Home Theater Speaker Help

[airbeat117]

I am not an audiophile. I purchased a Sony STR DE575 home theater system a few years ago and hooked up the system with the included little speakers and have enjoyed it since. HOWEVER... I recently purchased a Samsung 56" DLP TV and would like to upgrade the speakers.
I have a new pair of JBL 20 speakers that I can use for my front L R speakers and am considering purchasing a JBL EC25 center channel speaker. I will leave the original small sony speakers for my rear surround sound right now.

My question is this: First.... does this front JBL set up sound appropriate? second, will my current sony subwoofer still be good to use with this set up?
and third, will the rear surround speakers be effective or do I need to upgrade them also?

Thanks for any help.

Harry

 

[nova]

You will be Ok with what you want to do,...until you can upgrade the sub, rears, and receiver. The one suggestion I do have - and I'm sure everyone else will agree with - DO NOT get the EC-25 center, fork out the extra $40 or so and get the EC-35.

 

[Blundaar]

I am not an audiophile. I purchased a Sony STR DE575 home theater system a few years ago and hooked up the system with the included little speakers and have enjoyed it since. HOWEVER... I recently purchased a Samsung 56" DLP TV and would like to upgrade the speakers.
I have a new pair of JBL 20 speakers that I can use for my front L R speakers and am considering purchasing a JBL EC25 center channel speaker. I will leave the original small sony speakers for my rear surround sound right now.

My question is this: First.... does this front JBL set up sound appropriate? second, will my current sony subwoofer still be good to use with this set up?
and third, will the rear surround speakers be effective or do I need to upgrade them also?

Thanks for any help.Harry

You're the only one who can decide that question. The size of your room/viewing area may be such that small speakers (with a good sub) may be the way to go. Try to listen to other peoples set-ups and play all different kinds of movies. You'll either be content, or hitting every stereo store in a 40-mile radius. My home theater evolution was receiver, front speakers and center, sub, rear speakers (thanks Dad), HDTV, receiver (again), and DVD player (my old one doesn't count).

 

[jcPanny]

Budget HT speaker

For a budget speaker upgrade ($100/pair) check out the Athena Audition series and BIC Venturi lines. FYI, I have an Athena ASC1.1 center channel that I need to get rid of.
If you are willing to spend a little more, consider the Onix X-LS bookshelf speakers from av123.com @ $200 / pair.

With your current HTIB setup, you will probably need a receiver in order to upgrade the sub. Many HTIBs have an unpowered woofer connected to an amp in the "receiver".

 

[airbeat117]

Mounting the EC 35

You will be Ok with what you want to do,...until you can upgrade the sub, rears, and receiver. The one suggestion I do have - and I'm sure everyone else will agree with - DO NOT get the EC-25 center, fork out the extra $40 or so and get the EC-35.

Sounds like a plan nova. My Samsung 56"DLP TV has no room on top for mounting such a large center channel speaker so I will mount it on the wall just above and behind the TV. The LR speakers will be mounted on the same wall also. The reviews I saw on the EC35 were nothing short of fantastic! I am looking forward to some real improvment in sound from all this. (and I thought it was good already with those little sony speakers that came with the unit)