Nah, those orb audio speakers aren't bookshelfs.
This Pioneer 5.0 bundle would sound better. Edit: out of stock now. You snooze, you lose.
An LCR combo of the
Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 bookshelfs would definitely be a step up though, plus maybe a pair of
Fluance bipoles (sealed, and I think should be a reasonably similar timbre to the sealed Ascends). Or go for the
Affordable Accuracy modded Pioneers (pair of bookshelfs + center) plus the
vented Fluance bipoles. For receiver, either the
Marantz SR5009 (or
5007 if you want a deep discount and don't mind to go back a couple of model years), or the
Denon AVR-X2000, or the
Yamaha A730 would be better than the Onkyo. Then...
If you want to a low price but reasonably performing sub, then get the
NXG NX-BAS-500 or the
Dayton Sub-1500. Then you can get a stereo wireless transmitter and speakers for your Zone 2 (or maybe
a pair of rocks?). If you'd rather pay a little more for a better sounding sub, consider the
Rythmik LV12R, the
Hsu VTF-2 MK4, or the
Outlaw Ultra-X12 for something more grown up while still staying within your $1500 budget (although the Outlaw might put you a few bucks over), then plan to add your Zone 2 stuff later. Either way, you'll be putting that pathetic little Orb 5.1 bass module to absolute shame.
