time but if you see anything def let me know. I did find a pair of Martin Logan bookshelves with the ribbon tweeters but never heard a ribbon before. My room is about 20 x 16. A little awkward cause I live in a condo but just have to make the best of it.


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[JohnnieB]

Just wanted to touch base with you. Let you know I haven't forgotten about ya. I have come up with three possibilities in your current price range. Stay with Polk, i'm not positive the timbre would match up with older models but most manufacturers seem to have a "house" sound that comes through in their entire product line. EMP was rated by Audioholics as a great pick for a surround setup. Axiom audio seems to be a brand that there are mixed emotions on, but I see a lot of people have them. Again these are speakers that are in your current budget of 600 bucks. I have not personally heard any of these three but I considered all of these brands as viable options. On one hand you know what polk sounds like, on the other I don't think you'd get hurt if you went with the other two. On another note, if you look in the classifieds thread on this forum, you will see a set of Wharfedale bookshelfs for a really great price. I do suggest that you read as many reviews as you can find on any of these to help get a picture of how they might perform. I would suggest you pay close attention to load rating on the speakers tho. A 4 ohm load might be too much for your current receiver. A higher db at 6 or 8 ohm is what you want. Happy hunting.

 

[blake2163]

Thanks Johnnie your thought on the polks was exact to mine. I figured if not exact they should be very close. Enough so that it should be drastically better than have the klipsch and Polk mix lol which by the way happened because I was intending on going all klipsch and soon after decided that klipsch did not produce my favorite sound. Will have to check on the emp have read a little about them but need to look further. The axiom on the other hand was something I have been looking at because of the ability to custom tailor their speakers to your own liking. Which by the way it was the looks of the Polk rti series that even made me consider them to begin with. I have been sorta leaning towards the paradigm atom v7 or psb image b5. They both seem like quality speakers at a decent price with great reviews. I suppose I could step up to the mini or the b6 but was thinking of using say three atoms or b5's for LCR ? Then I would have perfect timbre match.
Also last but definitely not least I just realized in the past few days that I should look at the ohm rating for the speakers. Some time back when I was into car audio I learned quite a bit about how to work with the different loads that you put on a amp but didn't realize it carries over to home audio as well. I'm guessing that's because when dealing with low end or average home audio they are all matched well enough not to worry. Anyways any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again.
What are your thoughts on psb and paradigm ?

 

[zieglj01]

I favor PSB Image over Paradigm

However, for $600 - I would get 2 pair of Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 speakers,
use one as a center and have one as a spare.
Amazon.com : Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 Speakers - Black - pair : Bookshelf Home Speakers : Electronics

They are on close-out pricing > the reason for the real good price.

 

[blake2163]

Quick question... If using a bookshelf as a center would it be a bad idea to turn it on its side so it would "fit" a little better with the decor ?

 

[blake2163]

I favor PSB Image over Paradigm

However, for $600 - I would get 2 pair of Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 speakers,
use one as a center and have one as a spare.
Amazon.com : Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 Speakers - Black - pair : Bookshelf Home Speakers : Electronics

They are on close-out pricing > the reason for the real good price.

After a quick look these seem like a very quality speaker and awesome deal. Although not mentioned I would like to have something finished in a cherry or similar color but at this price point it's really hard to complain. Thanks so much.

 

[zieglj01]

Quick question... If using a bookshelf as a center would it be a bad idea to turn it on its side so it would "fit" a little better with the decor ?

I would keep it vertical - for better off-axis response, imaging and soudstage presentation.

 

[blake2163]

I would keep it vertical - for better off-axis response, imaging and soudstage presentation.

Thanks I will have to find a way to make that happen without standing out so bad.

 

[JohnnieB]

Get two lucky bamboo plants, easy to take care of, just water in rocks, put em, either side of the center.